WARNING
On cars with side bags, do not cover the
front seat backrests with extra covers.
WARNING
Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc .): they could cause
severe injur y if the airbag is deployed.
WARNING
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
car is stationar y, when an active front passenger
airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear 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.
WARNING
Have the airbag system checked by a
Fiat Dealership if the car was stolen, if
theft was attempted, or if the car was subjected
to vandalism or flooding.
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WARNING
When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the
warning light (with front
passenger side airbag activated) on the central
dashboard switches on and flashes for a few
seconds as a reminder that the passenger airbag
will be deployed in the event of a crash, then it
should switch off.
WARNING
The airbag deployment threshold is
higher than that of the pretensioners.
For collisions in the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.
WARNING
The airbag does not replace seat belts
but increases their efficiency.
Furthermore, since front airbags are not
deployed in low-speed frontal impacts, side
impacts, rear shunts or roll-overs, the
passengers are protected only by the seat belts
which must therefore be fastened at all
times.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
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 “Knowing your vehicle” section.
The engine may be noisier during the first few
seconds of operation, particularly 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.
It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your vehicle (e.g.
excessive acceleration, long distances at
high speeds, excessive intense braking, etc .) during
the initial period of use.
When the engine is switched off never
leave the key on (at MAR) to prevent
unnecessary consumption and draining
the battery.
WARNING
It is dangerous to have the engine
running indoors.The engine takes in
oxygen and discharges carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
WARNING
Remember that the brake booster and
electric power steering are not
operational until the engine has been started,
so you need to apply much more force than
usual to the brake pedal and steering wheel.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
apply the handbrake;
put the gear lever into neutral;
press the clutch pedal down to the floor without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the
moment the engine starts.
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If the engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before repeating the
procedure.
If the
warning light remains on together with
warning light
when the ignition key is at MAR,
turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light stays on, try with the other keys
provided with the car.
If you still cannot start the engine, perform an
emergency start (see “Emergency starting” in the “In
an emergency” section) and go to a Fiat Dealership.
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
apply the handbrake;
put the gear lever into neutral;
turn the key on (MAR position): instrument panel
warning light
will light up;
wait for the warning lightsandto go out.
The hotter the engine is, the quicker this will
happen;
press the clutch pedal down to the floor without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as the
warning light goes out. 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
procedure.
If the
warning light stays on when the ignition key
is at MAR, turn the key to STOP and then back to
MAR; if the warning light remains on, try with the
other keys provided with the car.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if the engine still does not
start.
Warning lightwill blink for 60 seconds
after starting or during prolonged
cranking to indicate a fault to the glow
plug heating system. Use the vehicle normally if
the engine starts, but go to a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
revs. Do not accelerate abruptly;
do not demand to performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge
starts moving.
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EMERGENCY STARTING
Go to a Fiat Dealership immediately if warning light
comes on steady on the instrument panel.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.This could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
conver ter and damage it beyond repair.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is
idling.
IMPORTANT After a long drive, you should allow
the engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off
by letting it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to turbocharged engines.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever fig. 134is located between the
two front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to engage the handbrake and
ensure that the vehicle does not move.
WARNING
The vehicle should be secured after
several clicks of the lever. If it is not ,
contact a Fiat Dealership to have it adjusted.
When the handbrake lever is engaged and the
ignition key is on MAR, the instrument panel warning
light
will light up.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
fig. 134F0T0043
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WARNING LIGHTS
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slightly lift the handbrake and press release button
Afig. 134;
hold button A pressed and lower the lever. The
instrument panel warning light
will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this
operation to prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally.
PARKING THE CAR
Proceed as follows:
stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
engage a gear (1stgear if parked uphill or reverse if
facing downhill) and leave the wheels turned.
If the vehicle is parked on a steep slope, it is
advisable to block the wheels with a wedge or stone.
To prevent draining the battery, do not leave the
ignition key turned to MAR. Always remove the key
when you leave the vehicle.
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key when leaving the
vehicle, and take it with you.
SNOW TYRES
The Fiat Dealership will be happy to provide advice
concerning the most suitable type of tyre for the
customer's requirements.
For the type, pressures and specifications of the
snow tyre to be used, follow carefully the
instructions given in the “Wheels” paragraph of the
“Technical specifications” section.
The winter performance of these tyres is
considerably reduced when the tread thickness is less
than 4 mm. If this is the case, replace them.
Due to the specific characteristics of snow tyres, in
normal weather conditions or on long motorway
journeys, the performance of these tyres is lower
than that of standard tyres. Their usage should
therefore be restricted in accordance with their type
approval.
IMPORTANT When using snow tyres with a
maximum speed index below the one that can be
reached by the vehicle (increased by 5%), place
a notice in the passenger compartment, plainly in
view, which states the maximum speed allowed
by the snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand and profile)
to ensure greater safety when driving and braking
as well as making the car more responsive.
Remember that you should not change the rotation
direction of the tyres.
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WARNING
You must not exceed 160 km/h on snow
tyres with a “Q” mark; in any case, make
sure you stick to the rules of the highway code.
USING THE GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and
shift the gear lever A fig. 135 into the desired
position (the diagram is shown on the knob).
IMPORTANT Reverse may be engaged only when the
vehicle is at a standstill. With the engine running,
wait for at least 2 seconds with the clutch pedal fully
depressed before engaging reverse to prevent
damage to the gears and grating.
WARNING
Depress the clutch pedal fully to change
gear correctly.There should be no
obstacles on the floor underneath the pedals;
make sure that mats are always flat and do not
interfere with the pedals.
fig. 135F0T0055
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Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted, even if
slight , could lead over time to premature
wear of the gearbox internal components.The
clutch pedal should be used only for gear
changes. Do not drive with your foot resting on
the clutch pedal, however slightly.The electronic
clutch control could cut in by interpreting the
incorrect driving style as a fault (for versions/
markets, where provided).SAVING FUEL
Some useful tips are given below for fuel saving and
reducing harmful emissions of CO2 and other
pollutants (nitrogen oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons,
Particulate Matter (PM) etc.).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The general factors that affect fuel consumption are
listed below.
Vehicle maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Ty r e s
Check the tyre pressure at least once every four
weeks: if the pressure is too low, consumption levels
increase as resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight
of the vehicle (especially when driving in town)
and its trim greatly affect fuel consumption
and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof
after use. These accessories reduce the aerodynamic
coefficient of the vehicle and have a negative effect
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WARNING LIGHTS
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TECHNICAL DATA
INDEX