2011 FIAT STRADA tow

The E-Locker System
should not encourage
the driver to head towards and
travel through unknown places
and/or regions, confident of
tackling any obstacle.
The driver is always responsible
of controlling and driving the
vehicle in all circumstances.
WARNING
SEVERE DANGER:
If emergency conditions
require that a front wheel is
lifted: make sure that the
E-Locker system is deactivated
before any operation is carried
out.
WARNING
The system features manual and
automatic deactivation.
Manual deactivation
Press the ELD button again.
Automatic deactivation
This occurs when the speed of the
vehicle exceeds 20 km/h.
When the vehicle approaches this
speed (about 15 km/h):
– the system emits a sequence of
3 beeps
– the ELD warning light on the
instrument panel flashes more
quickly.When it is deactivated (manual or
automatic):
– the system emits a short beep
– The ELD warning light switches
off in the instrument panel
– the display shows a dedicated
message (ELD OFF for 5 seconds).
In the event of failure
– the ELD warning light on the
instrument panel switches on
constantly and the display shows a
dedicated message.
IMPORTANT If a user attempts to
activate the E-Locker System with
vehicle in motion and/or without the
brake pedal pressed, the command is
rejected and the system is not
activated; the ELD warning light on
the instrument panel switches on for
a few seconds at the same time.
99

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

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

112
FUEL SAVING
Here are some useful tips to save
fuel and minimise harmful emissions
of CO
2and other pollutants (nitric
oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons,
particulate matter etc.).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The general factors that affect fuel
consumption are listed below.
Vehicle maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried
out on the vehicle in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres
routinely at an interval of no more
than 4 weeks: if the pressure is too
low, consumption levels increase as
resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with excess load.
The weight of the vehicle (especially
when driving in town), and its trim
greatly affect consumption and
stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski
rack from the roof after use.
These accessories reduce the
vehicle’s aerodynamic penetration
and have a negative effect on
consumption. When transporting
particularly large objects, use a
trailer if possible.Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the
amount of time necessary. The
additional headlights, windscreen
wipers and heater fan consume a
considerable amount of energy,
thereby increasing fuel consumption
(by up to 25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
Climate control leads to higher fuel
consumption (on average by up to
20%): if the temperature outside
permits, try and use the ventilation
only.
Devices for aerodynamic
control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and consumption
levels.
DRIVING STYLE
The main driving styles that affect
fuel consumption are listed below.

114
TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT
The vehicle must be equipped with a
type-approved tow hook and
adequate electrical system to tow
trailers.
Install any specific and/or additional
rear view mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a
trailer, steep hills are harder to
climb, stopping distances increase
and overtaking takes longer
depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly
using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the
vehicle tow hook will reduce the
loading capacity of the vehicle by the
same amount.
To make sure that the maximum
towable weight is not exceeded, the
fully laden trailer weight, including
accessories and luggage, must be
taken into account.Do not exceed the speed limits
specific to each country you are
driving in, in the case of vehicles
towing trailers. In any case, the top
speed must not exceed 80 km/h.
The ABS system does
not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular
caution is therefore required
on slippery surfaces.
WARNING
Never modify the
braking system of the
vehicle to control the trailer
brake. The trailer’s braking
system must be completely
independent from the
hydraulic system of the vehicle.
WARNING
SNOW CHAINS
The use of chains is subject to local
regulations.
Chains may be applied only to the
tyres of the drive wheels (front
wheels).
Use “spider” type reduced size snow
chains.
Keep your speed
down when snow
chains are fitted;
do not exceed 50 km/h.
Avoid potholes, steps and
pavements and avoid driving
long distances on roads not
covered with snow, to avoid
damaging the vehicle and the
road surface.

118
BUMP 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.
IMPORTANT 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.IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
General instructions
To use the jack and
space-saver wheel
correctly, some
precautions are necessary,
described below.
Never use a quick
battery charger to start
the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems,
particularly the ignition and fuel
supply control units.
Incorrect positioning of
the jack may cause the
raised vehicle to fall. Do not
use the jack for loads greater
than that indicated on the jack
itself. The jack is only to be
used for replacing wheels on
the vehicle with which it is
provided. Never use the jack
for other purposes, such as
lifting other vehicles. Never use
the jack to carry out repairs
under the vehicle. Do not
grease the threads of bolts
before fitting them: they might
slip out.
WARNING
This procedure must be
performed by expert
personnel as incorrect actions
may cause high-intensity
electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames and lit
cigarettes away from the
battery. Do not create sparks.
WARNING

140
Before towing, turn the
ignition key to MAR
and then to STOP without
extracting it. If the key is
removed, the steering lock will
activate automatically and it
will be impossible to steer the
wheels.
WARNING
The tow hook must be
used exclusively for
roadside assistance operations.
You are allowed to tow the
vehicle for short distances using
an appropriate device in
accordance with the highway
code (rigid bar), to move the
vehicle on the road in readiness
for towing or transport via a
breakdown vehicle. The tow
hook MUST NOT be used to
tow vehicles off the road or
where there are obstacles
and/or for towing operations
using cables or other non-rigid
devices. In compliance with the
above conditions, towing must
take place with the two
vehicles (one towing, the other
towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre
line.
WARNING
fig. 149
F0X0132m
IF THE VEHICLE
MUST BE TOWED
The vehicle can only be towed at the
front.
The tow hook is supplied with the
vehicle.
It is located in the tool bag.
How to attach the tow hook:
1) Take the tow hook.
2) Remove the cover on the front
bumper fig. 149, prising it up using
a screwdriver in the notch on the
cover.
3) Fully tighten the ring on the
threaded pin.