Operations which lead to knocks,
vibrations or localised heating (over 100°C
for a maximum of 6 hours) in the area
around the pretensioner may cause damage or
trigger them.This device is not affected by
vibrations caused by irregularities of the road
surface or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc .
Contact a Fiat Dealership for any assistance.
LOAD LIMITERS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To increase occupant safety in an accident, the front
and rear (for versions/markets where provided)
seat belt reels contain a load limiter which controls
the force acting on the chest and shoulders during
the restraining action of the belts in the event of
a head-on collision.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING
THE SEAT BELTS
The driver is responsible for respecting, and ensuring
that all the other occupants of the vehicle also
respect, the local laws in force in relation to the use
of the seat belts. Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off.
Seat belts are also to be worn by pregnant women:
the risk of injury in the case of impact is greatly
reduced for them and the unborn child if they are
wearing a seat belt. Pregnant women must positionthe lower part of the belt very low down so that it
passes over the pelvis and under the abdomen
(see fig. 107).
While pregnancy progresses, the driver must adjust
both seat and steering wheel to have full control
over the vehicle (pedals and steering wheel must be
easy to access). The maximum clearance should
be kept between the abdomen and the steering
wheel.
IMPORTANT The seat belt must not be twisted. The
upper part must pass over the shoulder and cross
the chest diagonally. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis (as shown in fig. 108) rather than the
abdomen of the passenger. Do not use devices (clips,
etc.) to hold the seat belt away from your body.
fig. 107F0T0003
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SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SRS) - AIRBAG
The vehicle may be equipped with:
front driver airbag;
front passenger airbag;
driver and passenger front side bags for pelvis,
chest and shoulder protection (Side bags).
The location of the airbags on the vehicle is marked
by the word "AIRBAG" in the middle of the steering
wheel, on the dashboard, on the side trim or on a
label placed next to the airbag deployment area.
FRONT AIRBAGS
The vehicle is fitted with front airbags for driver and
passenger (for versions/markets where provided).
The front driver/passenger airbags (for versions/
markets, where provided) are designed to protect
the front-seat occupants in the event of head-on
crashes of medium-high severity, by placing the bag
between the occupant and the steering wheel or
dashboard.
Therefore, non-activation in other types of collisions
(side collisions, rear shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not
a system malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the bag inflate in
the event of a frontal impact.
The bag will inflate instantaneously placing itself
between the front occupants body and the
structures which could cause injury. It will deflate
immediately afterwards.
Front driver/passenger airbags (for versions/markets,
where provided) are not a replacement for, but
rather a complement to, the seat belts, which should
be worn at all times as specified by law in Europe
and most non-European countries.
In the event of an impact, someone not wearing a
seat belt will move forward and come into contact
with the bag which is still in the opening stage.
The protection offered by the bag is compromised in
these circumstances.
Front airbags may not activate in the following
situations:
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frontal impacts against highly deformable objects
not involving the front surface of the vehicle (e.g.
wing collision against guard rail, etc.);
vehicle wedging under other vehicles or protective
barriers (e.g. trucks or guard rails);
Failure to activate in the conditions described above
is due to the fact that they may not provide any
additional protection compared with seat belts, so
their activation would be inappropriate. In these
cases, non-deployment does not indicate a system
malfunction.
WARNING
Do not apply stickers or other objects to
the steering wheel, the dashboard in
the passenger side airbag area and the seats.
Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the
passenger side of the dashboard since they
could interfere with correct inflation of the
passenger airbag and also cause serious injur y
to the passengers.
The driver's and passenger's front airbags have been
designed and calibrated to protect front seat
occupants wearing seat belts. At their maximum
inflation, their volume fills most of the space
between the steering wheel and the driver and
between the dashboard and the passenger.
The airbags are not deployed in the event of minor
frontal impacts (for which the restraining actionof the seat belts is sufficient). Seat belts must always
be worn. In the event of frontal impacts they
guarantee correct positioning of the passenger.
FRONT AIRBAG DRIVER'S SIDE
It consists of an instantly inflating bag contained in a
special recess in the centre of the steering wheel
fig. 118.
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This consists of an instantly inflating bag contained in
a special recess in the dashboard: fig. 119 this bag
has a larger volume than that of the driver.
fig. 118F0T0052
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IMPORTANT NOTES
The front airbags and/or side bags (for versions/
markets, where provided) may be deployed if the
vehicle is subject to heavy knocks or accidents
involving the underbody area, such as for example
violent shocks against steps, kerbs or low obstacles,
or the vehicle falling into big potholes or depressions
in the road.
A small amount of dust will be released when the
airbags are deployed. The dust is not harmful and
does not indicate the beginning of a fire.
Furthermore, the surface of the deployed bag and
the interior of the vehicle may be covered in a dusty
residue: this may irritate your skin and eyes. Wash
with mild soap and water in the event of exposure.
Should an accident occur in which any of the safety
devices are activated, take the vehicle to a Fiat
Dealership to have the activated devices replaced and
to have the whole system checked.
Every control, repair and replacement operation
concerning the airbags must be carried out only at
Fiat Dealerships.
If you are having the vehicle scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at a Fiat Dealership first. If the
vehicle changes ownership, the new owner must be
informed of the method of use of airbags and the
above warnings and also be given this "Owner's
Handbook".
Pretensioners, front airbags and front side bags are
deployed differently according to the type ofcollision. Failure to activate one or more of the
devices does not indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
There may be a fault in the retaining
systems if the warning light
does not
light up when the key is turn on or remains on
while travelling (on some versions with a
message on the display). In this case, the airbags
or the pretensioners may not be activated in
the case of an accident or (in a lesser number of
cases) they may be activated incorrectly.
Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have
the system checked.
WARNING
Always drive with your hands on the rim
of the steering wheel so that the airbag
can inflate freely if required. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep your back
straight against the backrest .
WARNING
In some versions, in case of a LED
failure (located on the plate of the
instrument panel), the
warning light on the
instrument panel turns on and the passenger
side airbags are deactivated.
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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.
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HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever fig. 124is 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:
slightly lift the handbrake and press release button
Afig. 124;
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.
fig. 124F0T0043
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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.
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.
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WARNING
The ABS with which the vehicle may be
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
therefore required on slippery roads.
WARNING
Never modify the braking system of the
vehicle to control the trailer brake.
The trailer braking system must be fully
independent from the hydraulic system of the
vehicle.
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in compliance with
local regulations.
Snow chains may be fitted only to the front wheel
tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the first few
metres have been driven.
Keep your speed down when snow chains
are fitted: do not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid
potholes, steps and pavements and also
avoid driving for long distances on roads not
covered with snow to avoid damaging the car and
the road surface.
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