
187
(Continued)
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE
CARGO AREA.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm
your pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown
about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in a colli-
sion.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat (if
equipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that
are secured by seat belts.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically,
checking for cuts, frays, and loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immedi -
ately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision. Rear seat belt assemblies
must be replaced after a collision if they have
been damaged (i.e., bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc.). If there is any question
regarding seat belt or retractor condition,
replace the seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning light will turn on for
four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the
ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN. If the
light is either not on during starting, stays on,
or turns on while driving, have the system
inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as
possible. After the bulb check, this light will
illuminate with a single chime when a fault
with the Air Bag System has been detected. It
will stay on until the fault is removed. If the
light comes on intermittently or remains on
while driving, have an authorized dealer
service the vehicle immediately
Ú
page 159.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode
and place the blower control on high speed.
You should be able to feel the air directed
against the windshield. See an authorized
dealer for service if your defroster is inoper -
able.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. Only use a floor mat that does not
interfere with the operation of the accelerator,
brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor mat
that is securely attached using the floor mat
fasteners so it cannot slip out of position and
interfere with the accelerator, brake or clutch
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle
in other ways.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury or
death.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of
your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly. WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat
fasteners may cause your floor mat to
interfere with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals and cause a loss of vehicle control. To
prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
ALWAYS securely attach your floor mat
using the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT
install your floor mat upside down or turn
your floor mat over. Lightly pull to confirm
mat is secured using the floor mat
fasteners on a regular basis.
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253
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door frames,
hood, headlight frames, etc.) with special care,
as water may stagnate more easily in these
areas. Do not wash the car after it has been
left in the sun or with the hood hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the
same way as the rest of the vehicle.
If washing the car in a service that moves the
car, for cars with automatic transmissions,
PARK (P) must be cut out. You have to shut off
the engine in the following conditions: car
stopped, transmission in NEUTRAL (N), push
the starter button for at least three seconds.
NOTE:
Avoid parking under trees; the resin dropped
by trees makes the paintwork go opaque and
increases the possibility of corrosion.
Windows
Use specific detergents and clean cloths to
prevent scratching or altering the transpar -
ency. Front Headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and detergent
for washing cars.
NOTE:
Never use aromatic substances (e.g. gaso -
line) or ketones (e.g. acetone) for cleaning
the plastic lenses of the headlights.
When cleaning with a pressure washer,
keep the pressure washer at least eight
inches (20 cm) away from the headlights.
Engine Compartment
At the end of every Winter, wash the engine
compartment thoroughly, taking care not to
aim the jet of water directly at the electronic
control units or at the windshield wiper
motors. Have this operation performed at a
specialized workshop. For further information
Ú
page 215.
NOTE:
The washing should take place with the engine
cold and the ignition device in the STOP posi -
tion. After the washing operation, make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and guards) have not been removed or
damaged.
INTERIORS
Periodically check the cleanliness of the inte -
rior, beneath the mats, which could cause
oxidation of the sheet metal.
Seats And Fabric Parts
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacuum
cleaner. Rub the seats with a sponge moist -
ened with a solution of water and neutral
detergent.
Cleaning heat press images on seats — if
equipped:
Due to the color, opacity and wear-resistant
protection with which the heat press images
on some seats are made, they may be subject
to temporary scratching if they are touched by
finger nails, keys, or other hard objects. In
such cases, the visible signs do not impair the
profiled images, and can easily be removed by
wiping the affected area with a microfiber
cloth moistened with water (not dry) to restore
the seat to its original condition. The micro -
fiber cloth must not have been previously
soaked in other substances or detergents.
CAUTION!
Wipe the rear window inside gently with a
cloth following the direction of the filaments
to avoid damaging the heating device.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
254
Leather Seats
Remove the dry dirt with a chamois or slightly
damp cloth, without exerting too much pres-
sure.
Remove any liquid or grease stains using an
absorbent dry cloth, without rubbing. Then
clean with a soft cloth or buckskin cloth damp -
ened with water and mild soap. If the stain
persists, use specific products and observe
the instructions carefully.
NOTE:
Never use alcohol. Make sure that the
cleaning products used contain no alcohol or
alcohol derivatives, even in small quantities.
Plastic And Coated Parts
Clean interior plastic parts with a damp cloth
(if possible made from microfiber), and a solu -
tion of water and neutral, non-abrasive deter -
gent.
To clean oily or persistent stains, use specific
products free from solvents and designed to
maintain the original appearance and color of
the components.
Remove any dust using a microfiber cloth, if
necessary moistened with water. The use of
paper tissues is not recommended as these
may leave residues.
Alcantara Parts — If Equipped
Alcantara parts maintenance procedure:
Treat the surface with a microfiber cloth
moistened with mild marseille soap and
water, taking care to apply a uniform light
pressure over the entire area (do not rub
vigorously).
Rinse and wring out the microfiber cloth,
and pass it over the entire area again.
Let it dry, and then brush gently with a soft
brush.
Genuine Leather Surfaces — If Equipped
Use only water and mild soap to clean these
parts. Never use alcohol or alcohol-based
products.
Before using a specific product for cleaning
interiors, make sure that it does not contain
alcohol and/or alcohol based substances.
Carbon Fiber Parts
To eliminate small scratches and marks on the
carbon, contact an authorized dealer. An
improperly performed operation may irrepa -
rably damage the carbon.
CAUTION!
Do not use “hard” synthetic brushes as
they can damage the fabric.
Do not clean small areas because it could
cause “aesthetic” differences between
treated and untreated areas.
Do not use alcohol or acetone-based
solvents.
21_GA_OM_EN_USC_t.book Page 254