Page 109 of 231

Every control, repair and replacement operation
concerning the airbags must be carried out only at
Fiat Dealerships.
If you are having the vehicle scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at a Fiat Dealership first. If the
vehicle changes ownership, the new owner must be
informed of the method of use of air bags and the
above warnings and also be given this "Owner's
Handbook".
Pretensioners, front airbags and front side bags are
deployed differently according to the type of
collision. Non-deployment of one of these devices
does not therefore indicate a system fault.
WARNING
There may be a fault in the retaining
systems if the warning light
does not
light up when the key is turn on or remains on
while travelling (on some versions with a
message on the display). In this case, the airbags
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
The expiration dates of the explosive
charge and the clock wire are shown on
a label contained in the glove box. Go to a Fiat
Dealership to have the devices replaced when
the expiration date approaches.
WARNING
Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc .): they could cause
severe injur y if the airbag is deployed.
105KNOW YOUR
VEHICLESAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
Page 110 of 231

WARNING
Airbags may be deployed if another
vehicle crashes into yours if the key is
inserted and on, even if the engine is not
running and your vehicle is standing. For this
reason, children must never sit on the front
seat , even if when standing. On the other hand,
if the key is inser ted and at STOP, none of the
safety devices (airbag or pretensioners) will
be deployed in a collision. Non-deployment of
the devices in this case does not indicate a
system fault .
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked by a
Fiat Dealership if the car was stolen, if
theft was attempted, or if the car was subjected
to vandalism or flooding.
WARNING
When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the warning light
(with passenger's
front airbag activated) comes on and flashes for
a few seconds to remind you that the
passenger's airbag will be deployed in a crash,
after which it should go off.
WARNING
The airbag deployment threshold is
higher than that of the pretensioners.
For collisions in the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.
WARNING
Airbags do not replace seat belts, but
increase their efficiency. Furthermore,
since front airbags are not deployed in
low-speed head-on collisions, side-on impacts,
rear-end shunts or roll-overs, the passengers are
protected only by the seat belts which must
therefore be fastened at all times.
106KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 111 of 231

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
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AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
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Page 112 of 231

❒press the clutch pedal down to the floor without
touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the
warning light goes out. Waiting too long will
waste the heating work carried out by the glow
plugs.
Release the key as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT With the engine cold, the accelerator
pedal must be fully released when you turn the
ignition key to AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before repeating the
procedure.
If thewarning light stays on when the ignition key
is at MAR, turn the key to STOP and then back to
MAR; if the warning light remains on, try with the
other keys provided with the car.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if the engine still does not
start.
Warning light
will blink for 60
seconds after star ting or during prolonged
cranking to indicate a fault to the glow
plug heating system. Use the vehicle normally if
the engine starts, but go to a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
revs. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒do not demand to performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge
starts moving.
108KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
Page 113 of 231
EMERGENCY STARTING
Go to a Fiat Dealership immediately if warning light
comes on steady on the instrument panel.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.This could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
conver ter and damage it beyond repair.STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is
idling.
IMPORTANT After a long drive, you should allow
the engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off
by letting it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
109KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
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INDEX
Page 114 of 231
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
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
Page 115 of 231

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
Page 116 of 231

IMPORTANT When using snow tyres with a
maximum speed index below the one that can be
reached by the vehicle (increased by 5%), place
a notice in the passenger compartment, plainly in
view, which states the maximum speed allowed
by the snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand and profile)
to ensure greater safety when driving and braking
as well as making the car more responsive.
Remember that you should not change the rotation
direction of the tyres.
WARNING
You must not exceed 160 km/h on snow
tyres with a “Q” mark; in any case, make
sure you stick to the rules of the highway code.
USING THE GEARBOXTo engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and
shift the gear lever A fig. 114 into the desired
position (the diagram is shown on the knob).
IMPORTANT Reverse may be engaged only when the
vehicle is at a standstill. With the engine running,
wait for at least 2 seconds with the clutch pedal fully
depressed before engaging reverse to prevent
damage to the gears and grating.
fig. 114
F0T0055
112KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX