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IGNITION DEVICE
OPERATION
The key can be turned to three different
positions fig. 4:
STOP: engine off, key can be
removed, steering column locked (with
key removed). Some electrical devices
(e.g. central door locking system, etc.)
are still available;
MAR: driving position. All electrical
devices are available;
AVV: engine starting.
The ignition device is fitted with a safety
system that requires the ignition key to
be turned back to STOP if the engine
does not start, before the starting
operation can be repeated.On versions with automatic
transmission (if present) the ignition key
can only be removed when the gear
lever is at P (Park).
2) 3)
STEERING LOCK
Activation
When the key is in the STOP position,
remove the key and turn the steering
wheel until it locks.
IMPORTANT If the ignition key has been
moved from the MAR to the STOP
position, the steering lock cannot
engage until the key is removed from
the ignition device.
Deactivation
Move the steering wheel slightly and
turn the key to MAR.
4) 5) 6) 7)
WARNING
2)If the ignition device has been tampered
with (e.g. an attempted theft), have it
checked by a Fiat Dealership before driving
again.
3)Always take the key with you when you
leave your vehicle to prevent someone
from accidentally operating the controls.
Remember to engage the parking brake.
Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.4)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,
invalidate the warranty, cause serious
safety problems and also result in the car
not meeting type-approval requirements.
5)Never extract the mechanical key while
the vehicle is moving. The steering wheel
will automatically lock as soon as it is
turned. This holds true for cars being
towed as well.
6)Before exiting the vehicle, ALWAYS
engage the parking brake, steer the
wheels, engage the first gear if uphill and
the reverse if downhill. On versions with
automatic transmission (where present),
bring the gear lever to P (Park) and turn the
ignition device to bring it to STOP. If the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope, chock
the wheels with wedges or stones. When
leaving the vehicle, always lock all the
doors by pressing the button on the key.
7)On versions with automatic transmission
(where present), it is advisable to put the
transmission in P, release the brake pedal
safely and then stop the engine to release
the key smoothly.
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Page 107 of 240

IMPORTANT
36)We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km, you do
not drive to full car performance (e.g.
excessive acceleration, long journeys at top
speed, sharp braking, etc.).
37)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR
position to prevent useless current
absorption from draining the battery.
38)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to turbocharged
engines.
39)Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be used
as normal, but a Fiat Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
PARKING THE
VEHICLE
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear 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 automatic
transmission, wait for the letter P to be
displayed before releasing the brake
pedal.
IMPORTANTNEVERleave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with automatic transmission,
before placing the gear lever at P).
109)
WARNING
109)Never leave children unattended in
the car. Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the car and take it
with you.
PARKING BRAKE
110) 111)
To engage the handbrake, pull lever 1
fig. 97 upwards until the car is secured.
The
warning light will come on in
the instrument panel.
To disengage it, raise lever 1 slightly,
hold down button 2 and lower the lever
1, checking that the warning light
on the instrument panel switches
off.
WARNING
110)Never leave children unattended in
the car. Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the car and take it
with you.
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IMPORTANT
41)Before moving the gear lever from
position P (Park), bring the ignition device
to position MAR and press the brake pedal.
Otherwise, the gear lever may get
damaged.
42)Engage reverse only with the car
stationary, engine at idling speed and
accelerator fully released.
STOP/START
SYSTEM
(where provided)
The Stop/Start system automatically
stops the engine each time the vehicle
is stationary and starts it again when
the driver wants to move off.
In this way, the vehicle efficiency is
increased, by reducing consumption,
dangerous gas emissions and sound
pollution.
116)
43)
OPERATING MODE
Stopping the engine
Versions with mechanical gearbox
With the vehicle stopped, the engine
stops with gearbox in neutral and clutch
pedal released.
Versions with automatic
transmission
With vehicle at a standstill and brake
pedal pressed, the engine switches off
if the gear lever is in a position other
than R.
The system does not operate when the
gear lever is in R, for making parking
manoeuvres easier.In the event of stops uphill, engine
switching off is disabled to make the
"Hill Hold Control" function available
(works only with running engine).
NOTE the engine can only be
automatically stopped after exceeding a
speed of 10 km/h.
The
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on to signal that the
engine was stopped.
Restarting the engine
Versions with mechanical gearbox
To restart the engine, press the clutch
pedal or the accelerator pedal.
If the vehicle does not start when the
clutch is pressed, place the gear lever
in neutral and repeat the procedure. If
the problem persists, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
Versions with automatic
transmission
To restart the engine, release the brake
pedal.
With brake pressed, if the gear lever is
in automatic mode - D (Drive) - the
engine can be restarted by moving the
lever to R (Reverse) or "AutoStick".
With brake pressed, if the gear lever is
in "AutoStick" mode, the engine can be
restarted by moving the lever to R
(Reverse).
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WARNING
145)If, after an impact, you smell fuel or
notice leaks from the fuel system, do not
reactivate the system to avoid the risk of
fire.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
Lever release
In the event of a fault, to move the gear
lever from P (Park), proceed as follows:
stop the engine;
engage the parking brake;
working carefully in the point
indicated by the arrow, remove the gear
lever gaiter 1 fig. 152 (also see
fig. 153 );
fully depress the brake pedal and
hold it down;
insert the screwdriver supplied
perpendicularly in hole 2 fig. 154 and
adjust the release lever;
place the gear lever in N (Neutral)
position;
refit the gear lever gaiter correctly;
start the engine.
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