To add coolant
The cooling system is a closed system
and normally the loss of coolant should
be very slight. A noticeable drop in the
coolant level could indicate leakage. If
this occurs, we recommend you to
have the system checked as soon as
possible. If the level should drop below
the “L” (LOW) level on the reserve tank,
open the lid and add coolant.
Also, if the reserve tank is completely
empty, remove the radiator cap (B) and
add coolant until the level reaches the
filler neck.
377) 378)
Anti-freeze
The engine coolant contains an
ethylene glycol anti-corrosion agent.
Some parts of the engine are cast
aluminium alloy, and periodic changing
of the engine coolant is necessary to
prevent corrosion of these parts.
Use the recommended coolant by Fiat
or equivalent (similar high quality
ethylene glycol based non-silicate,
non-amine, nonnitrate and nonborate
coolant with long life hybrid organic
acid technology).
Fiat genuine coolant has excellent
protection against corrosion and rust
formation of all metals including
aluminium and can avoid blockages in
the radiator, heater, cylinder head,
engine block, etc.Because of the necessity of this
anti-corrosion agent, the coolant must
not be replaced with plain water even in
summer. The required concentration of
anti-freeze differs depending on the
expected ambient temperature.
Above -35 °C: 50 % concentration of
antifreeze
Below -35 °C: 60 % concentration of
antifreeze
183) 184) 185) 186) 187)
During cold weather
If the temperatures in your area drop
below freezing, there is the danger that
the coolant in the engine or radiator
could freeze and cause severe damage
to the engine and/or radiator. Add a
sufficient amount of antifreeze to the
coolant to prevent it from freezing.
The concentration should be checked
before the start of cold weather and
anti-freeze added to the system if
necessary.
WARNING
377)The used engine oil and the filter that
has been replaced contain substances that
are harmful to the environment. To change
the oil and filters, we advise you to contact
a Fiat Dealership.
378)Do not open the radiator cap (B) while
the engine is hot. The coolant system is
under pressure and any hot coolant
escaping could cause severe burns.
IMPORTANT
183)Do not use alcohol or methanol
anti-freeze or any engine coolants mixed
with alcohol or methanol anti-freeze. The
use of an improper anti-freeze can cause
corrosion of the aluminium components.
184)Concentrations exceeding 60 % will
result in a reduction of both the anti-freeze
and cooling performance thus adversely
affecting the engine.
185)Do not top up with water only.
186)PARAFLU UP anti-freeze is used in
the engine cooling system. Use fluid of the
same type as that contained in the cooling
system for any top-ups. PARAFLU UP
cannot be mixed with any other type of
fluid. If this happens, do not start the
engine under any circumstances and
contact a Fiat Dealership.
187)Do not use water to adjust the
concentration of coolant.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Doing so could cause stains or damage
the finish.
Cleaning plastic parts
Use a sponge or chamois leather. If a
car wax adheres on a grey or black
rough surface of the bumper, moulding
or lamps, the surface becomes white.
In such a case, wipe it off using
lukewarm water and soft cloth or
chamois leather.
212) 213)
Chrome parts
In order to prevent spots and corrosion
of chrome parts, wash with water, dry
thoroughly, and apply a special
protective coating. This should be done
more frequently in winter.
Aluminium wheels (if so equipped)
Remove dirt using a sponge while
sprinkling water on the wheel.Use
neutral detergent on any dirt that
cannot be removed easily with
water. Rinse off the neutral
detergent after washing the
wheel.Dry the wheel thoroughly
using a chamois leather or a soft
cloth.
214) 215) 216) 217)
Window glass
The window glass can normally be
cleaned using only a sponge and water.
Glass cleaner can be used to removeoil, grease, insect carcasses, etc. After
washing the glass, wipe it dry with a
clean, dry, soft cloth. Never use a cloth
that is used for cleaning a painted
surface to clean a window. Wax from
the painted surface could get on the
glass and lower glass transparency and
visibility.
NOTE To clean the inside of the rear
window, always use a soft cloth and
wipe the window glass along the
demister heater element so as not to
cause damage.
Wiper blades
Use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to
remove grease, insect carcasses, etc.,
from the wiper blades. Replace the
wiper blades when they no longer wipe
properly.
Engine compartment
Clean the engine compartment at the
beginning and end of winter. Pay
particular attention to flanges, crevices
and peripheral parts where dust
containing road chemicals and other
corrosive materials might collect.
If salt and other chemicals are used on
the roads in your area, clean the engine
compartment at least every three
months.
Never spray or splash water on the
electrical components in the engine
compartment, as this may cause
damage.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.
Versions with tonneau cover
Hand washing is recommended for the
tonneau cover; modern automatic
washing systems equipped with soft
brushes which do not apply excessive
pressure with specific products may be
used.
Never use high-pressure washing
systems. If a water jet is used, direct
away from the edges of the fabric and
the rear window to prevent water
infiltration.
Versions with stickers or wrapping
To correctly clean and wash the stickers
and/or wrapping parts, proceed as
follows:
Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Then,
wash the vehicle, only by hand, using
pH-neutral detergents; dry it with a wet
chamois leather. Abrasive products
and/or polishes should not be used for
cleaning the vehicle.
If high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the vehicle, hold at least
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
40 cm away from the bodywork to
avoid damage or alteration. It should be
remembered that the build up of water
can damage the car over a period of
time.
Wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water.
Use a sponge to wipe a slightly
soapy solution over the bodywork,
frequently rinsing the sponge.
Rinse with plenty of water and dry
with a jet of air or a chamois leather. Dry
the less visible parts with special care,
such as the door frames, bonnet and
the headlight frames, where water may
stagnate more easily. The car should
not be taken to a closed area
immediately, but left outside so that
residual water can evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been
parked in the sun.
Exterior plastic parts must be
cleaned in the same way as the rest of
the vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under
trees: the resinous substances that
many species release give the paint a
dull appearance and increase the
possibility of triggering rusting
processes.NOTE Any stains (caused by water) on
the stickers or wrapping can be
removed by dampening the area again
and drying it with a soft, nonabrasive
cloth.
NOTE Bird droppings must be washed
off immediately and thoroughly as the
acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.
NOTE Avoid (if at all possible) parking
the car under trees; remove vegetable
resins immediately as, when dried, it
may only be possible to remove them
with abrasive products and/or polishes,
which is highly inadvisable as they
could alter the paint, the stickers or the
wrapping.
IMPORTANT
202)Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Wash the
vehicle only by hand using neutral pH
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois
leather. Abrasive products and/or polishes
should not be used for cleaning the car.
Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
Avoid (if at all possible) parking the vehicle
under trees; remove vegetable resins
immediately as, when dried, it may only be
possible to remove them with abrasive
products and/or polishes, which is highly
inadvisable as they could alter the typical
opaqueness of the paint. Do not use pure
windscreen washer fluid for cleaning the
front windscreen and rear window; dilute it
min. 50% with water. Only use pure screen
washer fluid when strictly necessary due to
outside temperature conditions.
203)When washing the under side of your
vehicle or wheel, be careful not to injure
your hands.
204)If your vehicle is equipped with the
rear gate spoiler, consult a car wash
operator before using the car wash.
205)If your vehicle has rain sensor wipers,
place the wiper switch lever in the “OFF”
position to deactivate the rain sensor
before washing the vehicle. Otherwise, the
wipers will operate in the presence of water
spray on the windscreen and may get
damaged as a result.
269
206)Refrain from excessively using a car
wash as its brushes may scratch the paint
surface, causing it to lose its gloss.
Scratches will be especially visible on
darker coloured vehicles.
207)Never spray or splash water on the
electrical components in the engine
compartment. Doing so could have an
adverse effect on the engine startability.
Exercise caution also when washing the
underbody; be careful not to spray water
into the engine compartment.
208)Some types of hot water washing
equipment apply high pressure and heat to
the vehicle. They may cause heat distortion
and damage to the vehicle resin parts and
may result in flooding of the vehicle interior.
Therefore maintain a good distance of
approx. 70 cm or more between the vehicle
body and the washing nozzle. Also, when
washing around the door glass, hold the
nozzle at a distance of more than 70 cm
and at right angles to the glass surface.
209)After washing the vehicle, drive the
vehicle slowly while lightly depressing the
brake pedal several times in order to dry
out the brakes. Leaving the brakes wet
could result in reduced braking
performance. Also, there is a possibility that
they could freeze up or become inoperative
due to rust, rendering the vehicle unable to
move.210)Using an automatic car wash, pay
attention to the following items, referring to
the operation manual or consulting a car
wash operator. If the following procedure is
not followed, it could result in damage to
your vehicle: 1 – the outside rear view
mirrors are retracted.2–Ifyour vehicle is
equipped with the pillar antenna, it can be
retracted. If your vehicle is equipped with
the roof antenna, it can be removed. 3 –
The wiper arms are secured in place with
tape.4–Ifyour vehicle has rain sensor
wipers, place the wiper switch lever in the
“OFF” position to deactivate the rain
sensor.
211)Waxes containing high abrasive
compounds should not be used.
212)Do not use a scrubbing brush or other
hard tools as they may damage the plastic
part surface.
213)Do not bring the plastic parts into
contact with petrol, light oil, brake fluids,
engine oils, greases, paint thinners and
sulphuric acid (battery electrolyte) which
may crack, stain or discolour the plastic
parts. If they touch the plastic parts, wipe
them off with soft cloth, chamois or the like
and an aqueous solution of neutral
detergent then immediately rinse the
affected parts with water.
214)Do not use a brush or other hard
implement on the wheels. Doing so could
scratch the wheels.
215)Do not use any cleaner that contains
an abrasive substance or is acidic or
alkaline. Doing so could cause the coating
on the wheels to peel or become
discoloured or stained.
216)Do not directly apply hot water using a
steam cleaner or by any other means.217)Contact with seawater and road
deicer can cause corrosion. Rinse off such
substances as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT
6)Detergents pollute the environment. Only
wash your vehicle in areas equipped to
collect and treat waste water from this type
of activity.
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