174
STARTING
AND DRIVING
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
IMPORTANT A battery which is kept at
a charge of less than 50% for any length of
time will be damaged by sulphation leading
to a reduction in cranking power.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (already at –10 °C).
Refer to the paragraph “Car inactivity” in
“Starting and driving” if the car is left
parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install
electric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm, etc.) con-
tact Fiat Dealership whose qualified per-
sonnel, in addition to suggesting the mo-
st suitable devices from Lineaccessori Fiat,
will evaluate the overall electric absorp-
tion, checking whether the car’s electric
system is capable of withstanding the load
required, or whether it should be inte-
grated with a more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing
energy even when the ignition key is off,
they gradually run down the battery. USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
lengthen its life, observe the following in-
dications:
❒when the car is parked, make sure that
the doors, bonnet and tailgate are clo-
sed properly to make sure that the li-
ghts inside the passenger compart-
ment go out;
❒switch off all lights inside the vehicle:
the car is however equipped with a sy-
stem which switches all internal lights
off automatically;
❒do not keep devices (e.g. sound sy-
stem, hazard lights, etc.) on for a long
time with the engine off;
❒before performing any operation on the
electrical system, disconnect the bat-
tery negative cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be per-
fectly tightened.Batteries contain very dange-
rous substances for the envi-
ronment. You are recommen-
ded to go to a Fiat Dealership
to have the battery replaced where the
old battery will be disposed of respec-
ting both the environment and the laws
in force.
If the vehicle needs to be off
the road for a long period
under conditions of intense cold, re-
move the battery and take it to a
heated place, otherwise it may free-
ze.
WARNING
When performing any ope-
ration on the battery or near
it, always protect your eyes with the
special goggles.
WARNING
