STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever
in neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR-ON: the warning
lights
and
on the instrument panel will
turn on;
❒wait for the warning lights
and
to switch
off;
❒fully press the clutch pedal without touching the
accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as warning
light
switches 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 cold engine, the accelerator must
be entirely released when turning the ignition key
to position AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before repeating the
procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR-ON the
warning light remains lit, turn the key to STOP
and then back to MAR-ON; if the warning light
remains lit, try with the other keys provided with the
car.
Contact the Fiat Dealership if the engine still will not
start.
Warning light
will flash for 60 seconds
after starting or during prolonged
cranking to indicate a fault with the glow
plug heating system.You can use the car as usual
if the engine starts but you should contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
WARNING
It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas.The engine takes
in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
WARNING
Remember that the brake servo and
power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore much
effort than usual is required on the brake pedal
and steering wheel.We recommend that during the initial
period you do not demand to full
performance from the car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long journeys at top speed, sharp
braking etc .).
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When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR-ON to
prevent useless current absorption from
draining the battery.Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.This could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
conver ter and damage it beyond repair.
WARMING UP THE ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
revs. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒do not demand full performance at first. Wait until
the second bar on the engine coolant temperature
gauge switches on.STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is
idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive, before
turning the engine off you should allow it to idle to
allow the temperature in the engine compartment to
decrease.
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.
123GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
PARKINGStop the engine and engage the handbrake. Engage a
gear (1
st
gear if parked uphill or reverse if facing
downhill) and leave the wheels turned. If the car is
parked on a steep slope block the wheels with a
wedge or stone. Always remove the ignition key
when leaving the car.
WARNING
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the car and take it with
you.HANDBRAKE
To engage the handbrake pull lever A fig. 108
upwards until the car is secured. To release the
handbrake, raise lever A slightly, hold down button B
and lower the lever.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is also
advisable to block the wheels with a wedge or stone.
Never leave children in the unattended car. Always
remove the ignition key when leaving the car and
take it out with you.
WARNING
The car should be braked after a few
clicks of the lever, if it is not , contact a
Fiat Dealership to have it adjusted.
fig. 108
F0W0074
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INDEX
USING THE GEARBOXTo engage the gears, fully depress the clutch pedal
and put the gear lever into the required position (the
diagram is shown on the knob fig. 109).
For 0.9 TwinAir 65 HP, 85 HP and 1.2 8V 69 HP
versions, to engage reverse R from neutral, lift the
ring A fig. 109 and shift the lever to the right and
back.
For 1.3 16V MultiJet version: to engage reverse R
from neutral position, shift the lever to the right and
then back.
WARNING
The clutch pedal should be used only for
gear changes. Do not drive with your
foot resting on the clutch pedal, however lightly.
For versions/markets where provided, the
electronic clutch control could cut in,
interpreting the incorrect driving style as a
fault .
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be engaged when the
car is completely stationary. With the engine
running, wait for at least 2 seconds with the clutch
pedal fully pressed before engaging reverse to
prevent damage to the gears and grating.
WARNING
Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. It is therefore essential
that there is nothing under the pedals: make
sure the mats are lying flat and do not get
in the way of the pedals.Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted, even if
slight , could lead over time to premature
wear of the gearbox internal components.
fig. 109
F0W0058
125GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
SAVING FUELHere are some suggestions which can help you to
save fuel and lower harmful emissions.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Ty r e s
Check the tyre pressures at least once every 4
weeks: if the pressure is too low, consumption levels
increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight
of the car and its arrangement greatly affect fuel
consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof
after use. These accessories lower aerodynamic
penetration and adversely affect consumption levels.
When transporting particularly large objects, use a
trailer if possible.Electrical devices
Only use electrical devices for the amount of time
needed. The heated rear window, additional
headlights, windscreen wipers and heater fan need a
considerable amount of energy, therefore increasing
fuel consumption (by up to 25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control system
The use of the climate control system leads to higher
fuel consumption. If the temperature outside
permits, try to use ventilation only.
Devices for aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for aerodynamic
control may adversely affect air drag and fuel
consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine with the car at a standstill
or at idle or high speed: under these conditions
the engine warms up much more slowly, increasing
consumption and emissions. It is therefore advisable
to move off immediately, slowly, avoiding high speeds:
in this way the engine will warm up more quickly.
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INDEX
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when at traffic lights or before
switching off the engine. This action and also double
declutching is absolutely pointless on modern cars
and also increases consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and road
conditions allow. Using a low gear for faster
acceleration will increase consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high gear
increases consumption, emissions and engine wear.
Maximum speed
Fuel consumption increases considerably with speed.
Maintain a constant speed, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cost in terms of both
fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very negative effect on fuel
consumption and emissions: accelerate gradually.CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-ups will
prevent the engine from reaching optimal running
temperature.
Consequently, both consumption (from +15 to +30%
on urban cycle ) and emissions will increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high fuel consumption is caused by heavy
traffic, for instance when travelling in a queue with
frequent use of low gears or in large towns with
many traffic lights. Winding mountain roads and
rough road surfaces also adversely affect
consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged stops (e.g. level crossings) the
engine should be switched off.
127GETTING TO KNOW
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SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car must be fitted
with a type-approved tow hook and an adequate
electrical system. Installation must be carried out by
a specialist.
Fit any specific and/or additional rear view mirrors as
specified by the Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer, steep hills are
harder to climb, braking distances increase and
overtaking takes longer depending on the overall
weight of the trail.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather than
constantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the car's tow hook will
reduce the load capacity of the car by the same
amount. To make sure that the maximum towable
weight is not exceeded (given in the car registration
document) account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and luggage.
Respect the speed limits specific to each country for
vehicles towing trailers. In any case, the maximum
speed must not exceed 100 km/h.
An electric brake or winch must be powered directly
by the battery through a cable with a cross-section
of no less than 2.5 mm
2.In addition to the electrical branches, the vehicle's
electrical system can be connected only to the supply
cable for an electric brake and to the cable for an
internal trailer light, though not more than 15 W. For
connections, use the preset control unit with a
battery cable with section no less than 2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT The use of auxiliary loads other than
external lights (electric brake, winch, etc.) must
be used with engine running.
IMPORTANT To install a tow hook contact a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
The ABS with which the car may be
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
required on slippery roads.
WARNING
Never modify the braking system of the
car to control the trailer brake.The
trailer braking system must be fully
independent of the car ’s hydraulic system.
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INDEX
SNOW TYRESUse snow tyres of the same size as the normal tyres
provided with the car.
Fiat Dealership will be happy to provide advice
concerning the most suitable type of tyre for the
customer's requirements.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation pressures
and the specifications of snow tyres, follow the
instructions given in paragraph "Wheels" in section
"Technical specifications".
The winter performance of these tyres is
considerably reduced when the tread thickness is less
than 4 mm. Replace them in this case.
Due to the specific characteristics of snow tyres, in
normal weather conditions or on long motorway
journeys, the performance of these tyres is lower
than that of standard tyres. Their usage should
therefore be restricted in accordance with their type
approval.IMPORTANT When using snow tyres with a
maximum speed index below the one that can be
reached by the car (increased by 5%), place a notice
in the passenger compartment, plainly in view, which
states the maximum speed allowed by the snow
tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand and track)
to ensure greater safety when driving and braking
and good driveability. Remember that you should not
change the rotation direction of the tyres.
WARNING
The maximum speed for snow tyres
marked "Q" is 160 km/h, while it is 190
km/h for "T" tyres and 210 km/h for "H" tyres.
The highway code speed limits must however
always be complied with.
129GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX