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Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects consumption
and emissions: acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum torque.
USAGE CONDITIONS
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 (from +15 to +30% on 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.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level crossings) the
engine should be switched off.
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car must be fitted
with a certified tow hook and an adequate electric
system. Installation should be carried out by
specialised personnel who will issue the required
papers for travelling on roads.
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, braking 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 the trailer exerts on the car tow hook
reduces the car's loading capacity 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 80
km/h.
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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.
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to the
bodywork by specialised personnel according to any
additional and/or integrative information supplied
by the Manufacturer of the device. The towing device
must meet current regulations with reference to
Directive 94/20/EEC and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used must be right
for the towable weight of the car on which it is to
be installed. IMPORTANT The use of auxiliary loads other than
external lights (electric brake, winch, etc.) must
be used with engine running.
For the electric connection a unified connector
should be used, which is generally placed on a special
bracket fastened to the towing device, and a special
ECU should be installed on the car to control the
trailer's exterior lights.
7 or 13-pole 12 V DC connections should be used
(CUNA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Follow any
instructions provided by the car manufacturer and/or
the towing device manufacturer.
An electric brake or winch should be powered
directly by the battery through a cable with a
cross-section of no less than 2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT Electric brakes or other devices must
be used with engine running.
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 battery
cable no less than 2.5 mm
2.
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SNOW TYRESUse snow tyres of the same size as the normal tyres
provided with the car.
A 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 features of these tyres are reduced
considerably when the tread depth is below 4 mm.
Replace them in this case.
Due to snow tyre features, under normal conditions
of use or on long motorway journeys, the
performance of these tyres is much 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 better 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.
You should, however, always stick to the speed
limits of the Road Traffic Code.
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SNOW CHAINSThe use of snow chains should be in compliance with
local regulations.
Snow chains may be fitted to the tyres of the front
wheels (drive wheels) only.
Check the tension of the snow chains after the first
few metres have been driven.
Use reduced size snow chains:
❒for 205/55 R16" tyres, use reduced size snow
chains with a maximum projection of 9 mm
beyond the tyre profile;
❒ for 225/45 R17" tyres, use reduced size snow
chains with a maximum projection of 7 mm
beyond the tyre profile.
IMPORTANT 225/40 R18 92V tyres cannot be fitted
with chains. Snow chains may cause interference
with the surrounding elements.
IMPORTANT Snow chains cannot be fitted to the
space-saver wheel. If a front tyre is punctured,
replace a rear wheel with the space-saver wheel and
move the rear wheel to the front axle. In this way,
with two normal drive wheels at the front, snow
chains can be fitted.
Keep your speed down when snow chains
are fitted; do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements and avoid
driving for long distances on roads not covered
with snow to prevent damaging the car and
the roadbed.
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CAR INACTIVITYIf the car is to be left inactive for longer than a
month, the following precautions should be
observed:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if possible
well-ventilated premises and slightly open
the windows;
❒ engage a gear and disengage the handbrake;
❒ disconnect the negative battery terminal and check
charge (see paragraph “Battery - Charge and
electrolyte level check” in chapter “Maintenance
and care”);
❒ clean and protect the painted parts using
protective wax;
❒ clean and protect the shiny metal parts using
special compounds available commercially;
❒ sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen
and rear window wiper blades and lift them off the
glass; ❒
cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic
sheet. Do not use sheets of non-perforated plastic
as they do not allow moisture on the car body
to evaporate;
❒ inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the standard
specified pressure and check it at intervals;
❒ do not drain the engine cooling system.
IMPORTANT Where relevant, switch off the car
alarm with the remote control.
145GETTING TO KNOW
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WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGESGENERAL WARNINGS
Warning lights are accompanied by a specific message
and/or acoustic warning where provided by the
control panel. These indications areconcise and
precautionary and, as such, must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or an alternative to the
information contained in this Owner Handbook,
which you are advised to read carefully in all cases. In
the event of a failure indication, always refer to
the contents of this chapter.
IMPORTANT Failure indications displayed are divided
into two categories: very seriousandless serious
failures.
Very serious failures are indicated by a repeated
and prolonged warning "cycle".
Less serious failures are indicated by a shorter
warning "cycle".
The display cycle of both failure types can be stopped
by pressing the MODEbutton. The warning light
(or symbol in the display) will remain on until the
cause of the malfunction is eliminated.
BRAKE FLUID LOW (red) /
HANDBRAKE ENGAGED (red)
Turning the key to the MAR-ON position the
warning light switches on, but it should switch off
after a few seconds.
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL
The warning light switches on when the level of the
brake fluid in the reservoir falls below the minimum
level due to a possible leak in the circuit. On some
versions the display shows the dedicated message.
WARNING
If the
warning light switches on while
driving, stop immediately and contact
a Fiat Dealership.
HANDBRAKE APPLIED
The warning light turns on when the handbrake is
applied. If the car is moving the buzzer will also
sound.
146GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
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IMPORTANT If the warning light comes on when the
car is in motion, check that the handbrake is not
on.
BRAKE PAD WEAR (amber)
The warning light switches on if the front brake pads
are worn. In this case replace them as soon as
possible.
The display will show the dedicated message.
IMPORTANT Because the car is equipped with a
wear detection system only for the front brake pads,
when these are replaced the rear brake pads should
also be checked for wear.AIRBAG FAILURE (red)
Turning the key to the MAR-ON position the
warning light switches on, but it should switch off
after a few seconds. The warning light stays on
constantly if there is a failure in the airbag system.
WARNING
If when turning the key to MAR-ON the
warning lightdoes not turn on or
stays on whilst driving, a failure may have
occurred in the restraint systems. In this case
the airbags or pretensioners may not be
deployed in an impact or, in a lower number of
cases, they may be deployed accidentally.
Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have
the system checked.WARNING
A fault with the
warning light is
indicated by flashing of the
warning
light , which signals the deactivation of the
passenger side front airbag. In addition, the
airbag system automatically disables the
airbags on the passenger's side (both front and
side airbags for versions/markets, where
provided). In this case, the warning light
may
not indicate a fault in the restraint systems.
Before continuing, contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked.
147GETTING TO KNOW
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PASSENGER/SIDE AIRBAGS
DEACTIVATED (amber)
The warning light
switches on when the front
passenger's airbag and side bag are disabled. With
front passenger airbag on, when the ignition key
is turned to MAR-ON, the
warning light switches
on constantly for several seconds, it flashes for
another few seconds and then it should switch off.
WARNING
A failure of the
warning light is
indicated by warning light
switching
on. In addition, the airbag system automatically
disables the airbags on the passenger's side
(both front and side airbags where provided).
Before continuing, contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked.
UNFASTENED SEAT BELTS (red)
The warning light switches on constantly with the
car stationary and the driver's side or passenger side
seat belt (when the passenger is present) not
fastened. The warning light will flash and a buzzer will sound if
the car is in motion and the front seat belts are
not correctly fastened.
The SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system buzzer can
only be permanently switched off by a Fiat
Dealership.
The system can be reactivated using the Setup Menu.
LOW BATTERY CHARGE (red)
The warning light comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR-ON, 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 constantly or continues
to flash, contact a Fiat Dealership immediately.CONTINUOUSLY ON: LOW
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE (red)
ON FLASHING: ENGINE OIL
DETERIORATED
(only MultiJet versions with DPF - red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR-ON, the
warning light switches on but should switch off
as soon as the engine is started.
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