tow FIAT BRAVO 2012 2.G User Guide

HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER
IT HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒Drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at
medium revs. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒Do not demand full performance at first. Wait
until the engine coolant temperature gauge
starts moving.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or coasting downhill.This could
cause fuel to flow into the catalytic
conver ter and damage it beyond repair.
EMERGENCY START-UP
Contact a Fiat Dealership if instrument panel
warning light
(or the symbol on the display)
stays on constantly.STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is
idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you should allow
the engine to “catch its breath” before turning it
off by letting it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely
no practical purpose, it wastes fuel and is
damaging especially to turbocharged engines.
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WARNING
Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. It is therefore essential
that there is nothing under the pedals: make
sure the mats are lying flat and do not get
in the way of the pedals.Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted,
even if slight , could lead over time to
premature wear on the gearbox internal
components
FUEL SAVINGSHere are some useful tips to save fuel and minimise
harmful emissions of CO
2and other pollutants
(nitric oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons, fine dusts
etc…).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The general factors that affect fuel consumption are
listed below.
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in
accordance with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Ty r e s
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an
interval of no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as resistance
to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight
of the car (especially when driving in town) and
its ride greatly affects consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from the roof
after use. These accessories lower aerodynamic
penetration and adversely affect consumption
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CONDITIONS OF USE
The main usage conditions that negatively affect
fuel consumption are listed below.
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts do not
allow the engine to reach optimum operating
temperature. This results in a significant increase in
consumption levels (from +15 to +30% on the
urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are linked to
situations with heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in queues with frequent use of the lower
gears or in cities with many traffic lights. Winding
mountain roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level crossings) the
engine should be switched off.
TOWING TRAILERSIMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car must be
fitted with a certified tow hook and an adequate
electric system. Installation should be carried
out by specialised personnel who will issue the
required papers for travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional rear view
mirrors as specified by the Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer, steep hills
are harder to climb, braking distances increase and
overtaking takes longer depending on the overall
weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather
than constantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car tow hook
reduces the car's loading capacity by the same
amount. To make sure that the maximum towable
weight is not exceeded (given in the car registration
document) account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and luggage.
Respect the speed limits specific to each country
for vehicles towing trailers.
In any case, the maximum speed must not exceed
80 km/h.
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WARNING
The ABS with which the car may be
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
required on slippery roads.
WARNING
Never modify the braking system of the
car to control the trailer brake.The
trailer braking system must be fully
independent of the car ’s hydraulic system.
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to the
bodywork by specialised personnel according to any
additional and/or integrative information supplied
by the Manufacturer of the device. The towing
device must meet current regulations with
reference to Directive 94/20/EEC and subsequent
amendments. For any version the towing device
used must be right for the towable weight of the
car on which it is to be installed.
IMPORTANT The use of auxiliary loads other than
external lights (electric brake, winch, etc.) must
be used with engine running.For the electric connection a unified connector
should be used, which is generally placed on a
special bracket fastened to the towing device, and a
special ECU should be installed on the car to
control the trailer's exterior lights.
7 or 13-pole 12 V DC connections should be used
(CUNA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Follow
any instructions provided by the car manufacturer
and/or the towing device manufacturer.
An electric brake or winch should be powered
directly by the battery through a cable with a
cross-section of no less than 2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT Electric brakes or other devices must
be used with engine running.
In addition to the electrical branches, the vehicle's
electrical system can be connected only to the
supply cable for an electric brake and to the cable
for an internal trailer light, though not more than
15 W. For connections use the preset control unit
with battery cable no less than 2.5 mm2.
162GETTING TO KNOW
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1. Low engine oil pressure
The warning light switches on constantly together
(for versions/markets, where provided) with a
message on the display when the system detects
that the engine oil pressure is too low.
WARNING
If the warning light
turns on
when the car is travelling (on certain
versions together with the message on the
display) stop the engine immediately and
contact a Fiat Dealership.
2. Engine oil deteriorated
(only MultiJet versions with DPF)
The warning light will flash and a specific message
will appear on the display (for versions/markets,
where provided). The warning light may flash in the
following ways, depending on the version:
❒for 1 minute every two hours;
❒cycles of 3 minutes with intervals with the
warning light off for 5 seconds until the oil is
changed.
After the first indication, at each engine start-up
the warning light will continue flashing as described
above until the oil is changed. The display (for
versions/markets, where provided), shows a
dedicated message together with the warning light.The flashing of this warning light should not be
considered as a fault; it informs the customer that
the oil needs to be changed following normal car
use.
Note that engine oil degrades faster under the
following circumstances:
❒mainly town use of the car which makes the DPF
regeneration process more frequent;
❒use of the car for short drives, in which the
engine does not have time to reach its regular
operating temperature;
❒repeated interruption of the regeneration
process, signalled by the DPF warning light
coming on.
WARNING
If the warning light switches on, the
deteriorated engine oil must be
changed as soon as possible, and never more
than 500 km from the first time that the
warning light switches on. Failure to observe
the above indication may result in severe
damage to the engine and invalidate the
warranty. Remember that the operation of this
warning light is not related to the amount of
oil in the engine.Therefore, never top up
with oil when the warning light starts flashing.
169GETTING TO KNOW
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EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE (red)
Turning the key to the MAR-ON position the
warning light switches on, but it should switch off
after a few seconds. The warning light turns on
when the engine is overheated. If the warning light
comes on, proceed as follows:
❒when driving normally:stop the car, stop the
engine and check that the water level in the
reservoir is not below the MIN mark. If it is, wait
for a few minutes for the engine to cool down
then slowly and carefully open the cap, top
up with coolant and check that the level is
between the MIN and MAX marks. Also check
visually for any fluid leaks. If, when restarting, the
warning light should come on again, contact a
Fiat Dealership.
❒If the car is used under demanding
conditions(e.g. towing trailers uphill or fully
loaded): slow down and, if the light stays on, stop
the car. Wait for 2 or 3 minutes with the engine
running and slightly accelerated to further favour
the coolant circulation. Then stop the engine.
Check the correct coolant level as described
above.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is
advisable to keep the engine on and slightly
accelerated for a few minutes before switching it
off.
The display will show the dedicated message.
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING
(red)
This warning light (or symbol on the display)
switches on when one or more doors are not
properly shut. An acoustic signal is activated with
the doors open and the car moving.LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT NOT
PROPERLY SHUT
This symbol (for versions/markets where provided)
switches on in the display when the luggage
compartment is not properly shut. On certain
versions warning light
comes on instead.
BONNET NOT PROPERLY SHUT
This symbol (for versions/markets where provided)
switches on in the display when the bonnet is not
properly shut. On certain versions warning light
comes on instead.
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WARNING
This procedure must be performed by
exper t personnel because incorrect
actions could cause electrical discharge of
considerable intensity. Furthermore, battery
fluid is poisonous and corrosive: avoid contact
with skin and eyes. Keep naked flames and
lighted cigarettes away from the battery and
do not cause sparks.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake servo and
electrical power steering system are not active until
the engine is started. A much greater effort will
therefore be required to use the brake pedal or
turn the steering wheel.
CHANGING A WHEELGENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
The car is equipped with the “Fix&Go Automatic
Kit”: see paragraph “Fix&Go Automatic Kit” for
instructions on how to use this device. As an
alternative to the “Fix&Go Automatic Kit” the car
may be equipped with a space-saver wheel: see
the instructions on the following pages for changing
the wheel.
WARNING
The space-saver wheel (for versions/
markets, where provided) is specific to
your car, do not use it on other models, or use
the space-saver wheel of other models on
your car.The space-saver wheel must only be
used in case of emergency. It must only be
used for the distance necessary to reach a
service point and the car speed must not
exceed 80 km/h.The space-saver wheel has an
orange sticker that summarises the main
cautions for use and limitations. Never remove
or cover the sticker.The following information
is provided in four languages on the sticker:
"Impor tant! For temporar y use only! 80 km/h
max.! Replace with a standard wheel as soon
as possible. Never cover this indication". Never
apply a hub cap on a space-saver wheel.
182GETTING TO KNOW
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At the end of operation
❒arrange the space-saver wheel G fig. 149 in the
specific compartment in the luggage
compartment;
❒insert the partially open jack into container F and
force it slightly into its housing so that it does
not vibrate when the car is moving;
❒put the tools back into their places in the
container;
❒stow the container complete with tools on the
space-saver wheel and secure everything with
clamping device E;
❒correctly reposition the rigid preformed cover in
the luggage compartment.
QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT - FIX & GO
AutomaticThe Fix&Go Automatic quick tyre repair kit is
located in a special container in the luggage
compartment.
fig. 150
F0Q0510
fig. 151
F0Q0511
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Halogen bulbs must be handled holding
the metallic part only.Touching the
transparent part of the bulb with your
fingers may reduce the intensity of the emitted
light and even reduce the lifespan of the bulb. In
case of accidental contact , wipe the bulb with
a cloth moistened with alcohol and let the bulb
dry.If possible, we recommend have bulbs
replaced by a Fiat Dealership.The
correct operation and aiming of the
outer lights are absolutely essential for the
safety of the car and of compliance with law.Due to the high supply voltage, gas
discharge bulbs (Bi-Xenon) (for
versions/markets, where provided) must
only be replaced by a specialist technician:
danger of death! Contact a Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANT When the weather is cold or damp
or after heavy rain or washing, the surface of
headlights or rear lights, may steam up and/or form
drops of condensation on the inside. This is a
natural phenomenon due to the difference in
temperature and humidity between the inside and
the outside of the glass which does not indicate
a fault and does not compromise the normal
operation of lighting devices. The mist disappears
quickly when the lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending progressively
towards the edges.
194GETTING TO KNOW
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RAISING THE CARIf the car needs to be jacked up, go to a Fiat
Dealership which is equipped with jack arms or
workshop lifts.
The car must only be lifted laterally by positioning
the end of the arms or the workshop lift in the
points illustrated in fig. 195
IMPORTANT For Sport versions, take care not to
damage the side skirts when lifting the car with
the workshop lift.
TOWING THE CARThe tow hook, which is supplied with the car, is
housed in the tool box, under the carpet in the
luggage compartment.
ATTACHING THE TOW HOOK
Proceed as follows:
❒release the cap by operating on tab A fig. 196–
fig. 197;
❒take the tow hook B from its support;
❒fully screw in the hook on the rear or front
threaded pin.
fig. 195
F0Q0729
fig. 196
F0Q0730
221GETTING TO KNOW
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