HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
It's integral to the ESP system. It automatically
activates with the following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pedal
pressed and gearbox in neutral or gear other than
reverse;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine running, brake
pedal pressed and reverse gear engaged.
At pickup, the ESP system control unit will keep
braking pressure on the wheels until reaching the
required torque for starting or, in any case, for
a maximum of 2 seconds in order to move easily the
right foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator
pedal. When two seconds have elapsed, without
starting, the system is automatically deactivated,
gradually releasing the braking pressure. During this
release stage, the typical brake disengagement noise
indicating that the vehicle is going to move
imminently will be heard.Failure indications
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a parking
brake; therefore, never leave the vehicle without
having engaged the handbrake, turned the engine off
and engaged the first gear.
WARNING
For the correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must be the
same make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the type, make and
size recommended.
72KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
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
HANDBRAKEThe handbrake lever fig. 113is located between the
two front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to engage the handbrake and
ensure that the vehicle does not move.
WARNING
The vehicle should be secured after
several clicks of the lever. If it is not ,
contact a Fiat Dealership to have it adjusted.When the handbrake lever is engaged and the
ignition key is on MAR, the instrument panel warning
light
will light up.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press release button
Afig. 113;
❒hold button A pressed and lower the lever. The
instrument panel warning light
will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this
operation to prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally.
fig. 113
F0T0043
110KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
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
PROLONGED VEHICLE INACTIVITYIf the vehicle needs to be off the road for longer than
one month, the following precautions must be
taken:
❒park the vehicle indoors in a dry and, if possible,
well-ventilated place;
❒engage a gear and check that the handbrake is not
on;
❒disconnect the battery negative terminal and check
the charge (see “Battery” in the “Maintenance and
care”);
❒clean and protect the painted parts using
protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts using
special compounds readily available;❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen
and rear window 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 normal specified
pressure and check it at intervals;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
117KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGESThe warning light (where allowed by the instrument
panel) is associated to a specific message and/or
acoustic tone. These indications are brief and
precautionary and as such must not be considered as
exhaustive and/or alternative to the information
contained in the Owner's Handbook, which you are
recommended to read carefully in all cases. Always
refer to the information in this chapter in the event
of a failure indication.
IMPORTANT The fault indicators appearing on the
display are divided into two categories: very serious
and less serious failures.
Serious failures prompt a prolonged cycle of signals.
Less serious failures prompt a shorter cycle of
signals.
Press MENU ESC to stop the warning cycle in both
cases. Instrument panel warning light (or the symbol
on the display) will stay on until the cause of the
failure is eliminated.
LOW BRAKE FLUID
(red)/HANDBRAKE ENGAGED (red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
Low brake fluid
The warning light turns on when the level of the
brake fluid in the reservoir falls below the minimum
level, possibly due to a leak in the circuit.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
WARNING
If the warning light
turns on when
travelling (on cer tain versions together
with the message on the display) stop the
vehicle immediately and contact Fiat
Dealership.
118KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Handbrake engaged
The warning light turns on when the handbrake is
engaged.
On some versions, an acoustic tone accompanies the
warning light when the vehicle is moving.
IMPORTANT If the warning light comes on when the
car is in motion, check that the handbrake is not
on.
AIR BAG FAULT (red)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light stays on constantly if there is a
fault in the air bag system.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
WARNING
The warning light
may not light up
when the key is turned to MAR or stay
on while travelling to indicate a retaining
system fault . In this case, the air bags or the
pretensioners may not be activated in the case
of an accident or (more seldom) they may be
activated incorrectly. Contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked.
WARNING
Failure of warning light
is indicated by
warning light
blinking for longer than
the normal 4 seconds indicating that the front
passenger air bag is off. In addition, the air
bag system automatically disables the air bags
on the passenger's side (both front and side
air bags, for versions/markets, where provided).
In this case, the warning light
may not
indicate a fault in the system. Contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately to have the system
checked.
PASSENGER/SIDE AIR BAGS OFF
(amber)
The warning light
comes on when the front
passenger air bag and the side bag (for versions/
markets where provided) are deactivated.
With the front passenger air bags enabled, when the
ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light
will come on steadily for about four seconds, blink
for another four seconds and then should go out.
119KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
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