
WARNING
145)Airbags inflate at an extremely rapid
speed. In certain situations, contact with
inflating airbags can result in abrasions,
bruises, light cuts, and the like.
146)IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE
PROPERLY SEATED. A driver or front
passenger too close to the steering wheel
or instrument panel during airbag
deployment can be killed or seriously
injured. Airbags inflate very fast, and with
great force. If the driver and front
passenger are not properly seated and
restrained, the airbags may not protect you
properly, and could cause serious or fatal
injuries when they inflate.
147)Do not sit on the edge of the seat, or
sit with your lower legs too close to the
instrument panel, or lean head or chest
close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Do not put feet or legs on or against
the instrument panel.
148)Always drive with your hands on the
rim of the steering wheel so that the airbag
can inflate freely if required. Do not drive
with your body bent forward. Keep your
back straight against the backrest.149)Place all infants and small children in
the rear seat and properly restrained using
an appropriate child restraint system. The
rear seat is the safest for infants and
children.
150)Infants and small children should
never be unrestrained, stand up against
the instrument panel or held in your arms
or on your lap. They could be seriously
injured or killed in a collision, including
when the airbag inflates. They should be
properly seated in an appropriate child
restraint system. See the “Child restraint”
section of this owner’s manual.
151)When there is an active passenger
airbag, DO NOT install rearward facing
child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident
could cause fatal injuries to the child
regardless of the severity of the impact.
Therefore, always deactivate the passenger
side 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 prevent 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.
152)Older children should be seated,
properly wearing the seat belt, with an
appropriate booster seat if needed.
153)Extreme Hazard! NEVER use a
rearward facing child restraint on a seat
protected by an ACTIVE AIRBAG in front of
it, DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the
CHILD can occur.154)Do not fit any accessory that makes
the indicator impossible to see, and do not
cover the indicator with a sticker. You
would not be able to verify the status of the
passenger airbag system.
155)To reduce risk of serious or fatal
injury: always turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position or put the operation mode
in OFF, before operating the front
passenger’s airbag ON-OFF switch. Failure
to do so could adversely affect the airbag
performance; Wait at least 60 seconds to
operate the front passenger’s airbag
ON-OFF switch after turning the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” position or putting
the operation mode in OFF. The SRS
airbag system is designed to retain enough
voltage to deploy the airbag; Always
remove the key from the front passenger’s
airbag ON-OFF switch after operating that
switch. Failure to do so could lead to
improper position of the front passenger’s
airbag ON-OFF switch; Do not turn OFF
the front passenger’s airbag ON-OFF
switch except when a child restraint
system is fitted to the front passenger seat;
If the OFF indicator does not come on
when the front passenger’s airbag ONOFF
switch is turned OFF, do not fit a child
restraint system to the front passenger
seat. We recommend you to have the
system inspected by a Fiat Dealership; if
the OFF indicator remains on when the
front passenger’s airbag ON-OFF switch is
turned ON, do not allow anyone to sit on
the front passenger seat. We recommend
you to have the system inspected by a Fiat
Dealership.
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SAFETY

156)Do not apply stickers or other objects
to the steering wheel, the dashboard in the
passenger side airbag area and the seats.
Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on
the passenger side of the dashboard since
they could interfere with correct inflation of
the passenger airbag and also cause
serious injury to the passengers.
157)Do not set anything on, or attach
anything to, the instrument panel above the
glove box. It might strike and injure an
occupant if the airbag inflates.
158)Do not attach accessories to, or put
them in front of, the windscreen. These
objects could restrict the airbag inflation, or
strike and injure an occupant if the airbags
inflate.
159)Do not attach additional keys or
accessories (hard, pointed or heavy
objects) to the ignition key. Such objects
could prevent the driver’s knee airbag from
inflating normally or could be propelled to
cause serious injury if the airbag inflates.
160)Do not attach accessories to the
lower portion of the driver’s side instrument
panel. Such objects could prevent the
driver’s knee airbag from inflating normally
or could be propelled to cause serious
injury if the airbag inflates.
161)Do not put packages, pets or other
objects between the airbags and the driver
or front passenger. It could affect airbag
performance, or could cause injury when
the airbag inflates.
162)Right after the airbag inflation, several
airbag system components will be hot. Do
not touch these components. There is a
danger of being burnt.163)The airbag system is designed to
work only once. Once the airbags have
deployed, they will not work again. They
must promptly be replaced and we
recommend you to have the entire airbag
system inspected by a Fiat Dealership.
164)Do not affix rigid objects to the
garment hooks or support handles.
165)Do not rest your head, arms or
elbows on the door, windows or the area in
which the Window bag is located to avoid
possible injury during airbag inflation.
166)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.
167)The side airbags and curtain airbags
are designed to supplement the driver and
passenger seat belts in certain side
impacts. Seat belts should always be worn
properly, and the driver and passenger
should sit well back and upright without
leaning against the window or door.
168)The side airbag and curtain airbag
inflate with great force. The driver and
passenger should not put their arms out
the window, and should not lean against
the door, in order to reduce risk of serious
or possible fatal injury from the deploying
side airbag and curtain airbag.
169)Do not allow any rear seat occupant
to hold onto the seatback of either front
seat, in order to reduce risk of injury from
the deploying side airbag. Special care
should be taken with children.170)Do not place any objects near or in
front of the seatback of either front seat.
They could interfere with proper side airbag
inflation, and also could cause injury if
thrown free by side airbag deployment.
171)Do not install seat covers on seats
with side airbags. Do not re-cover seats
that have side airbags. This could interfere
with proper side airbag inflation.
172)Do not attach a microphone (A) or
any other device or object around the part
where the curtain airbags (B) activate such
as on the windscreen, side door glass,
front and rear pillars and roof side or assist
grips. When the curtain airbags inflate, the
microphone or other device or object will
be hurled with great force or the curtain
airbags may not activate correctly, resulting
in death or serious injury.
173)Do not allow the child to lean against
or close to the front door even if the child is
seated in a child restraint system. The
child’s head should also not be leaned
against or be close to the area where the
side airbag and curtain airbag are located.
It is dangerous if the side airbag and
curtain airbag inflate. Failure to follow all of
these instructions could lead to serious or
fatal injury to the child.
174)We recommend work around and on
the side airbags and curtain airbags
system to be done by a Fiat Dealership.
175)We recommend any maintenance
performed on or near the components of
the SRS to be performed by a Fiat
Dealership. Improper work on the SRS
components or wiring could result in
inadvertent deployment of the airbags, or
could render the SRS inoperative; either
situation could result in serious injury.
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An operation noise is emitted from the
engine compartment or feel a shock
from the brake pedal when start driving
immediately after starting the engine.
These are normal sound or operation
that the ABS makes when performing a
self-check. It does not indicate a
malfunction.
The ABS can be used after the vehicle
has reached a speed over
approximately 10 km/h. It stops
working when the vehicle slows below
7 km/h.
181) 182) 183) 184) 185) 186) 187) 188) 189)
After driving on icy roads
After driving on snow or icy roads,
remove any snow and ice which may
have be left around the wheels. On
vehicles that have an ABS, be careful
not to damage the wheel speed
sensors (A) or the cables located at
each wheel.2WD Hi-Rider, 4WD
2WDActive Stability & Traction Control
(ASTC) (where provided)
The active stability & traction control
(ASTC) takes overall control of the
anti-lock brake system, traction control
function and active stability control
function to help maintain the vehicle’s
control and traction. Please read this
section in conjunction with the page on
the anti-lock brake system, traction
control function and active stability
control function.
190) 191) 192) 193)
NOTE An operation noise may be
emitted from the engine compartment
in the following situations. The sound is
associated with checking the
operations of the ASTC. At this time,
you may feel a shock from the brake
pedal if you depress it. These do not
indicate a malfunction:
When the ignition switch is set to the
“ON” position or the operation mode is
put in ON.
When the vehicle is driven for a while
after the engine is turned on.
NOTE When the ASTC is activated,
you may feel a vibration in the vehicle
body or hear a whining sound from the
engine compartment. This indicates
that the system is operating normally. It
does not indicate a malfunction.
NOTE When the anti-lock brake
system warning lamp is illuminated, the
ASTC is not active.
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NOTE On vehicles with the rear
differential lock, the ASTC and ABS
functions are suspended while the rear
differential lock is activated. ASTC
indicator lamp, ASTC OFF indicator
lamp and ABS warning lamp are
illuminated while these functions are
suspended. It does not indicate a
problem. When the rear differential lock
is disengaged, these lamps go out and
function again. Refer to “ABS warning
lamp” and “ASTC indicator lamp, ASTC
OFF indicator lamp”.
Active Stability Control function
The active stability control function is
designed to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle on slippery roads
or during rapid steering maneuvers. It
works by controlling the engine output
and the brake on each wheel.
NOTE The active stability control
function does not operate when the
drive mode-selector is in the “4L”
position (Easy select 4WD), “4LLc”
position (Super select 4WD II). When
the active stability control function is
operating with the drive mode-selector
in the “2H” or “4H” position (Easy select
4WD), “2H”, “4H” or “4HLc” position
(Super select 4WD II), setting the drive
mode-selector to the “4L” (Easy select
4WD), “4LLc” position (Super select
4WD II) position makes the active
stability control function deactivate
automatically.
NOTE The active stability controlfunction operates at speeds of about
15 km/h or higher.
NOTE On vehicles with the rear
differential lock, the active stability
control function does not operate when
the rear differential lock is activated.
“ASC OFF” switch
The active stability control function is
automatically activated when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON”
position or the operation mode is put in
ON. You can deactivate the system by
pressing down the “ASC OFF” switch
for 3 seconds or longer.
When the active stability control
function is deactivated, the
indicator
will turn on. To reactivate the ASC,
momentarily press the “ASC OFF”
switch; the indicator
is turned off.
194) 195)
Driving hints
When extricating the vehicle from mud,
sand or fresh snow with the drive
mode-selector in the “2H”or
“4H”position (Easy select 4WD) or “2H”,
“4H” or “4HLc” position (Super select
4WD II), you may find that operation of
the ASTC prevents the engine speed
from increasing in response to
depression of the accelerator pedal. If
this happens and the vehicle remains
stuck as a result, place the drive
mode-selector in the “4L” position
(Easy select 4WD), “4LLc” position
(Super select 4WD II), or turn the active
stability control switch OFF. The vehicle
will then be easier to extricate. (Brake
control of the active traction control
function is still working to prevent wheel
spins when ASC OFF switch “OFF”,
“4L” position (Easy select 4WD) or
“4LLc” position (Super select 4WD II)
selected.)
NOTE If you continue to press the
“ASC OFF” switch after the active
stability control function is turned off,
the “mistaken operation protection
function” will activate and the active
stability control function will turn back
on.
NOTE Even if the active stability control
function is turned off, it may activate
depending on the vehicle’s movement.
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SAFETY

198)Do not turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” or “ACC” position or the operation
mode in ACC or OFF while the hill start
assist is operating. The hill start assist
could stop operating, which could result in
an accident.
IMPORTANT
69)Do not over-rely on the hill start assist
to prevent backwards movement of the
vehicle. Under certain circumstances, even
when hill start assist is activated, the
vehicle may move backwards if the brake
pedal is not sufficiently depressed, if the
vehicle is heavily loaded, if the road is very
steep or slippery or if the vehicle tows a
trailer, etc.
70)The hill start assist is not designed to
keep the vehicle stopped in place on uphill
slopes for more than 2 seconds.
71)If the warning is turn on, the hill start
assist will not operate. Start off carefully.
72)Park your vehicle in a safe place and
stop the engine. Restart the engine and
check whether the warning indicator went
out, in which case the hill start assist is
again working normally. If they warning
remains displayed or reappear frequently, it
is not necessary to stop the vehicle
immediately, but the vehicle should be
inspected by a Fiat Dealership.
73)Do not stop the engine while the
vehicle is moving. Stopping the engine
would make the steering wheel extremely
hard to turn, possibly resulting in an
accident.74)Do not leave the steering wheel turned
all the way in one direction. This can cause
damage to the power steering system.
131

STARTING AND
STOPPING THE
ENGINE
Tips for starting
Except for vehicles equipped with
the keyless operation system
Do not operate the starter motor
continuously longer than 10 seconds;
doing so could run down the battery. If
the engine does not start, turn the
ignition switch back to “LOCK”, wait a
few seconds, and then try again. Trying
repeatedly with the starter motor still
turning will damage the starter
mechanism.
203)
79) 80) 81) 82) 83) 84)
For vehicles equipped with the
keyless operation system
The operation mode can be in any
mode to start the engine.
The starter motor will be turning for up
to approximately 15 seconds if the
engine switch is released at once.
Pressing the engine switch again while
the starter motor is still turning will stop
the starter motor. The starter motor will
be turning for up to approximately
30 seconds while the engine switch is
pressed. If the engine does not start,
wait for a while and then attempt to
start the engine again. Trying repeatedly
with the starter motor still turning will
damage the starter mechanism.
203)
80) 81) 82)
Starting the engine (petrol-powered
vehicles)
Except for vehicles equipped with
the keyless operation system
Your vehicles equipped with an
electronically controlled fuel injection
system. When starting the engine, do
not depress the accelerator pedal.
The starting procedure is as follows:
Insert the ignition key and fasten the
seat belt.
Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
Depress and hold the brake pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and place the gearshift lever in the “N”
(Neutral) position.
After turning the ignition key to the
“ON” position, make certain that all
warning lamps are functioning properly
before starting the engine
Turn the ignition key to the “START”
position without depressing the
accelerator pedal, and release it when
the engine starts.A ticking noise may be heard after
starting the engine. This is not an
abnormal condition. The noise will
disappear after a short time of engine
running. If the ticking noise continues
after the engine is warmed up, have
your vehicle checked at a Fiat
Dealership.
Minor noises may be heard on engine
startup. These will disappear as the
engine warms up.
When the engine is hard to start
After several attempts, you may
experience that the engine still does not
start.
Make sure that all electric devices,
such as lamps, air conditioning blower
and rear window demister, are turned
off.
While depressing the clutch pedal,
press the accelerator pedal halfway and
hold it there, then crank the engine.
Release the accelerator pedal,
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immediately after the engine starts.

If the engine still will not start, the
engine could be flooded with too much
petrol. While depressing the clutch
pedal, push the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there, then crank
the engine for 5 to 6 seconds. Return
the ignition switch to the “LOCK”
position and release the accelerator
pedal. Wait a few seconds, and then
crank the engine again for 5 to
6 seconds while depressing the clutch
pedal, but do not push the accelerator
pedal. Release the ignition key if the
engine starts. If the engine fails to start,
repeat these procedures. If the engine
still will not start, we recommend you to
have the vehicle checked.
To protect the engine, the high-speed
mode may not be selected while the
engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do
not rise to over 5,000 rpm even if the
accelerator pedal is depressed.For vehicles equipped with the
keyless operation system
Your vehicles equipped with an
electronically controlled fuel injection
system. When starting the engine, do
not depress the accelerator pedal.
The starting procedure is as follows:
Fasten the seat belt.
Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
Press and hold the brake pedal
down firmly with your right foot.
Depress the clutch pedal all the way
and place the gearshift lever in the “N”
(Neutral) position.
Press the engine switch.
Make certain that all warning lamps
are functioning properly.
When the engine is not started, it may
become hard to depress the brake
pedal and the vehicle may not be able
to detect the pedal operation. Therefore
the engine may not be started. In such
a case, depress the brake pedal more
firmly than usual.
A ticking noise may be heard after
starting the engine. This is not an
abnormal condition. The noise will
disappear after a short time of engine
running. If the ticking noise continues
after the engine is warmed up, have
your vehicle checked at a Fiat
Dealership.
Minor noises may be heard on engine
startup. These will disappear as the
engine warms up.When the engine is hard to start
After several attempts, you may
experience that the engine still does not
start.
Make sure that all electric devices,
such as lamps, air conditioning blower
and rear window demister, are turned
off.
While depressing the clutch pedal,
press the accelerator pedal halfway and
hold it there, then crank the engine.
Release the accelerator pedal,
immediately after the engine starts.
If the engine still will not start, the
engine could be flooded with too much
petrol. While depressing the clutch
pedal, push the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there, then press
the engine switch to crank the engine. If
the engine does not start after 5 to
6 seconds, press the engine switch to
stop the engine, and release the
accelerator pedal. Put the operation
mode in OFF. Wait a few seconds, and
then press the engine switch to crank
the engine again while depressing the
brake pedal or the clutch pedal, but do
not push the accelerator pedal. If the
engine fails to start, repeat these
procedures. If the engine still will not
start, we recommend you to have the
vehicle checked.
To protect the engine, the high-speed
mode may not be selected while the
142
STARTING AND DRIVING

engine coolant temperature is low. In
such a case, the engine revolutions do
not rise to over 5,000 rpm even if the
accelerator pedal is depressed.
Starting the engine (diesel-powered
vehicles)
Except for vehicles equipped with
the keyless operation system
Insert the ignition key and fasten the
seat belt.
Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
Depress and hold the brake pedal.
On vehicles equipped with M/T,
depress the clutch pedal all the way
and place the gearshift lever in the “N”
(Neutral) position. On vehicles equipped
with A/T, make sure the selector lever is
in the “P” (PARK) position.
Turn the ignition key to the “ON”
position. The diesel preheat indicator
lamp will first illuminate, and then after a
short time go out, indicating that
preheating is completed.
Turn the ignition key to the “START”
position without depressing the
accelerator pedal, and release it when
the engine starts.If the engine is cold, the diesel preheat
indicator lamp is on for a longer time.
When the engine has not been started
within about 5 seconds after the diesel
preheat indicator lamp went out, return
the ignition switch to the “LOCK”
position. Then, turn the switch to the
“ON” position to preheat the engine
again.
When the engine is warm, the diesel
preheat indicator lamp does not come
on even if the ignition key is placed in
the “ON” position. Start the engine by
turning the ignition key right to the
“START” position.
Minor noises may be heard on engine
startup. These will disappear as the
engine warms up.For vehicles equipped with the
keyless operation system
Fasten the seat belt.
Make sure the parking brake is
applied.
Press and hold the brake pedal
down firmly with your right foot.
On vehicles equipped with M/T,
depress the clutch pedal all the way
and place the gearshift lever in the “N”
(Neutral) position. On vehicles equipped
with A/T, make sure the selector lever is
in the “P” (PARK) position.
Press the engine switch. The diesel
preheat indicator lamp will first
illuminate, and then after a short time
go out, indicating that preheating is
completed. The engine will start.
When the engine is not started, it may
become hard to depress the brake
pedal and the vehicle may not be able
to detect the pedal operation. Therefore
the engine may not be started. In such
a case, depress the brake pedal more
firmly than usual.
If the engine is cold, the diesel preheat
indicator lamp is on for a longer time.
Putting the operation mode in ON will
also start preheating the engine. When
the engine has not been started within
about 5 seconds after the diesel
preheat indicator lamp went out, put
the operation mode in OFF. Then,
attempt the engine start procedure to
preheat the engine again.
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