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F0N0111mfig. 231
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒Avoid braking suddenly, burning starts and violent
knocks against the curb, potholes or other obstacles
if possible. Driving for long stretches over bumpy
roads can damage the tyres;
❒check the tyres regularly for cuts on the sides,
swelling or irregular tread wear. Contact a Fiat
Dealership if required.
❒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,
the suspensions and the steering system;
❒a tyre will age even if it is not used much. Cracks in
the tread and on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing.
Have the tyres checked by skilled personnel if they
have been fitted for longer than six years. Also
remember to check the space-saver wheel very
carefully;
❒In the case of replacement, always fit new tyres,
avoiding those with an unknown origin.
❒If a tyre is replaced, also change the inflation valve.
❒to allow an even wear between the front and rear
tyres, it is advisable to change them over every
10-15 thousand kilometres, keeping them on the
same side of the vehicle so as not to reverse the
direction of rotation.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, including the space-
saver wheel, approximately 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 vehicle is used; for the correct tyre
inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in the “Technical
specifications” section. Incorrect pressure causes
abnormal tyre wear fig. 231:
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
country where you are driving.
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RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber hoses are
concerned, follow the “Scheduled Servicing Programme”
in this chapter carefully.
Ozone, high temperatures and prolonged lack of fluid in
the system may cause hardening and cracking of the
hoses, with possible leaks.
Careful inspections are therefore necessary.Remember that the road holding
qualities of your vehicle also depend on
the correct inflation pressure of the tyres.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the tyre will get
overheated, with the risk of serious
damage.
WARNING
Avoid moving the tyres from the right
side of the vehicle to the left side 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.
WARNING
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F0N0137mfig. 232
Replacing the windscreen wiper blades fig. 232
Proceed as follows:
❒lift the arm A of the wiper and position the blade so
that it forms an angle of 90° with the arm;
❒remove the press-fitted blade B from arm A;
❒insert the new blade making sure it is locked.
SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen washer fig. 233
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly check that there is
fluid in the reservoir (see “Checking fluid levels” in this
section).
WINDSCREEN WIPER
BLADES
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 all cases, it is advisable to replace them
approximately once a year.
A few simple precautions can reduce the possibility of
damage to the blades:
❒make sure that the rubber part is not stuck to the
windscreen at sub-zero temperatures. 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 wipers on dry glass.
Driving with worn wiper blades is
a serious hazard, because visibility is
reduced in bad weather.
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F0N0112mfig. 233
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC
AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are: atmospheric
pollution, salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or hot
humid climates) and seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust and
sand, as well as mud and gravel raised by other cars is
also not to be underestimated. On your vehicle, Fiat has
implemented the best manufacturing technologies to
effectively protect the bodywork against corrosion.
These include:
❒painting products and systems which give the vehicle
particular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
❒use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel sheets, with
high resistance to corrosion;
❒spraying the underbody, engine compartment,
internal wheel arches and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
❒spraying of protective plastic material in the more
exposed points: underdoor, inner mudguard parts,
edges, etc...;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to prevent
condensation and pockets of moisture which could
cause rust to form inside. Then check that the nozzle holes are not clogged, if
necessary using a needle.
The washer jets should be positioned by adjusting the
angle of the sprays using a small straight-headed
screwdriver.
The jets must be directed at about
1/3of the height from
the window upper edge.
HEADLAMP WASHERS
Check the correct condition and cleanliness of nozzles
at regular intervals.
The headlamp washers come on automatically when the
windscreen washer is operated with the dipped
headlamps on.
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❒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.
Dry the less visible parts particularly carefully, such as
the door frames, bonnet and the headlight frames,
where 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.
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 rust.
To protect the paint more effectively, polish
occasionally with special protective waxes; when the
paint tends to cloud because of a build-up of smog,
polish with slightly abrasive protective waxes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and carefully as the acid they contain is
particularly aggressive. VEHICLE BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your vehicle 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. 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:
❒remove the aerial from the roof to prevent damage
to it if the vehicle is washed in an automatic system;
❒wash the body using a low pressure jet of water;
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INTERIORS
Periodically check that water is not trapped under the
mats (due to water dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.)
which could cause oxidisation of the sheet metal.
Detergents pollute the environment.
The vehicle should be washed in areas
equipped for collecting and purifying the
liquid used in the washing process.
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
Wash the engine compartment thoroughly at the end of
every winter. Be careful not to direct the jet of water
onto electronic control units. Adequately protect the
upper air vents to prevent damage to the windscreen
wiper motor. 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 ketones (e.g.: acetone) for cleaning the front
headlight plastic lenses.
Never use flammable products, such as
petrol, ether or rectified petrol, to clean
the vehicle interior. The electrostatic charges
which are generated by rubbing during the
cleaning operation may cause a fire.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in the vehicle:
risk of explosion Aerosol cans must not
be exposed to a temperature exceeding 50 °C.
When the vehicle is exposed to sunlight, the
internal temperature can greatly exceed this
value.
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INTERIOR PLASTIC PARTS
It is advisable to clean interior parts with a moist cloth
and a solution of water and mild soap. Use specific
products for cleaning plastic, without solvents and
specifically designed to prevent damage to the
appearance and colour of the treated parts to remove
grease and tough stains.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol or petroleum to clean
the instrument panel.
LEATHER STEERING WHEEL/GEAR KNOB
These components must be cleaned with mild soap and
water only.
Never use alcohol and/or alcohol-based products.
Before using off-the-shelves products designed for
cleaning car interiors, make sure that they do not
contain alcohol and/or alcohol based substances before
using them.
If window cleaner accidentally drips onto the steering
wheel or gear lever knob, wipe away immediately and
then wash the affected area with mild soap and water.
IMPORTANT Be careful when using a steering wheel
lock device, where applicable, to prevent damaging the
leather upholstery by rubbing. SEATS AND FABRIC PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner. It is
advisable to use a moist brush on velvet upholstery.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened with a solution
of water and neutral detergent.
The fabric upholstery of your vehicle is
designed to withstand the normal wear
and tear of your vehicle for a long time.
You are however recommended to avoid strong
and/or continuous scratching with clothing
accessories such as metal buckles, studs, Velcro
fastenings and the like, as these items cause stress
of the cover fabric that could lead threads to
break and damage the upholstery.
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F0N0333mfig. 234
H Maximum authorised weight on second axle
(rear).
I Engine type
L Bodywork version code
M Number for spare parts
N Correct fume coefficient value.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
IDENTIFICATION DATA
It is advisable to take note of the identification codes.
The following identification codes are printed and
shown on the plates:
❒Model plate.
❒Chassis marking.
❒Bodywork paint identification plate.
❒Engine marking.
MODEL PLATE fig. 234
This plate is fitted to the engine compartment front
crossmember and contains the following identification
data:
B Type-approval number
C Vehicle type identification code.
D Chassis number.
E Maximum authorised weight of vehicle fully laden.
F Maximum authorised weight of vehicle fully laden
plus trailer.
G Maximum authorised weight on first axle (front).