2014 FIAT BRAVO Owners Manual

IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50%
for a long time, the battery is damaged by sulphation,
reducing its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (this
can happen as early as -10°C). Refer to the paragraph
"Car inactivity" in "Starting and driving" if the car is
left parked for a long time.
If, after buying the car, you wish to install electrical
accessories which require permanent electrical
supply (alarm, etc.) or accessories which influence
the electrical supply requirements, contact a Fiat
Dealership, whose qualified staff will evaluate the
overall electrical consumption.
WARNING
Battery fluid is poisonous and corrosive.
Avoid contact with the skin and eyes.
Keep open flames away from the battery and
do not use objects that might create sparks: risk
of explosion and fire.
WARNING
Using the battery with insufficient fluid
irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.Incorrect installation of electrical and
electronic devices may cause severe
damage to your car. After purchasing your
car, if you wish to install any accessories
(anti-theft , car phone, etc .), contact a Fiat
Dealership, which will suggest the most
appropriate devices for your vehicle, and will,
most importantly, advise you if a higher capacity
battery needs to be installed.Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment . For
battery replacement , contact a Fiat
Dealership.
213GETTING TO KNOW
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WARNING
If the car will be unused for an extended
period of time in extremely cold
weather conditions, remove the battery and
store it in a heated area to prevent it from
freezing.
WARNING
Always wear appropriate goggles when
working on or near the battery.
WHEELS AND TYRESBefore long trips, and every two weeks, check the
tyre and space-saver wheel inflation pressure (for
versions/markets, where provided). Check the tyres
when cold.
While driving the car, the pressure increases under
standard conditions: for the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see "Wheels" paragraph in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear
fig. 178:
A normal pressure: tread evenly worn;
B low pressure: tread particularly worn at the edges;
C high pressure: tread particularly worn in the
centre.
fig. 178
F0W0018
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The tyres must be replaced when the tread is less
than 1.6 mm thick. In any case, follow the laws
in force in the country where you are driving.
IMPORTANT
Take the following precautions to prevent damage to
the tyres:
❒avoid braking suddenly, racing starts and violent
impact against the curb, potholes or other
obstacles and driving for extended periods on
uneven road surfaces;
❒periodically check that the tyres have no cuts in
the side wall, abnormal swelling or irregular tyre
wear;
❒avoid travelling with the car overloaded. If you
have a puncture, stop immediately and change the
tyre;
❒tyres age even if they are not used much. Cracks in
the tread rubber and at the sides are a sign of
ageing. In any case, if the tyres have been on the
car for over 6 years, they should be checked
by specialised personnel. Also remember to check
the space-saver wheel very carefully (for
versions/markets, where provided);❒change the position of the tyres every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on the same
side of the car to avoid inverting the rotation
direction;
❒In the case of replacement, always fit new tyres,
avoiding those of dubious origin;
❒if a tyre is changed, also change the inflation valve.
WARNING
The road holding qualities of the car
also depend on the correct inflation
pressure of the tyres.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the tyre
overheats and can be seriously
damaged.
215GETTING TO KNOW
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WARNING
Do not cross switch the tyres, moving
them from the right of the car to the
left and vice versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C.The mechanical
properties of the wheels could be impaired.
WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW
WIPERBLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using special
products; TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC 35 is
recommended.
Replace the blades if the rubber edge is deformed or
worn. In any case, it is advisable to replace them
approximately once a year. A few simple precautions
can reduce the possibility of damage to the blades:
❒if the temperature falls below zero, make sure that
ice has not frozen the rubber against the glass. Use
an antifreeze product to release it if required;
❒remove any snow from the glass: in addition to
protecting the blades, this prevents effort on
the motor and overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen/rear window
wipers on dry glass.
WARNING
Driving with worn windscreen/rear
window wiper blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad weather.
216GETTING TO KNOW
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Replacing the wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❒lift up the windscreen wiper arm and position the
blade so that it forms a 90° angle with the arm;
❒press tab A fig. 179 of the coupling spring and
remove the blade to be replaced from the arm;
❒fit the new blade by inserting the tab into the
special slot in the arm. Make sure that the new
blade is secured in position.Replacing the rear window wiper blade
Proceed as follows:
❒raise cover A fig. 180 and remove the arm from
the car undoing the nut B that fastens it to the
pivot pin;
❒correctly position the new arm and tighten the nut
fully;
❒lower the cover.
fig. 179
F0Q0662
fig. 180
F0Q0663
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NOZZLES
Windscreen (washer)
If the jet is not coming out, firstly check that there is
fluid in the reservoir (see “Checking levels” in this
chapter). Then check that the nozzle holes, marked
by arrows in Fig. fig. 181, are not clogged; if
necessary use a needle. The window washer nozzles
are fixed.Rear window (washer)
The rear window washer nozzles are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window fig. 182.
fig. 181
F0Q0661
fig. 182
F0Q0660
218GETTING TO KNOW
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BODYWORKPROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC
AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the following:
❒atmospheric pollution
❒salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or hot humid
climates);
❒seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne atmospheric dust
and sand, as well as mud and gravel raised by other
vehicles is also not to be underestimated.
On your car, Fiat has adopted the best manufacturing
technologies to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.These are the most important:
❒Painting products and systems which give the car
particular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel sheets, with
high resistance to corrosion;
❒spraying the underbody, engine compartment,
wheel arch interiors and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
❒spraying of plastic parts, with a protective function
in the more exposed points: underdoor, inner
wing, edges, etc;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to prevent
condensation and pockets of moisture from
triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against perforation
due to rust of any original element of the structure
or body.
For the general terms of this warranty, refer to the
Warranty Booklet.
219GETTING TO KNOW
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ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesthetic purpose,
but also protects the underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches immediately to
prevent rust formation. Use only original paint
products for touch-ups (see “Bodywork paint
identification plate” in the “Technical specifications”
section).
Normal maintenance of paintwork consists in
washing the car: the frequency depends on the
conditions and environment where the car is used.
For example, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are spread with salt, it is advisable to wash the car
more frequently.To correctly wash the vehicle, proceed as follows:
❒remove the aerial from the roof to prevent damage
to it if the car is washed in an automatic system;
❒if high pressure jets or cleaners are used to wash
the vehicle, keep a distance of at least 40 cm
from the bodywork to avoid damage or alteration.
It should be remembered that the build up of
water can damage the car over a period of time;
❒wash the body using a low pressure jet of water;
❒wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy solution over
the bodywork, frequently rinsing with the sponge;
❒rinse well with water and dry with a jet of air or a
chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts particularly carefully, such
as the door frames, bonnet and the headlight frames,
where water may stagnate more easily. The car
should not be taken to a closed area immediately,
but left outside so that residual water can evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left in the
sun or with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine
of the paintwork.
220GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX