Engine Coolant Fluid
If the level is too low, unscrew the cap
of reservoir and add the fluid described
in the "Technical Specifications"
chapter.
Washer Fluid For
Windshield/Headlights
The windshield and headlights washer
fluid reservoir (if equipped) has a
telescopic filler.
If the level is too low, remove reservoir
cap and lift the filler. Then, add the fluid
described in the "Technical
Specifications" chapter.
Note:
The headlight washing system will not
work if the liquid level is low (situation
indicated by the symbol on the
instrument panel display). The
windshield washer will keep working.
On vehicles equipped with headlight
washers, if equipped, there is a
reference notch on the dipstick: ONLY
the windshield/rear window washer
operates with the level below this
reference.
Brake Fluid
Check that the fluid is at the maximum
level. If the fluid level in the tank is low,
contact your authorized dealer to have
the system checked.
Automatic Transmission
Activation System Oil
The transmission control oil level should
only be checked at your authorized
dealer.
Useful Advice For
Extending The Life Of
Your Battery
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
When you park the car, ensure that
the doors and trunk are closed properly
to prevent any lights from remaining on
inside the passenger's compartment.
Do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard warning lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running.
Before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
negative battery cable.
If you wish to install electrical
accessories after purchasing the car
that require permanent electrical supply
(e.g. alarm, etc.), or accessories which
influence the electrical supply
requirements, contact your authorized
dealer, whose qualified staff will
evaluate the overall electrical
consumption.
Caution!
If the charge level remains under 50% for a
long time, the battery may be damaged by
sulphation, reducing its capacity and
efficiency at start the vehicle. The battery
is also more prone to the risk of freezing
at temperatures as high as 14°F (-10°C).
Note:
After the battery is disconnected, the
steering must be initialized. The
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on to indicate this. To
carry out this procedure, simply turn the
steering wheel all the way from one end
to the other, and then turn it back to the
central position.
209
Note:
P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is
based on U.S. design standards.
P-Metric tires have the letter “P”
molded into the sidewall preceding
the size designation. Example:
P215/65R15 95H.
European — Metric tire sizing is
based on European design standards.
Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall
beginning with the section width.
The letter "P" is absent from this
tire size designation. Example:
215/65R15 96H.
LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing
is based on U.S. design standards.
The size designation for LT-Metric tires
is the same as for P-Metric tires except
for the letters “LT” that are molded into
the sidewall preceding the size
designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
Temporary spare tires are designed
for temporary emergency use only.
Temporary high pressure compact
spare tires have the letter “T” or “S”
molded into the sidewall preceding
the size designation. Example:
T145/80D18 103M.
High flotation tire sizing is based on
U.S. design standards and it begins
with the tire diameter molded into the
sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both
sides of the tire; however, the date code
mayonlybeononeside.Tireswith
white sidewalls will have the full TIN,
including the date code, located on the
white sidewall side of the tire. Look for
the TIN on the outboard side of black
sidewall tires as mounted on the
vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the
outboard side, then you will find it on
the inboard side of the tire.
219
Warning!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause tire damage or failure. A
tire could explode and injure someone. Do
not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than
30 mph (48 km/h) for more than
30 seconds continuously when you are
stuck, and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original
equipment tires to help you in
determining when your tires should be
replaced.These indicators are molded into the
bottom of the tread grooves. They will
appear as bands when the tread depth
becomesa1/16ofaninch(1.6mm).
When the tread is worn to the tread
wear indicators, the tire should be
replaced. Refer to “Replacement Tires”
in this section for further information.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent
upon varying factors including, but not
limited to:
Driving style.
Tire pressure - Improper cold tire
inflation pressures can cause uneven
wear patterns to develop across the tire
tread. These abnormal wear patterns
will reduce tread life, resulting in the
need for earlier tire replacement.
Distance driven.
Performance tires, tires with a speed
rating of V or higher, and Summer tires
typically have a reduced tread life.
Rotation of these tires per the vehicle
maintenance schedule is highly
recommended.
Warning!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced
after six years, regardless of the remaining
tread. Failure to follow this warning can
result in sudden tire failure. You could lose
control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact with
oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a
balance of many characteristics. They
should be inspected regularly for wear
and correct cold tire inflation pressures.
The manufacturer strongly recommends
that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is
needed. Refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators” in this section.
Refer to the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the Vehicle
Certification Label for the size
designation of your tire. The Load Index
and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire
sidewall.
GUID-0806104865NATire Tread
1—WornTire
2 — New Tire
231
under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat,
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of
the tire to degenerate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance,
which all passenger vehicle tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by
law.
Warning!
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
STORING THE
VEHICLE
If the vehicle is left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be observed:
Parkthecarinanareathatis
covered and dry, and well-ventilated if
possible. Slightly open the windows.
Check that the electric park brake is
not activated.
Carry out the procedure: “manual
trunk opening device” procedure
described in this paragraph.
Disconnect the negative battery
terminal and check the battery charge.
Repeat this check once every three
months during storage.
If the battery is not disconnected
from the electrical system, check its
state of charge every thirty days.
Clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax.
Clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds
available commercially.
Sprinkle talcum powder on the
windshield wiper rubber blades, and lift
them off the glass.
Cover the vehicle with a fabric or
perforated plastic sheet, paying
particular care not to damage the
painted surface by dragging any dust
that may have accumulated on it.
233
Corrosion Warranty
Your vehicle is covered by Corrosion
Warranty against perforation due to rust
of any original element of the structure
or bodywork. For the general terms of
this warranty, refer to the Warranty
Booklet.
Preserving The
Bodywork
Paint
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the formation of
rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of
washing the car: the frequency
depends on the conditions and
environment where the car is used. For
example, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more often in areas with high
levels of atmospheric pollution or salted
roads.
Some parts of the vehicle may be
covered with a matt paint which, in
order to be maintained intact, requires
special care.
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
If high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the vehicle, keep a
distance of at least 15 inches (40 cm)
from the bodywork to avoid damage or
alteration. Build up of water could cause
damage to the vehicle in the long term.
To make it easier to remove any dirt
deposits in the area where the blades
are normally located it is recommended
to position the windshield wipers
vertically (service position), for more
information, refer to “Dealer Service” in
this chapter.
Wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water if possible.
Wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge.
Rinse well with water and dry with a
leather chamois.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, hood, headlight frames, etc.)
with special care, as water may
stagnate more easily in these areas. Do
not wash the car after it has been left in
the sun or with the hood hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the vehicle.
If washing the car in a service that moves
the car, for cars with automatic
transmissions, PARK (P) must be cut out.
You have to shut off the engine in the
following conditions: car stopped,
transmission in NEUTRAL (N), press the
starter button for at least three seconds.
Note:
Avoid parking under trees; the resin
dropped by trees makes the paintwork
go opaque and increases the possibility
of corrosion.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean
cloths to prevent scratching or altering
the transparency.
Caution!
Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth following the direction of the filaments
to avoid damaging the heating device.
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
Note:
Never use aromatic substances
(e.g. gasoline) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
When cleaning with a pressure
washer, keep the pressure washer at
least eight inches (20 cm) away from
the headlights.
235
Engine compartment
At the end of every winter, wash the
engine compartment thoroughly, taking
care not to aim the jet of water directly
at the electronic control units or at the
windshield wiper motors. Have this
operation performed at specializeded
workshop.
Note:
The washing should take place with the
engine cold and the ignition device in
the STOP position. After the washing
operation, make sure that the various
protections (e.g. rubber caps and
guards) have not been removed or
damaged.INTERIORS
Periodically check the cleanliness of the
interior, beneath the mats, which could
cause oxidation of the sheet metal.
Seats And Fabric Parts
Remove dust with a soft brush or a
vacuum cleaner. It is advised to use a
moist brush on velvet upholstery. Rub
the seats with a sponge moistened with
a solution of water and neutral
detergent.
Leather Seats — If
Equipped
Remove the dry dirt with a chamois or
slightly damp cloth, without exerting too
much pressure.
Remove any liquid or grease stains
using an absorbent dry cloth, without
rubbing. Then clean with a soft cloth or
buckskin cloth dampened with water
and mild soap. If the stain persists, use
specific products and observe the
instructions carefully.
Note:Never use alcohol. Make sure
that the cleaning products used contain
no alcohol or alcohol derivatives, even
in small quantities.
Plastic And Coated
Parts
Clean interior plastic parts with a damp
cloth (if possible made from microfiber),
and a solution of water and neutral,
non-abrasive detergent.
To clean oily or persistent stains, use
specific products free from solvents and
designed to maintain the original
appearance and color of the
components.
Remove any dust using a microfiber
cloth, if necessary moistened with
water. The use of paper tissues is not
recommended as these may leave
residues.
Genuine Leather Parts —
If Equipped
Use only water and mild soap to clean
these parts. Never use alcohol or
alcohol-based products.
Before using a specific product for
cleaning interiors, make sure that it
does not contain alcohol and/or alcohol
based substances.
Carbon Fiber Parts
To eliminate small scratches and marks
on the carbon, contact your authorized
dealer. An improperly performed
operation may irreparably damage the
carbon.
236
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
FUEL
REQUIREMENTS
This engine is
designed to meet all
emission regulations,
and provide
satisfactory fuel
economy and
performance, when
using high-quality
unleaded “Regular” gasoline having a
posted octane number of 87 as
specified by the (R+M)/2 method.
For optimum performance and fuel
economy the use of “Premium”
91 octane gasoline or higher is
recommended.
While operating on gasoline with an
octane number of 87, hearing a light
knocking sound from the engine is not
a cause for concern. However, if the
engine is heard making a heavy
knocking sound, see your dealer
immediately. Use of gasoline with an
octane number lower than 87 can
cause engine failure and may void or
not be covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause
problems such as hard starting, stalling,
and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of
gasoline before considering service for
the vehicle.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the
use of cleaner burning gasoline referred
to as “Reformulated Gasoline”.
Reformulated gasoline contains
oxygenates and are specifically blended
to reduce vehicle emissions and
improve air quality.
The use of reformulated gasoline is
recommended. Properly blended
reformulated gasoline will provide
improved performance and durability of
engine and fuel system components.
Gasoline/Oxygenate
Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded
gasoline with oxygenates such as
ethanol.
Caution!
DO NOT use gasoline containing methanol
or gasoline containing more than 15%
ethanol (E-15). Use of these blends may
result in starting and drivability problems,
damage critical fuel system components,
cause emissions to exceed the applicable
standard, and/or cause the “Malfunction
Indicator Light” to illuminate. Please
observe pump labels as they should clearly
communicate if a fuel contains greater than
15% ethanol (E-15).
Problems that result from using
gasoline containing more than 15%
ethanol (E-15) or gasoline containing
methanol are not the responsibility of
the manufacturer and may void or not
be covered under New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
CNG And LP Fuel System
Modifications
Modifications that allow the engine to
run on compressed natural gas (CNG)
or liquid propane (LP) may result in
damage to the engine, emissions, and
fuel system components. Problems that
result from running CNG or LP are not
the responsibility of the manufacturer
and may void or not be covered under
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
MMT In Gasoline
Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl (MMT) is a manganese-
containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase
octane. Gasoline blended with MMT
provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane
number without MMT. Gasoline blended
with MMT reduces spark plug life and
reduces emissions system performance
in some vehicles. The manufacturer
recommends that gasoline without
MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT
content of gasoline may not be
indicated on the gasoline pump;
248
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
therefore, you should ask your gasoline
retailer whether the gasoline contains
MMT. MMT is prohibited in Federal and
California reformulated gasoline.
Materials Added To Fuel
Besides using unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating, gasolines that
contain detergents, corrosion and
stability additives are recommended.
Using gasolines that have these
additives will help improve fuel
economy, reduce emissions, and
maintain vehicle performance.Designated TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline
contains a higher level
of detergents to further
aide in minimizing
engine and fuel system
deposits. When
available, the usage of Top Tier
Detergent gasoline is recommended.
Visit www.toptiergas.com for a list of
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Retailers. Indiscriminate use of fuel system
cleaning agents should be avoided.
Many of these materials intended for
gum and varnish removal may contain
active solvents or similar ingredients.
These can harm fuel system gasket and
diaphragm materials.
Fuel System Cautions
Caution!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your
vehicle’s performance:
The use of leaded gasoline is prohibited
by Federal law. Using leaded gasoline can
impair engine performance and damage
the emissions control system.
An out-of-tune engine or certain fuel or
ignition malfunctions can cause the
catalytic converter to overheat. If you notice
a pungent burning odor or some light
smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate
service. Contact your authorized dealer for
service assistance.
The use of fuel additives, which are now
being sold as octane enhancers, is not
recommended. Most of these products
contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle
performance problems resulting from the
use of such fuels or additives is not the
responsibility of the manufacturer and may
void or not be covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Note:
Intentional tampering with the
emissions control system can result in
civil penalties being assessed against
you.
249