maintenance FIAT BARCHETTA 2003 1.G User Guide

123
If the vehicle is to stand
for a long time in the cold,
remove the battery and
store it in a warm place to avoid
it freezing.
BATTERY
The Fiat barchetta’s battery is of the
“Limited Maintenance” type: under
normal conditions, it requires no top-
ping up with distilled water.
The level of the battery liquid (elec-
trolyte) should be between the two
marks on the battery when the car is
parked on level ground.
If the level is lower than the MIN
mark fig. 8 have the car seen to
at a Fiat Dealership.
Running the battery on
low electrolyte can dam-
age the battery beyond
repair, crack the casing and spill
all the liquid.
For the recharging of the battery, see
the “In an emergency” section.
fig. 8
P5S00690m
POLLEN FILTER
(where fitted)
Have the filter changed at the fre-
quency specified in the Service Sched-
ule.
Have the change made at a Fiat
Dealership.
IMPORTANTIf the car is often
used in dusty or extremely polluted
environments, you should change the
filter more frequently. It should be
changed especially if the amount of air
introduced into the passenger com-
partment has decreased.
The liquid in the battery is
poisonous and corrosive.
Do not let it touch the skin or eyes.
Do not bring naked flames or pos-
sible sources of sparks near to the
battery: fire and explosion risk.
WARNING

131
BODY AND UNDERBODY
GUARANTEE
The Fiat barchetta is covered guar-
antee against any original structural or
body part being holed by rust. Refer
to the “Warranty Booklet” for the
general conditions of this guarantee.
TIPS FOR KEEPING THE
BODY IN GOOD CONDITION
Paintwork
The paintwork is not only to make
your car look attractive but also to
protect the steel.
If your car is scuffed or scratched
deeply you are therefore recom-
mended to touch up the paintwork as
necessary to prevent rust from form-
ing.
Only use genuine products when
touching up the paintwork (see the
“Technical Specifications” chapter).To wash the car properly:
1) Soak the body using a low pres-
sure jet of water.
2) Wipe a sponge with a slightly
soapy solution over the body, fre-
quently rinsing the sponge.
3)Rinse well with water and dry
with a jet of air or a chamois leather.
When drying the car, be careful to
get at those parts which are not so
easily seen e.g. the door frames, bon-
net and around the headlights where
water can most readily collect. You
are advised not to take the car into a
closed area immediately but to leave
it out in the open so any water left can
evaporate more easily.
Do not wash the car after it has been
parked in the sun or while the bon-
net is hot: it could take the shine off
the paint. Ordinary maintenance of the paint-
work consists in washing it. The fre-
quency you should do this depends on
the conditions and the environment
the car is driven in. For example, if you
drive in areas with a high level of air
pollution or on roads sprinkled with
road salt, it is a good idea to wash the
car more often.
Detergents pollute wa-
ter. For this reason, the
car must be washed in an
area equipped for the collection
and purification of the liquids
used while washing.

133
HOOD
Normal maintenance of the hood
consists in washing it.
Dust the hood off before washing it.
Dirt must be removed using an ap-
propriate cleaning compound; then
rinse thoroughly using a low pressure
hose.
INTERIORS
From time to time, check that wa-
ter has not collected under the mats
(from dripping shoes, umbrellas etc.)
which could cause the steel to rust.
You are advised to wash
the hood by hand. When
washing a car in an auto-
matic car wash, the rotating
brushes exert a strong pressure
on the surface of the hood that
could damage it and scratch the
rear window. In addition, the
cleaning compounds and addi-
tives could have a negative effect
and spoil the hood's appearance.IMPORTANT Do not use petrol,
stain removers, benzol, paint thinners
or solvents to remove dirt marks; on-
ly use products designed for the pur-
pose. If the marks still will not come
out, see a Fiat Dealership.
REAR WINDOW
This window can be replaced; con-
tact a Fiat Dealershipto have this
done.
When cleaning the rear window be
particularly careful to avoid scratches
or scuffs that could spoil its appear-
ance.
Never use flammable prod-
ucts (petroleum ether or
petrol) to clean the inside of the
car. Electrostatic charges generat-
ed by rubbing while cleaning could
cause fires.
WARNING

159
INDEX
ABS ........................................... 56
Accessories purchased
by the owner .............................. 82
Accessory installation......... 149
Air cleaner................................... 122
Air recirculation ......................... 36
Airbags
– general information ............ 60
– switching the passenger side
airbag off .............................. 59
Ashtray ......................................... 43
Battery
– jump starting ................ 85-105
– liquid level ............................ 123
– recharging ............................. 105
Bodywork
– maintenance ......................... 130
– paint identification plate .... 137
– versions ............................... 137
Bonnet .......................................... 53
Boot
– opening/closing.................... 55
Brake fluid level .......................... 121Brake lights .................................. 96
Brakes
– fluid level............................... 121
– service and emergency
brakes .................................... 139
Bulb replacement ....................... 91
Car maintenance................. 111
Capacities ............................. 64-144
Catalytic converter .................. 66
Ceiling light.................................. 42
– bulb replacement ............... 98
Cellular phone setup................. 63
Central door locking................. 44
Cheap running ............................ 78
Children (safety) ........................ 24
Cigar lighter ................................ 43
Climate control system ............ 36
– controls................................. 36
– maintenance ......................... 130
Clutch ........................................... 139
CO
2emissions ........................... 147
Containing running costs
and pollution ........................... 76
Dashboard ................................ 7Defrosting.................................... 35
Demisting..................................... 35
Digital clock ................................ 29
Dimensions ................................ 142
Dipped-beam headlights
– controls ............................... 38
– bulb replacement ............... 93
Direction indicators
– controls ............................... 39
– front bulb replacement ..... 94
– rear bulb replacement ...... 95
– side bulb replacement ...... 95
Doors ........................................... 44
Driving your car..................... 67
Electric windows ..................... 45
Electronic alarm.................. 13-150
Electronic control units............ 125
Engine
– cooling................................... 138
– fuel feed/ignition ................. 138
– identification code .............. 136
– lubrication ............................ 138
– specifications........................ 137
Engine compartment washing . 132

161
– homologation codes....... 156
Rear fog lights
– controls ............................ 41
– bulb replacement ........... 97
Rear windowing (cleaning) . 133
Rearview mirrors
– electric............................... 20
– external ............................. 20
– internal .............................. 20
Rev counter............................. 28
Repeated checks ................... 82
Reversing lights ....................... 97
Rubber piping .......................... 128
Safe driving
– driving at night ................. 73
– driving in the rain ............ 74
– before getting behind
the wheel .......................... 72
– driving in fog .................... 74
– driving in the mountains 75
– driving on snow and ice 75
– driving with ABS.............. 75
– when travelling ................ 72
Seat belts
– general information ........ 22– maintenance ..................... 23
– use ...................................... 21
Seats
– adjustment ........................ 18
– cleaning.............................. 134
Servicing ................................... 111
– additional operations ..... 115
– annual inspection schedule 115
– scheduled service............ 112
– Service Schedule ............. 113
Side/taillights
– controls ............................ 38
– front bulb replacement 93
– rear bulb replacement .. 96
Snow tyres ............................... 80-141
Spark plugs............................... 126
Specifications ........................... 135
Speedometer........................... 28
Starting the engine
– jump starting .................... 85
– bump starting ................... 86
– emergency start-up ........ 84
– ignition switch.................. 17
– stopping the engine ........ 69
– warming up a recently
started engine .................. 69Steering column lock............. 18
Steering column stalks
– left-hand stalk .................. 38
– right-hand stalk................ 39
Steering wheel ........................ 19
Steering..................................... 140
Storing the car ........................ 81
Sun visors ................................. 43
Suspensions ............................. 140
Symbols .................................... 9
Technical specifications.... 135
Third brake light
(bulb replacement) ............... 96
Tools............................................. 88
Top speeds .................................. 140
Towing a trailer
– tow hitch installation ......... 152
– warnings................................ 79
Towing the car ........................... 108
Transmission (ratios) ................ 139
Transporting children
in safety .................................... 24
Tyre pressure ............................. 148
Tyres ..................................... 126-148