2011 FIAT STRADA Owner handbook (in English)

If the outside temperature is very
low, diesel thickens due to the
formation of paraffin clots with
consequent defective operation of
the fuel supply system.
In order to avoid these problems,
different types of diesel are
distributed according to the season:
summer type, winter type and arctic
type (cold/mountain areas). If
refuelling with diesel fuel whose
specifications are not suitable for the
current temperature, it is advisable
to mix TUTELA DIESEL ART
additive in the proportions shown
on the container with the fuel. Pour
the additive into the tank before the
diesel fuel.
When using or parking the vehicle
for a long time in the mountains or
cold areas, it is advisable to refuel
using locally available diesel fuel.
In this case, it is also advisable to
keep the tank over 50% full.REFUELLING CAPACITY
To fill the tank completely, top up
twice after the first click of the fuel
delivery gun. Further top-ups could
cause faults in the fuel supply system.
FUEL TANK CAP
The sealing may cause a slight
pressure increase in the tank.
A suction noise when you release
the cap is therefore entirely normal.
The cap features a strap A-fig. 104
which secures it to the flap so that it
cannot be mislaid.
fig. 104
F0X0085m
Do not bring naked
flames or lit cigarettes
near to the fuel tank opening:
fire risk. Also, keep your face
away from the filler to avoid
inhaling harmful fumes.
WARNING
IMPORTANT If necessary, only
replace the fuel cap with another
original part, or the operation of the
petrol vapour recovery system may
be compromised.
103

PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental protection has
governed every stage in the design
and production of the Fiat Strada.
This has resulted in the use of
materials and the calibration of
devices which reduce or drastically
limit negative environmental impact.
The following devices are used for
reducing diesel engine emissions:
– oxidising catalytic converter;
– exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.).
– particulate filter (DPF). Since this filter physically traps
particulate, it should be regenerated
(cleaned) at regular intervals by
burning carbon particles. The
regeneration procedure is managed
automatically by the engine
management control unit according
to the filter conditions and vehicle
use conditions.
During regeneration, the following
may occur: a limited increase in the
engine speed, activation of the fan, a
limited increase in fumes and high
temperatures at the exhaust. These
are not faults; they do not impair
vehicle performance or damage the
environment. If the dedicated
message is displayed, refer to
Warning lights and messages in this
section. DIESEL PARTICULATE
FILTER (DPF)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a
mechanical filter, integral with the
exhaust system, that physically traps
particulates present in the exhaust
gases of diesel engines.
The diesel particulate filter has been
adopted to eliminate almost all
particulates in compliance with
current/future legal regulations.
During normal use of the vehicle,
the engine management control unit
records a set of data (travel time,
type of route, temperatures, etc.)
and it will then calculate how much
particulate has been trapped by the
filter.
104

105
CORRECT USE OF THE VEHICLE
STARTING THE ENGINE
The vehicle is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device: if the
engine fails to start, see the
“The Fiat CODE system” paragraph
in the “Know your vehicle” section.
It is advisable not to
demand maximum
performance from your
vehicle (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at
high speeds, excessively intense
braking, etc.) during the initial
period of use.
When the engine is off,
do not leave the key
turned to MAR to
prevent unnecessary electrical
consumption from draining the
battery.
It is dangerous to run
the engine in enclosed
areas. The engine consumes
oxygen and engine exhaust
contains carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other
toxic gasses.
WARNING
The brake servo and
power steering are not
operational until the engine
has been started, so you need
to apply much more force than
usual to the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
WARNING

106
STARTING PROCEDURE
1) Make sure that the handbrake is
engaged.
2) Put the gear lever in neutral.
3) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
The mand
Uwarning lights
switch on in the instrument panel
4) Wait for the warning lights to
switch off. The hotter the engine
is, the quicker this will happen.
5) Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6) Turn the ignition key to AVV,
within the first few moments
after the warning lights switch off.
Waiting too long will waste the
heating work carried out by the
plugs. Release the key as soon as
the engine starts.IMPORTANT With the engine cold,
the accelerator pedal must be
completely released while you turn
the ignition key to AVV.If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOP before repeating the
starting procedure.
If you still cannot start the engine,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the
ignition key at MAR when the
engine is off.Warning light mwill
flash for 60 seconds
after starting or during
prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault in the plug preheating
system.
Use the vehicle normally if the
engine starts, but contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.

107
HOW TO WARM THE
ENGINE WHICH HAS JUST
STARTED
– Drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not
accelerate abruptly.
– Do not demand maximum
performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.EMERGENCY STARTING
Never bump start the
engine by pushing,
towing or driving
downhill. This could cause fuel
to flow into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake servo and power
steering are not operational
until the engine has been
started, so you need to apply
much more force than usual to
the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
WARNING
TO STOP THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while
the engine is idling.
A quick burst on the
accelerator before
turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive,
you should allow the engine to
“catch its breath” before turning it
off by letting it idle to allow the
temperature in the engine
compartment to fall.

108
PARKING
Stop the engine, engage the
handbrake, engage 1st gear uphill or
reverse downhill and leave the
wheels steered towards the edge of
the road or the pavement. If the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope, it
is advisable to block the wheels with
a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR because this drains the battery.
Always extract the key when getting
out of the vehicle.
Never leave children
alone in the unattended
vehicle.
WARNING
HANDBRAKE fig. 105
The handbrake lever is located
between the front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to engage the
handbrake and ensure that the
vehicle does not move.When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR, the x
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on.
To release the handbrake:
1) Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button A.
2) Hold down the button and lower
the lever. The xwarning light
switches off.
Depress the brake pedal when
carrying out this operation to
prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally.
The vehicle must be
secured after several
clicks of the lever. If this is not
the case, contact a Fiat
Dealership to have it adjusted.
WARNING
fig. 105
F0X0086m

109
SNOW TYRES
Fiat Dealerships will be happy to
provide advice concerning the most
suitable type of tyres for the
Customer’s requirements.
For the type of snow tyre to be
used, inflation pressures and the
specifications of the tyres, carefully
follow the instructions given in the
“Wheels” paragraph in the
“Technical Specifications” section.
The winter features of these tyres
are reduced considerably when the
tread depth is less than 4 mm. They
should be replaced in this case.
Due to snow tyre characteristics,
under normal conditions of use or
on long motorway journeys, the
performance of these tyres is lower
than that of standard tyres. Their
usage should therefore be restricted
in accordance with their type
approval.IMPORTANT When using snow
tyres with a maximum speed rating
lower than that of the vehicle
(increased by 5%), place a clearly
visible warning sign in the passenger
compartment warning other drivers
of the maximum speed rating of the
snow tyres used (as required by EC
directive).All four tyres should be
the same (brand and track) to
ensure greater safety when driving,
during braking and better
driveability.
Remember that it is inadvisable to
change the rotation direction of
tyres.
USING THE GEARBOX
To engage gears, fully depress the
clutch pedal and put the gear lever
into one of the positions in the
diagram fig. 106 (the diagram is also
shown on the knob).
IMPORTANT Reverse may be
engaged only when the vehicle is
stationary. With the engine running,
wait for at least 2 seconds with the
clutch pedal fully pressed before
engaging reverse, to prevent damage
to the gears and grating.
You must not exceed
160 km/h on snow tyres
with a “Q” mark; in any case,
make sure you comply with the
regulations of the highway
code.
WARNING
fig. 106
F0X0087m

110
To engage reverse (R), wait for the
vehicle to stop and, from neutral,
move the lever to the right and then
backwards, lifting ring A of the
reverse inhibitor device.
Fully depress the clutch
pedal to change gears
correctly. Therefore, the floor
area underneath the clutch
pedal must not be obstructed
in any way. Ensure that the
floor mat is always laid flat
and does not interfere with use
of the pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your
hand resting on the gear
lever as the force
exerted, even if slight, could
lead over time to premature
wear of the internal gearbox
components.
The clutch pedal must be used
only for gear changes. Do not
drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal, however
lightly.
For versions/markets where
provided, the electronic clutch
control could intervene,
interpreting the incorrect driving
style as a fault.LOADING ADVICE
The vehicle has been designed and
type approved on the basis of
certain maximum weights (see
“Weights” table in the “Technical
Specifications” section):
– kerb weight
– payload
– maximum weight on front axle
– maximum weight on rear axle
– towable weight.
Each of these limits
must be kept firmly in
mind and, in any event, never
exceeded.
WARNING