media FIAT PUNTO 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

183
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CONTROLS
AND DEVICES
SERVICE
AND CARE
Standard upkeep of the paintwork consists
of washing the vehicle: the frequency de-
pends on the conditions and environment
where the vehicle is used. For example, it
is advisable to wash the car more often in
areas with high atmospheric pollution or
on gritted roads.
To wash the car properly, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒if taking your car through an automat-
ic car wash, remove the aerial from the
roof;
❒wash the body using a low-pressure jet
of water;
❒use a sponge to wipe a slightly soapy so-
lution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge;
❒rinse with plenty of water and dry with
a jet of air or a chamois leather.
Take particular care when drying the less
visible parts, such as the door, bonnet and
headlight frames, where water can stagnate
more easily. It is a good idea to leave the
car in the open for a while after washing
it to give time for the water to evaporate. Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substances that fall off many
species give the paint a dull appearance
and increase the possibility of triggering
rust processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings should be
washed off immediately and thoroughly
as the acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.Detergents pollute water. The
vehicle should be washed only
in areas equipped for collect-
ing and purifying the liquids
used in the washing process.
Windows
Use specific detergents to clean the win-
dows.
Also use clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or altering the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window
gently with a cloth in the direction of the
filaments to avoid damaging the heating
device.
Engine compartment
Wash the engine compartment thor-
oughly at the end of every winter. Be care-
ful not to direct the jet of water onto elec-
tronic control units. Adequately protect
the upper air vents to prevent damage to
the windscreen wiper motor. Have this
operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT Washing should take place
with a cold engine and with the key at
STOP. After the wash, make sure that
the various protective devices (e.g. rubber
caps and guards) have not been removed
or damaged.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g. petrol) or ketenes (e.g. ace-
tone) for cleaning the plastic lenses of the
front headlights.
165-184 PUNTO POP 1ed EN 30-09-2011 10:21 Pagina 183

184
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CONTROLS
AND DEVICES
SERVICE
AND CARE
The fabric upholstery of your
car is designed to withstand
normal wear and tear for
a long time. Some precautions
are however needed. Avoid prolonged
rubbing against clothing accessories,
such as metal buckles, bosses, Velcro
strips and the like, which by applying
a high pressure on the fabric in a small
area could cause the breakage of some
threads and damage the upholstery.
SEATS AND FABRIC PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a vacu-
um cleaner. It is advisable to use a damp
brush on velvet upholstery.
Wipe the seats with a sponge soaked in
a solution of mild detergent and water.
Never use flammable prod-
ucts, such as petroleum
ether or modified petrol, to clean the
inside the car. The electrostatic
charges which are generated by rub-
bing during cleaning may cause a fire.
WARNING
Do not keep aerosol cans in
the vehicle: these could ex-
plode. Aerosol cans must not be ex-
posed to temperatures exceeding
50 °C. When the vehicle is exposed to
sunlight, the temperature inside can
greatly exceed this value.
WARNING
INTERIOR
Check regularly that water is not trapped
under the mats (due to drops from shoes,
umbrellas, etc.), as this could cause the
sheet metal to rust. GENUINE LEATHER STEERING
WHEEL/GEAR LEVER KNOB
These components must be cleaned with
mild soap and water only.
Never use spirits and/or alcohol-based
products.
Before using off-the-shelf products de-
signed for cleaning vehicle interiors, make
sure that they do not contain spirits and/
or alcohol-based substances.
If window cleaner accidentally drips onto
the steering wheel or gear lever knob,
wipe away immediately and then wash the
affected area with mild soap and water.
IMPORTANT When arranging a steering
wheel locking device, be careful not to dam-
age the leather upholstery.
PLASTIC PARTS
It is advisable to clean interior plastic parts
with a damp cloth and a solution of water
and mild, non-abrasive detergent. To re-
move grease and tough stains, use products
designed specifically for cleaning plastics.
These have no solvents and have been de-
signed so that they do not alter the ap-
pearance and colour of the components.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol- or
petrol-based products to clean the in-
strument panel.
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