In the event of a side impact, the
system provides best protection if the
passenger sits on the seat in a correct
position, thus allowing correct window
bag deployment.
IMPORTANT NOTES
The front airbags and/or side bags
(where provided) may be deployed if
the vehicle is subject to heavy knocks
or accidents involving the underbody
area, such as for example violent
shocks against steps, kerbs or low
obstacles, or the vehicle falling into big
potholes or depressions in the road.
A small amount of dust will be released
when the airbags are deployed. The
dust is not harmful and does not
indicate the beginning of a fire.
Furthermore, the surface of the
deployed bag and the interior of the
vehicle may be covered in a dusty
residue: this may irritate your skin and
eyes. Wash with mild soap and water in
the event of exposure.
Should an accident occur in which any
of the safety devices are activated,
take the vehicle to a Fiat Dealership to
have the activated devices replaced
and to have the whole system checked.
Every control, repair and replacement
operation concerning the airbags must
be carried out only at Fiat Dealerships.If you are having the vehicle scrapped,
have the system deactivated at a Fiat
Dealership first. If the vehicle changes
ownership, the new owner must be
informed of how to use the airbags and
the above warnings and also be given
this "Owner Handbook".
Pretensioners, front airbags and front
side bags are deployed differently
according to the type of collision.
Failure to activate one or more of the
devices does not indicate a system
malfunction.
87) 88) 89) 89) 91) 92) 93) 94)
WARNING
87)If thewarning light does not turn on
when the key is turned to MAR, or if it
stays on when travelling (together with the
message on the display on some versions),
there could be a failure in the restraint
systems. If this is the case, the airbags or
pretensioners may not trigger in the event
of an accident or, less likely, they may
trigger accidentally. Contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately to have the system
checked.
88)Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
89)On cars with side bags, do not cover
the front seat backrests with extra covers.90)If the car has been stolen or in the case
of attempt to steal it, if it has been
subjected to vandalism or floods, have the
airbag system checked by a Fiat
Dealership.
91)If the ignition device is at MAR, even if
the engine is switched off, airbags may
be deployed when the vehicle is stationary
and hit by another vehicle. Therefore,
even if the vehicle is stationary, when an
active front passenger airbag is fitted, DO
NOT install rearward facing child restraint
systems on the front passenger seat.
Deployment of the airbag following an
impact could cause fatal injuries to the
child. Therefore, always deactivate the
passenger side airbag when a rearward
facing child restraint system is installed on
the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned
back as far as possible in order to prevent
the child restraint system from coming
into contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the passenger
airbag as soon as the child restraint system
has been removed. Also remember that, if
the ignition device is set to STOP, none
of the safety devices (airbags or
pretensioners) will be deployed in the event
of collision. Non-deployment in such
cases does not indicate a system
malfunction.
92)Do not affix rigid objects to the garment
hooks or support handles.
93)Do not rest your head, arms or elbows
on the door, windows or the area in which
the Window bag is located to avoid
possible injury during airbag inflation.
94)Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
122
SAFETY
STARTING THE
ENGINE
The vehicle is fitted with an immobiliser:
if the engine fails to start, see the
paragraph on “The Fiat CODE system”
in the “Dashboard and controls”
section.
The engine may be noisier during the
first few seconds of operation,
especially 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.
17) 18)
95)
PROCEDURE FOR
PETROL VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake;
put the gear lever into neutral;
fully depress the clutch pedal,
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key to
STOP before repeating the starting
procedure.
If, when the ignition key is on MAR, the
instrument panel warning light
remains on together with warning
light
, turn the key to STOP and
then back to MAR; if the warning light
remains on, try the other keys provided
with the vehicle. If you are still unable
to start the engine, perform the
emergency starting procedure (see
"Emergency starting" in the "In an
emergency" chapter) and contact a Fiat
Dealership.PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake;
put the gear lever into neutral;
turn the ignition key to MAR: the
warning lights
andon the
instrument panel will turn on;
wait for the warning lightsand
to switch off. The hotter the engine
is, the quicker this will happen;
fully depress the clutch pedal,
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV as soon
as warning light
switches off.
Waiting too long will waste the heating
work carried out by the glow plugs.
Release the key as soon as the engine
starts.
IMPORTANT With the engine cold, the
accelerator pedal must be fully released
when you turn the ignition key to AVV.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key to
STOP before repeating the starting
procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR the
warning light remains lit, turn the
key to STOP and then back to MAR; if
the warning light remains lit, try with the
other keys provided with the vehicle. If
you still cannot start the engine, contact
a Fiat Dealership.
124
STARTING AND DRIVING
DEVICE PROTECTED FUSE AMPERE
Heated driver seatF1 10
Heated passenger seatF2 10
Cigar lighterF3 15
Third power socket on dashboard F4 20
Driver's side rear electric window F5 20
Passenger's side rear electric window F6 20
WARNING
26)Never replace a blown fuse with metal wires or other material.
27)If you need to wash the engine compartment, take care not to directly hit the fuse box and the window wiper motors with the water jet.
WARNING
122)If the replaced fuse blows again, contact a Fiat Dealership.
123)Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF FIRE. If a general protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-FUSE) is
activated, contact a Fiat Dealership. Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition key has been removed and that all the other services
are switched off and/or disengaged.
124)Contact a Fiat Dealership if a safety system (airbags, brakes), engine system (engine, gearbox) or steering system general protection
fuse blows.
157
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake
booster and the electric 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.
WARNING
29)Never use a fast battery-charger for
emergency starting of the engine as this
could damage the electronic systems
of your vehicle, particularly the ignition and
fuel supply control units.
WARNING
131)This procedure must be performed by
qualified personnel as incorrect actions
may cause high-intensity electrical
discharge. Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid contact
with skin and eyes. Keep naked flames
away from the battery. No smoking. Do not
cause sparks.
FUEL CUT-OFF
SYSTEM
This intervenes in the case of an impact
causing:
the fuel supply cut-off with the
engine consequently switching off;
the automatic unlocking of the
doors;
the switching on of the interior lights;
switching on of the hazard warning
lights (to deactivate the lights press
the dedicated button on the
dashboard).
132)When the system has been triggered,
the message “Fuel cut off, see
handbook” is displayed on some
versions.
Check carefully for fuel leaks, for
instance in the engine compartment,
under the vehicle or near the tank area.
After a collision, turn the ignition key
to STOP to prevent the battery from
running down.
The following procedure should be
carried out to restore the correct
operation of the vehicle:
turn the ignition key to the MAR
position;
activate the right direction indicator;
deactivate the right direction
indicator;
activate the left direction indicator;
deactivate the left direction indicator;
activate the right direction indicator;
deactivate the right direction
indicator;
activate the left direction indicator;
deactivate the left direction indicator;
turn the ignition key to the OFF
position.
WARNING
132)If, after an impact, you smell fuel or
notice leaks from the fuel supply system,
do not reactivate the system to avoid
the risk of fire.
166
IN AN EMERGENCY
If a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve;
to allow even wear between the
front and rear tyres, it is advisable to
change them over every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on
the same side of the vehicle so as
not to reverse the direction of rotation.
149) 150) 151) 152)
WARNING
149)Remember that the road holding
qualities of your vehicle also depend on the
correct inflation pressure of the tyres.
150)If tyre pressure is too low, the tire may
overheat and be severely damaged as a
result.
151)Do not switch tyres from the
righthand side of the vehicle to the
lefthand side, and vice versa.
152)Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C. The
mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the maintenance of the brake
system and fuel supply system rubber
hoses is concerned, follow the
"Scheduled Servicing Plan" in this
chapter carefully.
Ozone, high temperatures and
prolonged lack of fluid in the system
may cause hardening and cracking of
the hoses, with possible leaks. Careful
checking is therefore necessary.
PROLONGED
VEHICLE INACTIVITY
If 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 engaged;
disconnect the negative terminal
from the battery pole (see paragraph
“Vehicle inactivity” in the "Dashboard
and controls" chapter) and check
the charge conditions (see paragraph
“Battery” in the “Care and
maintenance” chapter);
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
windscreen and rear window wiper
rubber 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;
195