SUPPLEMENTARY
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) - AIRBAG
The vehicle may be equipped with:
driver front airbag;
front passenger airbag;
passenger chest-pelvis side bag.
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
lining 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 frontal
impacts 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:
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.
78)
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.
84
SAFETY
The airbags are not deployed in the
event of minor frontal impacts (for
which the restraining action of the seat
belts is sufficient). Seat belts must
always be worn. In the event of a frontal
collision, they ensure the correct
positioning of the occupant.
FRONT AIRBAG DRIVER'S
SIDE
It consists of an instantly inflating bag
contained in a special recess at the
centre of the steering wheel fig. 96.
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. 97 which has a larger
volume than that of the driver.
79)
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE
AIRBAG AND CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Rearward-facing child restraint systems
must NEVER be fitted on the front
seat with an active passenger's airbag
since in the event of an impact the
airbag activation may cause fatal
injuries to the transported child.
ALWAYScomply with the instructions
on the label fig. 98 stuck on the
passenger side sun visor.Manual deactivation of
front passenger airbag
and chest-pelvis side
bag
(for versions/markets, where provided)
If a child must necessarily be carried on
the front seat in a rear-facing child
restraint system, the front passenger
airbag and chest-pelvis side bag (for
versions/markets, where provided) can
be deactivated.
IMPORTANT To manually deactivate the
front passenger airbag and chest-pelvis
side bag (for versions/markets where
provided), refer to the "Display"
paragraph in the "Knowing the
instrument panel" chapter.
When the passenger front airbag and
chest-pelvis side bag (for versions/
markets where provided) are activated
again, the warning light switches off.
The warning light
on the central
dashboard fig. 99 shows the passenger
protection status.
When the vehicle is started (key in MAR
position), the warning light turns on
for approx. 8 seconds, provided that at
least 5 seconds have elapsed from
the previous switching off. If not,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
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85
WARNING
78)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 injury to the passengers.
79)SERIOUS DANGER: When there is an
active passenger airbag, DO NOT install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front seat. Deployment of the airbag
in a crash could cause fatal injuries to the
child regardless of the severity of the
collision. Therefore, always deactivate the
passenger side airbag when a rearward
facing child restraint system is installed on
the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned
back as far as possible in order to prevent
the child restraint system from coming
into contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the passenger
airbag as soon as the child restraint system
has been removed.
SIDE BAGS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
On some versions, the vehicle may
be fitted with driver and passenger
chest-pelvis protection side bags.
Side bags protect occupants from side
collisions of medium/high severity by
placing the bag between the occupant
and the internal parts of the side
structure of the vehicle.
Non-activation of side bags in other
types of collisions (front collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is not a system
malfunction.
An electronic control unit causes the
bags to inflate in the event of a side-on
collision. The bags inflate
instantaneously, placing themselves
between the occupant's body and the
structures which could cause injury.
They deflate immediately afterwards.
Side bags are not a replacement of, but
rather a complement to, seat belts,
which you are recommended to wear at
all times, as specified by law in Europe
and most non-European countries.
For this reason, the seat belt must be
worn at all times. In the case of side
collisions, the seat belts hold the
occupant in the correct position and
prevent them from being thrown out of
the car by a very violent collision.SIDE BAGS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
It consists of an instantly inflating bag
housed in the front seat backrest fig.
101. It protects the chest and the pelvis
of the occupants in the event of side
collisions of medium-high severity.
IMPORTANT In the event of a
side crash, the system provides best
protection if the passenger sits on
the seat in a correct position,
thus allowing correct side bag
deployment.
IMPORTANT Do not wash the seats
with water or pressurised steam (wash
by hand or at automatic seat washing
stations).
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88
SAFETY
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
Handbook".
Pretensioners, front airbags and front
side bags are deployed differently
according to the type of collision.
Failure to activate one or more of the
devices does not indicate a system
malfunction.
80) 81) 82) 83) 84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89)
WARNING
80)There may be an anomaly in the
restraint systems if the warning light
does not light up when the key is turn
to MAR or remains on while driving (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.
81)Always drive with your hands on the
rim of the steering wheel so that the airbag
can inflate freely if required. Do not drive
bent over the steering wheel, but rather sit
upright with your back firmly resting against
the seat back.82)In some versions, in the event of a LED
failure (located on the dashboard
panel), thewarning light on the
instrument panel turns on and the
passenger side airbags are deactivated.
83)On cars with side bags, do not cover
the front seat backrests with extra covers.
84)Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
85)If the ignition device is at MAR, even if
the engine is switched off, airbags may
be deployed when the vehicle is stationary
and hit by another vehicle. Therefore,
even if the car is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT
install rear facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag following an impact could cause
fatal injuries to the child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger side airbag
when a rearward facing child restraint
system is installed on the front passenger
seat. The front passenger seat must also
be positioned back as far as possible in
order to prevent the child restraint system
from coming into contact with the
dashboard. Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the child
restraint system has been removed. Also
remember that, if the ignition device is
set to STOP, none of the safety devices
(airbags or pretensioners) will be deployed
in the event of collision. Non-deployment
in such cases does not indicate a system
malfunction.
89
WARNING
90)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine consumes
oxygen and engine exhaust contains
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and
other toxic gasses.
91)Remember that the brake servo and
electrical power steering system are not
operational until the engine is started,
therefore a greater effort will be required to
press the brake pedal or turn the steering
wheel.
WARNING
22)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.
23)When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR-ON to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
24)If the warning light
flashes for 60
seconds after starting or during an
extended towing period, this indicates a
problem in the glow plug preheating
system. Use the vehicle normally if the
engine starts, but contact a Fiat Dealership
as soon as possible.25)There must therefore always be
enough petrol in the tank to protect the
petrol pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from methane to petrol
operation, if high performance is required.
26)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 a buzzer.
27)Never, under any circumstances, jump
start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
28)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.
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever fig. 102 is located
between the two front seats.
Handbrake engagement:
Pull lever upwards until the vehicle is
secured. The warning light
comes
on with the key at MAR.
Handbrake disengagement:
slightly raise lever A and hold button B
pressed, checking that the
warning
light switches off in the instrument
panel.
92) 93) 94)
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93
PROTECTED DEVICE - fig. 165 FUSE AMPERE
Cigar lighter/Passenger compartment power socket F94 15
AvailableF95 -
Cigar lighter/Passenger compartment power socket F96 15
Front seat heater (driver side) F97 10
Front seat heater (passenger side) F98 10
WARNING
122)If the replaced fuse blows again, contact a Fiat Dealership.
123)Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF FIRE.
124)If a general protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-FUSE) is activated, contact a Fiat Dealership.
125)Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition key has been removed and that all the other services are switched off and/or
disengaged.
126)Contact Fiat Dealership if a safety system (airbags, brakes), engine system (engine, gearbox) or steering system general protection fuse
blows.
WARNING
38)Never replace a fuse with metal wires or other material.
39)If you need to clean the engine compartment, take care not to directly hit the fuse box with the water jet.
126
IN AN EMERGENCY
JUMP STARTING
If the warning lightremains on
continuously on the instrument panel,
contact the Fiat Dealership immediately.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, it is possible to start
the engine using an auxiliary battery
with the same capacity or a little higher
than the flat one.
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle
fig. 166:
connect the positive terminals (+
mark near the terminal) of the two
batteries using a suitable lead;
with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (-) of the auxiliary
battery to an earthing point
on the
engine or the gearbox of the vehicle to
be started;
start the engine;
when the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the order
above.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not persist but contact
the nearest Fiat Dealership.
127)
40)
IMPORTANT Do not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two
batteries: sparks could ignite explosive
gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another
vehicle, avoid any metal parts on the
latter and the vehicle with the flat
battery from accidentally coming into
contact.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving downhill.
This could cause fuel to flow into the
catalytic converter and damage it
beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake
booster and the power steering system
are not active until the engine is started,
so you will need to apply much more
force to the brake pedal or steering
wheel.
WARNING
127)This starting procedure must be
performed by expert personnel because
incorrect actions could cause electrical
discharge of considerable intensity.
Furthermore, battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery and do
not cause sparks.
WARNING
40)Never use a fast battery-charger to
start the engine as this could damage the
electronic systems of your vehicle,
particularly the ignition and engine fuel
supply control units.
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127
Versions with COMFORT-MATIC
transmission
Make sure that the gearbox is in neutral
(N) (checking that the vehicle moves
when pushed) and proceed in the same
way as for towing a normal vehicle
with a manual transmission.
If the gear lever cannot be put in
neutral, do not tow the vehicle, but
contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
129)Before towing, turn the ignition key to
MAR-ON and then to STOP without
removing it. The steering column
will automatically lock when the key is
removed and the wheels cannot be
steered.
130)Before tightening the hook clean the
threaded housing thoroughly. Before
towing the vehicle, make sure that the tow
ring is fully tightened in its appropriate
housing.131)Do not start the engine whilst the
vehicle is being towed.
132)Remember that the brake booster will
not work while the vehicle is being towed
and that more pressure must be applied to
the pedal. Do not use flexible cables when
towing and avoid jerky movements. During
towing operations, make sure that the
fastened joint does not damage adjoining
components. When towing the vehicle, it is
necessary to obey specific road regulations
which relate both to the towing device as
well as to the behaviour to adopt on the
road. Do not start the engine whilst the
vehicle is being towed.
WARNING
41)The front and rear tow hooks should
be used only for emergencies on the road.
You are allowed to tow the vehicle for
short distances using an appropriate
device in accordance with the highway
code (a rigid bar), to move the vehicle on
the road in readiness for towing or
transport via a tow truck. Tow hooks
MUST NOT be used to tow vehicles off the
road or where there are obstacles and/or
for towing operations using cables or other
non-rigid devices. In compliance with the
above conditions, towing must take place
with the two vehicles (one towing, the
other towed) aligned as much as possible
along the same centre line.
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