209
KNOW
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVIC
ING
AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA TIONS
INDEX
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒ Where possible, avoid braking suddenly, wheel-spinning
and crashing into kerbs, potholes or other obstacles.
Long distances on uneven roads can damage the tyres;
❒ check the tyres regularly for cuts on the sides, swelling
or irregular tread wear. Go to a Fiat Dealership if re-
quired.
❒ avoid overloading the car when travelling: this may cause
serious damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒ if a tyre is punctured, stop the vehicle immediately and
change it to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim, and the
suspension and steering systems;
❒ a tyre will age even if it is not used much. Cracks in
the tread and on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing. In
any event, have the tyres checked by specialised per-
sonnel if they have been fitted for longer than six years.
Remember to check the spare wheel very carefully;
❒ In case of replacement, always fit new tyres, avoidingWHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, including the spare, every
two weeks and before long journeys. The pressure should
be checked with the tyre rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to increase when the vehi-
cle is used; for the correct tyre inflation pressure, see
“Wheels” in the “Technical specifications” section.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear fig. 186:
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 all cases, follow the laws in force in the coun-
try where you are driving.
F0V0161mfig. 186
210
KNOWYOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERV IC
ING
AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA TIONS
INDEX
those with an unknown origin.
❒ If a tyre is replaced, you should also change the inflation
valve.
❒ to allow even wear between the front and rear tyres,
it is advisable to switch them every 10-15 thousand kilo-
metres, keeping them on the same side of the car so
as not to reverse the direction of rotation.
Remember that road hold depends on cor-
rect tyre pressures.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low, the tyre
overheats and this can cause it serious
damage.
WARNING
Do not switch the tyres from the right of
the vehicle to the left and vice versa.
WARNING
Do not re-spray alloy wheel rims at tem-
peratures higher than 150 °C. The me-
chanical characteristics of the wheels may be
compromised.
WARNING