technical specifications FIAT IDEA 2007 1.G Owners Manual

CHANGING THE BATTERY
If required, replace the battery with a genuine spare
part having the same specifications.If a battery with different specifications is fitted, the
service intervals given in the “Service schedule” in this
section will no longer be valid. Refer to the
instructions provided by the battery manufacturer.
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WARNING
If the car is left inactive for long periods at cold, remove the battery and store it in
a warm place to prevent freezing.WARNING
When working on the battery or near it, always wear the proper goggles. Batteries contain substances that are very harmful for the environment. You are advised to have the
battery changed at a Fiat Dealership, which is properly equipped for disposing of used batteries
respecting nature and the law.
Incorrect fitting of electrical and electronic accessories can seriously damage the car.
If after buying the car, you want to install electric accessories which require permanent electric
supply (alarm, free-hand phone kit, etc.) contact Fiat Dealership whose qualified personnel, in
addition to suggesting the most suitable devices, will evaluate the overall electric absorption,
checking whether the car’s electric system is capable of withstanding the load required, or whether
it should be integrated with a more powerful battery.

USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF YOUR
BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and lengthen its life,
observe the following indications:
❒when you park the car, ensure the doors, tailgate
and bonnet are closed properly;
❒the ceiling lights must be off. The car is however
provided with an automatic system for switching off
internal lights;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound system, hazard
lights, etc.) switched on for a long time when the
engine is not running;
❒before performing any operation on the electrical
system, disconnect the battery negative cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be perfectly
tightened.IMPORTANT A battery which is kept at a charge of
less than 50% (optical indicator with dark colour
without green area in the middle) for any length of
time will be damaged by sulphation leading to a
reduction in cranking power. Moreover, this might
lead to a higher risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at -10°C).
If the car is left inactive for a long period of time, refer
to “Car inactivity”, in section “Correct use of the car”.
If after buying the car, you want to install electric
accessories which require permanent electric supply
(alarm, free-hands set, etc.) contact Fiat Dealership
whose qualified personnel, in addition to suggesting
the most suitable devices of the Lineaccessori Fiat, will
evaluate the overall electric absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is capable of
withstanding the load required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful battery.
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In fact, since these devices continue absorbing energy
even when the ignition key is off, they gradually run
down the battery.The total intake of these systems (factory and after-
market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the
battery) as shown in the following table:
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Battery Maximum admitted stand-by intake
40 Ah 24 mA
44 Ah 27 mA
50 Ah 30 mA

WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, including the spare, every two weeks
and before long journeys. The pressure should be checked with the tyre
rested and cold.
For the correct tyre inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in “Technical
specifications” section.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear:
(A): normal pressure: tread evenly worn.
(B): low pressure: tread particularly worn at the edges.
(C): high pressure: tread particularly worn in the centre.
Tyres must be replaced when the tread wears down to 1.6 mm. In any
case, comply with the laws in the country where the car is being driven.
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒As far as possible, avoid sharp braking and screech starts, etc. Be
careful not to hit the kerb, potholes or other obstacles hard. Driving
for long stretches over bumpy roads can damage the tyres;
❒Periodically check that the tyres have no cuts in the side wall,
abnormal swelling or irregular tyre wear. If any of these occur, have
the car seen to at a Fiat Dealership;
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F0H0216m

❒Avoid overloading the vehicle when travelling: this
may cause serious damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒If a tyre is punctured, stop immediately and change
it to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim, suspensions
and steering system;
❒Tyres age even if they are not used much. Cracks
in the tread rubber are a sign of ageing. In any case,
if the tyres have been on the car for over 6 years,
they should be checked by specialised personnel, to
see if they can still be used. Also remember to
check the spare wheel;
❒In the case of replacement, always fit new tyres,
avoiding those of dubious origin;
❒If a tyre is changed, also change the inflation valve;
❒To allow even wear between the front and rear
tyres, it is advisable to change them over every 10-
15 thousand kilometres, keeping them on the same
side of the car so as to not reverse the direction of
rotation.
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WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to repainting treatments requiring to use temperatures
exceeding 150°C since the mechanical properties of the wheels could be impaired.WARNING
If the pressure is too low the tyre overheats and this can cause it serious damage.
WARNINGRemember that road holding depends also on the correct tyre inflating pressure.
WARNINGDo not cross switch the tyres, moving them from the right of the car to the left and
vice versa.

RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber hoses are
concerned, carefully follow the “Service schedule” in
this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and prolonged lack
of fluid in the system may cause hardening and
cracking of the hoses, with possible leaks. Careful
control is therefore necessary.
WINDSCREEN/
REAR WINDOW WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using special
products; TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC 35 is
recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they should be
replaced. In any case they should be changed once a
year.
A few simple notions can reduce the possibility of
damage to the blades:
❒if the temperature fall below zero, make sure that
ice has not frozen the rubber against glass. If
necessary, thaw using an antifreeze product;
❒remove any snow from the glass: in addition to
protecting the blades, this prevents effort on the
motor and overheating;
❒do not operate the windscreen and rear window
wipers on dry glass.
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WARNINGDriving with worn wiper blades is a serious hazard, because visibility is reduced in
bad weather.

Changing the windscreen wiper blades
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the windscreen wiper arm (A) and position the blade so that it
forms an angle of 90° with the arm;
❒press tab (B) of the coupling spring and remove the blade to be
replaced from the arm (A);
❒fit the new blade by inserting the tab into the special slot in the arm.
Make sure it is properly locked into place.
Changing the rear window blade
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the cover(A) and remove the arm from the car, slackening the
nut (B) that fastens it to the pivot pin;
❒fit the new arm, positioning it correctly, and fully tighten the nut;
❒lower the cover.
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F0H0217m
F0H0218m

SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen wiper
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly check that there is fluid in the
reservoir: see “Checking fluid levels” in this section).
Then check that the nozzle holes are not clogged, if necessary use a
needle.
Windscreen nozzles are fluid-dynamic and do not require adjustment;
windscreen fluid is atomized to cover a preset glass area.
Rear window wiper
The rear window nozzle like the windscreen nozzle is fluid-dynamic and
do not require adjustment; rear window fluid is atomized to cover a
preset glass area.
The nozzle holder is located at the top of the tailgate.
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F0H0219m
F0H0220m

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BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM ATMOSPHERIC
AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the following:
❒atmospheric pollution;
❒salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or hot humid
climates);
❒seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abrasive action
of wind-borne atmospheric dust and sand and mud and
gravel raised by other vehicles.
On your Fiat Idea, Fiat implemented the best
manufacturing technologies to effectively protect the
bodywork against corrosion.
These include:
❒Painting products and systems which give the car
particular resistance to corrosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel sheets, with
high resistance to corrosion;
❒Spraying of plastic parts, with a protective function,
in the more exposed points: underdoor, inner
fender parts, edges, etc.;
❒Use of “open” boxed sections to prevent
condensation and pockets of moisture from
triggering rust inside.BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your Fiat Idea is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original element of the
structure or body. For the general terms of this
warranty, refer to “FIAT WARRANTY” booklet.
ADVICE FOR PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aestethic purpose,
but also protects the underlying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you are advised
to have the necessary touching up carried out
immediately to avoid the formation of rust. Use only
original paint products for touching up (see
“Bodywork paint identification plate” in section
“Technical specification”).
Normal paint maintenance consists in washing at
intervals depending on the conditions and environment
of use. For example, in highly polluted areas, or if the
roads are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the car
more frequently.
To correctly wash the car:
❒remove the aerial from the roof to prevent damage
to it if the car is washed in an automatic system;
❒wash the body using a low pressure jet of water;

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❒wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy solution over
the bodywork, frequently rinsing with the sponge;
❒rinse well with water and dry with a jet of air or a
chamois leather.
When drying, take particular care with the less visible
parts like door surrounds, bonnet and around the
headlights where water may stagnate. The car should
not be taken to a closed area immediately, but left in
the open so that residual water can evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been left in the sun or
with the bonnet hot: this may alter the shine of the
paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in the same way
as the rest of the vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under trees; the resinous
substance many species release give the paint a dull
appearance and increase the possibility of triggering
rust processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid they contain is
particularly aggressive.Windows
Use specific window cleaner products. Use also clean
cloths to avoid scratching the glass or damaging the
transparency.
IMPORTANT The inside of the rearscreen should be
wiped gently with a cloth in the direction of the
filaments to avoid damaging the heating device.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT When cleaning plastic lenses of front
headlights, never use aromatic substances (e.g. petrol)
or ketones (e.g.: acetone).
Detergents cause water pollution. Therefore the car should be washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid used in the washing process.