towing FIAT IDEA 2007 1.G Owners Manual

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ENGINE STARTING ............................................................ 178
PARKING ................................................................................ 181
USING THE GEARBOX...................................................... 182
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS ................................ 183
TOWING TRAILERS ........................................................... 185
SNOW TYRES ....................................................................... 188
SNOW CHAINS ................................................................... 189
CAR INACTIVITY ................................................................ 190
C C
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HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED (petrol and Multijet
versions)
Proceed as follows:
❒Drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
revs. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒Do not drive at full performance for the initial
kilometres. Wait until the coolant temperature
gauge starts moving.
EMERGENCY START-UP
If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on with
fixed light, the emergency start-up can be performed
by using the CODE card code (see section “In an
emergency”).STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition 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.
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Never bump start the engine by pushing, towing or coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to flow
into the catalytic exhaust system and damage it beyond repair.
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.
Remember that the servobrake and power steering are not operational until the
engine has been started, therefore much effort than usual is required on the brake
pedal and steering wheel.WARNING

TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT 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 release a special document
for circulation on the road.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-view mirrors
as specified by law.
Remember that when towing a trailer, steep hills are
harder to climb, the braking spaces 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 by the same amount the actual vehicle loading
capacity. To make sure the maximum towable weight
is not exceeded (given in the log book) account should
be taken of the fully laden trailer, including accessories
and personal belongings.
Do not exceed the speed limits of the country you are
driving in. In any case do not exceed 100 km/h.
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WARNING
Under no circumstances should the vehicle brake system be altered to control the
trailer brake. The trailer braking system must be fully independent of the vehicle’s
hydraulic system.WARNING
The ABS system with which the car may be fitted does not control the trailer
braking system. Great care should therefore be taken when driving on slippery
road surfaces.

INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to the body 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 94/20/EC Directive and subsequent
amendments.
For any version the towing device used must match
the towable weight of the vehicle on which it is to be
installed.
For the electric connection a unified connector should
be used which is generally placed on a special bracket
normally fastened to the towing device, and a special
ECU for external trailer light control shall be installed
on the car. For the electrical connection 7 or 13 pins 12VDC
connection is to be used (CUNA/UNI and ISO/DIN
Standards). Follow the instructions provided by the car
manufacturer and/or the tow hitch manufacturer.
An electric brake should be supplied directly by the
battery through a cable with a cross section of no less
than 2.5 mm
2.
IMPORTANT Electric brake or other device shall be
used with running engine.
In addition to the electrical branches, the car’s electric
system can only be connected to the supply cable for
an electric brake and to the cable for an internal light,
though not above 15W.
For connections use a preset control unit with battery
cable no less than 2.5 mm
2.
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❒car heavy duty(e.g.: towing trailer uphill or
fully laden car): decrease speed, if the warning
light stays on, stop the car. Wait for 2 or 3
minutes leaving the engine on and slightly
accelerated to further activate the circulation
of the coolant fluid, then switch the engine off.
Check proper coolant level as described
previously.
IMPORTANT Under severe use of the car, keep
the engine on and slightly accelerated for few
minutes before switching it off.ç
continued from previous page
red
Warning
light on dial Message on
multifunction displayMessage on reconfigurable
multifunction display

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DOOR OPENING/CLOSING ........................................... 221
ENGINE STARTING ............................................................ 222
FIX & GO automatic (QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT) ...... 225
IF A TYRE IS PUNCTURED ............................................... 230
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB ................... 237
IF AN EXTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT ......................... 240
IF AN INTERIOR LIGHT BURNS OUT .......................... 246
IF A FUSE BLOWS................................................................ 248
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT .................................................. 254
JACKING THE CAR............................................................. 255
TOWING THE CAR .......................................................... 255

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BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine (bu pushing, towing, or
coasting downhill) as this could cause fuel to flow into
the catalytic exhaust system and damage it beyond
repair.IMPORTANT Remember that until the engine has
started the brake booster and electrical power
steering systems will not work and a greater effort will
therefore be required to press the brake pedal or turn
the steering wheel.
WARNINGAlert other drivers that the car is stationary in compliance with local regulations:
hazard warning lights, warning triangle etc. Any passengers on board should leave
the car, especially if it is heavily laden. Passengers should stay away from
oncoming traffic while the wheel is being changed on. If the wheel is being changed
on a steep or badly surfaced road, place the wedges or other suitable material
under the wheel to stop the car.

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F0H0203m
JACKING THE CAR
If the car is to be lifted, go to a Fiat Dealership which is equipped with
the arm hoist or workshop lift.
Jack up the car only by positioning the jack arms or the shop jack in the
points shown in the figures.
TOWING THE CAR
The car is delivered with two tow rings: the short tow ring shall be fitted
at the front and the long one at the back.
Tow rings are arranged in tool container.
Side figures show how rear (long) ring was arranged, within spare wheel
and in the container of kit Fix & Go automatic, respectively.
F0H0342m
F0H0361m

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WARNING
Do not start the engine when towing the car.
WARNINGWhile the car is being towed with the
engine off, remember that the brake
pedal and steering will require more
effort as you no longer have the benefit
of the brake booster and the electrical
power steering. Do not use flexible cables
to tow. Avoid jerking. Whilst towing,
ensure that the coupling to the car does
not damage the surrounding components.
When towing the car, you must comply
with the specific traffic regulations
regarding the tow hitch and how to tow
on the road. TOW RING HOOKING
Proceed as follows:
❒take the tow ring (B) from its support;
❒tighten the ring on the rear or front threaded pin.
F0H0204m
F0H0205m
Before starting to tow, turn the ignition
key to MAR and then to STOP. Do not
remove the key. If the key is removed, the
steering lock engages automatically which
prevents the wheels being turned.

SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance is essential for ensuring long car
life under the best conditions.
This is why Fiat has programmed a series of checks
and maintenance operations every 20,000 km.
It is however important to remember that scheduled
servicing does not completely cover all the car’s
requirements: also in the initial period before 20,000
km service coupon and later, between one coupon and
another, ordinary care is still required such as for
example routine check and topping up the level of
fluids, tyre pressure check, etc...
IMPORTANT The Programmed Maintenance coupons
are specified by the Manufacturer. The failure to have
them carried out may invalidate the warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all Fiat Dealership,
at pre-established times.
If during each operation, in addition to the ones
programmed, the need arises for further replacementsor repairs, these may be carried out only with the
explicit agreement of the Customer.
IMPORTANT You are advised to contact Fiat
Dealership in the event of any minor operating faults,
without waiting for the next service coupon.
If your car is used frequently for towing, the interval
between one service coupon and the other must be
reduced.
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