warning FIAT STRADA 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

146
If the vehicle is driven mainly in towns, the engine oil and oil filter must be changed every
12 months.
21 42 63 84 105
35 70 105 140 175
24 48 72 96 120
●●
●●●●●
Thousands of miles
Thousands of kilometres
Months
Change engine oil and oil filter (versions with DPF) (*)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Replace pollen filter (or every 24 months)
(*) The actual interval for changing the oil and replacing the engine oil filter depends on the vehicle usage conditions and is
signalled by the warning light vor message (if present) on the instrument panel or, in any case, every 24 months.

147
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
– engine coolant level;
– brake fluid level;
– windscreen washer fluid level;
– tyre pressure and conditions;
– operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
– operation of windscreen
washer/wiper system and
position/wear of windscreen/rear
window wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
You are advised to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS products, which have
been designed and produced
specifically for Fiat vehicles (see table
“Capacities” in the “Technical
specifications” section).
DEMANDING
VEHICLE USE
If the vehicle is mostly used in one of
the following conditions:
– towing a trailer or caravan;
– dusty roads;
– short, repeated journeys (less
than 7-8 km) at sub-zero
temperatures;
– engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long
periods of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more frequently than indicated
in the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
– check front disc brake pad
conditions and wear;
– check cleanliness of bonnet and
boot locks, and cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages;– visually inspect the conditions of:
engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses
(exhaust/fuel/brakes), rubber parts
(boots/sleeves/bushes, etc.);
– check battery charge and fluid
level (electrolyte);
– visually inspect the condition of
the accessory drive belts;
– check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
– check pollen filter and replace, if
required;
– check air cleaner and replace, if
required.

148
CHECKING LEVELS
Never smoke while
working in the engine
compartment: inflammable
gases and vapours may be
present, constituting a fire risk.
WARNING
When topping up, take
care not to mix up the
various types of fluids:
they are not compatible with
each other and could seriously
damage the vehicle.
fig. 152 - 1.3 Multijet 16Vversion
F0X0136m
1. engine oil - 2. battery - 3. brake fluid - 4. windscreen washer fluid -
5. engine coolant - 6. power steering fluid - 7. diesel filter

149
ENGINE OIL fig. 153
Engine oil level checkCheck the oil level a few minutes
(about 5) after the engine has
stopped, with the vehicle parked on
level ground.
Take out the engine oil dipstick
A-fig. 153, clean it and then fully
reinsert it, take it out again and
check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
dipstick. The interval between MIN
and MAX corresponds to about
1 litre of oil.
AB
fig. 153
F0X0137m
Always top up using
engine oil of the same
specifications as that
already in the engine.
Be very careful when
working in the engine
compartment when the engine
is hot: you may get burned.
Remember that the fan may
start up if the engine is hot:
this could injure you. Scarves,
ties and other loose clothing
may be pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Topping up the engine oil
If the oil level is near or under the
MIN mark, add oil through the filler
B-fig. 153 until it reaches the MAX
mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
IMPORTANT If the engine oil level,
after a routine check, is above the
MAX level, contact a Fiat Dealership
to have the correct level restored.
IMPORTANT After adding or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
over for a few seconds and wait a
few minutes after stopping it before
you check the level.

151
WINDSCREEN WASHER
FLUID fig. 155
To add fluid, remove the cap and
pour in a mixture of water and
TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC35
fluid in the following proportions:
– 30% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35 and 70% water in summer.
– 50% TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35 and 50% water in winter.
At temperatures below –20°C, use
undiluted TUTELA PROFESSIONAL
SC35 fluid.
fig. 155
F0X0139m
Do not remove the cap
of the tank when the
engine is hot as there is a risk
of scalding. The cooling system
is pressurised. If the cap needs
replacing, do so with another
original or the effectiveness of
the system may be
compromised.
WARNING
Some commercial
windscreen washer
additives are flammable. The
engine compartment contains
hot parts which could cause a
fire if they come into contact
with these additives.
WARNING
Do not travel if the
windscreen washer
reservoir is empty: using the
windscreen washer is essential
for improving visibility.
WARNING

152
POWER STEERING FLUID
fig. 156
Check that the oil level with the
vehicle on flat ground and the engine
cold is between the MIN and MAX
marks on the reservoir.
The level may exceed the MAX
mark when the oil is hot.
If topping up is required, make sure
the oil you use has the same
specifications as that already in the
system.BRAKE FLUID fig. 157
Unscrew the cap A-fig. 157 and
check that the liquid contained in the
reservoir is at the maximum level.
The fluid level in the reservoir must
not exceed the MAX mark.
You are advised to use the brake
fluid shown in the “Fluids and
lubricants” table (see section
“Technical Specifications”) to top up.
When opening the cap A, make sure
that no dirt gets into the reservoir.
For topping up, always use a funnel
with integrated filter with mesh
equal to or lower than 0.12 mm.
fig. 157
F0X0141m
fig. 156
F0X0140m
Power steering fluid
consumption is
extremely low; if
another top-up is required
afteronly a short period of time,
have the system checked for
leaks at a Fiat Dealership.
Prevent power steering
fluid from coming into
contact with hot engine parts:
it is flammable.
WARNING

153
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is
hygroscopic (i.e. it absorbs
moisture). For this reason, if the
vehicle is mainly used in areas with a
high degree of atmospheric humidity,
the fluid should be replaced at more
frequent intervals than specified in
the Scheduled Servicing Plan.AIR CLEANER
Air cleaner replacement must be
carried out at a Fiat Dealership.
POLLEN FILTER
Pollen filter replacement must be
carried out at a Fiat Dealership.
The symbol πon the
container indicates
synthetic brake fluid,
distinguishing it from the
mineral kind. Use of a mineral
type fluid will damage the
special rubber seals of the
braking system beyond repair.
WARNING

154
DIESEL FILTER fig. 158
DRAINING CONDENSATION
fig. 158
F0X0142m
fig. 159
F0X0143m
BATTERY
The battery is “limited maintenance”
type: under normal conditions of
use, the electrolyte does not need
topping up with distilled water.
It does, however, need to be
checked periodically at a Fiat
Dealership or by specialist personnel
to make sure it is working correctly.
The presence of water in
the supply circuit may
cause severe damage to
the injection system and
irregular engine operation. If the
cwarning light switches on,
contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible to have the
system bled. If this problem is
indicated immediately after
refueling, water may have
entered the fuel tank. In this
case, stop the engine
immediately and contact a Fiat
Dealership.
Dispose of the
diesel/water mixture
discharged by the filter
correctly. You are advised to
contact a Fiat Dealership to
drain the condensation. They
are equipped to dispose of it in
full respect of the environment
and in compliance with legal
regulations.
The bleeding operation,
if not carried out
correctly taking the necessary
precautions, may compromise
the driving safety of the vehicle
as well as leading to dangerous
fuel leaks.
WARNING

155
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with
an original spare part with the same
specifications.
If a battery with different
specifications is fitted, the service
intervals given in the “Scheduled
Servicing Plan” will no longer be
valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer’s
instructions for maintenance.
Battery liquid is
poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
skin and eyes. Keep naked
flames and sources of sparks
away from the battery: risk of
explosion and fire.
WARNING
Using the battery with
insufficient battery fluid
may irreparably damage the
battery and may cause an
explosion.
WARNING
When performing any
operation on the
battery or near it, always
protect your eyes with special
goggles.
WARNING
Incorrect assembly of
electrical and electronic
devices may cause
severe damage to your vehicle.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you
want to install accessories after
purchasing the vehicle (alarms,
radiophone, etc.): they will
suggest the most suitable
devices and advise you whether
a higher capacity battery needs
to be installed.
If the vehicle will be
unused for an extended
period of time in
extremely cold weather
conditions, remove the battery
and store it in a heated area to
prevent it from freezing.
Batteries contain
substances which are very
dangerous for the
environment. To replace your
battery, we recommend
contacting a Fiat Dealership to
dispose of your old battery in full
respect of the environment and in
compliance with legal regulations.

156
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery
rapidily and maintain its efficiency
over time, carefully observe the
following instructions:
– when you park the vehicle, ensure
that the doors, tailgate and bonnet
are closed properly, to prevent
any roof lights from remaining on
inside the passenger
compartment;
– switch off all roof lights inside the
vehicle: the vehicle is however
equipped with a system which
switches all internal lights off
automatically;
– do not keep accessories (e.g. car
radio, hazard warning lights, etc.)
switched on for a long time when
the engine is not running;
– before performing any operation
on the electrical system,
disconnect the negative battery
cable;– fully tighten the battery terminals.
IMPORTANT If the battery remains
with the charge below 50% for a
long time it becomes damaged
through sulphation and its starting
capacity is reduced.
The battery is also more prone to
the risk of freezing (at temperatures
as high as -10°C).
Refer to the paragraph “Vehicle
inactivity” in the “Correct use of the
vehicle” section if the vehicle is left
parked for a long time.If, after buying the vehicle, you want
to install electrical accessories which
require permanent electric supply
(alarm, etc.) or accessories that in
any case burden the electrical
supply, contact a Fiat Dealership,
whose qualified personnel, in
addition to suggesting the most
suitable devices from Lineaccessori
Fiat, will evaluate the overall
electrical consumption, checking
whether the vehicle’s electrical
system is capable of withstanding the
load required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices
continue to consume electricity even
when the engine is off, they gradually
run down the battery.