PERIODIC CHECKS
Before long journeys, check and, if
necessary, restore:
engine coolant level;
brake fluid level;
windscreen washer fluid level;
operation of lighting system
(headlamps, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
tyre inflation pressure and condition;
tyre alignment;
operation of screen washer/wiper
system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper blades.
To ensure that the vehicle is always
efficient and well maintained, it is
advisable to make sure that you carry
out the above operations regularly
(approximately every 1000 km and
every 3000 km for checking and
topping up engine oil is advisable).
DEMANDING
VEHICLE USE
If the vehicle is mostly used in one of
the following conditions:
towing a trailer or caravan;
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
conditions and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
boot locks, cleanliness and lubrication
of linkage;
visually inspect conditions 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 condition of the
accessory drive belts;
check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
To add coolant
The cooling system is a closed system
and normally the loss of coolant should
be very slight. A noticeable drop in the
coolant level could indicate leakage. If
this occurs, we recommend you to
have the system checked as soon as
possible. If the level should drop below
the “L” (LOW) level on the reserve tank,
open the lid and add coolant.
Also, if the reserve tank is completely
empty, remove the radiator cap (B) and
add coolant until the level reaches the
filler neck.
361) 362)
Anti-freeze
The engine coolant contains an
ethylene glycol anti-corrosion agent.
Some parts of the engine are cast
aluminium alloy, and periodic changing
of the engine coolant is necessary to
prevent corrosion of these parts.
Use the recommended coolant by Fiat
or equivalent (similar high quality
ethylene glycol based non-silicate,
non-amine, nonnitrate and nonborate
coolant with long life hybrid organic
acid technology).
Fiat genuine coolant has excellent
protection against corrosion and rust
formation of all metals including
aluminium and can avoid blockages in
the radiator, heater, cylinder head,
engine block, etc.Because of the necessity of this
anti-corrosion agent, the coolant must
not be replaced with plain water even in
summer. The required concentration of
anti-freeze differs depending on the
expected ambient temperature.
Above -35 °C: 50 % concentration of
antifreeze
Below -35 °C: 60 % concentration of
antifreeze
180) 181) 182) 183) 184)
During cold weather
If the temperatures in your area drop
below freezing, there is the danger that
the coolant in the engine or radiator
could freeze and cause severe damage
to the engine and/or radiator. Add a
sufficient amount of antifreeze to the
coolant to prevent it from freezing.
The concentration should be checked
before the start of cold weather and
anti-freeze added to the system if
necessary.
WARNING
361)The used engine oil and the filter that
has been replaced contain substances that
are harmful to the environment. To change
the oil and filters, we advise you to contact
a Fiat Dealership.
362)Do not open the radiator cap (B) while
the engine is hot. The coolant system is
under pressure and any hot coolant
escaping could cause severe burns.
IMPORTANT
180)Do not use alcohol or methanol
anti-freeze or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol anti-freeze. The
use of an improper anti-freeze can cause
corrosion of the aluminium components.
181)Concentrations exceeding 60 % will
result in a reduction of both the anti-freeze
and cooling performance thus adversely
affecting the engine.
182)Do not top up with water only.
183)PARAFLU UP anti-freeze is used in
the engine cooling system. Use fluid of the
same type as that contained in the cooling
system for any top-ups. PARAFLU UP
cannot be mixed with any other type of
fluid. If this happens, do not start the
engine under any circumstances and
contact a Fiat Dealership.
184)Do not use water to adjust the
concentration of coolant.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Polishing
The vehicle should only be polished if
the paintwork has become stained or
lost its lustre. Do not polish parts with a
mat coating and the plastic bumpers.
Doing so could cause stains or damage
the finish.
Cleaning plastic parts
Use a sponge or chamois leather. If a
car wax adheres on a grey or black
rough surface of the bumper, moulding
or lamps, the surface becomes white.
In such a case, wipe it off using
lukewarm water and soft cloth or
chamois leather.
208) 209)
Chrome parts
In order to prevent spots and corrosion
of chrome parts, wash with water, dry
thoroughly, and apply a special
protective coating. This should be done
more frequently in winter.
Aluminium wheels (if so equipped)
Remove dirt using a sponge while
sprinkling water on the wheel.Use
neutral detergent on any dirt that
cannot be removed easily with
water. Rinse off the neutral
detergent after washing the
wheel.Dry the wheel thoroughly
using a chamois leather or a soft
cloth.
210) 211) 212) 213)
Window glass
The window glass can normally be
cleaned using only a sponge and water.
Glass cleaner can be used to remove
oil, grease, insect carcasses, etc. After
washing the glass, wipe it dry with a
clean, dry, soft cloth. Never use a cloth
that is used for cleaning a painted
surface to clean a window. Wax from
the painted surface could get on the
glass and lower glass transparency and
visibility.
NOTE To clean the inside of the rear
window, always use a soft cloth and
wipe the window glass along the
demister heater element so as not to
cause damage.
NOTE Do not use pure windscreen
washer fluid for cleaning the front
windscreen and rear screen; dilute it by
at least 50% in water.
Wiper blades
Use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to
remove grease, insect carcasses, etc.,
from the wiper blades. Replace the
wiper blades when they no longer wipe
properly.
Engine compartment
Clean the engine compartment at the
beginning and end of winter. Pay
particular attention to flanges, crevices
and peripheral parts where dust
containing road chemicals and other
corrosive materials might collect.If salt and other chemicals are used on
the roads in your area, clean the engine
compartment at least every three
months.
Never spray or splash water on the
electrical components in the engine
compartment, as this may cause
damage.
Do not bring the nearby parts, the
plastic parts and so on into contact
with sulphuric acid (battery electrolyte)
which may crack, stain or discolour
them.
If they are in contact, wipe off with soft
cloth, chamois or the like and an
aqueous solution of neutral detergent
then immediately rinse the affected
parts with plenty of water.
Versions with tonneau cover
Hand washing is recommended for the
tonneau cover; modern automatic
washing systems equipped with soft
brushes which do not apply excessive
pressure with specific products may be
used.
Never use high-pressure washing
systems. If a water jet is used, direct
away from the edges of the fabric and
the rear window to prevent water
infiltration.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
203)Never spray or splash water on the
electrical components in the engine
compartment. Doing so could have an
adverse effect on the engine startability.
Exercise caution also when washing the
underbody; be careful not to spray water
into the engine compartment.
204)Some types of hot water washing
equipment apply high pressure and heat to
the vehicle. They may cause heat distortion
and damage to the vehicle resin parts and
may result in flooding of the vehicle interior.
Therefore maintain a good distance of
approx. 70 cm or more between the vehicle
body and the washing nozzle. Also, when
washing around the door glass, hold the
nozzle at a distance of more than 70 cm
and at right angles to the glass surface.
205)After washing the vehicle, drive the
vehicle slowly while lightly depressing the
brake pedal several times in order to dry
out the brakes. Leaving the brakes wet
could result in reduced braking
performance. Also, there is a possibility that
they could freeze up or become inoperative
due to rust, rendering the vehicle unable to
move.206)Using an automatic car wash, pay
attention to the following items, referring to
the operation manual or consulting a car
wash operator. If the following procedure is
not followed, it could result in damage to
your vehicle: 1 – the outside rear view
mirrors are retracted.2–Ifyour vehicle is
equipped with the pillar antenna, it can be
retracted. If your vehicle is equipped with
the roof antenna, it can be removed. 3 –
The wiper arms are secured in place with
tape.4–Ifyour vehicle has rain sensor
wipers, place the wiper switch lever in the
“OFF” position to deactivate the rain
sensor.
207)Waxes containing high abrasive
compounds should not be used.
208)Do not use a scrubbing brush or other
hard tools as they may damage the plastic
part surface.
209)Do not bring the plastic parts into
contact with petrol, light oil, brake fluids,
engine oils, greases, paint thinners and
sulphuric acid (battery electrolyte) which
may crack, stain or discolour the plastic
parts. If they touch the plastic parts, wipe
them off with soft cloth, chamois or the like
and an aqueous solution of neutral
detergent then immediately rinse the
affected parts with water.
210)Do not use a brush or other hard
implement on the wheels. Doing so could
scratch the wheels.
211)Do not use any cleaner that contains
an abrasive substance or is acidic or
alkaline. Doing so could cause the coating
on the wheels to peel or become
discoloured or stained.
212)Do not directly apply hot water using a
steam cleaner or by any other means.213)Contact with seawater and road
deicer can cause corrosion. Rinse off such
substances as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT
6)Detergents pollute the environment. Only
wash your vehicle in areas equipped to
collect and treat waste water from this type
of activity.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
389)If the pressure is too low, the tyre will
overheat and could be seriously damaged.
390)Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C. The
mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
391)Avoid switching the tyres from the
right side of the vehicle to the left side and
vice versa.
IMPORTANT
214)Always use tyres of the same size,
same type, and same brand, and which
have no wear differences. Using tyres of
different size, type, brands or degree of
wear, will increase the differential oil
temperature, resulting in possible damage
to the driving system. Further, the drive
train will be subjected to excessive loading,
possibly leading to oil leakage, component
seizure, or other serious faults.
215)Avoid using different size tyres from
the one listed and the combined use of
different types of tyres, as this can affect
driving safety.
216)Even if a wheel has the same rim size
and offset as the specified type of wheel,
its shape may prevent it from being fitted
correctly. Consult a Fiat dealership before
using wheels that you have.217)If the tyres have arrows (A) indicating
the correct direction of rotation, swap the
front and rear tyres on the left hand side of
the vehicle and the front and rear tyres on
the right hand side of the vehicle separately.
Keep each tyre on its original side of the
vehicle. When fitting the tyres, make sure
the arrows point in the direction in which
the wheels will turn when the vehicle moves
forward. Any tyre whose arrow points in the
wrong direction will not perform to its full
potential.
218)Avoid the combined use of different
types of tyres. Using different types of tyres
can affect vehicle performance and safety.
219)If winter tyres with a lower speed
rating than that indicated in the Registration
Document are used, do not exceed the
maximum speed corresponding to the
speed rating of the tyres used.
220)Observe permissible maximum speed
for your snow tyres and the legal speed
limit.
221)Choose a clear straight stretch of road
where you can pull off and still be seen
while you are fitting the snow traction
device (Tyre chains).
222)Do not fit snow traction device (Tyre
chains) before you need them. This will
wear out your tyres and the road surface.
223)After driving around 100-300 metres,
stop and retighten the snow traction device
(Tyre chains).
224)Drive cautiously and do not exceed
50 km/h. Remember that preventing
accidents is not the purpose of snow
traction device (tyre chains).
225)When snow traction device (Tyre
chains) are installed, take care that they do
not damage the disc wheel or body.226)An aluminium wheel can be damaged
by a snow traction device (Tyre chains)
while driving. When fitting a snow traction
device (Tyre chains) on an aluminium wheel,
take care that any part of the snow traction
device (Tyre chains) and fitting cannot be
brought into contact with the wheel.
227)When installing or removing a snow
traction device (Tyre chains), take care that
hands and other parts of your body are not
injured by the sharp edges of the vehicle
body.
228)Install the snow traction device (Tyre
chains) only on the rear tyres and tighten
them as tightly as possible with the ends
securely fastened.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE