service FIAT BARCHETTA 2003 1.G Owners Manual

Dear Customer,
Thank you for selecting Fiat and congratulations on your choice of a Fiat barchetta.
Fiat barchetta is a compact saloon with an original bodyline, designed to offer great driving satisfaction, ensure safety and
be as friendly as possible to the environment.
We have written this handbook to help you get to know all your new Fiat barchetta’s features and use it in the best
possible way. You should read it right through before taking the road for the first time. You will find information, tips and
important warnings regarding the driving of your car to help you derive the maximum from your Fiat barchetta’s
technological features. You will find very valuable tips for your own safety, the car’s wellbeing and about how to protect
the environment.
What’s more every single component of the Fiat barchetta is fully recyclable. At the end of your car’s useful lifespan any
Fiat Dealer will be pleased to make arrangements for your car to be recycled and nature benefits in two ways: there’s no
pollution from waste disposal and the demand for raw materials is reduced.
You are recommended to read carefully the warnings and indications, marked with the respective symbols, at the end of
the page:
personal safety;
the car’s wellbeing;
environmental protection.
The enclosed FIAT WARRANTY BOOKLET lists the services that Fiat offers to its Customers:
– the Warranty Certificate with terms and conditions for maintaining its validity
– the range of additional services available to Fiat Customers
Best regards and good motoring!

78
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Frequent cold starting will not enable
the engine to reach optimal running
temperature. It follows therefore that
consumption will be higher (from
+15% to +30% in towns) as will the
production of toxic emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Heavy traffic and higher consumption
are synonymous; for example, when
driving slowly with frequent use of the
lower gears or in large towns where
there are numerous traffic lights.
Winding roads, mountain roads and
bumpy roads also have a negative ef-
fect on consumption.
Enforced halts
During prolonged hold-ups (traffic
lights, level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.CHEAP RUNNING THAT RESPECTS
THE ENVIRONMENT
LOOKING AFTER EMISSION
CONTROL DEVICES
The correct use of pollution control
devices not only ensures respect for
the environment but also has an effect
on the car’s performance.
Keeping these devices in good con-
dition is therefore a fundamental rule
for driving that is easy on your pock-
et and on the environment too.
The first step to take is to follow the
Service Schedule to the letter.
Use only unleaded petrol in petrol
engines.
If you have trouble starting, do not
keep turning the ignition key for long
periods. Be especially careful to avoid
bump starting the car by pushing, tow-
ing or rolling down hill: these are all
manoeuvres that can damage the cat-
alytic exhaust. For emergency starts
use only an auxiliary battery. Environmental protection has been
one of the guiding principles in the
production of the Fiat barchetta. It is
no accident that its pollution control
equipment is much more effective than
that required by current legislation.
Nonetheless, the environment can-
not get by without a concerted effort
from everyone.
By following a few simple rules you
can avoid harming the environment
and often cut down fuel consumption
at the same time.
On this subject, a few useful tips have
been given below to supplement those
marked by symbol #, at various points
of the handbook.
You are asked to read both the for-
mer and latter carefully.

83
IN AN EMERGENCY
People who find themselves in an emergency situa-
tion need immediate and concrete help.
The following pages have been written to help you if
the need arises.
As you will see, a host of little snags have been tak-
en into account and, for each of them, the measures
you yourself can take are suggested. If the problems are
more serious however, you should have the car seen
to at a Fiat Dealership.
With regard to this, we would like to remind you that,
in addition to the Owner Handbook, you have also been
provided with the WARRANTY BOOKLET where you
will find details of all the services Fiat can provide should
you find yourself in difficulty.
We nevertheless recommend you read these pages.
If in need you will be able to find the information you
require much more quickly.EMERGENCY START-UP ................................................. 84
JUMP STARTING ................................................................ 85
BUMP STARTING .............................................................. 86
IF A TYRE IS PUNCTURED ............................................ 86
IF A BULB BURNS OUT .................................................. 91
IF AN EXTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ...................... 93
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ....................... 98
IF A FUSE BLOWS ............................................................. 98
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ............................................... 105
IF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RAISED ............................ 106
IF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE TOWED .......................... 108
IF AN ACCIDENT OCCOURS ...................................... 109

111
CAR MAINTENANCE
The Fiat barchetta is brand new throughout, even
in its service schedule. For example: the first service
schedule coupon is to be used at 20,000 km making the
traditional check at 1,500 km unnecessary. You should
however remember that your car needs routine main-
tenance such as systematic checking of the fluid level
and tyre pressure, and any necessary topping up.
You should nonetheless bear in mind that proper car
maintenance is certainly the best way to keep your car
in tip-top condition for years to come and safeguard its
safety features, its environmentally-friendly nature and
its low running costs.
Also remember that following the servicing regula-
tions marked with the symbol ∑as specified might be
essential to ensuring the warranty remains valid.SCHEDULED SERVICING ............................................... 112
SERVICE SCHEDULE ......................................................... 113
ANNUAL INSPECTION SCHEDULE ........................... 115
ADDITIONAL OPERATIONS ........................................ 115
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS ............................................. 117
AIR CLEANER ..................................................................... 122
POLLEN FILTER .................................................................. 123
BATTERY .............................................................................. 123
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS ............................... 125
SPARK PLUGS ..................................................................... 126
WHEELS AND TYRES ...................................................... 126
RUBBER TUBING .............................................................. 128
WINDSCREEN WIPER ..................................................... 128
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ................. 130
BODYWORK ...................................................................... 130
HOOD ................................................................................... 133
INTERIORS ........................................................................... 133

112
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is es-
sential for ensuring it stays in tip-top
condition for a long time to come.
For this reason, Fiat has designed a
series of checks and maintenance in-
terventions every 20,000 km.
IMPORTANTThe Manufacturer
requires the Service Schedule coupon-
related checks to be carried out. Fail-
ure to do so could result in the war-
ranty being cancelled.
Scheduled Servicing is performed at
all Fiat Dealerships and at pre-es-
tablished times.If it is seen that further replacements
or repairs are necessary in addition to
the work being carried out, these will
only be done after the Customer has
given his/her consent.
IMPORTANT You are recom-
mended to get in touch with the Fiat
Dealershipimmediately if any small
running problems crop up, without
waiting for the next coupon.If the car is frequently
used to tow trailers, in-
crease the frequency of
scheduled operations.

113
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Use these coupons either every 20,000 km.
Thousands of km20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Check tyre conditions/wear and check pressure, if required
Check complete light system operation (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard lights, boot lights,
passenger compartment lights, oddment compartment lights,
instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check windscreen wiper/washer system and adjust nozzles
Check front wiper blade wear
Check front disc brake wear indicator operation
Check rear disc brake conditions and wear
Visually inspect: conditions of underbody protection, piping
(exhaust - fuel feed - brakes), rubber parts
(boots - sleeves - bushings, etc.),
brake hoses and fuel lines
Visually inspect belt drives
Check handbrake stroke
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116
This check should be carried out
more frequently if the vehicle is main-
ly used for short trips, or if it is fitted
with accessories that permanently ab-
sorb electricity even with the ignition
key removed, especially in the case of
after market accessories.
You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the Service Schedule if
the car is used in hot climates or par-
ticularly demanding conditions. IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Change the engine oil more fre-
quently than specified in the Service
Schedule if the vehicle is mainly used
under one of the following particular-
ly severe conditions:
– towing a trailer or caravan
– on dirt roads
– short, repetitive trips (less than 7
or 8 kilometres) in outside tempera-
tures below zero.
– engines that are frequently left to
idle or drive slowly over long dis-
tances.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
If you drive your car on dirt roads
change the air cleaner more frequently
than specified in the Service Schedule.If you are in doubt about how often
the engine oil or the air cleaner should
be changed in relation to how you use
the car, contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the car is often used in dusty or ex-
tremely polluted environments, you
should change the filter element more
frequently. It should be changed espe-
cially if the amount of air introduced
into the passenger compartment is re-
duced.
IMPORTANT - Battery
You should check the status of the
battery charge preferably at the be-
ginning of the cold season to avoid the
possibility of the electrolyte freezing.Maintenance of your car
should be entrusted to a
Fiat Dealership. For in-
terventions of routine mainte-
nance and small repairs you wish
to carry out yourself, make sure
you always have the proper
equipment, genuine Fiat spare
parts and fluids available. Do not,
carry out these operations if you
have no experience.

122
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 Service Schedule if the car is
mainly driven in areas with a high per-
centage of humidity in the air.AIR CLEANER
REPLACEMENT fig. 7
Unscrew knob A, remove the cap
and pull out the filter element Bto be
replaced.
Have the filter element replaced at
a Fiat Dealership.
fig. 7
P5S00719m
Brake fluid is poisonous
and very corrosive. In the
event of accidental contact, wash
the effected part with water and
mild soap and rinse. If the fluid is
swallowed, call a doctor immedi-
ately.
WARNING
The symbol πon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
type brake fluid distinguishing it
from the mineral kind. Using min-
eral type fluids damages the special
rubber braking system gaskets be-
yond repair.
WARNING

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

126
WHEELS
AND TYRES
TYRES PRESSURE
Every two weeks and before long
journeys, check the pressure of each
tyre including the spare.
The pressure must be checked when
the tyre is rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to rise
when you are driving. If you have to
check or restore the pressure when
the tyres are warm remember that the
pressure value must be 0.3 bar above
the specified value.
SPARK PLUGS
The cleanness and soundness of the
spark plugs fig. 9are very important
for keeping the engine efficient and
polluting emissions down.
The appearance of the spark plug, if
examined by an expert eye, is a good
way of pin-pointing a malfunction even
if it has nothing to do with the ignition
system. Therefore, if the engine has
problems, it is important to have the
spark plugs checked at a Fiat Deal-
ership.The spark plugs must be
changed at the times
specified in the Service
Schedule. Only use the type of
plugs indicated: if the heat ratio
is less than required or the life
specified is not guaranteed, prob-
lems can arise.
fig. 9
P5S00684m
Spark plug (type)
Champion RC10YCC
NGK BKR6EZ
Tyre pressure must be cor-
rect to ensure good road
holding.
WARNING