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if the underbody or rear section of the
vehicle have been damaged, have the
entire exhaust system and adjoining
bodywork areas checked at your
authorized dealer to identify any
components which are broken,
damaged, worn or have moved from
their correct fitting position.
Open welding or loose connections
may permit exhaust gas to enter the
passenger compartment.
Have the exhaust system checked
every time the vehicle is raised. Replace
the components where necessary (for
these operations, contact an authorized
dealer).
In normal operating conditions, the
catalytic converter does not require
maintenance. To ensure that it operates
correctly, however, and prevent it from
getting damaged, it is extremely
important that the engine operates
perfectly.
To minimize the risk of damaging the
catalytic converter, proceed as follows:
Do not stop the engine or deactivate
the ignition with gear engaged and
vehicle in motion.
Do not attempt to start the engine
by bump starting.
Do not persist in using the vehicle if
idling is very irregular or the operating
conditions are very notably irregular.
Warning!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They
contain carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless and odorless. Breathing it can
make you unconscious and can eventually
poison you.
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if
you park over materials that can burn.
Such materials might be grass or leaves
coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your
vehicle in areas where your exhaust system
can contact anything that can burn.
Cooling System
Warning!
Turn vehicle off and disconnect the fan
motor lead before working near the radiator
cooling fan.
You or others can be badly burned by
hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam
from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, do not open
the hood until the radiator has had time to
cool. Never open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or coolant
bottle is hot.
Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry
away from the radiator cooling fan when
the hood is raised. The fan starts automatically and may start at any time,
whether the engine is running or not.
When working near the radiator cooling
fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or turn
the ignition to the OFF mode. The fan is
temperature controlled and can start at any
time the ignition is in the ON mode.
You or others can be badly burned by
hot engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam
from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, do not open
the hood until the radiator has had time to
cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Check
Check the engine coolant level every oil
change or before long trips.
If there are impurities in the engine
coolant, the system must be drained,
flushed and refilled: contact an
authorized dealer.
Check the front part of the condenser
to check for any build-up of insects,
leaves or other debris. Should it be
dirty, clean it by spraying delicately with
water.
Check the hoses of the engine cooling
system to ensure that the rubber has
not deteriorated and that there are no
cracks, tears, cuts or obstructions in
the expansion tank side and radiator
side connectors. Should there be any
doubt regarding leaks from the system
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(e.g. if frequent top ups are required),
have the seal checked at an authorized
dealer.
With the engine off and at normal
operating temperature, check that the
cooling system radiator cap is closed
properly.
Warning!
Do not open hot engine cooling system.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when
the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated
engine. Heat causes pressure to build up in
the cooling system. To prevent scalding or
injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
Do not use a pressure cap other than
the one specified for your vehicle. Personal
injury or engine damage may result.
Note:
Before removing the engine coolant
reservoir cap, wait for the system to
cool down.
Topping Up / Draining / Flushing
The Engine Coolant
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty,
have cleaning and flushing carried out
at an authorized dealer.
See the "Maintenance Plan" for the
correct servicing intervals. Note:
For topping up, use a fluid with the
same characteristics as those
indicated in the "Fluids And
Lubricants" table (see "Technical
Specifications" chapter).
Do not use pure water,
alcohol-based coolants, corrosions
inhibitors or additional anti-rust
products because they may be
incompatible with the engine coolant
and cause the clogging of the radiator.
The use of propylene glycol-based
coolant is also not recommended.
Engine Cooling System Cap
To prevent loss of engine coolant, make
sure that the expansion tank cap is
closed. If it is open, screw it completely
until you reach/hear the click.
Periodically check the cap and clean it
from any foreign bodies that may have
deposited on the external surface.
Warning!
Never add coolant with the engine hot
or overheated.
Do not attempt to cool an overheated
engine by loosening or removing the cap.
The heat causes a considerable increase in
pressure in the cooling system.
To prevent damage to the engine, only
use the engine cooling circuit caps
provided.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Disposal of engine coolant is subject to
legal requirements: contact the
appropriate body to determine local
regulations.
Note:
To prevent the fluid from being
ingested by children or animals, do
not keep it in open containers or pour
it on the ground. If ingested, contact a
doctor immediately. Eliminate any
traces of fluid from the ground
immediately.
When the vehicle stops after a short
trip, steam may be seen coming out
from front of the hood. This is a
normal phenomenon which is due to
the presence of rain, snow or a lot of
moisture on the surface of the
radiator.
With engine and system cold, do
not top up with coolant beyond the
maximum level indicated on the
reservoir in the engine compartment.
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Braking System
In order to guarantee the efficiency of
the braking system, periodically check
its components; for this operation,
contact an authorized dealer.
See the "Maintenance Plan" for the
correct servicing intervals.
Note:Driving with your foot resting on
the brake pedal may compromise its
efficiency, increasing the risk of
accidents. When driving, never keep
your foot on the brake pedal and don’t
put unnecessary strain on it to prevent
the brakes from overheating: excess
pad wear may cause damage to the
braking system.
When an insufficient oil level is
detected, contact an authorized dealer
to have the system checked.
Always keep the cap of the brake
fluid reservoir (in the engine
compartment) completely closed.
Warning!
Use only manufacturer's recommended
brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants”
in “Technical Specifications” for further
information. Using the wrong type of brake
fluid can severely damage your brake
system and/or impair its performance. The
proper type of brake fluid for your vehicle is
also identified on the original factory
installed hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
To avoid contamination from foreign
matter or moisture, use only new brake
fluid or fluid that has been in a tightly
closed container. Keep the master cylinder
reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling
point. This may cause it to boil
unexpectedly during hard or prolonged
braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts, causing the brake fluid to catch fire.
Brake fluid can also damage painted and
vinyl surfaces, care should be taken to
avoid its contact with these surfaces.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to
contaminate the brake fluid. Brake seal
components could be damaged, causing
partial or complete brake failure. This could
result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
Use only a transmission oil with the
same characteristics as those indicated
in the "Fluids and Lubricants" table (see
"Technical Specifications" chapter).
Special Additives
Do not use any type of additive with the
automatic transmission oil. The
automatic transmission oil is a product
designed specially for this vehicle and
its performance may be compromised
through the use of further additives.
Caution!
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can damage
your transmission components. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
Frequency of Oil Changes
In normal vehicle operating conditions,
it is not necessary to change the
transmission oil.
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Caution!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your
authorized dealer immediately. Severe
transmission damage may occur. Your
authorized dealer has the proper tools to
adjust the fluid level accurately.
Replacing The Battery
If necessary, replace the battery with
another battery with the same
specifications. It is advised to contact
an authorized dealer for replacement.
Follow the battery manufacturer's
instructions for maintenance.
Note:
It will not be possible to open the trunk
with a key or by pressing the button in
the passenger compartment when the
battery is disconnected. So, always
position the manual trunk opening strap
on the trunk lock before disconnecting
the battery. The procedure is described
in the "Storing The Vehicle" section in
this chapter.
RAISING THE
VEHICLE
If the vehicle requires lifting, visit an
authorized dealer which is equipped
with shop jacks or jack arms.
The vehicle lifting points are marked on
the side skirts with the
symbols.
TIRES
Tire Safety Information
Tire safety information will cover
aspects of the following information:
Tire Markings, Tire Identification
Numbers, Tire Terminology and
Definitions, Tire Pressures, and Tire
Loading.
Tire Markings
GUID-09056S0001EMVehicle Lift Point LocationsGUID-0601085395USTire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT
Safety Standards
Code (TIN)4 — Maximum
Load
2 — Size Designa-
tion 5 — Maximum
Pressure
3 — Service
Description 6 — Treadwear,
Traction and Tem-
perature Grades
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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.
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EXAMPLE:
DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
DOT =
Department of Transportation
– This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards and is
approved for highway use
MA = Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)
L9 = Code representing the tire size (two digits)
ABCD = Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)
03 = Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
– 03 means the 3rd week
01 = Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
– 01 means the year 2001
– Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the tire was
manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991
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Tire Terminology And Definitions
TermDefinition
B-Pillar The
vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the front
door.
Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting
for a minimum of three hours. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds
per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals).
Maximum Inflation Pressure The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire inflation
pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall.
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on the
tire placard.
Tire Placard A label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s loading
capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures.
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Tire Loading And Tire Pressure
Note:
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is
listed on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the
rear edge of the driver's side door.Tire And Loading Information
Placard
This placard tells you important
information about the:
1. Number of people that can be
carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the
front, rear, and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire
must not exceed the load carrying
capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire's load carrying
capacity if you adhere to the loading
conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire
and Loading Information placard in
“Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And
Operating” section of this manual.
Note:
Under a maximum loaded vehicle
condition, gross axle weight ratings
(GAWRs) for the front and rear axles
must not be exceeded. For further
information on GAWRs, vehicle loading,
and trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle
Loading” in the “Starting And
Operating” section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading
conditions of your vehicle, locate the
statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never
exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs” on the
Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants,
cargo/luggage and trailer tongue weight
(if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
GUID-0806092796USExample Tire Placard Location
(Door)
GUID-0806092795USExample Tire Placard Location(B-Pillar)
GUID-054900418-high.tifTire And Loading InformationPlacard
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