If a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve;
to allow even wear between the
front and rear tyres, it is advisable to
change them over every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on
the same side of the vehicle so as
not to reverse the direction of rotation.
149) 150) 151) 152)
WARNING
149)Remember that the road holding
qualities of your vehicle also depend on the
correct inflation pressure of the tyres.
150)If tyre pressure is too low, the tire may
overheat and be severely damaged as a
result.
151)Do not switch tyres from the
righthand side of the vehicle to the
lefthand side, and vice versa.
152)Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C. The
mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the maintenance of the brake
system and fuel supply system rubber
hoses is concerned, follow the
"Scheduled Servicing Plan" in this
chapter carefully.
Ozone, high temperatures and
prolonged lack of fluid in the system
may cause hardening and cracking of
the hoses, with possible leaks. Careful
checking is therefore necessary.
PROLONGED
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
If 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 engaged;
disconnect the negative terminal
from the battery pole (see paragraph
“Vehicle inactivity” in the "Dashboard
and controls" chapter) and check
the charge conditions (see paragraph
“Battery” in the “Care and
maintenance” chapter);
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
windscreen and rear window wiper
rubber 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;
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inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
standard specified pressure and check
it at intervals;
do not drain the engine cooling
system.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION AGAINST
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the
following:
atmospheric pollution;
salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates);
seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne
atmospheric dust and sand, as well as
mud and gravel raised by other cars
is also not to be underestimated.
On your vehicle, Fiat has implemented
the best manufacturing technologies
to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.
These include:
painting products and systems
which give the vehicle particular
resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
use of galvanised (or pretreated)
sheet metal, with high resistance to
corrosion;
spraying the underbody, engine
compartment, wheelhouse internal
parts and other parts with highly
protective wax products;
spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner wing, edges,
etc.;
use of "open" boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside.
VEHICLE EXTERIOR AND
UNDERBODY WARRANTY
Your vehicle is covered by warranty
against perforation due to corrosion of
any original element of the structure
or body.
For the general terms of this warranty,
refer to the Warranty Booklet.
ADVICE FOR
PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paintwork
Paintwork does not only serve an
aesthetic purpose, but also protects the
underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent rust formation.
Use only original paint products for
touch-ups (see “Bodywork paint
identification plate” in the “Technical
specifications” section).
Normal maintenance of paintwork
consists in washing the vehicle: the
frequency depends on the conditions
and environment where the vehicle
is used.
For example, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more often in areas with high
levels of environmental pollution or on
roads spread with salt.
196
SERVICING AND CARE
FUEL
CONSUMPTION
The fuel consumption figures given in
the tables below are determined on the
basis of the type-approval tests laid
down by specific European Directives.
These consumption values refer to
basic vehicles without optionals.
The following procedures are used to
measure the fuel consumption:
urban cycle: begins with cold
starting, followed by driving simulating
the use of the vehicle in town;
extra-urban cycle: driving that
simulates using the vehicle out of town
with frequent acceleration in all gears;
the speed varies from 0 to 120 km/h;
combined fuel consumption:
calculated with a weighting of
approximately 37% of the urban cycle
and 63% of the extra-urban cycle.
IMPORTANT The type of route, traffic
situations, weather conditions, driving
style, general conditions of the vehicle,
trim level/equipment/accessories,
climate control system, vehicle load,
roof rack, other situations that affect
aerodynamics or air drag may lead to
different fuel consumption levels than
those measured.WARNING
In practice, fuel consumption may be
higher than the values obtained during
the approval tests.
Here are some of the major factors that
can lead to a difference between test
and real consumption.
1) Vehicle condition: inadequate
servicing, use of roof racks, trailers,
heavy loading, high usage of electrical
devices and the air conditioning.
2) Driving style: frequent cold starts for
short journeys, poor engine warming
technique, gear selection, high speeds,
sudden acceleration and braking.
3) Traffic and road conditions: driving in
traffic, steep hills or winding roads,
road surface conditions.
4) Atmospheric conditions: intemperate
weather, wind, rain, snow, high altitude.
5) Proportion of use in towns and
cities, in the country and on
motorways.PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR
REDUCING FUEL
CONSUMPTION AND
HARMFUL EMISSIONS
Vehicle conditions
1. Have checks and adjustments
carried out in accordance with the
“Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
2. Check tyre pressure regularly, at least
once every four weeks. Excessively
low pressures will increase
consumption because rolling resistance
will be higher. In addition, this wears
the tyre more quickly and impairs
performance.
3. Only use snow tyres when the
weather conditions make them
absolutely necessary. They increase
consumption and noise.
4. Do not travel with a heavy load: the
weight of the vehicle (especially when
driving in town) and its trim greatly
affect fuel consumption and stability.
5. Remove roof racks or ski racks after
use. These accessories reduce the
vehicle's aerodynamic penetration and
have a negative effect on fuel
consumption.
6. When transporting particularly large
objects, use a trailer if possible.
7. Use the vehicle's air vents if possible:
travelling with the windows open
impairs aerodynamics.
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TECHNICAL DATA
8. Use electrical devices only for the
amount of time needed. The vehicle’s
heated rear window, additional
headlights, screen wipers and heater
fan require a considerable amount
of energy; this increases fuel
consumption (by up to +25% in an
urban cycle).
9. Air conditioning leads to higher fuel
consumption (on average up to +30%).
If the temperature outside is not too
extreme, try and use the air vents.
Driving style
1. After starting the engine you should
drive away immediately and slowly,
avoiding high revs. 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, emissions
and mechanical component wear.
2. Avoid pointless actions such
as revving up when at traffic lights or
before stopping the engine. The latter
action, like double-declutching, is
unnecessary and causes increased fuel
consumption and pollution.3. Gear selection: select a high gear as
soon as possible (taking into account
normal engine operation and traffic
conditions) without pushing the engine
to high revs during the intermediate
gears. Using low gears at high revs to
get lively acceleration increases fuel
consumption, harmful emissions and
engine wear.
4. Vehicle speed: fuel consumption
increases exponentially as the speed of
the vehicle increases. Keep your speed
moderate and as even as possible,
avoiding unnecessary braking and
acceleration, which cause excessive
fuel consumption and increased
emissions. Keeping a safe distance
from the vehicle in front helps to
maintain a steady speed.
5. Acceleration: accelerating violently
severely affects consumption and
emissions. Acceleration should be
gradual and should not exceed the
maximum engine torque rate.
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