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.
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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
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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.
141GETTING TO KNOW
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INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING
(red)
The warning light switches on when one or more
doors are not completely shut. An acoustic signal is
activated with the doors open and the car moving.GENERIC FAILURE INDICATION
(amber)
Fuel cut-off inertia switch tripped
The warning light comes on when the inertial fuel
cut-off switch is triggered. The display shows the
dedicated message.
Engine oil pressure sensor failure
The warning light comes on when the engine oil
pressure sensor is faulty.
Dusk sensor failure
This warning light comes on when a dusk sensor
fault is detected. The display shows the dedicated
message.
Preset speed limit exceeded
(for Arab countries only)
The warning light switches on when the vehicle
speed exceeds 120 km/h. Rain sensor failure
The warning light switches on when a rain sensor
fault is detected. The display shows the dedicated
message.
Parking sensor failure
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light turns on when failure is detected in
the parking sensors.
Tyre pressure monitoring system failure
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light turns on when a failure is detected
in the TPMS (for versions/markets where provided).
Should one or more wheels without a sensor be
fitted, the instrument panel warning light will come
on and stay on until the initial conditions are
restored. The display shows the dedicated message.
Note
If one of the above mentioned failures occurs,
contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
151GETTING TO KNOW
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FUEL RESERVE (amber)
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 turns on when
8-10 litres of fuel are left in the tank.
IMPORTANT The warning light will flash to indicate
a system failure. If this is the case, go to the Fiat
Dealership to have the system checked.EOBD/INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
In normal conditions, 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.
If the warning light remains on or comes on whilst
driving, it means that the injection system is not
working properly; in particular, if the warning light
comes on constantly, this indicates a malfunction in
the supply/ignition system that could cause excessive
exhaust emissions, a possible loss of performance,
poor driveability and high fuel consumption. The display will show the dedicated message.
Under these conditions, you may continue travelling
at moderate speed without demanding excessive
effort from the engine. Prolonged use of the car with
the warning light on may cause damage: contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
The warning light goes out after the fault disappears,
but the notification is stored in the system.
Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible if the
warning light either does
not switch on when the key is turned to
MAR-ON or if while driving the warning light
switches on either constantly or flashes (along
with a message and a symbol on the display
on some versions).The operation of warning light
may be checked by the traffic police using
specific devices. Comply with the laws and
regulations of the country where you are driving.
153GETTING TO KNOW
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WATER IN DIESEL FILTER (amber)
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 comes on when there is water in
the diesel filter.
The display will show the dedicated message.The presence of water in the fuel system
circuit may cause severe damage to the
injection system and irregular engine
operation. If the warning light
switches on (on
some versions together with the dedicated
message on the display), contact a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible to have the system bled.
Water may have entered the tank if this appears
immediately after refuelling: if this happens,
switch the engine off immediately and contact a
Fiat Dealership.
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE (amber)
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 will switch on when the system is
either not working or not available.
Under these circumstances, the braking system will
work as normal but without the extra performance
offered by the ABS system.
Drive carefully and contact a Fiat Dealership as soon
as possible.
The display will show the dedicated message.
EBD FAILURE (red) (amber)
If warning lightsand
are lit up at the same
time with the engine running, this indicates an EBD
system failure or that the system is not available.
Early locking of the rear wheels may occur in the
event of violent braking, causing the car to swerve.
Drive very carefully to the nearest Fiat Dealership to
have the system inspected immediately. The display
shows the dedicated message.
155GETTING TO KNOW
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IMPORTANT Do not continue driving with one or
more flat tyres as handling may be compromised.
Stop the car, avoiding harsh braking and steering
manoeuvres. Replace the wheel immediately with the
space-saver wheel (for versions/markets, where
provided) or carry out a repair using the dedicated
kit (see “Changing a wheel” in the "In an emergency"
chapter) and contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible.
Check tyre pressure
This warning light switches on in the instrument
panel to indicate that the tyre pressure is below the
value recommended to guarantee long tyre life
and low fuel consumption. It may also indicate a slow
loss of pressure.
Should two or more tyres be flat, the display will
show the indications corresponding to each tyre in
sequence.
Restore correct tyre pressures as soon as possible
(see “Cold tyre pressures” in the “Technical
specifications” chapter).Tyre pressure unsuitable for speed
Should you need to travel at a speed higher than 160
km/h, inflate the tyres to the pressures specified in
“Tyre pressures” paragraph.
If the TPMS system (for versions/markets where
provided) detects that the pressure of one or more
tyres is unsuitable for the current speed, the warning
light will turn on (together with the message on
the display) (see “Tyre pressure low” in this chapter)
and it will stay on until the car slows down to a
speed below the preset threshold.
IMPORTANT In this case slow down immediately
since tyre overheating could impair tyre performance
and life beyond repair, and even make the tyre to
blow-out.
WARNING
Particularly strong radio frequency
interference may cause the TPMS to
function incorrectly.This condition is indicated
to the driver by a message (for versions/markets
where provided).The message will disappear
automatically as soon as the interference ceases
to affect the system.
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IN AN EMERGENCY
STARTING THE ENGINEContact a Fiat Dealership immediately if instrument
panel warning light
stays on constantly.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using
an auxiliary battery with the same capacity or a
little higher than the flat one.
Proceed as follows to start the car:
❒ connect the positive terminals (sign + near the
terminal) of the two batteries with a jump lead
fig. 122 ❒
with a second lead, connect the negative terminal
– of the auxiliary battery to an earth point
on
the engine or the gearbox of the car 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: sparks could ignite
explosive gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between metallic parts of the two
cars.
Never use a fast batter y-charger to star t
the engine as this could damage the
electronic systems of your car, particularly
the ignition and fuel supply control units.
fig. 122
F0Q0765
161GETTING TO KNOW
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