2011 FIAT STRADA engine

149
ENGINE OIL fig. 153
Engine oil level checkCheck the oil level a few minutes
(about 5) after the engine has
stopped, with the vehicle parked on
level ground.
Take out the engine oil dipstick
A-fig. 153, clean it and then fully
reinsert it, take it out again and
check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
dipstick. The interval between MIN
and MAX corresponds to about
1 litre of oil.
AB
fig. 153
F0X0137m
Always top up using
engine oil of the same
specifications as that
already in the engine.
Be very careful when
working in the engine
compartment when the engine
is hot: you may get burned.
Remember that the fan may
start up if the engine is hot:
this could injure you. Scarves,
ties and other loose clothing
may be pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Topping up the engine oil
If the oil level is near or under the
MIN mark, add oil through the filler
B-fig. 153 until it reaches the MAX
mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
IMPORTANT If the engine oil level,
after a routine check, is above the
MAX level, contact a Fiat Dealership
to have the correct level restored.
IMPORTANT After adding or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
over for a few seconds and wait a
few minutes after stopping it before
you check the level.

150
When the vehicle is used in
particularly harsh weather
conditions, we recommend using a
60-40 mixture of PARAFLU
UPand
demineralised water.
fig. 154
F0X0138m
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
The maximum engine oil
consumption is usually 400 grams
every 1000 km.
When the vehicle is new, the engine
needs to be run in, therefore the
engine oil consumption can only be
considered stabilised after the first
5,000–6,000 km.
IMPORTANT The oil consumption
depends on the driving style and the
conditions under which the vehicle is
used.ENGINE COOLANT fig. 154
The coolant level must be checked
when the engine is cold and must be
above the MIN mark on the
reservoir.
If the level is low, slowly pour a
mixture of 50% demineralised water
and 50% PARAFLU
UPby PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS through the filler A
until the level is nearly at MAX.
A 50-50 mixture of PARAFLU
UPand
distilled water gives freeze
protection to –35°C.
Used engine oil and the
oil filter contain harmful
substances for the
environment. It is advisable to
have oil and filters changed by a
Fiat Dealership, where they will
be disposed of properly and in
accordance with the law.
The engine cooling
system uses PARAFLUUP
protective antifreeze
fluid. Use fluid of the same type
contained in the cooling system
for any top-ups. PARAFLU
UP
cannot be mixed with any other
type of fluid. If this happens, do
not under any circumstances
start the engine and contact a
Fiat Dealership.

151
WINDSCREEN WASHER
FLUID fig. 155
To add fluid, remove the cap and
pour in a mixture of water and
TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC35
fluid in the following proportions:
– 30% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35 and 70% water in summer.
– 50% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35 and 50% water in winter.
At temperatures below –20°C, use
undiluted TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35 fluid.
fig. 155
F0X0139m
Do not remove the cap
of the tank when the
engine is hot as there is a risk
of scalding. The cooling system
is pressurised. If the cap needs
replacing, do so with another
original or the effectiveness of
the system may be
compromised.
WARNING
Some commercial
windscreen washer
additives are flammable. The
engine compartment contains
hot parts which could cause a
fire if they come into contact
with these additives.
WARNING
Do not travel if the
windscreen washer
reservoir is empty: using the
windscreen washer is essential
for improving visibility.
WARNING

152
POWER STEERING FLUID
fig. 156
Check that the oil level with the
vehicle on flat ground and the engine
cold is between the MIN and MAX
marks on the reservoir.
The level may exceed the MAX
mark when the oil is hot.
If topping up is required, make sure
the oil you use has the same
specifications as that already in the
system.BRAKE FLUID fig. 157
Unscrew the cap A-fig. 157 and
check that the liquid contained in the
reservoir is at the maximum level.
The fluid level in the reservoir must
not exceed the MAX mark.
You are advised to use the brake
fluid shown in the “Fluids and
lubricants” table (see section
“Technical Specifications”) to top up.
When opening the cap A, make sure
that no dirt gets into the reservoir.
For topping up, always use a funnel
with integrated filter with mesh
equal to or lower than 0.12 mm.
fig. 157
F0X0141m
fig. 156
F0X0140m
Power steering fluid
consumption is
extremely low; if
another top-up is required
afteronly a short period of time,
have the system checked for
leaks at a Fiat Dealership.
Prevent power steering
fluid from coming into
contact with hot engine parts:
it is flammable.
WARNING

154
DIESEL FILTER fig. 158
DRAINING CONDENSATION
fig. 158
F0X0142m
fig. 159
F0X0143m
BATTERY
The battery is “limited maintenance”
type: under normal conditions of
use, the electrolyte does not need
topping up with distilled water.
It does, however, need to be
checked periodically at a Fiat
Dealership or by specialist personnel
to make sure it is working correctly.
The presence of water in
the supply circuit may
cause severe damage to
the injection system and
irregular engine operation. If the
cwarning light switches on,
contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible to have the
system bled. If this problem is
indicated immediately after
refueling, water may have
entered the fuel tank. In this
case, stop the engine
immediately and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
Dispose of the
diesel/water mixture
discharged by the filter
correctly. You are advised to
contact a Fiat Dealership to
drain the condensation. They
are equipped to dispose of it in
full respect of the environment
and in compliance with legal
regulations.
The bleeding operation,
if not carried out
correctly taking the necessary
precautions, may compromise
the driving safety of the vehicle
as well as leading to dangerous
fuel leaks.
WARNING

156
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery
rapidily and maintain its efficiency
over time, carefully observe the
following instructions:
– when you park the vehicle, ensure
that the doors, tailgate and bonnet
are closed properly, to prevent
any roof lights from remaining on
inside the passenger
compartment;
– switch off all roof lights inside the
vehicle: the vehicle is however
equipped with a system which
switches all internal lights off
automatically;
– do not keep accessories (e.g. car
radio, hazard warning lights, etc.)
switched on for a long time when
the engine is not running;
– before performing any operation
on the electrical system,
disconnect the negative battery
cable;– fully tighten the battery terminals.
IMPORTANT If the battery remains
with the charge below 50% for a
long time it becomes damaged
through sulphation and its starting
capacity is reduced.
The battery is also more prone to
the risk of freezing (at temperatures
as high as -10°C).
Refer to the paragraph “Vehicle
inactivity” in the “Correct use of the
vehicle” section if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time.If, after buying the vehicle, you want
to install electrical accessories which
require permanent electric supply
(alarm, etc.) or accessories that in
any case burden the electrical
supply, contact a Fiat Dealership,
whose qualified personnel, in
addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices from Lineaccessori
Fiat, will evaluate the overall
electrical consumption, checking
whether the vehicle’s electrical
system is capable of withstanding the
load required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices
continue to consume electricity even
when the engine is off, they gradually
run down the battery.

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.

162
Exterior plastic parts should be
cleaned in the same way as the rest
of the vehicle. Where possible, do
not park the vehicle under trees; the
resinous substances released by
many species give the paint a dull
appearance and increase the
possibility of corrosion.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must
be washed off immediately and
thoroughly, as the acid they contain
is particularly aggressive.Windows
To clean windows, use specific
cleaning products.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or damaging the
transparency.
Engine compartment
At the end of each winter,
thoroughly wash the engine
compartment, taking care to avoid
spraying the water jet directly onto
the electronic control units or the
fuse box on the left side of the
engine compartment (driving
direction).
Have this operation performed at a
specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT Washing should take
place with the engine cold and the
ignition key removed.
After the washing operation, make
sure that the various protections
(e.g. rubber caps and guards) have
not been removed or damaged.
Detergents cause water
pollution. The vehicle
should be washed in
areas equipped for collecting
and purifying the liquid used in
the washing process.
Some car washes with
old-style blades and/or
in a poor state of repair
can damage the paintwork,
facilitating the formation of
lines that give the paint a
dull/misty appearance,
especially on dark colours.
If this happens, lightly polish the
paintwork with appropriate
products.
Dry the less visible parts, such as the
door frames, bonnet and the
headlight frames with special care, as
in these areas water may stagnate
more easily.
It is a good idea to leave the vehicle
outdoors for a while after washing it
to give the water time to evaporate.
Do not wash the vehicle after it has
been left in the sun or with the
bonnet hot: this may alter the shine
of the paintwork.