2012 FIAT BRAVO maintenance

USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make it last
longer, observe the following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that the doors,
tailgate, bonnet and flaps are closed properly,
to prevent any roof lights from remaining on
inside the passenger compartment;
❒switch off all roof lights inside the car: the car is
however equipped with a system which switches
the internal lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. 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 pole;
❒completely tighten the battery terminals.IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50%
for a long time, the battery is damaged by
sulphation, reducing its capacity and efficiency at
start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing
(this can happen as early as -10°C). Refer to the
paragraph "Car inactivity" in "Starting and driving" if
the car is left parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install electric
accessories which require permanent electrical
supply (alarm, etc.) or accessories influencing the
electrical supply requirements, 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 car’s electric
system is capable of withstanding the load required,
or whether it should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
Since these devices continue to consume energy
even when the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
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WHEELS AND TYRESBefore long trips, and every two weeks, check the
tyre and space-saver wheel inflation pressure (for
versions/markets, where provided). Check the tyres
when cold.
While driving the car, the pressure increases under
standard conditions: for the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see "Wheels" paragraph in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear
fig. 211:
A normal pressure: tread evenly worn;
B low pressure: tread particularly worn at the
edges;
C high pressure: tread particularly worn in the
centre.The tyres must be replaced when the tread is less
than 1.6 mm thick. In any case, follow the laws
in force in the country where you are driving.
IMPORTANT
Take the following precautions to prevent damage
to the tyres:
❒avoid braking suddenly, racing starts and violent
impact against the curb, potholes or other
obstacles and driving for extended periods on
uneven road surfaces;
❒periodically check that the tyres have no cuts in
the side wall, abnormal swelling or irregular tyre
wear;
❒avoid travelling with the car overloaded. If you
have a puncture, stop immediately and change
the tyre;
❒tyres age even if they are not used much. Cracks
in the tread rubber and at the sides are a sign of
ageing. In any case, if the tyres have been on
the car for over 6 years, they should be checked
by specialised personnel. Also remember to
check the space-saver wheel very carefully (for
versions/markets, where provided);
❒change the position of the tyres every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on the same
side of the car to avoid inverting the rotation
direction;
fig. 211
F0Q0101
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❒In the case of replacement, always fit new tyres,
avoiding those of dubious origin;
❒if a tyre is changed, also change the inflation
valve.

WARNING
The road holding qualities of the car
also depend on the correct inflation
pressure of the tyres.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the tyre
overheats and can be seriously
damaged.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the tyres, moving
them from the right of the car to the
left and vice versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C.The
mechanical properties of the wheels could be
impaired.
244GETTING TO KNOW
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WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW
WIPERBLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using special
products; TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC 35 is
recommended.
Replace the blades if the rubber edge is deformed
or worn. In any case, it is advisable to replace them
approximately once a year. A few simple
precautions can reduce the possibility of damage to
the blades:
❒if the temperature falls below zero, make sure
that ice has not frozen the rubber against the
glass. Use an antifreeze product to release it
if required;
❒remove any snow from the glass: in addition to
protecting the blades, this prevents effort on
the motor and overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen/rear window
wipers on dry glass.
WARNING
Driving with worn windscreen/rear
window wiper blades is a serious
hazard, because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.Replacing the wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❒lift up the windscreen wiper arm and position the
blade so that it forms a 90° angle with the arm;
❒press tab A fig. 212 of the coupling spring and
remove the blade to be replaced from the arm;
❒fit the new blade by inserting the tab into the
special slot in the arm. Make sure that the new
blade is secured in position.
fig. 212
F0Q0662
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Replacing the rear window wiper blade
Proceed as follows:
❒raise cover A fig. 213 and remove the arm from
the car undoing the nut B that fastens it to the
pivot pin;
❒correctly position the new arm and tighten the
nut fully;
❒lower the cover.
NOZZLES
Windscreen (washer)
If the jet is not coming out, firstly check that there
is fluid in the reservoir (see “Checking levels” in
this chapter). Then check that the nozzle holes,
marked by arrows in Fig. fig. 214, are not clogged; if
necessary use a needle. The window washer
nozzles are fixed.Rear window (washer)
The rear window washer nozzles are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window fig. 215.
fig. 213
F0Q0663
fig. 214
F0Q0661
fig. 215
F0Q0660
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BODYWORKPROTECTION 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.
On your car, Fiat has adopted the best
manufacturing technologies to effectively protect
the bodywork against corrosion.
These are the most important:
❒Painting products and systems which give the car
particular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel sheets,
with high resistance to corrosion;
❒spraying the underbody, engine compartment,
wheel arch interiors and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
❒spraying of plastic parts, with a protective
function in the more exposed points: underdoor,
inner wing, edges, etc;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to prevent
condensation and pockets of moisture from
triggering rust inside.BODY AND UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against perforation
due to rust 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
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesthetic
purpose, but also protects the underlying sheet
metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches immediately to
prevent rust formation. Use only original 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.
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For example, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are spread with salt, it is advisable to wash the car
more frequently.

To correctly wash the vehicle, proceed as follows:
❒remove the aerial from the roof to prevent
damage to it if the car is washed in an automatic
system;
❒if high pressure jets or cleaners are used to wash
the vehicle, keep a distance of at least 40 cm
from the bodywork to avoid damage or
alteration. It should be remembered that the
build up of water can damage the car over a
period of time;
❒wash the body using a low pressure jet of water;
❒wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy solution
over the bodywork, frequently rinsing with
the sponge;
❒rinse well with water and dry with a jet of air or
a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts particularly carefully, such
as the door frames, bonnet and the headlight
frames, where water may stagnate more easily. The
car should not be taken to a closed area
immediately, but left outside so that residual water
can evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left in the
sun or with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine
of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same
way as the rest of the car.Where possible, do not park under trees; the
resinous substance that many species release give
the paint a dull appearance and increase the
possibility of triggering rusting processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid they contain
is particularly aggressive.
Detergents pollute the environment .
Therefore the engine compartment
should be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid used in the
washing process.
248GETTING TO KNOW
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Glasses
To clean glasses, use specific window cleaner
products.
Also use clean cloths to avoid scratching the glass
or damaging the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window inside gently
with a cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
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 and the relay/fuse control unit on the left side
of the engine compartment (as you look from
behind the wheel). Have this operation performed
at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take place with
the engine cold and the ignition key in the STOP
position. After the washing operation, make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and guards) have not been removed or damaged.Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic substances (e.g.
petrol) or ketenes (e.g. acetone) for cleaning the
plastic lenses of the front headlights.
249GETTING TO KNOW
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