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
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
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 121 of 231

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
Page 125 of 231

LOW BATTERY CHARGE (red)
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, contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.ABS SYSTEM FAULT (amber)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light comes on when the system is
either not working properly or not available. In this
case the braking system maintains its own unaltered
efficiency but without the advantage of the ABS
system. Drive carefully and go to a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
EBD FAULT (red/amber)
Simultaneous lighting of warning lights
and
with the engine running indicates an EBD system
fault or that the system is not available. In this case,
the rear wheels may suddenly lock and the vehicle
may swerve when braking sharply. Drive very
carefully to a Fiat Dealership to have the system
inspected immediately.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
ESP/TRACTION PLUS SYSTEM
FAULT (amber)
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning
light turns on but should go off after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go off, or stays on
together with the LED on the ASR OFF button when
travelling, contact a Fiat Dealership.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
NoteFlashing of the warning light while driving
indicates the action of the ESP system.
121KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 133 of 231

IN AN EMERGENCY
In an emergency, we recommend that you call the freephone number found in the Warranty
Booklet.You can also go to the www.fiat.com website to find your nearest Fiat Dealership.STARTING THE ENGINEGo to a Fiat Dealership immediately if warning light
comes on steady on the instrument panel.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be started using
an auxiliary battery with capacity either the same
or a little higher than the flat one.
Proceed as follows to start the car fig. 115:
❒connect positive terminals (+ near the terminal) of
the two batteries with a jump lead;
❒with a second lead, connect the negative terminal
(-) of the auxiliary battery to an earthing pointon the engine or the gearbox of the vehicle to
be started;
❒start the engine;
❒when the engine has been started, remove the
leads reversing the order above.
If after a few attempts the engine does not start, do
not keep trying but contact a Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANT Do not directly connect the negative
terminals of the two batteries: sparks could ignite
explosive gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another vehicle,
prevent accidental contact between metallic parts of
the two vehicles.
Strictly avoid using a rapid battery
charger for jump starting: this could
damage the system electronics and the
ignition and engine supply control units.
fig. 115
F0T0189
129KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN
EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 134 of 231

WARNING
This procedure must be performed by
experts because incorrect actions may
cause considerable electrical discharge.
Furthermore, batter y fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames and lit cigarettes away from
the battery. Do not create sparks.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by pushing, towing or
driving downhill. This could cause fuel to flow into
the catalytic converter and damage it beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake booster
and the power steering system are not active until
the engine is started, so you will need to apply much
more force to the brake pedal or steering wheel.
CHANGING A TYREThe vehicle is originally equipped with the Fix&Go
automatic quick tyre repair kit (see instructions
in the next chapter). As an alternative, the vehicle
may have a normal-sized spare wheel.
Changing the wheel and correct use of the jack and
spare wheel require some precautions, which are
listed below.
WARNING
The spare wheel (for versions/markets,
where provided) is specific for your
vehicle.Therefore, it must not be used on other
models. Do not use spare wheels of other
models on your vehicle.The spare wheel must
be used only in an emergency. Use of the spare
wheel must kept to the minimum necessar y.
130KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 161 of 231
ENGINE BAY FUSE BOX
The fuse box is on the right-hand side of the engine.
Removing the fuse box lid
Proceed as follows:
❒remove protective lid A fig. 158 from the positive
battery terminal by lifting it upwards;❒press the tab A fig. 159 and remove the fuse box
protective lid B;
❒move the lid towards the headlight, turning it
anticlockwise (as shown by the arrow) and then
remove it fig. 159;
❒the fuse box can be accessed in this manner
fig. 160.
If you need to clean the engine
compartment , take care not to directly hit
the fuse box with the water jet .
fig. 158
F0T0171
fig. 159
F0T0172
fig. 160
F0T0173
157KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGESIN AN
EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Page 168 of 231

RECHARGING THE BATTERYIMPORTANT The battery recharging procedure is
provided for information purposes only. You are
recommended to go to a Fiat Dealership to have this
operation performed.
We recommend recharging the battery slowly for
approximately 24 hours at low amperage. A
prolonged recharge might damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
❒disconnect battery negative terminal;
❒connect the charger cables to the battery
terminals, observing the polarity;
❒turn on the charger;
❒when you have finished, turn the charger off before
disconnecting it from the battery;
❒reconnect battery negative terminal.
WARNING
Battery fluid is poisonous and corrosive:
avoid contact with your skin and eyes.
The batter y must be recharged in a ventilated
place away from naked flames or possible
sources of sparks to avoid the risk of explosion
and fire.
WARNING
Do not tr y to recharge a frozen batter y;
defrost it first to prevent the risk of
explosion. If the battery was frozen, have it
inspected by specialised personnel before
recharging to check that the internal elements
are not damaged and that the casing is not
cracked, which could cause poisonous, corrosive
acid to leak.
164KNOW YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX