86
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If, after buying the car, you decide to in-
stall electrical accessories that require a
permanent electric supply (alarm, satellite
antitheft system, etc.) or accessories that
in any case burden the electric supply,
contact Fiat Dealership, whose qualified
personnel, besides suggesting the most
suitable devices belonging to Lineaccessori
Fiat, will also evaluate the overall electric
absorption, checking whether the vehicle
electric system is able to withstand the
load required, or whether it needs to be
integrated with a more powerful battery.
INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC/
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Electric/electronic devices installed after
buying the car or in aftermarket shall bear
the and marking:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorizes the installation
of transceivers provided that installation
is carried out at a specialized shop, work-
manlike performed and in compliance with
manufacturer's specifications.IMPORTANT Installation of devices re-
sulting in modifications of car characteris-
tics may cause driving license seizing by
traffic agents and also the lapse of the war-
ranty as concerns defects due to the
abovementioned modification or traceable
back to it directly or indirectly.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. declines all responsibility
for damages caused by the installation of
non-genuine accessories or not recom-
mended by Fiat Auto S.p.A. and installed
not in compliance with the specified re-
quirements.
RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
CELLULAR TELEPHONES
Radio transceiver equipment (e.g.: e-tacs
mobile phones, HAM radio systems and
the like) shall not be used inside the ve-
hicle unless a separate aerial is mounted
on the roof.
IMPORTANT The use of similar devices
inside the passenger compartment (with-
out separated aerial) produces radio-fre-
quency electromagnetic fields which, am-
plified by the resonance effects inside the
passenger compartment, may cause elec-
trical systems equipping the vehicle to mal-
function. This could compromise safety in
addition to constituting a potential hazard
for the passengers.In addition, transmission and reception of
these devices may be affected by the
shielding effect of the vehicle body.
As concerns EC-approved mobile phones
(GSM, GPRS, UMTS), strictly comply with
the instructions for use provided by the
mobile phone’s manufacturer.
Be careful when mounting
additional spoilers, alloy rims
and non original wheel caps: they
may reduce the brake ventilation and
efficiency during sharp and repeat-
ed braking or sloping downhill. Also
make sure that nothing (over-carpet-
ing, etc.) interferes with the pedal
stroke.
WARNING
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC
POWER STEERING
SYSTEM
The car is fitted with an electrically con-
trolled power steering called “Dualdrive”.
It only works when the ignition key is at
MARand the engine is running and it can
be customised by the driver according to
the driving conditions.
ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION
(CITY function)
To turn this function on/off, press the
CITY fig. 130button located in the mid-
dle of the instrument panel.
On some versions the activation of this
function is signalled by the lighting up of
the CITYwarning light on the instrument
panel, on others by the lighting up of
CITYon the reconfigurable multifunction
display.
With the CITYfunction, the steering
wheel will be lighter and require less ef-
fort for parking. This operating strategy
is suitable for driving in cities.
fig. 130F0H0716m
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and result in car non-
compliance with the regulations in
force.
WARNING
In the event of electric power steering fail-
ure, the car can be driven with mechani-
cal steering to the closest Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT The steering may become
slightly stiff following parking manoeuvres
including a great deal of steering. This is
normal and caused by the system to pre-
vent motor overheating. No servicing is
required. The electrical power steering
system will return to normal operation
the next time the car is used.
Always switch the engine off,
remove the key from the
starting device and actuate the steer-
ing lock before carrying out any main-
tenance operation, especially when
the wheels are raised from the
ground. In case this is not possible
(e.g. when the key must be in MAR
position or the engine running), re-
move the electric power steering
main fuse before carrying out any
maintenance operation.
WARNING
FAILURE WARNINGS
Any electric power steering failure is in-
dicated by cluster warning light
gcom-
ing on (together, where provided, with the
message on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tion display - see the “Warning lights”
chapter).
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROL
SAFETY
DEVICES
FRONT AND SIDE AIR
BAGS
The car is fitted with front air bags for the
driver and for the passenger, and window
bags (head protection system); upon re-
quest the car can be fitted also with front
side bags;
The front air bag (driver and passenger)
has been designed to protect the occu-
pants in the event of head-on crashes of
medium-high severity, by placing the cush-
ion between the occupant and the steer-
ing wheel or dashboard.
Front air bags are designed to protect
car’s occupants in front crashes and there-
fore non-activation in other types of col-
lisions (side collisions, rear shunts, roll-
overs, etc.) is not a system malfunction.
In case of crash, an electronic control unit,
when required, triggers the inflation of the
cushion.
The cushion immediately inflates, placing
itself as a protection between the body
of the front occupants and the structure
that could cause injuries. Immediately af-
ter, the cushion deflates.
The front air bag (driver and passenger) is
not a replacement of but complementary
to the use of belts, which should always
be worn, as specified by law in Europe and
most non European countries.In case of crash, a person not wearing the
seat belt moves forward and may come in-
to contact with the cushion while it is still
inflating. Under this circumstance the pro-
tection offered by the air bag is reduced.
Front air bag may not be activated in the
following situations:
❒in collisions against highly deformable
objects not affecting the vehicle front
surface (e.g. bumper collision against
guard rail, etc.);
❒in case of wedging under other vehi-
cles or protective barriers (for exam-
ple under a truck or guard rail), the air
bag is not triggered as it offers no ad-
ditional protection compared with the
seat belts, consequently it would be
pointless. Therefore, failure to come
into action in the above circumstance
does not mean that the system is not
working properly.
The driver’s and passenger’s front Air bags
have been designed and calibrated to im-
prove the protection of a person wear-
ing seat belts.
At its maximum inflation, its volume fills
most of the space between the dashboard
and the passenger.DRIVER’S FRONT AIR BAG fig. 17
It consists of an instant-inflating cushion
contained in a special recess in the cen-
tre of the steering wheel.
fig. 17F0H0746m
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
fig. 18F0H0145m
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
fig. 18
It consists of an instant-inflating cushion
contained in a special recess Ain the dash-
board and the cushion has a volume big-
ger than that of the driver.
In minor crashes (for which the restrain-
ing action of the seat belts is sufficient), the
air bags are not deployed. Also in this case
it is of vital importance to wear the seat
belts since in case of side crash they guar-
antee proper positioning of the occupant
and prevent the occupants to be pitched
out of the car in case of violent crashes.
Do not apply stickers or oth-
er objects on the steering
wheel, in area A-fig.18 of the passen-
ger’s air bag or on the side covering.
Never put objects on the dashboard
on the passenger’s side because they
may interfere with the correct air bag
deployment and cause serious injuries
to the car occupants.
WARNING
SERIOUS DANGER: The car
is fitted with an air bag on
the passenger’s side. Never place cra-
dle child’s seats on the front passen-
ger’s seat of cars fitted with passen-
ger’s air bag since the air bag activa-
tion could cause serious injuries, even
mortal.
WARNING
On cars provided with front
passenger's air bag, the air
bag shall be deactivated
when placing a child' seat
on the front passenger's
seat. The front passenger
seat shall be adjusted in the most
backward position to prevent any
contact between child’ seat and dash-
board. Even if not compulsory by law,
you are recommended to reactivate
the air bag immediately as soon as
child transport is no longer necessary.
WARNING
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
IMPORTANT The front air bags and/or
side bags may be deployed if the car is sub-
ject to heavy knocks or accidents involv-
ing the underbody area, such as for ex-
ample violent shocks against steps, kerbs
or low obstacles, falling of the car in big
holes or sags in the road.
IMPORTANT When the air bag inflates
it emits a small amount of dusts. These
dusts are harmless and is not the begin-
ning of a fire; then the unfold cushion sur-
face and the car interiors can be covered
by a dusty remains: this dust can irritate
skin and eyes. In case of contact, wash
yourself using neutral soap and water.
The air bag system has a validity of 14
years as to the pyrotechnic charge, and 10
years as to the twisted contact. As this
date approaches, contact Fiat Dealership
to have it replaced.
IMPORTANT Should an accident occur in
which any of the safety devices is activat-
ed, take the car to a Fiat Dealership to
have the devices activated replaced and to
have the system checked.
All check, repair and replacement opera-
tions concerning the air bags must only be
carried out c/o Fiat Dealership.If you are having the car scrapped, have
the air bag system deactivated at a Fiat
Dealership first. If the car changes own-
ership, the new owner must be informed
of the method of use of air bags and the
above warnings and also be given this
“Owner handbook”.
IMPORTANT The triggering of preten-
sioners, front air bags and front side bags
is decided in a differentiated manner. The
failure to deploy one or more of them
does not mean that the system is not
working properly.
Never rest head, arms and
elbows on the door, on the
windows and in the window bag area
to prevent possible injuries during the
inflation phase.
WARNING
Never put head, arms and el-
bows out of the window.
WARNING
If warning light ¬does not
come on when turning the
key to MAR or if it stays on when
travelling it could indicate a failure in
restraint systems; in this case air bags
or pretensioners could not trigger in
the event of an accident, or in a re-
stricted numbers of cases they could
trigger accidentally. Stop the car and
contact Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked immediately.
WARNING
GENERAL WARNINGS
Do not cover the back rest of
front seats with trims or cov-
ers there are not set for the use of side
bags.
WARNING
Always keep your hands on
the steering wheel rim when
driving, so that if the air bag is trig-
gered, it can inflate without meeting
any obstacles which could cause seri-
ous harm to you. Do not drive with
the body bent forwards, keep the seat
back rest in the erect position and
lean your back well against it.
WARNING
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
❒Turn the ignition key to AVVas soon
as warning light m goes out. If you wait
too long you will lose the benefit of
the work done by the glow plugs. Re-
lease the key as soon as the engine
starts.
IMPORTANT With cold engine, the ac-
celerator pedal shall be completely re-
leased while turning the ignition key to
AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is on MAR, warn-
ing light
Yremains lit, turn the key to
STOPand then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try with the oth-
er keys provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, contact
Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
at MARwhen the engine is off.The warning light
mwill
flash for 60 seconds at start-
up or during prolonged crank-
ing to signal a fault in the
glow plug heating system. You can use
the car as usual if the engine starts but
you should contact a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP
THE ENGINE AFTER
IT HAS JUST STARTED
(petrol and Multijet versions)
Proceed as follows:
❒Drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒Do not drive at full performance for
the initial kilometres. Wait until the
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the en-
gine compartment to fall.Never bump start the engine
by pushing, towing or coast-
ing downhill. This could cause
fuel to flow into the catalyt-
ic exhaust system and damage it be-
yond repair.
A quick burst on the acceler-
ator before turning off the en-
gine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes
fuel and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much ef-
fort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake;
❒engage a gear (on a slope, engage first
gear if the car is faced uphill or reverse
if it is faced downhill) and leave the
wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the car is parked on a steep slope. Avoid
leaving the car parked with a wheel on the
sidewalk or steered against the kerb. Do
not leave the ignition key at MARto pre-
vent draining the battery. Always remove
the key when you leave the car.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located between
the two front seats.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards until the
car cannot be moved.
Four or five clicks are generally enough
when the car is on level ground while nine
or ten may be required if the car is on a
steep slope or laden.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, con-
tact Fiat Dealership to have the handbrake
adjusted.When the handbrake lever is pulled up
and the ignition key is at MARthe panel
warning light
xwill come on.
To release the handbrake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press re-
lease button A-fig. 1;
❒keep button Apressed in and lower
the lever. Warning light xwill go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out
this operation to prevent the car from
moving accidentally.
IMPORTANT If the handbrake lever tends
to approach the end of stroke (slot on
central console), contact Fiat Dealership
to have the handbrake adjusted.
fig. 1F0H0149m
Never leave children unat-
tended in the car. Always re-
move the ignition key when leaving
the car and take it out with you.
WARNING
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Fiat Dealership will be happy to provide
advice concerning the most suitable type
of tyre for the customer’s requirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in para-
graph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
The winter features of these tyres are re-
duced considerably when the tread depth
is below 4 mm. In this case, they should
be replaced.
Due to the snow tyre features, under nor-
mal conditions of use or on long motor-
way journeys, the performance of these
tyres is lower than that of normal tyres. It
is therefore necessary to limit their use to
the purposes for which they are certified.IMPORTANT When snow tyres are used
with a max speed index below the one
that can be reached by the car (increased
by 5%), place a notice in the passenger
compartment, plainly in the driver’s view
which states the max permissible speed of
the snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveabili-
ty.
Remember that it is inappropriate to
change the direction of rotation of tyres.The max speed for snow
tyres with “T” marking is 190
km/h. The Road Traffic Code speed
limits must however be always strict-
ly observed.
WARNING
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