Page 140 of 299

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTS
The driver is responsible for respecting, and
ensuring that all the other occupants of the car also
respect, the local laws in force in relation to the
use of the seat belts. Always fasten the seat belts
before starting.
Seat belts are also to be worn by expectant
mothers: the risk of injury in the case of accident is
greatly reduced for them and the unborn child if
they are wearing a seat belt. Pregnant women must
position the lower part of the belt very low down
so that it passes over the pelvis and under the
abdomen (see ). fig. 121
WARNING
For maximum safety, keep the back of
your seat upright , lean back into it
and make sure the seat belt fits closely across
your chest and pelvis. Always fasten the seat
belts on both the front and the rear seats!
Travelling without wearing seat belts will
increase the risk of serious injur y or
even death in the event of an accident . Under
no circumstances should the components of
the seat belts and pretensioners be tampered
with or removed. Any operations must be
carried out by qualified and authorised
personnel only. Always go to a Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANT The belt must not be twisted. The
upper part must pass over the shoulder and cross
the chest diagonally. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis (as shown in ) rather than the abdomen
of the passenger. Never use devices (clips, pegs,
etc.) to hold the seat belt away from your body.
fig. 122
IMPORTANT Each seat belt must be used by only
one person. Never travel with a child sitting on the
passenger's lap and a single belt to protect them
both . In general, do not place any objects between
the person and belt. fig. 123
fig. 121
F0Q0015
136GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 161 of 299

PARKINGProceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
❒engage a gear (on a slope, engage first gear if the
car is facing uphill or reverse if it is facing
downhill) and leave the wheels steered.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is also
advisable to block the wheels with a wedge or
stone. Do not leave the ignition key on MAR-ON
to avoid draining the battery. Always remove the
key when you leave the car.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake is located between the front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to operate the handbrake,
until the car is braked.
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 and laden.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, contact a Fiat
Dealership to have the handbrake adjusted.
For cars equipped with a front armrest, lift this up
to ensure that it does not interfere with the action
of the handbrake.
WARNING
Never leave children in the unattended
car. Always remove the ignition key
when leaving the car and take it out with you.
When the handbrake is on and the ignition key is at
MAR-ON position, the warning light
will come
on in the instrument panel.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
❒slightly lift the lever and press release button A
fig. 136;
❒keep button A pressed and lower the lever. The
warning light in the instrument panel will
switch off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this
operation to prevent the car from moving
accidentally.fig. 136
F0Q0628
157GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 254 of 299

INTERIORSPeriodically check for water puddles under the mats
that could cause the panels to rust.
Replace the worn carpet mats, if present, with
genuine products and make sure they remain
securely fastened to the passenger compartment
carpet. It is not advisable to use non genuine mats
that could move whilst driving.
WARNING
Never use flammable products, such as
petrol ether or rectified petrol to
clean the inside of the car.The electrostatic
charges which are generated by rubbing during
the cleaning operation may cause a fire.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in the car:
they might explode. Aerosol cans must
not be exposed to a temperature exceeding
50°C .When the car is exposed to sunlight ,
internal temperature can greatly exceed this
value.SEATS AND FABRIC PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner.
Rub the seats with a sponge and a solution of
water and mild soap.
LEATHER SEATS
Remove the dry dirt with a buckskin or slightly
damp cloth, without exercising too much pressure.
Remove any liquid or grease stains using an
absorbent dry cloth, without rubbing. Then clean
with a soft cloth or buckskin cloth dampened with
water and neutral soap.
If the stain persists, use specific products and
observe the instructions carefully.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol. Make sure that
the cleaning products used contain no alcohol
or alcohol derivatives, even in small quantities.
The fabric upholstery of your car has
been designed to withstand wear
deriving from common use of the car.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 to yarn
breaking and damage the upholstery.
250GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX