towing FIAT IDEA 2009 1.G Owners Manual

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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
ALPHABETICAL
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
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SAFETY
STARTING
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STARTING THE ENGINE ................................................. 112
PARKING THE VEHICLE .................................................. 114
USING THE GEARBOX .................................................... 115
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS ............................... 116
TOWING TRAILERS .......................................................... 117
SNOW TYRES ...................................................................... 120
SNOW CHAINS .................................................................. 121
STORING THE CAR .......................................................... 122
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❒turn the ignition key to AVVas soon
as the warning light mturns off.
Waiting too long will waste the work
done by the heater plugs. Release the
key as soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT With the engine cold, the
accelerator must be entirely released
when turning the ignition key to position
AVV.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the
instrument panel warning light
Yre-
mains lit, turn the key to STOPand then
back to MAR; if the warning lights remain
on, try with the other keys provided with
the car.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you still can-
not start the engine.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off. Warning light
mwill blink
for 60 seconds after starting
or during prolonged cranking
to indicate a fault to the glow
plug heating system. Use the car nor-
mally if the engine starts and go to a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED (petrol and Multijet
engines)
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium speed. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performan-
ce for the first few kilometres. Wait
until the engine coolant gauge starts
moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine 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 engi-
ne compartment to fall. Never jump start the engine
by pushing, towing or driving
downhill. This could cause a
flow of fuel into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond re-
pair.
A quick burst on the accele-
rator before turning off the
engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes
fuel and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.
Remember that the brake
booster 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

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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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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).

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STARTING
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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.

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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

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MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
OPENING/CLOSING THE DOORS................................ 134
STARTING THE ENGINE ................................................. 134
FIX & GO AUTOMATIC
(QUICK TYRE REPAIR KIT) ............................................. 136
REPLACING A WHEEL ..................................................... 140
WHEN NEEDING TO CHANGE A BULB .................. 144
REPLACING EXTERIOR BULBS ...................................... 147
REPLACING AN INTERIOR BULB ................................. 152
REPLACING FUSES ............................................................. 153
IF THE BATTERY IS FLAT ................................................. 158
LIFTING THE CAR ............................................................. 158
TOWING THE CAR .......................................................... 159
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Y Y
In an emergency we recommend that you call the toll-free number found on the
Warranty Booklet. You will go to our web site at www.fiat.com
to find the Fiat Dealership nearest to you.

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fig. 2F0H0718m
IMPORTANT Never connect the negati-
ve terminals of the two batteries direc-
tly: sparks could ignite explosive gas re-
leased from the battery. If the auxiliary
battery is installed on another car, prevent
accidental contact between metallic parts
of the two cars.
This procedure must be
performed by expert per-
sonnel because incorrect actions may
cause electrical discharge of conside-
rable intensity. Furthermore, battery
fluid is poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with your skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames away from the battery.
No smoking. Do not cause sparks.
WARNING
Never use a rapid battery
charger to jump start the en-
gine: this could damage the
electronic systems and the en-
gine ignition and injection control units.BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. This could cau-
se a flow of fuel into the catalytic conver-
ter and damage it beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake
servo and the electric power steering sy-
stem are not activated until the engine is
started, a greater effort will therefore be
required to press the brake pedal or turn
the steering wheel.
Indicate that the car is sta-
tionary according to the laws
in force: emergency lights, refracting
warning triangle, etc. Passengers
should leave the car, particularly if
it is very loaded, and wait for the
wheel to be changed away from on-
coming traffic. Arrange wedges or
other suitable material under the
wheels to block the car on slopes or
rough roads.
WARNING

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TOWING THE CAR
The car is provided with two tow rings:
use the shorter one on the front and the
longer one on the back.
The figures show the arrangement of the
rear ring (long) with respect to the space
saver spare fig. 44and in the automatic
Fix & Go kit container fig. 45.
REMOVING THE TOW HITCH
CAPS
To avoid damaging the cap A-fig. 46, pro-
ceed as follows:
❒take the screwdriver from the tool
container;
fig. 46F0H0250m
fig. 47F0H0251m
❒insert the screwdriver in the slot Bon
the cap;
❒rest your thumb on the cap to avoid
damage fig. 47;
fig. 44F0H0342m
fig. 45F0H0361m
❒extract the cap (without turning it)
perpendicularly to the supporting sur-
face fig. 47.

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FASTENING THE TOW RING
Proceed as follows:
❒take the tow hook Bfrom the sup-
port;
❒tighten the ring on the rear fig. 48 or
front threaded pin fig. 49.
fig. 48F0H0204mfig. 49F0H0205m
Before towing, turn the key
to MAR and then to STOP
without extracting it. The steering co-
lumn will automatically lock when
the key is removed and the wheels
cannot be steered.
WARNING
The power brakes and
power steering will not work
while the car is being towed. More
effort on the brake pedal and steering
wheel will therefore be required. Do
not use flexible cables when towing
and avoid jerky movements. Make su-
re not to damage parts in contact
with the car while towing. Respect
the specific rules of the Highway Co-
de when towing the car specifically in
relation to the towing device and the
behaviour to maintain on the road.
WARNING
Do not start the engine whi-
le towing the car.
WARNING

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SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance is essential for en-
suring long car life under the best condi-
tions.
This is why Fiat has planned a series of
checks and maintenance operations every
20,000 km.
Scheduled servicing will not however ful-
ly cover all of the need of your car: 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 servi-
ce 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 pres-
sure check, etc.IMPORTANT Scheduled service coupons
are required by the manufacturer. Failu-
re to carry them out may invalidate the
warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all
Fiat Dealerships at pre-established times.
If during each operation, in addition to the
ones programmed, the need arises for
further replacements or repairs, these
may only be carried out with the explicit
agreement of the Customer.IMPORTANT You are advised to contact
the Fiat Dealership in the event of any mi-
nor 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.