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Checking Oil Level
WARNING!
• Never smoke while working in the engine
compartment: gas and inflammable va-
pors may be present, with the risk of fire.
• Be very careful when working in the
engine compartment when the engine is
hot: you may get burned. Do not get too
close to the radiator cooling fan: the
electric fan may start; danger of injury.
Scarves, ties and other loose clothing
might be pulled by moving parts.
CAUTION!
• Be careful not to confuse the various
types of fluids while topping up: they are
not compatible with each other! Topping
up with an unsuitable fluid could se-
verely damage your car.
• The oil level must never exceed the MAX
mark.
• Always top up using engine oil of the
same specifications as that already in
the engine.
CAUTION!
• If the engine oil is being topped up, wait
for the engine to cool down before loos-
ening the filler cap, particularly for ve-
hicles with aluminium cap (if equipped).
WARNING: risk of burns!
• Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase
will cause aeration or loss of oil pressure.
This could damage your engine.
To assure proper engine lubrication, the en-
gine oil must be maintained at the correct
level. Check the oil level at regular intervals,
such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five min-
utes after a fully warmed up engine is shut
off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level
ground will improve the accuracy of the oil
level readings.
There are three possible dipstick types,
• Crosshatched zone.
• Crosshatched zone marked SAFE.• Crosshatched zone marked with MIN at the
low end of the range and MAX at the high
end of the range.
• Crosshatched zone marked with dimples at
the MIN and the MAX ends of the range.
NOTE:
Always maintain the oil level within the cross-
hatch markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (1.0 liters) of oil when the
reading is at the low end of the dipstick range
will raise the oil level to the high end of the
range marking.
Adding Washer Fluid
The fluid reservoir is located in the front of
the engine compartment. Be sure to check
the fluid level in the reservoir at regular
intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze) and
operate the system for a few seconds to flush
out the residual washer fluid.
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, take
some washer fluid, apply it to a cloth or towel,
and wipe clean the wiper blades; this will
help blade performance.
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Page 249 of 362

Under normal operating conditions, the cata-
lytic converter will not require maintenance.
However, it is important to keep the engine
properly tuned to assure proper catalyst opera-
tion and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being
assessed against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly mal-
functioning engine operation, a scorching
odor may suggest severe and abnormal cata-
lyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the ve-
hicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufactur-
er's specifications, should be obtained imme-
diately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic con-
verter damage:
• Do not interrupt the ignition when the
transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the vehicle by pushing or
towing the vehicle.• Do not idle the engine with any ignition
components disconnected or removed,
such as when diagnostic testing, or for
prolonged periods during very rough idle or
malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
• You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam
from your radiator. If you see or hear
steam coming from under the hood, do
not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator or
coolant bottle is hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry
away from the radiator cooling fan when
the hood is raised. The fan starts auto-
matically and may start at any time,
whether the engine is running or not.
• When working near the radiator cooling
fan, turn the ignition to the OFF mode.
The fan is temperature controlled and
can start at any time the ignition is in the
ON mode.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection
every 12 months (before the onset of freezing
weather, where applicable). If the engine
coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or rusty in appear-
ance, the system should be drained, flushed
and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser
for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If
dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a
garden hose vertically down the face of the
condenser.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent
loss of engine coolant (antifreeze), and to
ensure that engine coolant (antifreeze) will
return to the radiator from the coolant expan-
sion bottle/recovery tank if so equipped.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if
there is any accumulation of foreign material
on the sealing surfaces.
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Carbon Monoxide Warnings
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is
deadly. Follow the precautions below to
prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
• Do not inhale exhaust gases. They con-
tain carbon monoxide, a colorless and
odorless gas, which can kill. Never run
the engine in a closed area, such as a
garage, and never sit in a parked vehicle
with the engine running for an extended
period. If the vehicle is stopped in an
open area with the engine running for
more than a short period, adjust the
ventilation system to force fresh, outside
air into the vehicle.
• Guard against carbon monoxide with
proper maintenance. Have the exhaust
system inspected every time the vehicle
is raised. Have any abnormal conditions
repaired promptly. Until repaired, drive
with all side windows fully open.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS —
DIESEL ENGINE
Diesel Engine
Use good quality diesel fuel from a reputable
supplier. If the outside temperature is very
low, the diesel fuel thickens due to the for-
mation of paraffin clots with consequent de-
fective operation of the fuel supply system.
In order to avoid these problems different
types of fuel are distributed according to the
season: summer type, winter type and arctic
type (cold/mountain areas). If fueling with
diesel fuel whose features are not suitable for
the temperature of use, it is advisable to mix
in a suitable additive with the fuel. With the
proportions shown on the container, pour the
additive in the tank before fueling.
When using or parking the vehicle for a long
time in the mountains or cold areas, it is
advisable to refuel using locally available
fuel. In this case, it is also advisable to keep
the tank over half full.This vehicle must only use premium diesel
fuel that meets the requirements of EN 590.
Biodiesel blends up to 7% that meet EN
590 may also be used.WARNING!
Do not use alcohol or gasoline as a fuel-
blending agent. They can be unstable un-
der certain conditions and hazardous or
explosive when mixed with diesel fuel.
Diesel fuel is seldom completely free of wa-
ter. To prevent fuel system trouble, drain the
accumulated water from the fuel/water sepa-
rator using the provided fuel/water separator
drain. If you buy good quality fuel and follow
the cold weather advice above, fuel condi-
tioners should not be required in your ve-
hicle. If available in your area, a high cetane
“premium” diesel fuel may offer improved
cold-starting and warm-up performance.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
272