FIAT PALIO 2003 178 / 1.G India Version Owners Manual

The jack, with which the
car is equipped, is pre-
scribed only when the
wheel must be replaced. For ex-
igencies different from this latter,
the lifting of the car must re-
spect particular modalities.
Therefore, we recommend you
to perform the operation at Fiat
Dealership.
110fig. 1 - Versions 1.2
P4E02275CHECKING
FLUID LEVELS
1.Engine oil - 2.Battery -3. Brake-
clutch fluid -
4.Windscreen/rear mir-
ror washer fluid -
5. Engine coolant -
6.Power steering fluid.
Pay attention, during
refilling operations, not to
confuse the different
types of fluids: they are all in-
compatible and the car could be
seriously damaged if there is
wrong usage.
Pay attention to scarves,
ties and clothes which are
not tight: they could get
entangled in the moving parts.Never smoke during the
interventions in the en-
gine compartment: flam-
mable gas and vapours could be
present, with the risk of a fire.
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111
fig. 3 - 1.9 D versions
P4E02674
1.Engine oil- 2.Battery -3.Brake-
clutch fluid -
4.Windscreen/rear mir-
ror washer fluid -
5. Engine coolant -
6.Power steering fluid.
fig. 2 - Versions 1.6
P4E02276
1.Engine oil- 2.Battery -3.Brake-
clutch fluid -
4.Windscreen/rear mir-
ror washer fluid -
5. Engine coolant -
6.Power steering fluid
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112
ENGINE OIL
Fig. 4
: versions 1.2
Fig. 5: versions 1.6
Fig. 6: versions 1.9 D
Check the oil level with the car
parked on level ground and with the
engine still hot (about 10 minutes af-
ter having stopped the engine).
The oil level must be between the
MINIMUMand MAXIMUMmarks
on the control dipstick. The space be-
tween
MINand MAXcorresponds
to roughly one litre of oil.
IMPORTANT Check the level and
replace the engine oil respecting the
frequency indicated in the “Scheduled
Servicing Plan” and “Additional Inter-
vention”.
If the oil level is close to or even be-
low the
MIN mark, add oil through
the filler hole until the level reaches
the
MAXmark. The oil level must
never exceed the
MAX line.
IMPORTANTAfter adding or
changing the oil, let the engine run for
a few seconds then wait a few minutes
after you have turned it off before
checking the level.
IMPORTANT If the level of the en-
gine oil, when checked, is found to be
over the
MAXmark, go to a Fiat
Dealership
to have it put right.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
When the car is new, the engine
needs to run in, therefore the engine
oil consumption can only be consid-
ered stabilised after the first 5000 -
6000 km.
IMPORTANTOil consumption
depends on the driving style and the
conditions of use.
fig. 5
P4E01435
fig. 4
P4E01477
fig. 6 - 1.9 D versions
P4E02327
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113
ENGINE COOLANT TANK
Fig. 7
: Petrol versions
Fig. 8: Diesel versionsIf the level is low, pour a 70:30 mix-
ture of distilled water and
PARAFLU11produced by the FL
Group
slowly through the filler hole.
fig. 7 - petrol versions
P4E02290
Do not take the cap of
the reservoir off when the
engine is very hot as you
run the risk of scalding yourself.
The coolant level must be checked
while the engine is cold and must be
above the
MIN mark visible on the
reservoir.
Do not add oil with dif-
ferent specifications from
the oil already in the en-
gine.
Used engine oil an re-
placed oil filters contain
substances which can
harm the environment. We rec-
ommend you have the car seen
to at a Fiat Dealership for the oil
and filter change. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally
-friendly way that complies with
the law.
When the engine is hot
be very careful under the
bonnet: you risk burning
yourself. Remember that when
the engine is hot, the fan may cut
in and cause injuries.
The cooling system is
under pressure. When
changing the cap, use on-
ly genuine spare parts to avoid
damaging the system.
fig. 8 - diesel versions
P4E02675
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114
WINDSCREEN/
REAR WINDOW WASHER
FLUID fig. 9
To add fluid, remove the cap and
pour a mixture of water and 10% of
DPI fluid.
IMPORTANT Do not travel with
the window washer reservoir empty:
the use of the windscreen washer is
fundamental for improving visibility.
fig. 9
P4E01438
fig. 10
P4E01439
Some windscreen wash-
er additives are inflam-
mable. The fluid could ig-
nite if it comes into contact with
parts in the engine compart-
ment.
A dipstick fig. 10 indicates the
amount of fluid in the washer reser-
voir.
When the fluid is fin-
ished, do not operate the
windscreen washer in or-
der to avoid damaging the pump
motor.
fig. 11
P4E02073
POWER STEERING FLUID
Fig. 11:
1.2 version
Fig. 12: 1.6 16v - 1.9 D version
Check that the level is between the
MINand MAXmarks on the reser-
voir or in correspondence of the up-
per mark (max level) on the dipstick
integral with the reservoir plug, with
the car parked on flat ground and the
engine cold.
When the fluid is hot the level may
rise over the
MAX mark.
If necessary, top up ensuring that the
fluid has the same specifications as that
in the reservoir.
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115
Avoid that the highly
corrosive brake fluid drips
onto the paintwork. If it
does, wash immediately with wa-
ter.
fig. 13
P4E02074
With the engine run-
ning, do not push, at the
end of the power steering
stroke, for more than 15 con-
secutive seconds: noises are pro-
duced and the system could be
damaged.
The power steering flu-
id consumption is very
low; if it needs topping up
at short intervals, have the sys-
tem checked for leaks at a Fiat
Dealership.Make sure the power
steering fluid does not
come into contact with
the hot parts of the engine: it is
inflammable.
BRAKE-CLUTCH FLUID
fig. 13
A:
versions 1.2
B: versions 1.6 & 1.9 D
Periodically, check he warning lights
on the instrument panel: when you
press the reservoir cover (with igni-
tion key at
MAR) warning light
x
should come on.
Brake fluid is poisonous
and very corrosive. In the
event of accidental con-
tact, wash the affected part with
neutral soap and water, then
rinse in plenty of water. If the flu-
id is swallowed, call doctor im-
mediately.
If you need to top up, use only the
type classified DOT4. We advise the
use of
TOP4, with which the braking
system was originally filled.
The fluid level in the reservoir must
not exceed the
MAX mark.
fig. 12
P4E01817
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116
AIR CLEANER
REPLACEMENT fig. 14
Release the clips A, remove the cov-
er
Band remove the filtering element
C.
fig. 14
P4E01442
The symbol π, present
on the container, indi-
cates synthetic brake flu-
ids distinguishing it from mineral
fluid. Using mineral type fluid
would damage the special rubber
braking system gasket beyond re-
pair.
Do not clean the filter-
ing element. You could
damage it and conse-
quently severely damage the en-
gine.
Replace the cleaner
more frequently than
shown in the Service
Schedule if the car is frequently
used on dusty roads. IMPORTANT
Brake fluid is hy-
groscopic (meaning it absorbs humid-
ity). This is why, the fluid should be
changed more frequently than shown
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan if the
car is mainly driven in areas with high
percentage of humidity in the air.
fig. 15 - 1.9 D versions
P4E02329
DIESEL FILTER
DRAINING THE
CONDENSATE
Drain the condense from the filter
every 5,000 km.
Loosen ring nut
A-fig. 15of some
turns and retighten it when fuel comes
out free from water.
You are however advised to have this
operation performed at a
Fiat deal-
ership.
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117
BATTERY
The Fiat Palio battery is of the “lim-
ited maintenance” type: under normal
conditions it will not need to be
topped up with distilled water.
The level of the battery fluid(elec-
trolyte) should be between the two
marks on the battery when the car is
parked on level ground. If the level is
under the
MIN-fig. 16 line, have the
car seen to at a
Fiat Dealership.
See the section “In an emergency”
for instructions on how to recharge
the battery.
The liquid in the battery
is poisonous and corro-
sive. do not let it touch
the skin or eyes. Do not bring
naked flames or possible sources
of sparks near the battery: risk of
fire and explosion.
Working on low fluid
can damage the battery
beyond repair and lead to
the casing cracking and spilling
the acid it contains.
When you have to oper-
ate on the battery or near
it, always protect your
eyes with adequate glasses.
fig. 16
P4E01443
Batteries contain sub-
stances very dangerous for
the environment. We rec-
comend you have the car seen to
at a Fiat Dealership for the bat-
tery replacement. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally
-friendly way that complies with
the law.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car.
If the car will stand for a
long time in the cold, re-
move the battery and
store it in a warm place to avoid
it freezing.
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118
The total intake of these systems
(factory and after-market) must be less
than 0,6 mA x Ah (of the battery), as
shown in the following table:
Battery Maximum permissiblestand-by intake
50Ah 30 mA
Furthermore, remember that high in-
take electric devices (such as baby bot-
tle warmer, vacuum cleaners, cellular
phones, mini-fridges, etc.) powered
when the engine is off can deploy the
battery.
IMPORTANTIf you need to fit ad-
ditional systems in the car, remember
that improper wiring connections, in
particular if they affect safety devices,
are dangerous.
USEFUL ADVICE
FOR LENGTHENING
THE LIFE
OF YOUR BATTERY
When you park the car, ensure the
doors, boot and bonnet are closed
properly. The courtesy light must be
off.
Do not keep accessories (e.g. sound
system, hazard lights, etc.) switched on
for a long time when the engine is not
running.
IMPORTANTA battery which is
kept at a charge of less than 50% for
any length of time will be damaged by
sulphation leading to a reduction in
cranking power and a higher risk of
the battery electrolyte freezing (this
may even occur at - 10°C).
If the car is inactive for a long peri-
od of time, refer to “Long inactivity of
the car”, in the “Correct use of the
car” chapter.If you want to add electrical acces-
sories after buying the car which need
permanent electric supply(alarm,
free hand phone kit, radio navigator
with satellite antitheft system etc.) vis-
it a
Fiat Dealership. They can sug-
gest the most suitable accessories to
get and check whether the electric
system can support the required load
or whether a larger capacity battery
is required.
These devices will, in fact, run off the
battery even when the key is not in-
serted (car parked, engine stopped)
and can destroy the battery.
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Electrolyte
filling up
Insufficient
state of charge
Sufficient electrolyte lev-
el and state of chargeContact Fiat Dealership
Recharge (we suggest you
to contact
Fiat Dealership)
No action
119
If the indicator shows a light bright
coloration, or dark but without a
green central area, contact the
Fiat
Dealership
.
Checking the state of charge
Checking the state of charge of bat-
tery can be qualitatively carried out
through the optical indicator, with re-lation to coloration that the indicator
can have. Refer to the following table
or to the plate
fig. 18
located on the battery, in position
B-fig. 17.
fig. 18
P4E01949
BATTERY WITH
OPTICAL HYDROMETER
Description
For versions/markets as provided,
the battery can be equipped with vi-
sual indicator
A-fig. 17for the elec-
trolyte and state of charge control.
The battery is of the “limited main-
tenance” type equipped with control
indicator, therefore under normal
conditions it will not need to be
topped up with distilled water. A pe-
riodical control is however necessary
in order to verify its efficiency through
the optical control indicator located
on the battery cover. It must present
a dark coloration, with a green central
area.
Bright white coloration
Dark coloration
without green area
in the center
Dark coloration
with green area
in the center
fig. 17
P4E02283
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