2011 FIAT STRADA light

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

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.

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.

113
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low
or high revs when the vehicle is
stationary; this causes the engine to
warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and
emissions. It is advisable to move off
immediately and slowly, avoiding
high speeds: in this way the engine
will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before stopping the
engine.
This, as well as double declutching, is
absolutely unnecessary and increases
consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the
traffic and road permit, use a higher
gear.
Using a low gear for faster
acceleration will increase
consumption.Improper use of a high gear
increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.
Maximum speed
Fuel consumption increases
considerably with speed. Maintain a
constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and
acceleration, which cost in terms of
both fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently will greatly
affect consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual.
CONDITIONS OF USE
The main usage conditions that
negatively affect fuel consumption
are listed below.Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold
starts do not allow the engine to
reach optimum operating
temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (by 15–30% in
the urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are
linked to situations with heavy
traffic, for instance when travelling in
queues with frequent use of the
lower gears or in cities with many
traffic lights. Winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Stopping in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups
(e.g. at level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.

115
LONG VEHICLE
INACTIVITY
If the vehicle needs to be off the
road for longer than a month, the
following precautions should be
taken:
– Park the vehicle indoors in a dry
and, if possible, well-ventilated
place.
– Engage a gear.
– Check that the handbrake is not
engaged.
– Disconnect the negative battery
terminal and check the state of
charge (see “Battery” in the
“Vehicle maintenance” section).
– Clean and protect the painted
parts using protective waxes.– Clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using specific commercially
available compounds.
– Sprinkle talcum powder on the
rubber windscreen wiper blades
and lift them off the glass.
– Slightly open the windows.
– Cover the vehicle with a piece of
fabric or perforated plastic sheet.
Do not use compact plastic
tarpaulins, which prevent humidity
from evaporating from the surface
of the vehicle.– Inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
standard prescribed pressure and
check it at intervals.
– Do not drain the engine cooling
system.