engine FIAT IDEA 2009 1.G Owner's Guide

116
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
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ALPHABETICAL
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SAFETY
STARTING
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CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may
help you to keep the running costs of your
vehicle down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the atmo-
sphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service schedu-
le”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly, at least on-
ce every four weeks: excessively low pres-
sure will increase fuel consumption be-
cause rolling resistance will be higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot.
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the car
(especially when driving in town) and its
trim greatly affects consumption and sta-
bility.Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack from
the roof after use. These accessories de-
crease aerodynamic penetration of the car
and have a negative effect on consumption.
It is better to use a trailer to transport
particularly bulky objects.
Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window, ad-
ditional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).
Climate control
The climate control system requires hi-
gher fuel consumption (up to +20% in ave-
rage): use the air vents when the exter-
nal temperature allows to.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and fuel
consumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car
standing: the engine warms up very slowly
in these conditions, increasing fuel con-
sumption and emissions. It is advisable to
start off immediately and slowly keeping
the engine speed down: the engine will
warm up much faster this way.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic
lights or before stopping the engine. The
latter action, like doubling the clutch, is un-
necessary and causes increase of con-
sumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and
road conditions allow. Using a low gear
for faster acceleration will increase fuel
consumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions an
engine wear.

117
WARNING
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SAFETY
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Average speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
as speed increases. Keep your speed as
even as possible, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration, which cause ex-
cessive fuel consumption and increased
emissions.
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very negative
effect on fuel consumption and emissions:
accelerate gradually and do not go over
the maximum torque ratio.OPERATING METHOD
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-
ups will prevent the engine from reaching
optimal running temperature. Conse-
quently, both consumption (from +15 to
+30% on urban cycle ) and emissions will
increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Quite high consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when travelling
in a queue with frequent use of low gears
or in cities with many traffic lights. Moun-
tain and rough roads also have a negative
effect on fuel consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level cros-
sings) the engine should be switched off.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
The car must be provided with a type-ap-
proved tow hitch and adequate electrical
system to tow caravans or trailers. Instal-
lation must be performed by specialised
personnel who will issue the required pa-
pers 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, the braking
spaces increase and overtaking takes lon-
ger depending on the overall weight.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill,
rather than constantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the car’s tow
hitch will reduce the loading capacity of
the car by the same amount. Consider the
weight of the vehicle fully laden, including
accessories and luggage to make sure you
do not exceed the maximum towable wei-
ght (shown on the log book).

118
WARNING
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Respect the speed limits specific for each
country for vehicles towing trailers. In all
cases, the top speed must not exceed 100
km/h.
The ABS with which the car
may be equipped will not
control the braking system of the trai-
ler. Particular caution is required on
slippery roads.
Never modify the braking sy-
stem of the car to control
the trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
from the hydraulic system of the car.
WARNING
WARNING
INSTALLING THE TOW HOOK
The towing device should be fastened to
the body by specialised personnel accor-
ding to any additional and/or integrative
information supplied by the Manufacturer
of the device.
The towing device must meet current re-
gulations with reference to 94/20/EC Di-
rective and subsequent amendments.
For any version the towing device used
must match the towable weight of the car
on which it is to be installed.
For the electric connection a unified con-
nector should be used which is generally
placed on a special bracket normally fa-
stened to the towing device, and a spe-
cial ECU for external trailer light control
shall be installed on the car. For the electrical connection, 7 or 13 pin
12VDC connection is to be used (CU-
NA/UNI and ISO/DIN Standards). Follow
the instructions provided by the car ma-
nufacturer and/or the tow hitch manufac-
turer.
An electric brake should be supplied di-
rectly by the battery through a cable with
a cross section of no less than 2.5 mm2,5.
IMPORTANT Electric brake or other de-
vice shall be used with running engine.
In addition to the electrical branches, the
car’s electric system can only be connec-
ted to the supply cable for an electric
brake and to the cable for an internal li-
ght, though not above 15W.
For connections use the preset control
unit with battery cable no less than 2.5
mm
2.

122
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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AND
CONTROLS
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
STORING THE CAR
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if pos-
sible well-ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not enga-
ged;
❒disconnect the negative battery ter-
minal and check battery charge. Re-
peat this check once every three
months during storage. Recharge the
battery if the indicator is dark and the
middle area is not green;
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts
using special compounds readily avai-
lable;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber
windscreen and rear window wiper
blades and lift them off the glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a fabric or perfo-
rated plastic terrapin. Do not use
compact plastic sheets which do not
allow humidity to evaporate from the
surface of the car.
❒inflate tyres to a pressure of +0,5 bar
above the normal specified pressure
and check it at intervals;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery
from the electric system, check its
charge every month and recharge it if
the optical indicator shows a dark co-
lour without the central green area;
❒do not drain the engine cooling sy-
stem.

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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS ...................................................... 124
LOW BRAKE FLUID LEVEL ............................................... 124
HANDBRAKE APPLIED ...................................................... 124
AIRBAG FAILURE ................................................................. 124
HOT ENGINE COOLANT ............................................... 125
LOW BATTERY CHARGE................................................. 125
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE -
EXHAUSTED OIL .............................................................. 126
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM ................................................................................... 126
DOOR OPEN ........................................................................ 126
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED ........................................ 126
EBD FAILURE......................................................................... 127
EOBD/INJECTION SYSTEM FAILURE ............................ 127
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED ......... 128
ABS FAILURE ......................................................................... 128
FUEL RESERVE....................................................................... 128
GLOW PLUGS ...................................................................... 129
GLOW PLUG FAILURE ...................................................... 129
WATER IN DIESEL FUEL FILTER ..................................... 129
CAR PROTECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE - FIAT CODE ...................................................... 129
REAR FOG LIGHTS ............................................................. 129
GENERIC INDICATION .................................................... 130
WORN BRAKE PADS ......................................................... 131
W W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S
OBSTRUCTED PARTICULATE TRAP ............................ 131
SIDE/TAIL LIGHTS AND
DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS - FOLLOW ME HOME 131
FOG LIGHTS ......................................................................... 131
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ....................... 131
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR ................... 131
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM ON .......................................................................... 132
CRUISE CONTROL ............................................................ 132
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS............................................... 132
POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD.................................................. 132
LIMITED RANGE .................................................................. 132

125
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SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If when turning the key to
MAR the warning light ¬does not turn on or stays on whilst
driving (together with the message in
the multifunctional display, where
provided), a failure may have occur-
red in the restraint systems. In this ca-
se the air bags or pretensioners may
not be deployed after an impact or,
in a minor number of cases, they may
be deployed accidentally. Contact
Fiat Dealership immediately to have
the system checked before driving off.
WARNING
The failure of the warning li-
ght ¬is indicated by inter-
mittent blinking of the warning light
“that signals front passenger airbag
deactivated. The airbag system will
automatically deactivate the passen-
ger airbag (front and side, where pro-
vided). In this case, the warning light
¬may not indicate a fault in the sy-
stem. Contact the Fiat Dealership im-
mediately to have the system checked
before driving off.
WARNING
HOT ENGINE
COOLANT (red)
When the ignition key is mo-
ved to MAR, the warning light
turns on and should go off after a few se-
conds.
The warning light turns on when the en-
gine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as
follows:
❒during normal travel: stop the car,
stop the engine and check that the wa-
ter level in the vessel is not under the
MINline. In this case, wait for a few
minutes for the engine to cool down
when slowly and carefully open the
cap, top-up with coolant and check
that the level is between the MINand
MAXreferences on the vessel itself.
Also check for leaks. Should the war-
ning light turn on again at the next
start-up, contact Fiat Dealership.
u
❒If the vehicle is used under seve-
re conditions(e.g. towing of trailers
uphill or fully loaded vehicle): slow
down and stop the car if the warning
light stays on. Stop for 2 or 3 minu-
tes with the engine running and sligh-
tly accelerated to assist better coolant
circulation. Then switch the engine off.
Check correct fluid level as described
above.
IMPORTANT Under severe use of the
car, keep the engine on and slightly acce-
lerated for few minutes before switching
it off.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
LOW BATTERY
CHARGE (red)
When the ignition key is mo-
ved to MAR, the warning light
turns on and should go out as soon as the
engine is started (with the engine running
at idle speed a brief delay in going out is
allowed). Go to a Lancia Dealership im-
mediately if the warning light stays on.w

126
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SAFETY
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
LOW ENGINE OIL
PRESSURE (red)
EXHAUSTED OIL (red)
(Multijet versions with
DPF)
Low engine oil pressure
When the ignition key is moved to MAR,
the warning light turns on and should go
out as soon as the engine is started.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
v
Exhausted oil
The warning light turns on and flashes
along with the message on the display
when the system detects that the engine
oil is exhausted.
After the first indication, at each engine
starting the warning light
vwill go on
flashing for about 60 seconds and then
every 2 hours until oil is changed.“DUALDRIVE”
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM
(red)
This warning light comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to MAR, but it should
go off after a few seconds.
The electric power steering system will
not work when the warning light is on and
considerably more effort is needed on the
steering wheel. The car can still be stee-
red: Go to a Fiat Dealership.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
g
DOOR OPEN (red)
On certain versions the war-
ning light turns on when one or
more doors or the tailgate are
not properly closed.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
A buzzer will sound when doors/tailgate
are open and the car is moving.
´
SEAT BELTS
REMINDER
(red) (where provided)
The warning light on the display
will light up when the car is moving and
the driver’s seat belt is not correctly fa-
stened. The warning light will blink and a
buzzer will sound if the front seat belts are
not correctly fastened. The buzzer of the
S.B.R. (Seat Belt Reminder) system can
only be switched off by a Fiat Dealership.
The system can be reactivated by means
of the setup menu.
<
If the warning light vturns on when travelling
(with the message on the display)
stop the car immediately and contact
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
If warning light vflashes,
contact Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible to have oil changed
and instrument panel warning light
turned off.
WARNING

127
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LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
>
EBD FAILURE
(red)
(amber)
Warning lights xand >lit at the sa-
me time with the engine running indicates
an EBD system failure or that the system
is not available. Early locking of the rear
wheels may occur in the event of violent
braking causing the car to swerve. Drive
very carefully to a Fiat Dealership to ha-
ve the system inspected.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
x
INEFFICIENT
EOBD/INJECTION
SYSTEM (amber)
Under normal conditions, turning
the ignition key to MAR, the warning li-
ght turns on but it should go off after en-
gine starting.
If the warning light stays on or turns on
when travelling, means a fault in the sup-
ply/ignition system which could cause high
emissions at the exhaust, possible lack of
performance, poor handling and high con-
sumption levels.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
Under these conditions, the vehicle can
continue travelling at moderate speed
without demanding excessive effort from
the engine. Prolonged use of the car with
the warning light on may cause damage.
Go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
If warning light will go out after the fault
goes away but it will be stored in the sy-
stem.
U
Petrol engine lubricants
The warning light turns on and flashes to
indicate possible damage to the catalyser.
If the light flashes, release the accelerator
pedal to lower the speed of the engine un-
til the warning light stops flashing; conti-
nue the journey at moderate speed, trying
to avoid driving conditions that may cau-
se further flashing and contact Fiat Dea-
lership as soon as possible.

129
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
GLOW PLUG
WARMING
(Multijet versions -
amber)
GLOW PLUG WARMING
FAILURE
(Multijet versions - amber)
Glow plugs
The warning light goes on when the key is
turned to MAR. It goes out as soon as the
glow plugs have reached the preset tem-
perature. Start the engine as soon as the
warning light goes out.
IMPORTANT With hot ambient tempe-
rature, warning light stays on for very
short time.
Glow plug warming failure
The warning light will blink in the event of
a failure to the glow plug heating system.
Go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
m
WATER IN DIESEL
FUEL FILTER (Multijet
versions - amber)
Turning the ignition key to MAR
the warning light turns on, but it should go
off after a few seconds.
The warning light
cturns on when there
is water in the diesel fuel filter.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
c
FIAT CODE
PROTECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (amber)
Turning the key to MAR, the
warning light flashes once and then goes
off.
If with the ignition key at MAR, the war-
ning light stays on, this indicates a possi-
ble failure (see “Fiat Code system” in sec-
tion “Dashboard and controls”).
IMPORTANT The turning on at the same
time of the
UandYwarning lights in-
dicates a failure of the Fiat CODE system.
If with the engine running the warning li-
ght
Yflashes, this means that the car is
not protected by the engine inhibitor de-
vice (see “Fiat Code system” in section
“Dashboard and controls”).
Contact Fiat Dealership to have all the key
stored.
Y
REAR FOG LIGHTS
(amber)
The warning light comes on
when the rear fog lights are on.
4
The presence of water in the
feeding circuit may cause se-
vere damage to the injection
system and irregular engine
operation. If warning light
clights up
(on some versions with the message on
the display), go to a Lancia Dealership
as soon as possible to have the system
bled. Water may have been introduced
in the tank if this appears immediately
after refuelling: in this case, stop the
engine immediately and contact a Fiat
Dealership.

130
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MESSAGES
GENERIC INDICATION
(amber)
The warning light turns on in
the following circumstances.
Exterior lights failure
The warning light will come on (some ver-
sions only) when a fault to one of the fol-
lowing lights is detected:
–side/taillights
– brake lights (excluding third brake light)
–rear fog lights
–direction indicators
– number plate lights.
The fault may be caused by: one or more
burnt lamps, a blow protection fuse or in-
terruption of the electrical connection.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
è
Obstructed particulate trap
(where provided)
The warning light turns on when the die-
sel particulate trap is clogged and the dri-
ving conditions do not enable to activate
automatically the regeneration procedu-
re.
To allow the regeneration procedure,
keep the car running until the warning li-
ght turns off.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
Engine oil pressure sensor failure
The warning light turns on when failure
is detected in parking sensors. Go to a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.Rain/dusk sensor failure
The warning light comes on when a du-
sk/rain sensor failure is detected. Go to
a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
Fuel cut-off switch tripped
The warning light comes on when the fuel
cut-off switch trips.
The display will show a dedicated messa-
ge.
Speed limit exceeded
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage when the car exceeds the set speed
limit (see “Multifunctional Display” in sec-
tion “Dashboard and controls”).