RECHARGING THE BATTERY
IMPORTANT The battery recharging procedure is
provided for information purposes only. You are
recommended to go to a Fiat Dealership to have this
operation performed.
We recommend recharging the battery slowly for
approximately 24 hours at low amperage. A
prolonged recharge might damage the battery.
Charge the battery as follows:
disconnect battery negative terminal;
connect the charger cables to the battery
terminals, observing the polarity;
turn on the charger;
when you have finished, turn the charger off
before disconnecting it from the battery;
reconnect battery negative terminal.
WARNING
Battery fluid is poisonous and corrosive:
avoid contact with your skin and eyes.
The battery must be recharged in a ventilated
place away from naked flames or possible
sources of sparks to avoid the risk of explosion
and fire.
WARNING
Do not tr y to recharge a frozen batter y;
defrost it first to prevent the risk of
explosion. If the battery was frozen, have it
inspected by specialised personnel before
recharging to check that the internal elements
are not damaged and that the casing is not
cracked, which could cause poisonous, corrosive
acid to leak.
186
KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARE
TECHNICAL DATA
INDEX
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and make it last
longer, follow these instructions closely:
when you park the vehicle, ensure the doors, boot
and bonnet are closed properly so that the ceiling
lights do not stay on;
turn off the ceiling lights, although the car does
have an automatic system for switching off internal
lights;
do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system,
hazard lights, etc.) switched on for a long time
when the engine is not running;
before performing any operation on the electrical
system, disconnect the battery negative cable;
make sure that battery terminals are always be
perfectly tight.
IMPORTANT If the battery remains with the charge
below 50% for a long time it becomes damaged
through sulphation and its starting capacity is
reduced.
The battery is also more prone to the risk of freezing
(at temperatures as high as -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 the Fiat Dealershipwhose qualified personnel, in addition to suggesting
the most suitable devices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking whether the vehicle
electric system is capable of withstanding the load
required, or whether it should be integrated with
a more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue to use electricity even
when the engine is off, they gradually run down
the battery.
206
KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARE
TECHNICAL DATA
INDEX
