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fig. 100
F0X0081m
SEVERE
DANGER:
Do not put cradle seats facing
backwards on the front seat if
the passenger side airbag has
been activated. Deployment of
the airbag in an accident could
cause fatal injuries to the child.
Should it be necessary to place
a child seat on the front seat,
always deactivate the
passenger side airbag. The
passenger seat must also be slid
back as far as possible in order,
to prevent the child seat from
coming into contact with the
dashboard. Although this is not
mandatory by law, the airbag
should be immediately
reactivated when children are
no longer carried to ensure
better protection for adults.
WARNINGMANUALLY DEACTIVATING
THE PASSENGER SIDE
FRONT AIR BAG
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the
passenger side front airbag can be
deactivated.
With the ignition at STOP, the
airbags can be
deactivated/reactivated using the
ignition key in the special key-
operated switch that can be
accessed with the passenger side
door open.
The key can be inserted and
removed in both positions.
IMPORTANT Only operate the
switch with the engine off and the
ignition key removed.The key-operated switch has two
positions fig. 100:
– passenger front airbag activated
(ON position
P):
warning light
Fon instrument
panel off; carrying children on the
front seat is strictly prohibited.
– passenger front airbag deactivated
(OFF position
F): warning light
Fon instrument panel on;
children, protected with
appropriate restraint systems, may
be carried on the front seat.
The
Fwarning light on the
instrument panel remains on
constantly until the passenger airbag
is reactivated.
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86
If the key is inserted
and turned to MAR
when no faults are indicated by
the warning lights, airbags may
be deployed if another vehicle
crashes into the vehicle even if
the engine is not running and
the vehicle is stationary. For
this reason, children must
never sit on the front seat,
even if the vehicle is stationary.
On the other hand, if the key is
inserted in STOP position,
none of the safety devices
(airbags or pretensioners) will
be deployed in the event of
impact. Non-deployment of
these devices does not indicate
a system malfunction.
WARNING
For versions/markets
where provided, when
the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the “yellow” Fwarning
light switches on for a few
seconds. If the passenger
airbag is active, the “yellow”
warning light switches off after
a few seconds. If the passenger
airbag is NOT active, the
“yellow” warning light
stays on.
WARNING
If the “red” ûwarning
light does not switch on
for a few seconds when the key
is turned to MAR, there may be
a fault with the “red” warning
light. In this case, the “yellow”
warning light starts to flash
after a few seconds and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING
The expiry date of the
explosive charge is
shown on a specific label
contained in the glove box;
contact a Fiat Dealership to
have it replaced when this
expiry date approaches.
WARNING
In the event of “yellow”
Fwarning light
failure, the “red”
ûwarning
light switches on and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING
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Page 94 of 187

RADIO TRANSMITTERS AND
MOBILE PHONES
Radio transmitters (car phones, CB
radios etc.) cannot be used inside
the vehicle unless a separate aerial is
mounted externally.
IMPORTANT The use of such
devices inside the passenger
compartment (without an external
aerial) may, in addition to potential
damage to the health of the
passengers, cause malfunctions in the
vehicle’s electronic systems,
compromising the safety of the
vehicle.
In addition, transmission and
reception of these devices may be
adversely affected by the shielding
effect of the vehicle’s body.
As far as the use of EC-approved
mobile phones is concerned (GSM,
GPRS, UMTS), follow the usage
instructions provided by the mobile
phone manufacturer.REFUELLING
Never introduce even a
minimal quantity of
petrol to the tank, even
in an emergency; the catalytic
converter would be damaged,
irreparably compromising its
operation.
An inefficient catalytic
converter leads to
harmful exhaust
emissions, thus contributing to
environmental pollution.
The vehicle must be
refuelled exclusively
with diesel for motor
vehicles in compliance with
European specification EN590.
The use of other products or
mixtures may damage the
engine beyond repair and
consequently invalidate the
warranty, due to the damage
caused. If you accidentally
refuel with another type of fuel,
do not start the engine, and
drain the tank. If the engine has
run, even for a very short time,
with other fuels, the whole fuel
circuit must be drained in
addition to the tank.
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PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental protection has
governed every stage in the design
and production of the Fiat Strada.
This has resulted in the use of
materials and the calibration of
devices which reduce or drastically
limit negative environmental impact.
The following devices are used for
reducing diesel engine emissions:
– oxidising catalytic converter;
– exhaust gas recirculation system
(E.G.R.).
– particulate filter (DPF). Since this filter physically traps
particulate, it should be regenerated
(cleaned) at regular intervals by
burning carbon particles. The
regeneration procedure is managed
automatically by the engine
management control unit according
to the filter conditions and vehicle
use conditions.
During regeneration, the following
may occur: a limited increase in the
engine speed, activation of the fan, a
limited increase in fumes and high
temperatures at the exhaust. These
are not faults; they do not impair
vehicle performance or damage the
environment. If the dedicated
message is displayed, refer to
Warning lights and messages in this
section. DIESEL PARTICULATE
FILTER (DPF)
The Diesel Particulate Filter is a
mechanical filter, integral with the
exhaust system, that physically traps
particulates present in the exhaust
gases of diesel engines.
The diesel particulate filter has been
adopted to eliminate almost all
particulates in compliance with
current/future legal regulations.
During normal use of the vehicle,
the engine management control unit
records a set of data (travel time,
type of route, temperatures, etc.)
and it will then calculate how much
particulate has been trapped by the
filter.
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95
CORRECT USE OF THE VEHICLE
STARTING THE ENGINE
The vehicle is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device: if the
engine fails to start, see the
“The Fiat CODE system” paragraph
in the “Know your vehicle” section.
It is advisable not to
demand maximum
performance from your
vehicle (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at
high speeds, excessively intense
braking, etc.) during the initial
period of use.
When the engine is off,
do not leave the key
turned to MAR to
prevent unnecessary electrical
consumption from draining the
battery.
It is dangerous to run
the engine in enclosed
areas. The engine consumes
oxygen and engine exhaust
contains carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other
toxic gasses.
WARNING
The brake servo and
power steering are not
operational until the engine
has been started, so you need
to apply much more force than
usual to the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
WARNING
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96
STARTING PROCEDURE
1) Make sure that the handbrake is
engaged.
2) Put the gear lever in neutral.
3) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
The mand
Uwarning lights
switch on in the instrument panel
4) Wait for the warning lights to
switch off. The hotter the engine
is, the quicker this will happen.
5) Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6) Turn the ignition key to AVV,
within the first few moments
after the warning lights switch off.
Waiting too long will waste the
heating work carried out by the
plugs. Release the key as soon as
the engine starts.IMPORTANT With the engine cold,
the accelerator pedal must be
completely released while you turn
the ignition key to AVV.If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOP before repeating the
starting procedure.
If you still cannot start the engine,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the
ignition key at MAR when the
engine is off.Warning light mwill
flash for 60 seconds
after starting or during
prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault in the plug preheating
system.
Use the vehicle normally if the
engine starts, but contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
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97
HOW TO WARM THE
ENGINE WHICH HAS JUST
STARTED
– Drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not
accelerate abruptly.
– Do not demand maximum
performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.EMERGENCY STARTING
Never bump start the
engine by pushing,
towing or driving
downhill. This could cause fuel
to flow into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake servo and power
steering are not operational
until the engine has been
started, so you need to apply
much more force than usual to
the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
WARNING
TO STOP THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while
the engine is idling.
A quick burst on the
accelerator before
turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
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 engine
compartment to fall.
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98
PARKING
Stop the engine, engage the
handbrake, engage 1st gear uphill or
reverse downhill and leave the
wheels steered towards the edge of
the road or the pavement. If the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope, it
is advisable to block the wheels with
a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR because this drains the battery.
Always extract the key when getting
out of the vehicle.
Never leave children
alone in the unattended
vehicle.
WARNING
HANDBRAKE fig. 105
The handbrake lever is located
between the front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to engage the
handbrake and ensure that the
vehicle does not move.When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR, the x
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on.
To release the handbrake:
1) Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button A.
2) Hold down the button and lower
the lever. The xwarning light
switches off.
Depress the brake pedal when
carrying out this operation to
prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally.
The vehicle must be
secured after several
clicks of the lever. If this is not
the case, contact a Fiat
Dealership to have it adjusted.
WARNING
fig. 105
F0X0086m
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