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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 vehicle is parked on a steep
slope, it is advisable to block the
wheels with a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the key in the ignition as
this drains the battery. Always remove
the key when you leave the car.
126)
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located to the
left of the driver's seat fig. 170. Pull the
lever upwards to engage the handbrake
and ensure that the vehicle does not
move.
IMPORTANT Make sure that the
handbrake is engaged in such a way as
to ensure the stationing of the vehicle,
especially in the case of steep slopes
and full load.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case,
contact a Fiat Dealership to have the
handbrake adjusted. If the lever travel
gets longer, contact a Fiat Dealership.
When the handbrake lever is engaged
and the ignition key is in MAR-ON
position, the instrument panel warning
light
will switch on.Proceed as follows to release the
handbrake:
❒slightly lift the lever and press release
button A;
❒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 vehicle
from moving accidentally.
33)
IMPORTANT Apply the handbrake only
when the vehicle is at a standstill or
with the vehicle in motion only in the
event of a failure in the hydraulic
system. If exceptional use is made of
the handbrake with the vehicle in
motion, moderate traction is advisable
in order not to cause locking of the
rear end with consequent swerving of
the vehicle.
170
F1A0162
172
STARTING AND DRIVING
Page 177 of 367
WARNING
126) Never leave children
unattended in the vehicle. Always
remove the ignition key when
leaving the vehicle and take it out
with you.
IMPORTANT
33) If the vehicle is equipped with
self-levelling air suspension,
always check that there is
sufficient space above the roof
and around the vehicle when
parking. Indeed, the vehicle could
raise (or lower) automatically
depending on load or temperature
changes.
USING THE
GEARBOXTo engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear lever into
the required position (the diagram
for gear engagement is shown on the
knob fig. 171).
To engage 6th gear (where provided),
operate the lever by pressing it towards
the right in order to avoid engaging
4th gear by mistake. The action is
similar for shifting from 6th gear to 5th
gear.171
F1A0163
173
Page 192 of 367
❒cover the vehicle with a piece of
fabric or perforated plastic sheet. Do
not use compact plastic tarpaulins,
which prevent humidity from
evaporating from the surface of the
vehicle;
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
standard specified pressure and
check it at intervals;
❒do not drain the engine cooling
system.
IMPORTANT If the vehicle is equipped
with an alarm system, switch off the
vehicle alarm with the remote control.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting the
electrical supply from the battery. When
reconnecting the electrical supply to
the battery, make sure that the ignition
key is in the STOP position and the
driver side door is closed.
188
STARTING AND DRIVING
Page 218 of 367
Right central pillar optional fuse
box
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To gain access to the fuse box fig.
229, remove the protective cover fig.
228.
IMPORTANT
45) Never replace a blown fuse with
metal wires or other material.
WARNING
160) Never replace a fuse with
another with a higher amp rating;
DANGER OF FIRE. If a general
protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE,
MIDI-FUSE) is activated, contact a
Fiat Dealership.161) Before replacing a fuse, make
sure that the ignition key has
been removed and that all the
other services are switched off
and/or disengaged.
162) If the replaced fuse blows
again, contact a Fiat Dealership.
163) If a general protection fuse for
safety systems (airbag system,
braking system), power unit
systems (engine system,
transmission system) or steering
system blows, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
228
F1A0217
229
F1A0218
214
IN AN EMERGENCY
Page 221 of 367
Engine compartment fuse box
fig. 226 - fig. 227DEVICE PROTECTED FUSE AMPEREIgnition switch (+battery) F03 30
Heated filterF04 40
Vaporiser for Puma engine/Passenger compartment ventilation with Webasto,
robotised gearbox pump (+battery)F05 20/50
Engine cooling high speed fan (+battery) F06 40/60
Engine cooling low speed fan (+battery) F07 40/50/60
Passenger compartment fan (+key) F08 40
Rear power socket (+battery) F09 15
HornF10 15
Power socket (+battery) F14 15
Cigar lighter (+battery) F15 15
Powertrain Control Module, robotised gearbox control unit (+battery) F18 7,5
Air conditioning compressor F19 7,5
Windscreen wiper F20 30
Auxiliary control panel for mirror movement and folding (+key) F24 7,5
Mirrors demisting F30 15
217
Page 223 of 367

BATTERY
RECHARGINGIMPORTANT The battery recharging
procedure is given as information only.
You are advised to contact a Fiat
Dealership to have this operation
carried out.
IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting the
electrical supply from the battery. When
reconnecting the electrical supply to
the battery, make sure that the ignition
key is in the STOP position and the
driver side door is closed.
Charging should be slow at a low
ampere rating for approximately 24
hours. Charging for a longer time may
damage the battery.
164) 165)
IN THE ABSENCE OF
START&STOP SYSTEM
To recharge, proceed as follows:
❒disconnect the negative battery
terminal;
❒connect the charger cables to the
battery terminals, observing the
polarity;❒turn on the charger;
❒when it is recharged, turn the charger
off before disconnecting it from the
battery;
❒reconnect the negative battery
terminal.
WITH START&STOP
SYSTEM
To recharge, proceed as follows:
❒disconnect the connector A (pressing
the button B) from the sensor C
monitoring the battery conditions, on
the negative pole D of the battery;
❒connect the positive cable of the
battery charger to the positive battery
terminal E and the negative cable to
sensor terminal F as in fig. 230;
❒turn on the charger;
❒at the end of the charging process,
switch the battery charger off;
❒after having disconnected the
charger, reconnect connector A to
the sensor C as in fig. 230.
WARNING
164) Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with
your skin and eyes. The battery
should be charged in a well
ventilated place, away from naked
flames or possible sources of
sparks: danger of explosion and
fire.230
F1A0219
219
Page 242 of 367

IMPORTANT After turning the ignition
key to STOP and having closed the
driver side door, wait at least one
minute before disconnecting the
electrical supply from the battery. When
reconnecting the electrical supply to
the battery, make sure that the ignition
key is in the STOP position and the
driver side door is closed.
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 is also more prone to the
risk of freezing (at temperatures as high
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 vehicle, you want to
install electrical accessories which
require permanent electric supply
(alarm, etc.) or accessories that in any
case burden the electrical supply,
contact a Fiat Dealership, whose
qualified personnel, in addition
to suggesting the most suitable devices
from Lineaccessori Fiat, will evaluate
the overall electrical consumption,
checking whether the vehicle’s electrical
system is capable of withstanding the
load required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices continue
to consume electricity even when
the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
IMPORTANT If a tachograph is fitted, if
the vehicle is parked for a long period
of 5 days, it is advisable to disconnect
the negative battery terminal to
maintain its charge.
If the vehicle is equipped with a battery
disconnection function (disconnector),
see the description of the procedure
in the "Controls" paragraph in the
"Dashboard and controls" section.
WARNING
184) Battery liquid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with skin
and eyes. Keep naked flames
and sources of sparks away from
the battery: risk of explosion and
fire.
185) Using the battery with
insufficient fluid irreparably
damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
186) Before performing any
operation on the electrical system,
disconnect the negative battery
cable through the suitable
terminal, after having waited at
least one minute from turning the
ignition key to STOP.
187) Always wear appropriate
goggles when working on or near
the battery.
238
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Page 249 of 367

IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window
inside gently with a cloth following the
direction of the filaments to avoid
damaging the heating device.
Engine compartment
At the end of each winter, thoroughly
wash the engine compartment, taking
care to avoid spraying the water jet
directly onto the electronic control units
and the relay/fuse box on the left side
of the engine compartment (driving
direction). Have this operation
performed at a specialised workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should
take place with the engine cold and the
ignition key in the STOP position. After
the washing operation, make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber
caps and guards) have not been
removed or damaged.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the front headlights.
IMPORTANT
54) Some car washes with old-style
blades and/or in a poor state of
repair can damage the paintwork,
facilitating the formation of lines
that give the paint a dull/misty
appearance, especially on dark
colours. If this happens, lightly
polish the paintwork with
appropriate products.
IMPORTANT
5) Detergents cause water pollution.
The vehicle should be washed in
areas equipped for collecting
and purifying the liquid used in
the washing process.
245