engine overheat FIAT 124 SPIDER 2017 2.G Owners Manual
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Page 46 of 300

Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,
overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about five minutes.
If this happens, turn off the wiper switch
and park off the road and remove the
snow and ice. After five minutes, turn
on the switch and the blades should
operate normally. If they do not resume
functioning, contact an Authorized
Dealer as soon as possible. Drive to the
side of the road and pull off the side of
the road to a safe location. Wait until
the weather clears before trying to drive
with the wipers inoperative.
Windshield Washer
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
With the wiper lever in theOFFor
intermittent position/ AUTOposition,
the wipers will operate continuously
until the lever is released.
Warning!
Sudden loss of visibility through the
windshield could lead to a collision. You
might not see other vehicles or other
obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of the
windshield during freezing weather, warm
the windshield with defroster before and
during windshield washer use.
If the fluid level is normal and the
washer does not work, contact an
Authorized Dealer.
With headlight washers
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM
Operating Tips
The air conditioning system will only
operate with the engine running.
To prevent the battery from being
discharged while the engine is off, do
not leave the fan control dial on for
extended periods of time.
To improve system efficiency, clear all
obstructions (leaves, snow and ice)
from the hood and the air inlet in the
grille.
Use the air conditioning system to
defog the windows and dehumidify the
air.
Recirculation mode should be used
when driving through tunnels, while in a
traffic jam, or when you would like to
quickly cool the interior by shutting off
the exterior vents.
Use the outside air position for
ventilation or windscreen defrosting.
If the vehicle has been parked in direct
sunlight during hot weather, open the
windows to let warm air escape, and
then run the air conditioning system.
To keep the internal parts lubricated
and the system running smoothly, run
the air conditioner about 10 minutes at
least once a month.
04110109-115-001Windshield Washer Nozzles
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Outside Air Position: (LED off)
Outside air is allowed to enter the
cabin. Use this mode for ventilation or
windshield defrosting.
Note:
Do not use the Outside Air Position in
cold or rainy weather is dangerous as it
will cause the windows to fog up. Your
vision will be hampered, which could
lead to a serious accident.
6 – A/C Button
Push the A/C Button to turn on the air
conditioner.
The LED on the switch will illuminate
when the Blower Control Knob is in any
position except the OFF position.
Push the button again to turn off the air
conditioner.
Note: The air conditioner may not
function when the outside temperature
approaches 32 °F (0 °C).
Heating
Proceed as follows:
1. Set the Mode Selector Knob to
the
position.
2. Set the Air Recirculation Button to
the outside air position.
3. Set the Temperature Control Dial to
the hot position. 4. Set the Blower Control Knob to the
desired speed.
5. If dehumidified heating is desired,
turn on the air conditioner.
If the windshield fogs up easily, set the
Mode Selector Knob to the
position.
If cooler air is desired at face level, set
the Mode Selector Knob to the
position and adjust the Temperature
Control Knob to maintain comfort.
The floor vents will blow warmer air
while the side air vents will blow cooler
air (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the maximum hot
or cold position).
Cooling (With Air
Conditioner)
Proceed as follows:
1. Set the Mode Selector Knob to
the
position.
2. Set the Temperature Control Knob
to the cold position.
3. Set the Blower Control Knob to the
desired speed.
4. Turn on the air conditioner by
pushing the A/C Button.
5. After cooling begins, adjust the
Blower Control Knob and Temperature
Control Knob as needed to maintain
comfort. Note:
If the air conditioner is used while
driving up large hills or in heavy traffic,
monitor the Engine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light to see if it
is illuminated or flashing. The air
conditioner may cause engine
overheating in these situations. If the
warning light is illuminated or flashing,
turn the air conditioning off
immediately.
When maximum cooling is desired,
set the Temperature Control Knob to
the extreme cold position, push the Air
Recirculation Button to activate the
recirculated air position, and then turn
the fan control dial fully clockwise.
If warmer air is desired at floor level,
set the Mode Selector Knob to the
position, and adjust the
Temperature Control Knob to maintain
comfort.
The floor vents will blow warmer air
while the side air vents will blow cooler
air (except when the temperature
control dial is set at the maximum hot
or cold position).
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
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Average Vehicle Speed Mode
This mode displays the average vehicle
speed by calculating the distance and
the time traveled since connecting the
battery or resetting the data.
Average vehicle speed will be
calculated and displayed every
10 seconds. To clear the data being
displayed, push the INFO switch for
more than 1.5 seconds.
After pushing the INFO switch, “- - -
MPH” (“---km/h”)willbedisplayedfor
about 1 minute before the vehicle
speed is recalculated and displayed.Tachometer
The tachometer shows engine speed in
thousands of revolutions per minute
(rpm).
The range varies depending on the type
of gauge.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge And
Fuel Gauge
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
Note:If the high engine coolant
temperature warning light (red) turns
on, there is a possibility of overheating.
Park the vehicle in a safe place
GUID-0502011020110CAverage Vehicle Speed Display Screen
05020103-12A-0021 — Spider Tachometer Display
GUID-0502010417A007Spider Fuel/Temperature Gauge
1 — Engine Coolant Temperature
2 — Fuel Gauge
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Red Warning Lights
Warning lightWhat It Means
HIGH ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT
The light flashes when the engine coolant temperature is extremely high, and illuminates when
the engine coolant temperature increases further.
Handling procedure
Flashing light: drive slowly to reduce engine load until you can find a safe place to stop the
vehicle and wait for the engine to cool down.
Illuminated light : this indicates the possibility of overheating. Park the vehicle in a safe
place immediately and stop the engine. Refer to “Overheating” paragraph in “In an emergency”
chapter.
Note:
Do not drive the vehicle with the high engine coolant temperature warning light illuminated.
Otherwise, it could result in damage to the engine.
AIR BAG / SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER SYSTEM WARNING
A system malfunction is indicated if the warning light constantly flashes, constantly illuminates or
does not illuminate at all when the ignition is placed in the ON position. If any of these occur,
contact an Authorized Dealership as soon as possible. The system may not operate in an
accident.
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Extended Park Starting
Note:
Extended Park condition occurs when
the vehicle has not been started or
driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper
cables to the battery to ensure a full
battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Place the ignition in the START
mode and release it when the engine
starts.
3. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, place the ignition in the
STOP (OFF/LOCK) mode, wait five
seconds to allow the starter to cool,
then repeat the Extended Park Starting
procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight
attempts, allow the starter to cool for at
least 10 minutes, then repeat the
procedure.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
crank continuously for more than 10
seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds
before trying again.
After Starting —
Warming Up The Engine
Proceed as follows:
1. Travel slowly, letting the engine run
at a reduced RPM, without accelerating
suddenly.
2. It is recommended to wait until the
digital engine coolant temperature
indicator starts moving before
demanding full performance.
Stopping The Engine
Proceed as follows:
1. Park the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic, if
equipped with manual transmission
place gear selector in FIRST (1st) or
REVERSE (R) gear, if equipped with
automatic transmission place the gear
selector to PARK (P).
2. Push and release the ignition button
to STOP the engine.
BRAKE SYSTEM
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through
normal use. Should power-assist fail,
you can stop by applying greater force
than normal to the brake pedal. But the
distance required to stop will be greater
than usual.
Note:
Always depress the brake pedal with
the right foot. Applying the brakes with
the unaccustomed left foot could slow
your reaction time to an emergency
situation resulting in insufficient braking
operation.
Do not drive with your foot held on the
clutch pedal or brake pedal, or hold the
clutch pedal depressed halfway
unnecessarily. Doing so could result in
the following:
The clutch and brake parts will wear
out more quickly.
The brakes can overheat and
adversely affect brake performance.
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Direct mode is cancelled (released)
under the following conditions:
The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Note: Shifting up and down while in
direct mode may not be possible
depending on the vehicle speed. In
addition, because direct mode is
cancelled (released) depending on the
rate of acceleration or if the accelerator
is fully depressed, use of the manual
shift mode is recommended if you need
to drive the vehicle in a particular gear
for long periods.
Driving Tips
Overtaking
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, press
the accelerator fully. The transmission
will shift to a lower gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
Note:
The accelerator pedal may initially
feel heavy as it is being pressed, then
feel lighter as it is pressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how
much the accelerator pedal has been pressed for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
While the gear selector is in the
MANUAL (M) position and the Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
pressed. Operate the gear selector.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to DRIVE (D) or M1, depending
on the load weight and grade
steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to lower gears, depending on load
weight and grade steepness.
Descend slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from
overheating.
ELECTRONIC SPEED
CONTROL
Electronic Speed
Control
This is an electronically controlled
driving assistance feature that allows
the desired vehicle speed to be
maintained, without having to press the
accelerator pedal.
This feature can be used at a speed
above 25 mph (40 km/h) on long
stretches of dry, straight roads with few
variations (e.g. motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this feature on city roads with traffic.
Do not use it in town.
Warning!
Do not use the cruise control under the
following conditions:
hilly terrain
steep inclines
heavy or unsteady traffic
slippery or winding roads
similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Using the cruise control under the following
conditions is dangerous and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
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E-85 Usage In Non-Flex
Fuel Vehicles
Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) are
compatible with gasoline containing up
to 15% ethanol (E-15). Gasoline with
higher ethanol content may void the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If a Non-FFV vehicle is inadvertently
fueled with E-85 fuel, the engine will
have some or all of these symptoms:
Operate in a lean mode.
OBD II “Malfunction Indicator Light”
on.
Poor engine performance.
Poor cold start and cold drivability.
Increased risk for fuel system
component corrosion.
MMT In Gasoline
Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese
Tricarbonyl (MMT) is a manganese-
containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase
octane. Gasoline blended with MMT
provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane
number without MMT. Gasoline blended
with MMT reduces spark plug life and
reduces emissions system performance
in some vehicles. The manufacturer
recommends that gasoline without
MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT
content of gasoline may not be
indicated on the gasoline pump, therefore, you should ask your gasoline
retailer whether the gasoline contains
MMT. MMT is prohibited in Federal and
California reformulated gasoline.
Materials Added To Fuel
Besides using unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating, gasolines that
contain detergents, corrosion and
stability additives are recommended.
Using gasolines that have these
additives will help improve fuel
economy, reduce emissions, and
maintain vehicle performance.
Designated TOP TIER
Detergent Gasoline
contains a higher level
of detergents to further
aide in minimizing
engine and fuel system
deposits. When
available, the usage of Top Tier
Detergent gasoline is recommended.
Visit www.toptiergas.com for a list of
TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Retailers.
Indiscriminate use of fuel system
cleaning agents should be avoided.
Many of these materials intended for
gum and varnish removal may contain
active solvents or similar ingredients.
These can harm fuel system gasket and
diaphragm materials.
Fuel System Cautions
Caution!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your
vehicle’s performance:
The use of leaded gasoline is prohibited
by Federal law. Using leaded gasoline can
impair engine performance and damage
the emissions control system.
An out-of-tune engine or certain fuel
or ignition malfunctions can cause the
catalytic converter to overheat. If you
notice a pungent burning odor or some
light smoke, your engine may be out of
tune or malfunctioning and may require
immediate service. Contact your
Authorized Dealer for service assistance.
The use of fuel additives, which are now
being sold as octane enhancers, is not
recommended. Most of these products
contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle
performance problems resulting from the
use of such fuels or additives is not the
responsibility of the manufacturer and may
void or not be covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Note:
Intentional tampering with the
emissions control system can result in
civil penalties being assessed against
you.
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ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on
the driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly
parked with the engine off, fully depress the
accelerator, the brake, and the clutch pedal
(if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of
any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and
place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor
mat on the passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall
or slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals and could cause a loss of
vehicle control.
NEVER place any objects under the
floor mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These
objects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference with
the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for
interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat has
been properly installed and is secured to
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
Rocking The Vehicle
Note: Too much rocking may cause
engine overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
gear selector from 1 (D) to R.
Warning!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin
your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you
are stuck and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
Caution!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by
shifting between DRIVE and REVERSE, do
not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph
(24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
Revving the engine or spinning the
wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also damage
the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper leads, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
Contact an Authorized Dealer to check
the following:
Have the proper ratio of antifreeze in
the radiator.
Inspect the battery and its leads.
Cold reduces battery capacity.
Use an engine oil appropriate for the
lowest ambient temperatures that the
vehicle will be driven in.
Inspect the ignition system for
damage and loose connections.
Use winter windshield washer fluid
that will not freeze.
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4. Connect one end of a jumper cables
to the positive terminal on the
discharged battery.
5. Connect the other end to the
positive terminal on the booster battery.
6. Connect one end of the other
jumper cables to the negative terminal
of the booster battery.
7. Connect the other end to a good
engine ground of the vehicle with the
discharged battery (exposed metal part
of the engine) away from the battery
and the fuel injection system.
8. Start the engine of the booster
vehicle and run it a few minutes. Then
start the engine of the other vehicle.
9. Once the engine is started, remove
the jumper cables in the reverse
sequence.
10. Replace the positive terminal
cover. Make sure cover is secure.
Bump Starting
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.
Note:
You cannot start a vehicle with an
automatic transmission by pushing it.
Do not push-start a vehicle that has
a manual transmission. It can damage
the emission control system.
STARTING A FLOODED
ENGINE
If the engine fails to start, it may be
flooded (excessive fuel in the engine).
Follow this procedure:
1. If the engine does not start within
5 seconds on the first try, wait
10 seconds and try again.
2. Make sure the parking brake is on.
3. Depress the accelerator all the way
and hold it there.
4. Depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or the brake pedal
(automatic transmission), then push the
push button start. If the engine starts,
release the accelerator immediately
because the engine will suddenly rev
up.
5. If the engine fails to start, crank it
without depressing the accelerator.
If the engine still does not start using
the above procedure, have your vehicle
inspected an Authorized Dealer.
OVERHEATING
Overheating
In any of the following situations, you
can reduce the potential for overheating
by taking the appropriate action.
On the highways — slow down.
In city traffic — while stopped, place
the transmission in NEUTRAL, but do
not increase engine idle speed.
Note: There are steps that you can
take to slow down an impending
overheat condition:
If your air conditioner (A/C) is on,
turn it off. The A/C system adds heat
to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove
this heat.
You can also turn the temperature
control to maximum heat, the mode
control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to
act as a supplement to the radiator
and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
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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 try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator or coolant
bottle is hot.
Caution!
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge
reads “H”, pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
If Steam Is Coming From The
Engine Compartment:
Do not go near the front of the vehicle.
Stop the engine. Wait until the steam
dissipates, then open the hood and
start the engine.
If Neither Coolant Nor Steam Is
Escaping:
Open the hood and idle the engine until
it cools.
Note:
If the cooling fan does not operate
while the engine is running, the engine
temperature will increase. Stop the
engine and contact an Authorized
Dealer.
If the engine continues to overheat
or frequently overheats, have the
cooling system inspected. The engine
could be seriously damaged unless
repairs are made. Contact an
Authorized Dealer.
TOWING THE
VEHICLE
Attaching The Tow Eyes
Warning!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with
tow eyes.
Do not use a chain with a tow eye.
Chains may break, causing serious injury or
death.
Do not use a tow strap with a tow eye.
Tow straps may break or become
disengaged, causing serious injury or
death.
Failure to follow proper tow eye usage
may cause components to break resulting
in serious injury or death.
221