2011 FIAT STRADA key

96
If the key is inserted
and turned to MAR
when no faults are indicated by
the warning lights, airbags may
be deployed if another vehicle
crashes into the vehicle even if
the engine is not running and
the vehicle is stationary. For
this reason, children must
never sit on the front seat,
even if the vehicle is stationary.
On the other hand, if the key is
inserted in STOP position,
none of the safety devices
(airbags or pretensioners) will
be deployed in the event of
impact. Non-deployment of
these devices does not indicate
a system malfunction.
WARNING
For versions/markets
where provided, when
the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the “yellow” Fwarning
light switches on for a few
seconds. If the passenger
airbag is active, the “yellow”
warning light switches off after
a few seconds. If the passenger
airbag is NOT active, the
“yellow” warning light
stays on.
WARNING
If the “red” ûwarning
light does not switch on
for a few seconds when the key
is turned to MAR, there may be
a fault with the “red” warning
light. In this case, the “yellow”
warning light starts to flash
after a few seconds and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING
The expiry date of the
explosive charge is
shown on a specific label
contained in the glove box;
contact a Fiat Dealership to
have it replaced when this
expiry date approaches.
WARNING
In the event of “yellow”
Fwarning light
failure, the “red”
ûwarning
light switches on and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING

97
Do not travel carrying
objects in your lap, in
front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury
if the airbag is deployed in an
accident.
WARNING
Always drive keeping
your hands on the rim
of the steering wheel so that
the airbag can inflate freely if
necessary. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep
the back of your seat upright
and lean back into it.
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to MAR, the F
warning light (with passenger
side front airbag deactivation
switch at ON) switches on and
flashes for a few seconds to
remind you that the passenger
air bag will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should
switch off.
WARNING
If your vehicle has been
subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or
flooding, have the airbag
system inspected at a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
The front airbag is
designed to be
deployed for impacts of a
greater intensity than for the
pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between
the two thresholds, it is normal
that only the pretensioners are
activated.
WARNING
The airbag does not
replace seat belts but
increases their efficiency.
Because front airbags are not
deployed for low-speed
crashes, side collisions, rear-
end shunts or rollovers,
occupants are protected only
by their seat belts, which must
always be fastened.
WARNING

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

132
If a general protection
fuse (MEGA-FUSE,
MIDI-FUSE) is activated,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Before replacing a fuse,
make sure that the
ignition key has been removed
and that all the other services
are switched off and/or
deactivated.
WARNING
If a general protection
fuse for safety systems
(airbag system, braking
system), power unit systems
(engine system, transmission
system) or steering system
blows, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
Refer to the tables on the following
pages to identify the protective fuse.
Never replace a blown
fuse with metal wires or
other material.
If the replaced fuse
blows again, contact a
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Never replace a fuse
with another with a
higher amp rating; DANGER
OF FIRE.
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.