The methane, stored in the cylinders at
high pressure, flows through a
dedicated pipe to reach the pressure
regulator/reduction unit which supplies
the two methane injectors at low
pressure (about 9 bar).
Cylinder certification
The methane cylinders are certified in
accordance with ECE Regulation no.
110.
The cylinders must be inspected, in
accordance with ECE Regulation
Procedure no. 110, every 4 years from
the vehicle registration date or in
accordance with specific regulations in
individual countries.
The plates provided by the Dealership
with the on board documentation
contain the date for the first inspection
of the cylinders. Methane refuelling
stations are not authorised to refill the
cylinders when the inspection date has
expired.IMPORTANT If the vehicle has been
registered in a country other than Italy,
the certification data, identification
and inspection procedures for
the methane cylinders should conform
to the legislation in that country. In
any case, remember that the life of the
cylinders is 20 years from the
production date as set out in ECE
Regulation no. 110.
SELECTION OF
PETROL/METHANE
SUPPLY TYPE
39)20) 21) 22)This engine normally runs on methane
except during starting, when it runs
on petrol.
The (petrol/methane switch) button A
fig. 42 allows drivers to select petrol or
methane operation.To guarantee switching in full safety, the
actual change to the chosen fuel
system takes place depending on the
car usage conditions; it may not
therefore be immediate.
Switching is confirmed by the switching
on/off of the green warning light
on
the instrument panel.
In addition, when starting at outside
temperatures below approximately
–10°C, the switching times from petrol
to methane increase to allow the
pressure regulator/reduction unit to
heat up.
If the methane has run out, switching to
petrol takes place automatically. In this
case, the four bars of the digital gauge
switch off and the green warning light
on the instrument panel switches on.
SUPPLIES
Methane
Capacity: about 12 kg. The total
volume of cylinders is about 72 litres.
41F1D0138
42F1D0109
35
WARNING
36)The Fiat Panda Natural Power is
equipped with a high pressure methane
fuel supply system, designed to operate at
a rated pressure of 200 bar. It is dangerous
to stretch the system with higher
pressures. To prevent damage to the
methane system parts when towing or
raising the vehicle, follow the instructions in
the "Towing the vehicle" paragraph of the
Owner Handbook. If there is a problem
with the methane system, only contact a
Fiat Dealership. Do not alter the methane
system configuration or components; they
are designed exclusively for the Fiat Panda
Natural Power. The use of other
components or materials could cause
malfunctions and reduce safety.
37)In the case of painting in an oven, the
cylinders should be removed from the
vehicle and refitted later by a Fiat Dealer.
Although the methane system has
numerous safety features, it is advisable to
close the manual cocks for the cylinders
every time the vehicle is not in use for
a long period, transported on other
vehicles or moved in an emergency as a
result of a breakdown or accident.
38)Modifications or repairs to the fuel
system that are not carried out correctly or
do not take the system technical
specifications into account can cause
malfunctions leading to a fire risk.
39)Do not switch between the two
operating modes whilst starting the engine.
WARNING
19)If, during methane operation, the same
runs out, the vehicle switches to petrol
automatically and all the bars of the digital
gauge on the display switch off; this
displaying remains until the next methane
refuelling.
20)Regardless of the last fuel system
used, at the following engine starting, after
the initial petrol stage, the system will
automatically switch to methane.
21)When switching from petrol to methane
is requested, a metal noise from the valves
which pressurise the circuit can be heard,
as it happens while starting the vehicle.
As a result of the switching logic described
above, the delay between the ticking of
the valve and the switching off of the green
warning light
on the instrument panel
is entirely normal.22)In particular usage conditions, such as
starting and operation at low ambient
temperature, the system may switch
temporarily to petrol operation, without
indicating the performed switching. In the
event of low methane levels in the tank
or request for high performance (e.g.
overtaking, vehicle fully laden, steep hills),
the system may automatically switch to
petrol operation to guarantee the engine
power requested; the green warning light
on the instrument panel switches on
to indicate this. When the above conditions
are no longer present, the system
automatically restores methane operation;
the green warning light
switches off.
To achieve the automatic switching
described above, make sure that there is
always enough fuel in the petrol tank.
36
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
CONTROL PANEL AND ON-BOARD INSTRUMENTS.
The instrument background colour and type may vary according to the versions.
The warning lights on the instrument panel may change according to the version/trim level (e.g. LPG, Cross etc.) of the vehicle.
The warning lights
andare only present on Diesel versions. On diesel versions, the maximum engine speed (red
range on the rev counter) corresponds to 6000 rpm.
A. Speedometer (speed indicator) – B. Multifunction display – C. Rev counter
43F1D0001
38
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
DISPLAY
The display fig. 44 will show the
following information:
ADate
BDualdrive electric power steering
engagement indication (CITY text)
CHeadlight alignment position (only
with dipped beam headlights on)
DStop/Start function indication (for
versions/markets where provided)
ETime
FOdometer (display of distance
travelled in kilometres/miles)
GSeat belt indicators
HOutside temperature (for versions/
markets, where provided)
IGear engaged indication (Dualogic
versions only)
LGear Shift Indicator (for versions/
markets, where provided)
MEngine coolant temperature indicator.
NFuel level indicator.
GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR
The GSI (Gear Shift Indicator) system
advises the driver to change gear
through a specific indication on the
control panel. Through the GSI, the
driver is notified that changing gear will
allow a reduction in fuel consumption.
When the SHIFT UP icon (
SHIFT)
is shown on the display, the GSI is
advising the driver to engage a higher
gear, while the SHIFT DOWN (
SHIFT)
icon advises the driver to engage a
lower gear.
The indication remains displayed until a
gear is shifted or the driving conditions
go back to a situation where
gearshifting is not required to improve
consumption.
CONTROL BUTTONS
They are located on the dashboard fig.
45.
NoteThe symbol on the buttons
depends on the version:
and
orand.❒
/: press and release the
buttons to scroll the menu items
upwards or downwards, or to
increase/decrease the displayed value.
❒
: press briefly to access the menu
and/or go to next screen or confirm
the desired selection. Hold pressed to
go back to the standard screen.
SETUP MENU
The menu includes the following items:
❒MENU
❒LIGHTING
❒SPEED BUZZER
❒HEADLIGHT SENSOR (for versions/
markets where provided)
❒TRIP B ACTIVATION/DATA
❒SET TIME
❒SET DATE
❒SEE RADIO
❒AUTOCLOSE44F1D0002
45F1D0003
39
Warning light What it means
EBD FAILURE
The simultaneous switching on of the
(red),(amber) and(amber) warning lights with the engine
on, indicates either a fault of the EBD system or that the system is not available. In this case, the rear
wheels may suddenly lock and the vehicle may swerve when braking sharply. On certain versions a
dedicated message is displayed.
Drive very carefully to the nearest Fiat Dealership to have the system inspected immediately.
AIRBAG FAILURE
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light turns on but should switch off after a few
seconds.
If the warning light switches on constantly, this indicates a fault in the airbag system. On certain versions a
dedicated message is displayed.
40) 41)
WARNING
40)If, when turning the key to MAR, thewarning light does not turn on or if it stays on when travelling, there could be a fault in the
restraint systems; in this event airbags or pretensioners may not be deployed in the event of impact or, in a lower number of cases, they may
deploy accidentally. Before continuing, contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have the system checked.
41)Failure of the
warning light is signalled by thewarning light flashing. In this case, any faults of the airbag system might be not
signalled. Before continuing, contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have the system checked.
42
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Warning light What it means
LOW BRAKE FLUID/HANDBRAKE ENGAGED
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light turns on but should switch off after a few
seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light switches on when the brake fluid in the reservoir falls below the minimum level, possibly
due to a leak in the circuit. On certain versions a dedicated message is displayed.
42)
Handbrake engaged
The warning light switches on when the handbrake is engaged. If the vehicle is moving a buzzer will also
sound.
IMPORTANT If the warning light turns on when travelling, check that the handbrake is not engaged.
LOW BATTERY CHARGE
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The warning light comes on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, 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 flashing, on some versions along with a dedicated message on
the display, contact a Fiat Dealership.
DOORS/BONNET/LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OPEN
The warning light switches on, on some versions along with a message and a symbol in the display, when
one or more doors, the bonnet or the tailgate are not properly closed. An acoustic signal is emitted with the
doors open and the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
42)If thewarning light comes on while driving, stop immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership
43
Warning light What it means
INSUFFICIENT ENGINE OIL/PRESSURE
When the ignition key is turned to MAR the warning light switches on, but should switch off as soon as the
engine is started.
Insufficient engine oil pressure
The warning light turns on constantly, on some versions along with a message on the display, when the
system detects that engine oil pressure is insufficient.
43)
WARNING
43)If thewarning light comes on when the vehicle is travelling (on some versions along with the message on the display) stop the
engine immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
44
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Warning light What it means
Engine oil degraded
(diesel versions with DPF)
The warning light comes on flashing, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display.
The warning light flashes for 3 minute cycles with the warning light off for intervals of 5 seconds until oil is
changed.
After the first indication, at each engine start up the warning light will continue flashing as described above
until the oil is changed. On certain versions a dedicated message is displayed.
The flashing of the warning light should not be considered as a fault, it simply informs the customer that the
oil needs to be changed following normal vehicle use.
Remember that the deterioration of the engine oil is accelerated by:
❒mainly town use of the vehicle which makes the DPF regeneration process more frequent;
❒use of the vehicle for short drives, in which the engine does not have time to reach its regular operating
temperature;
❒repeated interruption of the regeneration process, signalled by the DPF warning light switching on.
44)
WARNING
44)Degraded engine oil should be replaced as soon as possible after the warning light comes on, and never more than 500 km after it first
comes on. Failure to observe the above indications may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the warranty. Remember that
the operation of this warning light is not related to the amount of oil in the engine. Therefore, never top up with oil when the light starts
flashing.
45