Page 111 of 231

STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINEThe vehicle is fitted with an immobiliser: if the engine
fails to start, see the paragraph on “The Fiat CODE
system” in the “Knowing your vehicle” section.
The engine may be noisier during the first few
seconds of operation, particularly after a long period
of inactivity. This is due to the hydraulic tappets,
the timing system chosen for petrol engine versions
to reduce the number of servicing interventions,
and affects neither functionality nor reliability.
It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your vehicle (e.g.
excessive acceleration, long distances at
high speeds, excessive intense braking, etc .) during
the initial period of use.When the engine is switched off never
leave the key on (at MAR) to prevent
unnecessary consumption and draining
the battery.
WARNING
It is dangerous to have the engine
running indoors.The engine takes in
oxygen and discharges carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
WARNING
Remember that the brake booster and
electric 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.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒apply the handbrake;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒turn the key on (MAR position): instrument panel
warning light
will light up;
❒wait for the warning lights
and
to go out.
The hotter the engine is, the quicker this will
happen;
107KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 115 of 231

PARKING THE CAR
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
❒engage a gear (1
stgear if parked uphill or reverse if
facing downhill) and leave the wheels turned.
If the vehicle is parked on a steep slope, it is
advisable to block the wheels with a wedge or stone.
To prevent draining the battery, do not leave the
ignition key turned to MAR. Always remove the key
when you leave the vehicle.
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key when leaving the
vehicle, and take it with you.
SNOW TYRESA Fiat Dealership will be happy to provide advice
concerning the most suitable type of tyre for your
requirements.
For the type, pressures and specifications of the
snow tyre to be used, follow carefully the
instructions given in the “Wheels” paragraph of the
“Technical specifications” section.
The winter performance of these tyres is
considerably reduced when the tread thickness is less
than 4 mm. If this is the case, replace them.
Due to their specific features, the performance of
snow tyres is much lower than that of standard tyres
in normal conditions or on long motorway stretches.
You should therefore use them only in the
conditions for which they were designed.
111KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 120 of 231
WARNING
The ABS with which the vehicle may be
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
therefore required on slippery roads.
WARNING
Never modify the braking system of the
vehicle to control the trailer brake.
The trailer braking system must be fully
independent from the hydraulic system of the
vehicle.
SNOW CHAINSThe use of snow chains should be in compliance with
local regulations.
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheel
tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few
metres have been driven.
Keep your speed down when snow chains
are fitted: do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements and also
avoid driving for long distances on roads not
covered with snow to avoid damaging the car and
the road surface.
116KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 125 of 231

LOW BATTERY CHARGE (red)
The warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR, but it should go out as soon as
the engine has started (with the engine running at
idle speed a brief delay before going out is
acceptable).
If the warning light stays on, contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.ABS SYSTEM FAULT (amber)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light comes on when the system is
either not working properly or not available. In this
case the braking system maintains its own unaltered
efficiency but without the advantage of the ABS
system. Drive carefully and go to a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
EBD FAULT (red/amber)
Simultaneous lighting of warning lights
and
with the engine running indicates an EBD system
fault or that the system is not available. In this case,
the rear wheels may suddenly lock and the vehicle
may swerve when braking sharply. Drive very
carefully to a Fiat Dealership to have the system
inspected immediately.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
ESP/TRACTION PLUS SYSTEM
FAULT (amber)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go off, or stays on
together with the LED on the ASR OFF button when
travelling, contact a Fiat Dealership.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
NoteFlashing of the warning light while driving
indicates the action of the ESP system.
121KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 134 of 231

WARNING
This procedure must be performed by
experts because incorrect actions may
cause considerable electrical discharge.
Furthermore, batter y fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames and lit cigarettes away from
the battery. Do not create sparks.
BUMP 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.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake booster
and the power steering system are not active until
the engine is started, so you will need to apply much
more force to the brake pedal or steering wheel.
CHANGING A TYREThe vehicle is originally equipped with the Fix&Go
automatic quick tyre repair kit (see instructions
in the next chapter). As an alternative, the vehicle
may have a normal-sized spare wheel.
Changing the wheel and correct use of the jack and
spare wheel require some precautions, which are
listed below.
WARNING
The spare wheel (for versions/markets,
where provided) is specific for your
vehicle.Therefore, it must not be used on other
models. Do not use spare wheels of other
models on your vehicle.The spare wheel must
be used only in an emergency. Use of the spare
wheel must kept to the minimum necessar y.
130KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 135 of 231

WARNING
Use your hazard lights, warning triangle,
etc . to show that your vehicle is
stationary according to the regulations in force.
Passengers should get out of the vehicle,
particularly if it is heavily loaded, and wait for
the wheel to be changed away from the traffic .
If you are on a slope or uneven surface, place
wedges or other suitable objects under the
wheels to secure the vehicle. Have the standard
wheel repaired and refitted as soon as possible.
Do not apply grease to the bolt threads before
fitting: they could unscrew themselves.
WARNING
Use the jack only to replace wheels on
the vehicle with which it is supplied
or on other vehicles of the same model. Never
use the jack for other purposes, such as lifting
other models. Never use the jack to carr y out
repairs under the vehicle. Incorrect positioning
of the jack may cause the raised vehicle to
fall. Do not use the jack for loads higher than
the one shown on its label.
WARNING
Incorrect hub cap assembly may cause it
to come off when the car is moving.
Never tamper with the inflation valve. Never
introduce tools of any kind between rim and
tyre. Check tyre and spare wheel pressures
regularly, complying with the values given in the
"Technical specifications" chapter.
Important notes:
❒the jack weighs 1.76 kg;
❒the jack requires no adjustment;
❒the jack cannot be repaired; if it breaks, it must be
replaced with a new one of the same type;
❒no tool other than the cranking handle may be
fitted on the jack.
To change a wheel proceed as follows:
❒stop the vehicle in a position where it is not a
danger for other traffic and where you can replace
the wheel safely. The ground should be flat and
solid;
❒stop the engine off and pull up the handbrake;
❒engage first gear or reverse;
❒wear the reflective safety jacket (compulsory by
law) before getting out of the vehicle;
131KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN
EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 136 of 231
❒indicate that the vehicle is parked up by using the
devices required by law in the country in which
you are travelling (e.g. warning triangle, hazard
lights etc.);
❒open the tailgate, take the tool bag fig. 116 located
on the left of the boot by releasing the elastic
straps and take to the wheel to be replaced;❒the bag contains the following tools fig. 117:
A
jack handle;
Bjack;C
wheel wrench;
D
tow hook;
Etool bag elastic strap;Ffuse extracting pliers;G
screwdriver.
The tool bag contains some spare fuses.
❒Take the wrench C fig. 117 and from inside the
boot loose the spare wheel fastening bolt A
fig. 118 to let it down. To reduce the effort, insert
screwdriver G fig. 117 in the seat in the wrench
C;
❒use the wrench C fig. 117 to remove the wheel
from the vehicle fig. 119;
fig. 116
F0T0206
fig. 117
F0T0281
132KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 137 of 231
❒remove the cap B fig. 120 and release the strap,
when free the wheel from the toothed support
C by loosen the two screws;
❒for vehicles with alloy rims, remove the hub cap:
❒loosen the fastening bolts of the wheel to be
replaced by about one turn, using the wrench
Cfig. 117;
❒for wheels with steel rims, remove the wheel cap;
A
fig. 118
F0T0292
fig. 119
F0T0419
133KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN
EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX