
STARTING AND DRIVING
Let’s get to the "heart" of the vehicle:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and
our wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE ................. 92
PARKING THE VEHICLE ................. 93
MANUAL GEARBOX ....................... 94
DUALOGIC GEARBOX .................... 95
MODE SELECTOR .......................... 96
DUALDRIVE ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING ...................................... 97
ECO FUNCTION ............................. 98
STOP/START SYSTEM ................... 99
PARKING SENSORS.......................100
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE ...........101
TOWING TRAILERS ........................103
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WARNING
116)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
117)Remember that the brake servo
and power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore
you need to apply much more force than
usual to the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
118)If the engine fails to start with a gear
engaged, the potentially dangerous
situation due to the fact that the gearbox is
automatically placed in neutral will be
signalled by an acoustic signal.
WARNING
38)If the warning lightflashes for 60
seconds after starting or during an
extended towing period, this indicates a
problem in the glow plug preheating
system. You can use the vehicle as usual if
the engine starts but you should contact
a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
39)It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your vehicle (e.g.
excessive acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively intense braking,
etc.) when it is first used.
40)When the engine is off, do not leave
the key turned to MAR to prevent
unnecessary electrical consumption from
draining the battery.41)Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or coasting downhill. This
could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond repair.
42)There must therefore always be some
petrol in the tank to protect the petrol
pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from LPG or Methane to petrol
operation, if high performance is required.
43)A quick burst on the accelerator
before stopping the engine serves no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to turbocharged
engines.
PARKING THE
VEHICLE
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1st gear if facing
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
always remove the ignition key.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions equipped with Dualogic
transmission, wait for the letter P to be
displayed before releasing the brake
pedal.
WARNING Never leave the car with the
gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with Dualogic transmission,
before putting the gear lever in the
P position).
Handbrake
194) 195) 196)
The handbrake lever is located between
the two front seats.
Handbrake engagement: pull lever A
fig. 77 upwards until the vehicle is
braked.
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With the ECO function active, the
system will select the most suitable
gear depending on the vehicle speed,
engine rpm and intensity with which the
accelerator pedal is pressed, with the
aim of limiting fuel consumption.
“Kick Down” FUNCTION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
If necessary (e.g. when overtaking),
the system downshifts one or more
gears when the accelerator pedal
is depressed beyond the point where it
becomes stiff (and if the rpm allow it)
in order to provide suitable power and
torque for the acceleration requested
by the driver.
IMPORTANT The use of the “Kick
Down” function is recommended only
when overtaking or accelerating quickly,
in order not to increase fuel
consumption.
WARNING
45)Avoid keeping your hand on this lever
except during gear change or AUTO/
MANUAL mode requests.
MODE SELECTOR
(Panda Cross versions)
This device allows, using the ring nut of
the knob fig. 81 (on the central tunnel),
three vehicle response modes to be
selected according to driving style and
road conditions:
1 = AUTO mode;
2 = OFF ROAD mode;
3 = HDC function.
The ring nut is monostable type. In
other words, it always remains in a
central position. The selected driving
mode is indicated by the corresponding
LED switching on the knob and by an
indication on the display."AUTO" MODE
It is a driving mode aimed at comfort
and safety in normal grip and driving
conditions.
"OFF ROAD" MODE
It is a driving mode aimed at setting off
in poor grip conditions on low-grip
road surfaces (e.g. snow, ice, mid, etc.).
Engagement
Rotate the ring nut fig. 81 to the right
and hold in this position for half a
second, until the corresponding LED
lights up and “Off Road” mode
activation indicator appears on the
display with a dedicated message.
When the "Off Road" mode is activated,
the presetting for ELD system
intervention activates automatically.
IMPORTANT When the "Off Road"
mode is activated, the Stop/Start
system is temporarily disabled.
Temporary deactivation of the system
switches on the corresponding LED on
the trim (located on the central
dashboard). To activate the Stop/Start
function, with "Off Road" mode on,
press the
button on the dashboard
trim. However, when the "Off Road"
mode is deactivated, the Stop/Start
system is enabled again.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

IMPORTANT During parking
manoeuvres requiring a lot of steering,
the steering may become harder; this is
normal and is due to the intervention
of the system to protect the electric
steering motor from overheating so no
intervention is required. When the
vehicle is used again later on,
the power steering will work normally.
WARNING
123)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
any after-market operation involving
steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety, invalidate the
warranty and also result in non-compliance
of the vehicle with type-approval
requirements.124)Before servicing the vehicle, switch off
the engine and remove the key from the
ignition switch to activate the steering lock.
This is especially important when the
vehicle wheels are not touching the
ground. If this is not possible (for example if
the key needs to be turned to MAR or the
engine must be running), remove the
main fuse that protects the electric power
steering.
ECO FUNCTION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To activate the function press the ECO
button fig. 83.
When the ECO function is active, the
car is set for driving characterised
by reduced fuel consumption. When
the function is active, the
corresponding LED on the button
switches on.
This function stays in the memory and,
when the vehicle is started again, the
system keeps the setting it had before
the engine was stopped. Press the
ECO button again to deactivate the
function and restore the normal driving
setting.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

STOP/START
SYSTEM
125) 126)46)
The Stop/Start system automatically
stops the engine when the vehicle
is stationary and starts it again when
the driver wants to move off. This
reduces consumption, the emission of
harmful gases and noise pollution.
OPERATING MODE
Engine stopping mode: with the
vehicle stopped, the engine stops with
gearbox in neutral and clutch pedal
released.
NoteThe engine can only be stopped
automatically after exceeding a speed
of about 10 km/h, to prevent the engine
from being repeatedly stopped when
driving at walking pace.
Restarting the engine: press the
clutch pedal to restart the engine.MANUAL SYSTEM
ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATION
To activate/deactivate the system
manually, press the
fig. 84 button on
the dashboard control trim.
LED off: system deactivated.
LED on: system deactivated.
WARNING
125)If the battery needs to be replaced,
always contact a Fiat Dealership. The
replacement battery should be of the same
type (HEAVY DUTY) and should have the
same characteristics.126)Before opening the bonnet, make
sure that the engine is off and that the
ignition key is in the STOP position. Please
follow the instructions on the decal near
the front crossmember. We recommend
that you remove the key from the ignition if
other people remain in the vehicle. Exit
from the vehicle only after having removed
the ignition key or having rotated it to the
STOP position. During refuelling, make sure
that the engine is off and that the ignition
key is in the STOP position.
WARNING
46)If climate comfort is to be favoured, the
Stop/Start system can be disabled, for a
continuous operation of the climate control
system.
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WARNING
127)The responsibility for parking and
other dangerous manoeuvres always and
in every case lies with the driver. While
carrying out these manoeuvres, always
make sure that no people (especially
children) or animals are in the area
concerned. The parking sensors are used
to assist the driver, who must never allow
his attention to lapse during potentially
dangerous manoeuvres, even those
executed at low speeds.
WARNING
47)The sensors must be clean of mud,
dirt, snow or ice in order for the system to
operate correctly. Be careful not to scratch
or damage the sensors while cleaning
them. Avoid using dry, rough or hard
cloths. The sensors must be washed using
clean water, with the addition of vehicle
shampoo if necessary. When using special
washing equipment such as high pressure
jets or steam cleaning, clean the sensors
very quickly keeping the jet more than
10 cm away.
REFUELLING THE
VEHICLE
128) 129) 130)
Always stop the engine before
refuelling.
PETROL ENGINES
Only use unleaded petrol, with an
octane number (R.O.N.) not lower than
95. In order to prevent damage to the
catalytic converter never introduce even
the smallest amount of leaded petrol,
even in the event of an emergency.
DIESEL ENGINES
Only use Diesel for motor vehicles
(EN590 specification).
When using or parking the car for a
long time in the mountains or cold
areas, it is advisable to refuel using
locally available diesel. In this case, it is
also advisable to keep the tank over
50% full.
REFUELLING
PROCEDURE
48)
Diesel and petrol versions
The refuelling procedure described
below is illustrated on the label B fig. 86
located inside the fuel flap. The label
also indicates the fuel type (UNLEADED
FUEL=petrol, DIESEL=diesel fuel).To refuel proceed as follows:
open flap A fig. 86, pulling it
outwards;
introduce the dispenser in the filler
and refuel;
after refuelling, before removing the
dispenser, wait for at least 10 seconds
in order for the fuel to flow inside the
tank;
then remove the dispenser from the
filler and close flap A.
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Flap A fig. 86 is provided with a dust
cover gaiter C which prevents deposits
of impurities and dust at the end of
the filler when the flap is closed.
Emergency refuelling
Proceed as follows:
open the luggage compartment and
take the adapter B fig. 87 located in
the tool box (versions equipped with
space-saver wheel - for versions/
markets, where provided) or in the
Fix&Go Airflat container (versions
equipped with Fix&Go Airflat);
open flap A, pulling it outwards;
introduce the adapter B in the filler
and refuel;
after refuelling, remove the adapter
and close the flap, then reintroduce the
adapter in its casing and put it back
in the luggage compartment.LPG versions
To access the LPG filler, open the
access flap A fig. 88 and undo the cap
B.
Observe the following precautions
during the refuelling operation:
switch off the engine;
apply the handbrake;
turn the ignition key to STOP;
do not smoke;
hand the special adapter A fig. 89
over to the qualified LPG refuelling
personnel.IMPORTANT Depending on the country,
there are various types of adapters for
LPG refuelling pumps. Filler adapter,
supplied with the vehicle and located in
a special case, is specifically designed
for the country in which the vehicle is
sold. If you are in a different country,
find out what type of adaptor is used
there.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

Natural Power versions
49)To access filler B fig. 90, open the flap
and undo cap A turning it
counterclockwise.
The profile of filler B for refilling is the
universal type, compatible with Italian
and NGV1 standards. In some
European countries adapters are
considered ILLEGAL (e.g. in Germany).
WARNING
128)Do not apply any object/plug to the
end of the filler which is not provided for
the car. The use of non-compliant
objects/caps could cause a pressure
increase inside the tank, resulting in
dangerous situations.
129)Do not bring naked flames or lit
cigarettes near to the fuel filler: fire risk.
Keep your face away from the fuel filler to
prevent breathing in harmful vapours.130)Do not use a mobile phone near the
refuelling pump: risk of fire.
WARNING
48)For diesel engines, only use diesel fuel
for motor vehicles in accordance with
EN 590 European specifications. The use
of other products or mixtures may damage
the engine beyond repair and
consequently invalidate the warranty, due
to the damage caused. If you accidentally
introduce other types of fuel into the tank,
do not start the engine. Empty the tank.
If the engine has been run for even an
extremely limited amount of time, you must
not only drain the fuel tank, but the rest of
the supply circuit as well.
49)The other plates (provided with the
vehicle documents) show the date when
the first cylinder inspection/test is due.
Methane refuelling stations are not
authorised to refill the cylinders when the
inspection date has expired.
TOWING TRAILERS
131) 132)
IMPORTANT
For towing motorhomes or trailers the
vehicle must be fitted with an approved
tow hook and an adequate electrical
system. Installation must be carried out
by a specialist.
Install any specific and/or additional
door mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, braking
distances increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the
vehicle tow hook reduces the vehicle's
loading capacity by the same amount.
To make sure that the maximum
towable weight is not exceeded (given
in the vehicle registration document)
account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and
luggage.
Do not exceed the speed limits specific
to each country you are driving in, in
the case of vehicles towing trailers.
In any case, the top speed must not
exceed 100 km/h.
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