277)Electrolyte is corrosive diluted
sulphuric acid. If electrolyte (battery acid)
comes into contact with your hands, eyes,
clothes or the painted surface of your
vehicle, it should be thoroughly flushed
with water. If electrolyte gets in your eyes,
flush them with water immediately and
thoroughly, and get prompt medical
attention.
278)Make sure that the connection is
made to the appointed position (shown in
the illustration). If the connection is made
directly to the negative (−) side of the
battery, the inflammable gases generated
from the battery might catch fire and
explode.
279)When connecting the jumper cables,
do not connect the positive (+) cable to the
negative (−) terminal. Otherwise sparks
might cause explosion of the battery.
280)Use care not to get the jumper cable
caught in the cooling fan or other rotating
part in the engine compartment.
281)Keep the engine of the vehicle giving
assistance running.
282)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with your skin and
eyes. The battery should be charged in a
well ventilated place, away from naked
flames or possible sources of sparks:
danger of explosion and fire.
283)Do not attempt to charge a frozen
battery: it must be thawed first, otherwise it
may explode. If freezing has occurred, the
battery should be checked by skilled
personnel to make sure that the internal
elements are not damaged and that the
body is not cracked, with the risk of leaking
poisonous and corrosive acid.ENGINE
OVERHEATING
When the engine is overheating,will
blink. If this occurs, take the following
corrective measures:
1. Stop the vehicle in a safe place.
2. Check whether steam is coming from
the engine compartment.
If steam does not come from the engine
compartment: with the engine still
running, raise the bonnet to ventilate
the engine compartment.
NOTE For vehicles equipped with the
Start&Stop system, press the
“Start&Stop OFF” switch to deactivate
the system before stopping the vehicle.
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment: stop the engine, and
when the steam stops, raise the bonnet
to ventilate the engine compartment.
Restart the engine.
284) 285) 286)
3. Confirm that the cooling fan (B) is
turning.
If the cooling fan is turning: after the
high coolant temperature warning has
gone off, stop the engine
If the cooling fan is not turning: stop the
engine immediately and contact a Fiat
dealership for assistance.A. Radiator cap
B. Cooling fan
C. Reserve tank
287)
4. Check the coolant level in the reserve
tank (C).
5. Add coolant to the radiator and/or
reserve tank if necessary (refer to the
“Maintenance” section).
288)
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210
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Correct maintenance permits the
performance of the car to be
maintained over time, as well as limited
running costs and safeguarding the
efficiency of the safety systems.
This chapter explains how.SERVICE PRECAUTIONS.......244
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN . .245
PERIODIC CHECKS..........250
DEMANDING VEHICLE USE.....250
CHECKING LEVELS..........251
CATALYTIC CONVERTER.......252
ENGINE OIL...............252
ENGINE COOLANT...........253
WASHER FLUID.............255
BRAKE FLUID..............255
CLUTCH FLUID.............256
POWER STEERING FLUID......257
BATTERY.................258
WIPER BLADE REPLACEMENT . . .260
GENERAL MAINTENANCE......261
VEHICLE CARE PRECAUTIONS. . .261
CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF
YOUR VEHICLE.............262
CLEANING THE EXTERIOR OF
YOUR VEHICLE.............263
TYRES...................267
243
SERVICE
PRECAUTIONS
346) 347) 348) 349) 350) 351) 352) 353)
Adequate care of your vehicle at regular
intervals serves to preserve the value
and appearance as long as possible.
Maintenance items as described in this
owner’s manual can be performed by
the owner.
We recommend you to have the
periodic inspection and maintenance
performed by a Fiat dealership.
In the event a malfunction or a problem
is discovered, we recommend you to
have it checked and repaired. This
section contains information on
inspection maintenance procedures
that you can do yourself. Follow the
instructions and cautions for each of
the various procedures.
WARNING
346)When checking or servicing the inside
of the engine compartment, make sure the
engine is switched off and has had a
chance to cool down.
347)If it is necessary to do work in the
engine compartment with the engine
running, be especially careful that your
clothing, hair, etc., does not become
caught by the cooling fan, drive belts, or
other moving parts.348)After performing the maintenance
work, make sure that no tools or cloths are
left behind in the engine compartment. If
they are left behind, a fire or damage to the
vehicle may occur.
349)The cooling fan can turn on
automatically even if the engine is not
running. Turn the ignition switch to “LOCK”
position or put the operation mode in OFF
to be safe while you work in the engine
compartment.
350)Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow
open flames around fuel or battery. The
fumes are flammable.
351)Be extremely cautious when working
around the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulphuric acid.
352)Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Always use
automotive jack stands.
353)Improper handling of components
and materials used in the vehicle can
endanger your personal safety. We
recommend you to consult a specialist for
necessary information.
244
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
DIESEL ENGINE 4N15
Thousand of miles12,5 25 37,5 50 62,5 75 87,5 100 112 125
Thousands of kilometers or20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Years12345678910
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust
pressure, if necessary●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, boot, passenger
compartment, glove compartment,
instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels
(1)●●●●●●●●●●
Check battery condition●●●●●●●●●●
Change engine coolant●
Adjust the tappet clearance (where there is
no hydraulic clearance adjustment)●●●
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness●●●●●●●●●●
Use the diagnosis socket to check
supply/engine management systems
operation, emissions and, for
versions/markets, where provided, engine
oil degradation
●●●●●●●●●●
(1) Always only use the liquids shown in the handbook for topping up after having checked that the system is not damaged.
245
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.
250
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CHECKING LEVELS
1. Engine coolant reservoir 2. Brake fluid reservoir 3. Clutch fluid reservoir (where provided) 4. Engine oil cap 5. Engine oil
level gauge 6. Power steering fluid reservoir 7. Washer fluid reservoir 8. Battery
A— RHD versions
354) 355)
WARNING
354)Never smoke when performing operations in the engine compartment. Flammable gases and fumes may be present and risk igniting.
355)Be very careful when working in the engine compartment when the engine is hot: you may get burned. Remember that the fan may start
up if the engine is hot: this could injure you. Scarves, ties and other loose clothing might be pulled by moving parts.
454VANODIESEL3231
251
BATTERY
4)
The condition of the battery is very
important for quick starting of the
engine and proper functioning of the
vehicle’s electrical system. Regular
inspection and care are especially
important in cold weather.
375) 376) 377) 378) 379) 380) 381) 382)
Checking battery electrolyte level
The electrolyte level must be between
the specified limit on the outside of the
battery. Replenish with distilled water as
necessary. The inside of the battery is
divided into several compartments;
remove the cap from each
compartment and fill to the upper mark.
Do not top up beyond the upper mark
because spillage during driving could
cause damage.Check the electrolyte level at least once
every four weeks, depending on the
operating conditions. If the battery is
not used, it will discharge by itself with
time.
Check it once every four weeks and
charge with low current as necessary.
During cold weather
The capacity of the battery is reduced
at low temperatures. This is an
inevitable result of its chemical and
physical properties. This is why a very
cold battery, particularly one that is not
fully charged will only deliver a fraction
of the starter current which is normally
available.
We recommend you to have the battery
checked before the start of cold
weather and, if necessary, have it
charged or replaced. This does not only
ensure reliable starting, but a battery
which is kept fully charged also has a
longer life.
Disconnection and connection
188) 189) 190) 191) 192) 193) 194) 195)
To disconnect the battery cable, stop
the engine, first disconnect the negative
(-) terminal and then the positive (+)
terminal. When connecting the battery,
first connect the positive (+) terminal
and then the negative (-) terminal.
NOTE Open the terminal cover (A)
before disconnecting or connecting the
positive (+) terminal of the battery.NOTE Loosen the nut (B), and then
disconnect the battery cable from the
positive (+) terminal.
NOTE Keep the terminals clean. After
the battery is connected, apply terminal
protection grease. To clean the
terminals, use lukewarm water.
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258
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
NOTE Check to see if the battery is
securely installed and cannot be moved
during travel. Also check each terminal
for tightness.
NOTE When the vehicle is to be left
unused for a long period of time,
remove the battery and store it in a
place where the battery fluid will not
freeze. The battery should be stored
only in a fully charged condition.
WARNING
375)Battery liquid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and sources of
sparks away from the battery: risk of
explosion and fire.
376)Before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
negative battery cable through the suitable
terminal, after having waited at least one
minute from turning the ignition key to
STOP.
377)Keep sparks, cigarettes, and flames
away from the battery because the battery
could explode.
378)The battery electrolyte is extremely
caustic. Do not allow it to come in contact
with your eyes, skin, clothing, or the
painted surfaces of the vehicle. Spilt
electrolyte should be flushed immediately
with ample amounts of water. Irritation to
eyes or skin from contact with electrolyte
requires immediate medical attention.
379)Ventilate when charging or using the
battery in an enclosed space.380)Always wear protective eye goggles
when working near the battery.
381)Keep it out of reach of children.
382)Using the battery with insufficient fluid
irreparably damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
IMPORTANT
188)Incorrect assembly of electrical and
electronic devices may cause severe
damage to your vehicle. Contact a Fiat
Dealership if you want to install accessories
after purchasing the vehicle (alarms,
radiophone, etc.): they will suggest the
most suitable devices and advise you
whether a higher capacity battery needs to
be installed.
189)If the vehicle needs to be off the road
for a long period under conditions of
intense cold, remove the battery and take it
to a heated location, otherwise it may
freeze.
190)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.
191)If the vehicle must remain unused for
a long time at a very low temperature,
remove the battery and take it to a warm
place, to avoid freezing.192)Never disconnect the battery when
the ignition switch or the operation mode is
in the “ON” position; doing so could
damage the vehicle’s electrical
components.
193)Never short-circuit the battery. This
could cause it to overheat and be
damaged.
194)If the battery is to be quick-charged,
first disconnect the battery cables.
195)In order to prevent a short circuit, be
sure to disconnect the negative (-) terminal
first.
IMPORTANT
4)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
259