Page 182 of 298

PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
engine coolant level;
brake fluid level;
windscreen washer fluid level;
tyre inflation pressure and condition;
operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
operation of screen washer/wiper
system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear screen wiper blades
(for versions/markets where provided);
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
DEMANDING
VEHICLE USE
If the vehicle is mostly used in one of
the following conditions:
towing a trailer or motorhome;
dusty roads;
short, repeated journeys (less than
7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long periods
of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
check front disc brake pad condition
and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage;
visually inspect condition of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes)
and rubber elements (boots - sleeves
- bushes - etc.);
check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
visually inspect conditions of the
auxiliary drive belts;
check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter;
replacement of air cleaner cartridge
every 15,000 km.
178
SERVICING AND CARE
Page 193 of 298

WARNING
2)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. Contact a Fiat Dealership to
have the oil and filters changed. They
are equipped to dispose of the used oil
and filters respecting nature and the law.
3)Power steering fluid consumption is
extremely low; if another top-up is required
after only a short period of time, have the
system checked for leaks at a Fiat
Dealership.
AIR CLEANER/
POLLEN FILTER
Have the air cleaner or the pollen filter
replaced by a Fiat Dealership.
DIESEL FILTER
DRAINING
CONDENSATION
(MultiJet versions)
36)
WARNING
36)The presence of water in the supply
circuit may cause severe damage to the
injection system and irregular engine
operation. If the
warning light comes
on, go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible to have the system bled. If this
problem is indicated immediately after
refuelling, water may have entered the fuel
tank. In this case, immediately turn off
the engine and contact a Fiat Dealership.
189
Page 194 of 298

BATTERY
The battery is of the “limited
maintenance” type: under normal
conditions of use, the electrolyte does
not need topping up with distilled water.
It does, however, need to be checked
periodically at a Fiat Dealership or
by specialist personnel to make sure it
is working correctly.
143) 144)
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with an
original spare part with the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the “Scheduled Servicing Plan” will no
longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer's
instructions for maintenance.
37) 38)
4)
145)
USEFUL TIPS FOR
EXTENDING BATTERY
LIFE
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
when you park the vehicle, ensure
that the doors, tailgate and bonnet are
closed properly, to prevent any roof
lights from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment;
switch off all roof lights inside the
vehicle: the vehicle is however
equipped with a system which switches
all internal lights off automatically;
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 pole;
completely tighten the battery
terminals.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at starting.The battery is also more prone to the
risk of freezing (already at temperatures
of -10°C). Refer to the paragraph
"Vehicle inactivity" in "Starting and
driving" if the vehicle is left parked for a
long time.
If, after buying the vehicle, you want to
install electric accessories which require
permanent electric supply (alarm, etc.)
contact a Fiat Dealership whose
qualified personnel, in addition to
suggesting the most suitable devices
from the Lineaccessori Fiat, will
evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the vehicle's
electrical system is capable of
withstanding the load required, or
whether it should be integrated with a
more powerful battery.
Since some of these devices continue
to consume electricity even when
the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
WARNING
143)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames or possible
sources of sparks away from the battery:
risk of explosion or fire.
144)Using the battery when the fluid is too
low can damage it irreparably and generate
a risk of explosion.
190
SERVICING AND CARE
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