Level control
Regularly check the coolant liquid level
(the engine could suffer serious damage
if the coolant liquid is out).
If you need to top up, only use products
approved by the Fiat Dealership, which
ensures:
antifreeze protection;
anti-corrosion protection in the
cooling circuit.
Replacement of
Refer to the Scheduled Service Plan (in
this chapter).
SCREEN WASHER
RESERVOIR
187) 189) 191) 192) 195) 196)
45)
Filling
With the engine off, open cap 3
fig. 269. Fill it until you see the liquid,
then close the cap again.Fluid
Window washing liquid (antifreeze
product in winter)
WARNING
185)When you top up the oil, be careful
not to let oil drops fall on the engine parts,
risking a fire. Do not forget to close the cap
correctly, otherwise you could cause a fire
due to the oil splashes on parts of the hot
engine.
186)If replacing oil to a hot engine, be
careful of burn risk caused by oil backflow.
187)The engine must be stopped before
performing any operation in the engine
compartment.
188)Do not turn the engine over in a
closed space: the exhaust gases are toxic.
189)When working in the engine
compartment, make sure that the
windscreen wiper arm is in the stopped
position. Risk of injury.190)No intervention on the cooling system
should be effected when the engine is hot.
Danger of burns.
191)Never smoke while working in the
engine compartment: gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the risk of
fire.
192)Be very careful when working in the
engine compartment when the engine is
hot: you may get burned. Do not get too
close to the radiator cooling fan: the
electric fan may start; danger of injury.
Scarves, ties and other loose clothing
might be pulled by moving parts.
193)If the engine oil is being topped up,
wait for the engine to cool down before
loosening the filler cap, particularly for
vehicles with an aluminium cap (for
versions/markets where provided).
WARNING: risk of burns!
194)The cooling system is pressurised. If
the cap needs replacing, do so with
another original or the effectiveness of the
system may be compromised. Do not
remove the reservoir plug when the engine
is hot: you risk scalding yourself.
195)Do not travel if the windscreen
washer reservoir is empty: using the
windscreen washer is essential for
improving visibility. Repeated operation of
the system without fluid could damage or
cause rapid deterioration of some system
components.
196)Some commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluid are flammable.
The engine compartment contains hot
components which may start a fire.
269T36607
171
BODYWORK
210) 211)
7)
If it undergoes correct service, the
vehicle can last longer. Therefore, we
advise you to regularly see to servicing
the exterior of your vehicle.
The vehicle takes advantage of the
most advanced anti-corrosion
technology. However, it is subject to
various factors.
Atmospheric corrosive agents.
Pollution (in cities and industry);
atmospheric salinity (coastal areas,
especially in warm weather);
seasonal weather conditions and
hygrometrics (salt spread on roads in
winter, street washing water, etc.).
Abrasive actions
Atmospheric dust, sand, mud, gravel
spattered from other vehicles, etc.
You need to take precautions against
these risk factors.
What not to do
Remove traces of oil or clean the
mechanical components (e.g. the
engine compartment), underbody,
components with hinges (e.g. inside the
doors) and exterior parts made of
painted plastic (e.g. bumpers) using
high pressure cleaners or by using
products that have not been approved
by the Fiat Dealership. This could cause
rust or poor operation.Wash the vehicle in the sun or at low
temperatures.
Scrape off the mud or dirt without first
softening it with water.
Allow dirt to build up on the exterior.
Allow rust to form on damaged parts of
the body.
Dissolve spots with solvents not
approved of by Fiat service; they could
damage the paint.
Drive in snow or mud without washing
the vehicle afterwards, especially the
wheel arches and underbody.
What to do
Wash your vehicle frequently, with the
engine stopped, with shampoos
approved by our Fiat Dealer technicians
(never with abrasives) and rinse
thoroughly with sprayed water:
resin from trees or industrial
substances;
mud, which forms a wet mass under
the wheel arches and underbody;
bird guano, which causes a chemical
reaction with the paint, causing rapid
discolouring and can even cause the
paint to detach;
you must remove these spots, as
over time, not even polishing will
remove them;
salt, especially in the wheel arches
and underbody, after driving on roads
where anti-ice substances have been
spread.Regularly remove resin, leaves etc., that
has fallen on the vehicle.
Respect the local laws concerning
washing vehicles (e.g. do not wash your
vehicle in the road).
To prevent damage to the bodywork,
keep an adequate distance from other
cars in front when you drive on gravel.
If the paint is damaged, retouch it
quickly to prevent corrosion from
forming.
If the vehicle has an anti-corrosion
warranty, do not forget to have it
checked periodically. Please see the
Scheduled Service Plan.
If you have to clean the mechanical
parts (e.g. hinges), you need to have
the protection renewed by using
products approved by the Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANT We have selected
products specific to maintenance
available at Fiat sales points.
Versions with matt paint
This type of vehicle requires a few
precautions.
What not to do
use wax-based products (gloss);
polish vigorously;
use automatic car washers;
wash the car with high pressure
cleaners;
apply stickers to the painted surfaces
(they might leave traces).
178
SERVICING AND CARE
PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSES WHAT TO DO
Smoke coming from underneath the vehicle
when starting the heating.This does not necessarily indicate a fault: the
smoke comes from the boiler.
In this case, the smoke will gradually
disappear when the passenger compartment
has reached the right temperature.
Smoke coming from the engine
compartment.Short circuit or leaks from the cooling circuit.Stop, remove the starter device, move away
from the vehicle and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
The oil pressure warning light goes on in a
curve or when braking.The oil level is too low.Add engine oil (see the paragraph "Warning
lights and messages" in the chapter
"Knowing the instrument panel").
The oil pressure warning light goes on and
delays going off or stays on when you
accelerate.Low oil pressure. Stop and contact a Fiat Dealership.
Steering becomes hard. Power steering is overheating. Contact a Fiat Dealership.
Vibrations.Badly inflated tyres, badly balanced or
damaged.Check the tyre pressure; if the defect
persists, have it checked at a Fiat Dealership.
The engine overheats. The coolant liquid
temperature indicator is in the alarm area and
theSTOPwarning light goes on.The cooling fan is out of order.Stop, turn off the engine and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
Coolant liquid leak.Check the coolant liquid tank: there should
be liquid in it. In not, contact a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
Coolant liquid boiling in the tank.
64)
Mechanical breakdown: head gasket
damaged.Stop the engine and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
221
