116
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE VEHICLEHANDBRAKE fig. 1
The handbrake lever is located next to the
driver’s seat.
Pull the handbrake lever upwards until the
vehicle cannot be moved. Four or five
clicks are generally enough when the ve-
hicle is on level ground while nine or ten
may be required if the vehicle 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 M, the instrument
panel warning light
xwill turn on.
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒Stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake;
❒Engage a gear (on a slope, engage first
gear if the vehicle is faced uphill or re-
verse if it is faced downhill) and leave
the wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone
if the vehicle is parked on a steep slope.
Do not leave the key in the ignition switch
to prevent draining the battery. Always
remove the key when you leave the ve-
hicle.
Never leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle. Always
remove the ignition key when leaving
the vehicle and take it out with you.
WARNING
fig. 1F0P0118m
To release the handbrake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press re-
lease button A;
❒keep button Apressed and lower the
lever. Warning light xwill turn off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out
this operation to prevent the vehicle from
moving accidentally.
If pneumatic suspensions are
fitted when parking always
make sure there is enough
space above the roof and
around the vehicle. The vehicle could
actually raise (or lower) automatical-
ly according to changes in temperature
or load.
165
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
VEHICLE
IN AN
EMERGENCY
VEHICLE
MAINTENANCEIMPORTANTThe charge in the battery
should be checked every year, preferably
at the start of winter to limit the risk of
electrolyte freezing. This check should be
carried out more frequently if the vehi-
cle is used mainly for short trips, or if it
is fitted with accessories that permanent-
ly absorb electricity even with the ignition
key removed, especially in the case of af-
ter market accessories.
fig. 14
A
F0P0242m
Bright whiteTop up electrolyte Contact Fiat colourDealership
Dark colourLow charge level Charge the battery
without green area (advisable to
in the centrecontact Fiat Dealership)
Dark colour Electrolyte level and No action
with green area charge sufficient
in the centre
CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a gen-
uine spare part having the same specifi-
cations.
If a battery with different specifications is
fitted, the service intervals given in the
“Service schedule” in this section will no
longer be valid.
Refer therefore to the instructions pro-
vided by the battery manufacturer.Incorrect fitting of electrical and electronic accessories can seriously
damage the vehicle. If after buying the vehicle, you want to install elec-
tric accessories which require permanent electric supply (alarm, free-
hand phone kit, etc.) contact Fiat Dealership whose qualified person-
nel, in addition to suggesting the most suitable devices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking whether the vehicle electric system is capable of
withstanding the load required, or whether it should be integrated with a more
powerful battery.
Batteries contain substances
that are very harmful for the
environment. You are advised
to have the battery changed
at a Fiat Dealership, which is properly
equipped for disposing of used batter-
ies respecting nature and the law.
If the vehicle is left inactive
for long periods at cold, re-
move the battery and store it in a
warm place to prevent freezing.
WARNING
