2011 FIAT STRADA air condition

147
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
– engine coolant level;
– brake fluid level;
– windscreen washer fluid level;
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
– operation of windscreen
washer/wiper system and
position/wear of windscreen/rear
window wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
You are advised to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS products, which have
been designed and produced
specifically for Fiat vehicles (see table
“Capacities” in the “Technical
specifications” section).
DEMANDING
VEHICLE USE
If the vehicle is mostly used in one of
the following conditions:
– towing a trailer or caravan;
– dusty roads;
– short, repeated journeys (less
than 7-8 km) at sub-zero
temperatures;
– engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long
periods of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more frequently than indicated
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
– check front disc brake pad
conditions and wear;
– check cleanliness of bonnet and
boot locks, and cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages;– visually inspect the conditions of:
engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses
(exhaust/fuel/brakes), rubber parts
(boots/sleeves/bushes, etc.);
– check battery charge and fluid
level (electrolyte);
– visually inspect the condition of
the accessory drive belts;
– check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
– check pollen filter and replace, if
required;
– check air cleaner and replace, if
required.

160
MANUAL
CLIMATE CONTROL
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
In winter, the climate control system
must be turned on at least once a
month for about 10 minutes.
Before summer, have the system
checked at a Fiat Dealership.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are
the following:
– atmospheric pollution;
– salty air and humidity (coastal
areas, or hot humid climates);
– seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne
atmospheric dust and sand, as well
as mud and gravel raised by other
vehicles is also not to be
underestimated.
Fiat has adopted the best technology
on your vehicle to effectively protect
the bodywork against corrosion.
These are the most important:
– painting products and systems
which give the vehicle particular
resistance to corrosion and
abrasion;
– use of galvanised (or
pretreated) steel sheets, with high
resistance to corrosion;
The system uses R134a
coolant which does not
pollute the environment
in the event of accidental
leakage. Under no
circumstances should you use
R12 fluid which, in addition to
being incompatible with the
system’s components, contains
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
NOZZLES
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly
check that there is fluid in the
reservoir: see “Checking levels” in
this section.
Then check that the nozzle holes are
not clogged, if necessary using a
needle.
On some versions, the windscreen
washer jets are adjusted by changing
the angle of the nozzles: rotate the
nozzle holder using a screwdriver in
housing A-fig. 162, so that the jets
are directed towards the highest
point that the blades reach when in
motion.
fig. 162
F0X0146m

161
– spraying the underbody, engine
compartment, inside of wheel
arches and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
– spraying of plastic materials for
protective purposes in the most
exposed points: under the doors,
inside the wings, along the edges,
etc.;
– use of “open” boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets
of moisture from triggering rust
inside.
VEHICLE BODY AND
UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Your vehicle is covered by warranty
against perforation due to corrosion
of any original element of the
structure or body.
For the general terms of this
warranty, refer to the Warranty
Booklet.ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paintwork
Paintwork does not only serve an
aesthetic purpose, but also protects
the underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the
formation of rust. Only use genuine
spare paint products for touch-ups
(see “Bodywork paint identification
plate” in the “Technical
Specifications” section).
Normal maintenance of paintwork
consists in washing the car: the
frequency depends on the conditions
and environment where the car is
used.
For example, it is advisable to wash
the vehicle more often in areas with
high levels of environmental
pollution or on roads spread with
salt.To correctly wash the vehicle,
proceed as follows:
– wash the body using a low
pressure jet of water;
– wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork,
frequently rinsing the sponge;
– rinse well with water and dry with
a jet of air or a chamois leather.
If you put the vehicle through a car
wash, follow these
recommendations:
– remove the aerial from the roof so
that it does not get damaged;
– the vehicle should be washed with
water added to a soapy solution;
– rinse thoroughly to avoid soap
marks remaining on the bodywork
or less visible parts.