Page 137 of 275

IMPORTANT
Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised
steam (wash by hand or at automatic seat washing
stations).
The front airbags and/or front side bags (for
versions/markets, where provided) may be deployed
if the car is subject to heavy collisions or accidents
involving the underbody area, such as for example
violent shocks against steps, kerbs or low obstacles,
car falling into big holes or sags in the road.
When the airbag deploys it emits a small amount of
dust: the dust is harmless and does not indicate
the beginning of a fire. The dust may irritate the skin
and eyes however: in this case, wash with neutral
soap and water.
Airbag checking, repair and replacement must be
carried out at a Fiat Dealership.
If the car is scrapped, have the airbag system
deactivated at a Fiat Dealership.
Pretensioners and airbags are deployed according to
different logics on the basis of the type of collision.
Failure to deploy of one or more of the devices does
not indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
If the
warning light does not switch
on when the key is turned to MAR-ON,
or stays on while driving (on some versions
together with a message on the display) there
may be a fault in the restraint systems. In this
case, the airbags or the pretensioners may
not be activated in the case of an accident or
(in a lesser number of cases) they may be
activated incorrectly. Contact your Fiat
Dealership immediately to have this system
checked.
WARNING
On cars with side bags, do not cover the
front seat backrests with extra covers.WARNING
Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc .): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed in an
accident .
133GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 138 of 275

WARNING
If the car has been stolen or in the case
of attempt to steal it , if it has been
subjected to vandalism or floods, have the
airbag system checked by a Fiat Dealership.WARNING
When the ignition key is inserted and
turned to MAR-ON, airbags may be
deployed if another car crashes into the vehicle,
even if the engine is not running and the car is
stationary.Therefore, even if the car is
stationary, when an active passenger airbag is
fitted, DO NOT install rearward facing child
restraint systems on the front passenger seat .
Deployment of the airbag following an impact
could cause fatal injuries to the child.Therefore,
always deactivate the passenger airbag when
a rearward facing child restraint system is
installed on the front passenger seat .The front
passenger seat must also be positioned back
as far as possible in order to avoid the child
restraint system from coming into contact with
the dashboard. Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the child restraint
system has been removed. Also remember that ,
if the key is turned to STOP, none of the safety
devices (airbags or pretensioners) will be
deployed in the event of collision. Non-
deployment in such cases does not indicate a
system malfunction.
WARNING
When the ignition key is turned to
MAR-ON, the warning light
(with
passenger's front airbag activated) turns on and
flashes for a few seconds to remind you that
the passenger's airbag will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should go off.
WARNING
The front airbag is designed to be
deployed for impacts of a greater
intensity than for the pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between the two
activation levels, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.WARNING
The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency.
Furthermore, since front airbags are not
deployed in low-speed frontal impacts, side
impacts, rear shunts or roll-overs, the
passengers are protected only by the seat belts
which must therefore be fastened at all times.
134GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY SERVICING ANDMAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 139 of 275

STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINEThe car is fitted with an electronic engine lock
device: if the engine fails to start, see the paragraph
“The Fiat CODE system” in the section “Knowing
your car”.
Engine starting is guaranteed to -18°C (Italy and
central Europe) and -20°C (Northern Europe).
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 .).When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
WARNING
It is dangerous to have the engine
running indoors.The engine consumes
oxygen and engine exhaust contains carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide and other toxic
gasses.
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.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ engage the handbrake and place the gear lever in
neutral;
❒ turn the ignition key to MAR: the warning lights
and
on the instrument panel will turn on;
❒ wait for the warning lights
and
to switch
off;
❒ press the clutch pedal down to the floor 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 glow 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.
135GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
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WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
Page 140 of 275

If the engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before attempting to
start again.
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.
If you still cannot start the engine, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
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.
When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST 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 engine coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.This could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond repair.
EMERGENCY START-UP
Contact a Fiat Dealership if instrument panel
warning light
(or the symbol on the display) stays
on constantly.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is
idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you should allow
the engine to “catch its breath” before turning it
off by letting it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
136GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY SERVICING ANDMAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 141 of 275

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.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if the car
is parked on a steep slope.
Do not leave the key in the ignition switch to
prevent the battery from running down.
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
The handbrake is located between the front seats.
To use the handbrake pull the lever upwards until the
car cannot be moved.
Four or five clicks are generally enough when the car
is on level ground while nine or ten may be required
if the car is on a steep slope and laden.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, contact a Fiat
Dealership for adjustment. When the handbrake is engaged and the ignition key
is at MAR-ON, the
warning light will switch on
in the instrument panel.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
❒ slightly lift the handbrake and press release button
A fig. 119;
❒ 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 car from moving
accidentally.
IMPORTANT For cars equipped with a front
armrest, lift this up to ensure that it does not
interfere with the action of the handbrake.fig. 119
F0Q0628
137GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 142 of 275

USING THE GEARBOXTo engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and
shift the gear lever into one of the required positions
(the diagram for gear engagement is shown on the
knob fig. 120 fig. 121).To engage 6
th
gear, operate the lever by pressing it
towards the right in order to avoid engaging 4
th
gear
by mistake. The same applies to the shift from 6th
to 5
th
gear.
To engage reverse R from neutral, lift sliding ring A
and, at the same time:
❒ move the lever to the right and then backwards
(1.6 MultiJet versions) fig. 120;
or
❒ move the lever to the left and then forwards (2.0
MultiJet versions - for versions/markets, where
provided) fig. 121.
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.
IMPORTANT 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 pedal
control could cut in, interpreting the incorrect
driving style as a fault.
fig. 120 - 1.6 MultiJet versions
F0Q0734
fig. 121 - 2.0 MultiJet versions (where provided)
F0Q0783
138GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY SERVICING ANDMAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 143 of 275

WARNING
Depress the clutch pedal fully to change
gear 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.
SAVING FUELSome useful tips are given below for fuel saving and
reducing harmful emissions of CO
2and other
pollutants [nitrogen oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons,
Particulate Matter (PM) etc.].
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The general factors that affect fuel consumption are
listed below.
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once every four
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 (especially when driving in town) and
its ride greatly affects 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.
139GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 144 of 275

Electric devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time
necessary. The heated rear window, additional
headlights, windscreen/rear window 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
Air conditioning leads to higher fuel consumption (on
average up to +20%). If the temperature outside
permits, try and use the air vents.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect
air drag and fuel consumption.DRIVING STYLE
The main driving styles that affect fuel consumption
are listed below.
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
electrical consumption and emissions. It is therefore
advisable to move off immediately, slowly, avoiding
high speeds: in this way the engine will warm faster.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when starting at traffic lights or
before switching off the engine. This and also double
declutching is absolutely pointless on modern cars
and also increases consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the traffic and road
allow, use a higher gear. Using a low gear for faster
acceleration will increase consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high gear
increases consumption, emissions an engine wear.
Max. speed
Fuel consumption increases considerably with speed.
Maintain a constant speed, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cost in terms of both
fuel consumption and emissions.
140GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY SERVICING ANDMAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX