2014 FIAT STRADA Owner handbook (in English)

103
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low
or high revs when the vehicle is
stationary; this causes the engine to
warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and
emissions. It is advisable to move off
immediately and slowly, avoiding
high speeds: in this way the engine
will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before stopping the
engine.
This, as well as double declutching, is
absolutely unnecessary and increases
consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the
traffic and road permit, use a higher
gear.
Using a low gear for faster
acceleration will increase
consumption.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
Accelerating violently will greatly
affect consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual.
CONDITIONS OF USE
The main usage conditions that
negatively affect fuel consumption
are listed below.Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold
starts do not allow the engine to
reach optimum operating
temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (by 15–30% in
the urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are
linked to situations with heavy
traffic, for instance when travelling in
queues with frequent use of the
lower gears or in cities with many
traffic lights. Winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Stopping in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups
(e.g. at level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.
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104
TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT
The vehicle must be equipped with a
type-approved tow hook and
adequate electrical system to tow
trailers.
Install 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, stopping distances increase
and overtaking takes longer
depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly
using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the
vehicle tow hook will reduce the
loading capacity of the vehicle by the
same amount.
To make sure that the maximum
towable weight is not exceeded, the
fully laden trailer weight, including
accessories and luggage, must be
taken into account.Do not exceed the speed limits
specific to each country you are
driving in, in the case of vehicles
towing trailers. In any case, the top
speed must not exceed 80 km/h.
The ABS system does
not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular
caution is therefore required
on slippery surfaces.
WARNING
Never modify the
braking system of the
vehicle to control the trailer
brake. The trailer’s braking
system must be completely
independent from the
hydraulic system of the vehicle.
WARNING
SNOW CHAINS
The use of chains is subject to local
regulations.
Chains may be applied only to the
tyres of the drive wheels (front
wheels).
Use “spider” type reduced size snow
chains.
Keep your speed
down when snow
chains are fitted;
do not exceed 50 km/h.
Avoid potholes, steps and
pavements and avoid driving
long distances on roads not
covered with snow, to avoid
damaging the vehicle and the
road surface.
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105
LONG VEHICLE
INACTIVITY
If the vehicle needs to be off the
road for longer than a month, the
following precautions should be
taken:
– Park the vehicle indoors in a dry
and, if possible, well-ventilated
place.
– Engage a gear.
– Check that the handbrake is not
engaged.
– Disconnect the negative battery
terminal and check the state of
charge (see “Battery” in the
“Vehicle maintenance” section).
– Clean and protect the painted
parts using protective waxes.– Clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using specific commercially
available compounds.
– Sprinkle talcum powder on the
rubber windscreen wiper blades
and lift them off the glass.
– Slightly open the windows.
– 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 prescribed pressure and
check it at intervals.
– Do not drain the engine cooling
system.
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107
IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency we recommend that you call the freephone number in the Warranty Booklet.
You can also go to the www.fiat.com website to find your nearest Fiat Dealership.
STARTING THE ENGINE
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, it is possible to
start the engine using an auxiliary
battery with the same capacity or a
little higher than the flat one.
fig. 109
F0X0090m
To start the engine, proceed as
follows fig. 109:
– connect the positive terminals (+),
sign near the terminal, of the two
batteries with a jump lead;
– with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (–) of the
auxiliary battery to an earthing
point
Eon the engine or the
gearbox of the vehicle to be
started;
– start the engine;
– when the engine has been started,
remove the leads, reversing the
order above.If after a few attempts the engine
does not start, do not persist but
contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not directly
connect the negative terminals of
the two batteries: any sparks may
ignite the explosive gas which could
come out of the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on
another vehicle, avoid any metal
parts on the latter and the vehicle
with the flat battery from
accidentally coming into contact.
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108
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 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.IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
General instructions
To use the jack and
space-saver wheel
correctly, some
precautions are necessary,
described below.
Never use a quick
battery charger to start
the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems,
particularly the ignition and fuel
supply control units.
Incorrect positioning of
the jack may cause the
raised vehicle to fall. Do not
use the jack for loads greater
than that indicated on the jack
itself. The jack is only to be
used for replacing wheels on
the vehicle with which it is
provided. Never use the jack
for other purposes, such as
lifting other vehicles. Never use
the jack to carry out repairs
under the vehicle. Do not
grease the threads of bolts
before fitting them: they might
slip out.
WARNING
This procedure must be
performed by expert
personnel as incorrect actions
may cause high-intensity
electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery 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.
WARNING
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109
If alloy wheels are
purchased to replace
the steel wheels, we
suggest that you retain 4
original bolts for use only with
the spare wheel. There is a risk
of damaging the wheel hubs.
Indicate the presence
of the stationary
vehicle in accordance with
current regulations: hazard
warning lights, warning triangle
etc. Passengers should get out
of the vehicle and wait until
replacement is concluded,
avoiding the risk of traffic. If
you are on a slope or uneven
surface, place wedges or other
suitable objects under the
wheels to secure the vehicle.
WARNINGCHANGING A WHEEL
Bear in mind that:
– the mass of the jack is 2.9 kg;
– the jack requires no adjustment;
– the jack cannot be repaired. It
must be replaced with an original
part if damaged;
– no tool other than the cranking
device illustrated in this section
may be fitted on the jack.
Never start the engine
when the vehicle is
jacked up.If a trailer is used,
detach the trailer before
raising the vehicle.
WARNING
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110
ACCESSING TOOLS, JACK
AND SPARE WHEEL
Fiat Strada, Short or
Extended Cab
The tool bag can be found behind
the driver’s seat. The bag may be
held with elastic straps or Velcro,
depending on the version.
The spare wheel may be housed
externally in the load compartment.Fiat Strada
Adventure Crew Cab
To access the tool bag, pull the
central handle and fold over the rear
cushion.
The spare wheel is housed
externally in the load compartment.
1) Remove the jack and its cranking
device.
2) Take the wheel wrench and,
depending on the version, the
anti-theft bolt.3) Remove the spare wheel cover
canvas and completely unscrew
the ring nut A-fig. 112-113 using,
where necessary, the anti-theft
nut B-fig. 113.
fig. 113
F0X0094m
fig. 112
F0X0093m
fig. 110
F0X0091m
fig. 111
F0X0092m
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