battery FIAT IDEA 2007 1.G Owner's Guide

IMPORTANT - Battery
The charge in the battery should be checked at the
start of winter to limit the risk of electrolyte freezing.This check should be carried out more frequently if
the car is used mainly for short trips, or if it is fitted
with accessories that permanently absorb electricity
even with the ignition key removed, especially in the
case of after market accessories. If the car is used in
hot climates or particularly harsh conditions it is wise
to check the level of the battery fluid (electrolyte)
more frequently than specified in the “Service
schedule” in this section.
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Car maintenance should be entrusted to Fiat Dealership. For routine and minor maintenance
operations you wish to carry out yourself, always make sure you have the proper equipment,
genuine Fiat spare parts and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out these operations if you
have no experience.

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CHECKING FLUID
LEVELS
IMPORTANT When topping up
take care not to confuse the
various types of fluids: they are all
incompatible with one another
and could seriously damage the
car.
IMPORTANT Never smoke
while working in the engine
compartment: gas and
inflammable vapours may be
present, with the risk of fire.
1 Engine coolant - 2 Engine oil -
3 Brake fluid - 4 Battery -
5 Windscreen/rear window/
headlight washer fluid
F0H0206m1.2 16V and 1.4 16Vversions
F0H0259m1.4 8V versions (where provided)

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1 Engine oil - 2 Battery -
3 Brake fluid - 4 Windscreen/
rear window/headlight washer
fluid - 5 Engine coolant
F0H0325m1.9 Multijet versions
F0H0207m1.3 Multijet versions
1 Engine coolant - 2 Engine oil -
3 Brake fluid - 4 Battery -
5 Windscreen/rear window/
headlight washer fluid

BATTERY
The battery is of the “Limited maintenance” type: under normal conditions
of use the electrolyte does not need topping up with distilled water.
CHECKING THE CHARGE
The battery charge may be checked satisfactorily through the inspection slot
using the indicator (where fitted) and acting according to the colour the
indicator shows.
If the battery is not fitted with electrolyte level indicator, the relevant
checks must only be carried out by authorised personnel.
To check the battery charge, slacken the two fastening screws and open
the cover. Check the battery charge and then reclose the cover, take
care to prevent pinching and short circuits.
Refer to the table below or to the label on the battery (see figure).
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F0H0215m
Bright white colour
Dark colour
without green area in the centre
Dark colour
with green area in the centreTop up electrolyte
Low charge level
Electrolyte level and charge sufficientContact Fiat Dealership
Charge the battery (advisable to con-
tact Fiat Dealership)
No action
WARNING
The liquid in the battery is poisonous and corrosive. Avoid contact with eyes and
skin. Do not bring naked flames or possible sources of sparks near to the battery:
risk of fire and explosion.WARNING
Running the battery with low fluid level can damage the battery beyond repair and
could also cause its explosion.

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

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INDEX
I I
N N
D D
E E
X X
ABS (system) ............................. 138
Accessories purchased by the
user ............................................... 143
Air bags (front)........................... 166
– driver's air bag ...................... 168
– passenger's front air bag .... 168
– passenger's front air bag
manual deactivation ........... 169
- Side bags .................................. 170
Air cleaner................................... 263
Air vents ..................................... 80-81
Ashtray (Smokers' kit) ............ 122
At the filling station ................... 148
Automatic two-zone climate
control system............................ 89
Battery
– checking the charge............. 273
– jump starting ......................... 223
– recharging .............................. 254
– replacing ............................... 274
Bodywork
– maintenance ......................... 282
– version codes........................ 289
Bonnet ......................................... 134Boot ............................................. 128
– extension ............................... 131
– light ......................................... 256
Brake lights
– bulb replacement ................. 244
Brakes
– fluid level ............................... 271
– handbrake ............................. 181
– service and emergency ....... 293
Bulb (replacement) ................... 237
Capacities ................................... 300
Car inactivity ............................. 190
Car maintenance ........................ 258
– additional checks.................. 262
– Annual Inspection Schedule 262
– scheduled service................. 259
– Service Schedule .................. 260
Cargo box ................................... 119
Carrying children safely ............ 159
Ceiling lights ................................ 111
– bulb replacement ................. 246
Cellular telephones
– presetting............................... 141Checking fluid levels ............... 265
Child lock ................................... 11
Cigar lighter (Smokers' kit) ..... 122
Clutch .......................................... 292
CO
2emissions .......................... 304
Containing running costs ......... 183
Correct use of the car ............ 177
Cruise Control .......................... 108
Current sockets ......................... 121
Dashboard and controls ......... 4-21
Diesel fuel filter ......................... 272
Dimensions ............................... 297
Dipped beam headlights
– bulb replacement ................. 241
– control .................................. 100
Direction indicators ................. 101
– bulb replacement ................. 242
– control .................................. 101
Door pockets ............................. 117
Doors ........................................... 7-221
Emergency device for locking
doors from the outside ......... 12
Dualdrive
(electric power steering) ...... 144