Page 2 of 210

Dear Customer,
Thank you for selecting Fiat and congratulations on your choice of a Fiat Idea.
We have written this handbook to help you get to know all your new Fiat Idea’s features and use it in the best possible way.
You should read it right through before taking the road for the first time.
You will find information, tips and important warnings regarding the driving of your car to help you derive the maximum from your
Fiat Idea’s technological features. You will find very valuable tips for your own safety, the car’s wellbeing and about how to protect
the environment.
You are recommended to read carefully the warnings and indications, marked with the respective symbols, at the end of the page:
personal safety;
the car’s wellbeing;
environmental protection.
The enclosed “Warranty Booklet” lists the services that Fiat offers to its Customers:
❒the Warranty Certificate with terms and conditions for maintaining its validity
❒the range of additional services available to Fiat Customers
Best regards and good motoring!
This Owner Handbook describes all Fiat Idea versions. As a consequence, you should consider only the
information which is related to the engine and bodywork version of the car you purchased.
001-035 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:27 Pagina 1
Page 3 of 210

MUST BE READ!
K
REFUELLING
Petrol engines:only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95.
Diesel engines:only refuel with diesel fuel conforming to the European specification EN590.
The use of other products or mixtures may irreparably damage the engine with invalidation of the warranty due to
the damage caused.
ENGINE STARTING
Petrol engines:make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch
without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
Diesel engines:make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch
without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to MAR and wait for the
Yand mwarning lights to
go off; turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While working, the catalyst develops a very high temperature. Do not park the car over grass, dry leaves, pine nee-
dles or any other inflammable materials: risk of fire.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
A system for continuously monitoring emission system components to ensure greater environmental protection is
fitted in your car.
001-035 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:27 Pagina 2
Page 8 of 210
7
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
F0H0706m
Modal
A– Speedometer
B– Fuel gauge with reserve warning light
C– Engine coolant temperature gauge with
high temperature warning light
D– Rev counter
E– Multifunction display
cmWarning lights fitted on Multijet
versions only
INSTRUMENT PANEL
fig. 8
001-035 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:27 Pagina 7
Page 9 of 210
8
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
F0H0707m
Comfort
A– Speedometer
B– Fuel gauge with reserve warning light
C– Engine coolant temperature gauge with
high temperature warning light
D– Rev counter
E– Reconfigurable multifunction display
cmWarning lights fitted on Multijetver-
sions only
fig. 9
001-035 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:27 Pagina 8
Page 10 of 210

9
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
F0H0012mfig. 10
SYMBOLS
Special coloured labels have been attached
near or actually on some of the compo-
nents of your Fiat Idea. These labels bear
symbols that remind you of the precau-
tions to be taken as regards that particu-
lar component.
The plate summarising the symbols used
can be found under the bonnet fig. 10.
THE FIAT CODE SYSTEM
To further protect you car from theft, it
has been fitted with an engine immobilis-
ing system. This system is automatically ac-
tivated when the ignition key is removed.
An electronic device, in fact, is fitted in
each ignition key grip. The device trans-
mits a radio-frequency signal when the en-
gine is started through a special aerial built
into the ignition switch. The modulate sig-
nal, which changes each time the engine is
started, is the “password”, by means of
which the control unit recognises the key
and enables to start the engine.
001-035 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:27 Pagina 9
Page 11 of 210

10
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
KEY KIT AND DOOR
LOCKING
CODE CARD
(Optional for versions/markets
where applicable) fig. 11
The car is delivered with the keys and the
CODE card which bears the following:
❒the electronic code A;
❒the mechanical key code Bto be giv-
en to the Fiat Dealership when or-
dering duplicate keys.
IMPORTANT In order to ensure perfect
efficiency of the electronic devices con-
tained inside the keys, they should never
be exposed to direct sunlight. OPERATION
Each time the car is started turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the Fiat CODE sys-
tem control unit sends a recognition code
to the engine control unit to deactivate
the inhibitor.
The code is sent only if the Fiat CODE
system control unit has recognised the
code transmitted from the key.
Each time the ignition key is turned to the
STOPposition, the Fiat CODE system
deactivates the functions of the engine
electronic control unit.
At starting, if the code has not been recog-
nised correctly, the warning light
Ywill
come on.
In this case, the key should be moved to
the STOPposition and then back to
MAR; if the lock continues, possibly try
again with the other key provided with the
car. If it is still not possible to start the car,
then contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Every key has its own code,
which must be memorised by the system
control unit. To memorise new keys, up
to a maximum of eight, apply to Fiat Deal-
ership.Warning light
Ycoming on when
driving
❒If the warning light Yturns on, this
means that the system is running a self-
test (for example for a voltage drop).
Should the inconvenience persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
The electronic components
inside the key may be dam-
aged if the key is submitted to
sharp knocks.
All the keys and the CODE
card must be handed over to
the new owner when selling
the car.
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18
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
IGNITION SWITCH
The key can be turned to 3 different po-
sitions fig. 24:
❒STOP: engine off, key can be re-
moved, steering column locked. Cer-
tain electrical devices (e.g.: sound sys-
tem, power windows…) can work.
❒MAR: driving position. All electrical
devices are powered.
❒AVV: engine starting (unstable posi-
tion).
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
mechanism that, in the event the engine is
not started, turns back the ignition key to
STOPbefore repeating the starting op-
eration.
fig. 24F0H0021m
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
When the key is to STOPremove the
key and turn the steering wheel until it
locks.
Disengaging
Rock the steering wheel slightly as you
turn the ignition key to MAR.
If the ignition device is tam-
pered with (e.g.: attempted
theft), have it checked over by a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
Never remove the ignition
key while the car is moving.
The steering wheel would automati-
cally lock as soon as you try to turn
it. This also applies when the car is
being towed.
WARNING
When getting out of the car,
always remove the key to
prevent any occupants from acci-
dentally activating the controls. Re-
member to engage the handbrake. If
the car is parked on uphill slope to
engage the first gear. If the car is fac-
ing downhill, engage the reverse gear.
Never leave unsupervised children in
the car.
WARNING
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19
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
INSTRUMENTS
SPEEDOMETER fig. 25
Speed indicator.
REV. COUNTER fig. 26
Engine rpm indicator.
IMPORTANT The electronic injection
control system gradually shuts off the flow
of fuel when the engine is “over-revving”
resulting in a gradual loss of engine pow-
er.
When the engine is idling, the rev counter
may indicate a gradual or sudden higher-
ing of the speed.
This is normal as it takes place during nor-
mal operation, for example when activat-
ing the climate control system or the fan.
In particular a slow change in the speed
preserves the battery charge.
FUEL LEVEL GAUGE fig. 27
This shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank (see the indications given in para-
graph “At the filling station").
fig. 25F0H0708m
fig. 26F0H0022m
fig. 27F0H0023m
fig. 28F0H0024m
The reserve warning light Aturns on to
indicate that approx. 6 litres of fuel are left
in the tank.
Do not travel with the fuel tank almost
empty: the gaps in fuel delivery could dam-
age the catalyst.ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE fig. 28
The turning on of the warning light Ain-
dicates that the coolant fluid temperature
is too high; in this case, stop the engine
and contact a Fiat Dealership.
001-035 idea GB 1 ed 10-07-2008 8:27 Pagina 19