maintenance FIAT PALIO 2003 178 / 1.G India Version Owners Manual

Dear New Car Owner,
Thank you for selecting Fiat and congratulations on your choice of a Fiat Palio.
We have produced this owner handbook to help you get to know all your Fiat Palio’s new features and use it
in the best possible way.
We suggest you to read it with the utmost attention prior to driving the car for the first time.
Information, suggestions and warnings, important for the use of the car, are contained in this owner handbook
and they will help you to derive the maximum from your Fiat Palio’s technological features. You will find indi-
cations for your own safety, the car’s well-being and about how to protect the environment.
You have also been given with Fiat Warranty (Owner’s Service Policy) Booklet, wherein you will find the
Warranty Certificate with the terms and the conditions for the maintenance of the car.
Best regards and happy motoring.
This Owner Handbook describes most of the features of the Fiat Palio. As a consequence, you should consider only that informa-
tion which is related to your version and optional which you have purchased.
Commitment to the Max
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7
SUMMARY
READY TO GO
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR
DRIVING YOUR CAR
IN AN EMERGENCY
CAR MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
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32
PRETENSIONERS
The pretensioner does not require
any maintenance or lubrication. Any
modification of its original state inval-
idates its efficiency. If, as the result of
exceptional natural occurrences
(floods, sea storms etc.) the device be-
come soaked through with water and
mud, it is essential that it be replaced.
The pretensioner will give maximum
protection when the seat belt adheres
snugly to the wearer’s chest and hips. To render the protective action of
the front seat belts even more effec-
tive, some versions of Fiat Palio are fit-
ted with pretensioners. These devices
“feel” that a violent collision is in
progress via a sensor, and pull back a
few centimeters of webbing. In this
way the pretensioner ensures that the
belt is adhering perfectly to the body
before the belt begins to hold back the
wearer.
When the pretensioner has been
triggered the retractor will lock.
The seat belt cannot be drawn back
up even when guiding it manually.
When the pretensioner is triggered
a small amount of smoke may be pro-
duced. The smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate the beginning of a
fire.
Under no circumstances
should the components of
the pretensioner be tam-
pered with or removed. Any in-
terventions should be carried out
by qualified and authorized per-
sonnel. Always contact a Fiat
Dealership
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65
The key switch is equipped with a
safety device which obliges, in the
event of engine starting malfunction to
return the key at
STOP prior to re-
peating the starting operation.
At the same time, when the engine is
running, the device prevents to shift
from
MAR postion to AVV position.
In the first operational seconds,
above all after a long inactivity peri-
od, you can hear a higher noise level
of the engine. Such phenomenon,
which does not compromise the func-
tionality and reliability, is typical of the
hydraulic tappets: the distribution sys-
tem, chosen for the engine of 100
16V
version of your Fiat Palio to contribute
to the maintenance intervention re-
duction.
STARTING THE ENGINE
IMPORTANT
Do not press the
accelerator until the engine has start-
ed.
1) Ensure that the handbrake is up.
2) Put the gear lever into neutral.
3)Press the clutch pedal right down.
4) Turn the ignition key to AVVand
release it as soon as the engine starts.If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to
STOP before trying to start the
engine again.
IMPORTANT Press the accelera-
tor slightly only if the outside temper-
ature is lower than –10°C and the en-
gine does not start at the first attempt.
IMPORTANTNever leave the ig-
nition key at
MARwhen the engine is
off.
Never touch the high
voltage wires (spark plug
wires) when the engine is
running.
It is dangerous to let the
engine run in a garage of
other closed area. The en-
gine consumes oxygen and gives
off carbon dioxide, carbon monox-
ide and other poisonous fumes.
STARTING THE
ENGINE
We recommend not to
push the engine to its lim-
its for the first period of
use (e.g. abrupt accelerations, ex-
cessively prolonged distances at
max revs, hard braking, etc.).
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75
CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
AND POLLUTION
Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked at
least once every four weeks: if the
pressure is too low fuel consumption
increases as the resistance to the
rolling movement of the tyre is
greater. In this state, tyre wear is in-
creased and handling suffers which will
effect safety.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with too much load in
the boot. The weight of the car (above
all in the urban traffic)and its trim
greatly effects consumption and sta-
bility.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove roof racks and ski racks
from the roof of the car as soon as
they are no longer needed. These ac-
cessories reduce the aerodynamic
penetration of the car and will increase
consumption.
Electrical devices
Use electric devices for the neces-
sary time only. The heated rear win-
dow, additional lights, windscreen
wipers, heater, fan of the heating sys-
tem require large amounts of elec-
tricity and increasing the request for
power will also increase fuel con-
sumption (up to +25% when driving in
towns). Some suggestions which may help
you to keep the running costs of the
car down and lower the amount of
toxic emissions released into the at-
mosphere are given below.
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
The overall state of the car is an im-
portant factor which has a marked in-
fluence over fuel consumption and dri-
ving comfort and on the life span of
your car. For this reason care should
be taken to maintain your car by car-
rying out the necessary checks and
regulations in accordance with the
specifications given in the service
schedule (see sections: spark plugs,
idling, air cleaners, timing).
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CAR MAINTENANCE
The Fiat Palio is new throughout, even in its ser-
vicing schedule.
For instance: the first scheduled servicing coupon
is prescribed at 1,000-1,500 kms or 3 months
whichever is earlier from the date of sale of vehicle.
However, it is useful to remember that the car
needs always ordinary attentions such as systematic
control with possible fluid level refuelling, tyre pres-
sure restoration, etc.
You should nonetheless bear in mind that the
proper maintenance of your car is certainly the best
way to keep it in tip-top conditions for years to
come and safeguard its performance and safety fea-
tures, while respecting the environment and keeping
running costs down.
Remember that the scrupulous compliance with
the servicing rules marked by the symbol ∑
can
constitute the condition necessary for the mainte-
nance of the warranty.
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................................... PAGE 105
SCHEDULED SERVICING
PLAN ............................................................................ PAGE 106
ADDITIONAL INTERVENTIONS ....................... PAGE 108
LEVEL CHECK ........................................................... PAGE 110
AIR CLEANER ............................................................ PAGE 116
BATTERY .................................................................... PAGE 117
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNITS ..................... PAGE 120
SPARK PLUGS ........................................................... PAGE 121
WHEELS AND TYRES ............................................ PAGE 121
RUBBER PIPES ........................................................... PAGE 123
WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW WIPER......... PAGE 123
MANUAL CLIMATE SYSTEM ............................... PAGE 125
BODYWORK ............................................................ PAGE 125
INTERIORS ................................................................. PAGE 127
104
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105
SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is es-
sential for ensuring it stays in tip-top
condition for a long time to come.
For this reason, Fiat prepared a se-
ries of maintenance controls and in-
terventions, from 1000-1500, 7500 &
15000 km and so on.
However it is useful to remember
that the Scheduled Servicing does not
completely exhaust all the exigencies
of the car: also in the initial period of
time prior to the coupon of 1000-
1500 km and later on, between one
coupon and an other, the ordinary at-
tentions are always necessary such as
systematic control with possible fluid
level refuelling, tyre pressure restora-
tion etc…
IMPORTANTThe Scheduled Ser-
vicing Coupons are prescribed by the
Manufacturer. The failure in the exe-
cution of the coupons can cause the
cancellation of the warranty.
The service of Scheduled Servicing is
performed by all
Fiat Dealership,
with prefixed times.
If performing each intervention, in
addition to the prescribed operations,
the necessity of further replacements
or repairs occurs, these latter can be
performed only with the explicit
agreement of the Customer.
IMPORTANT We suggest you to
immediately signal to
Fiat Dealer-
ship
possible small operational non
conformities, without waiting for the
next coupon execution.
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109
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
Using the car on dusty roads, replace
the air cleaner more frequently than
indicated in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan.
For any doubt on the air cleaner re-
placement, in relation to how the car
is used, contact the
Fiat Dealership.
The maintenance of the
car must be committed
to Fiat Dealership. For
those interventions of ordinary
and small maintenance, always
make sure to have the adequate
equipment, Fiat spare parts and
the consumption fluids; in any
event, do not perform such op-
erations, if you do not have any
experience. IMPORTANT - Fuel filter
Check the conditions of the fuel fil-
ter when changes (choking) are no-
ticed in the engine operation.
IMPORTANT - Battery
We suggest you to carry out the
check of the state of battery charge,
preferably at the beginning of the cold
season in order to avoid the possibil-
ity of freezing the electrolyte.
Such check must be carried out
more frequently if the car is mainly
used for short distances, or if it is
equipped with permanent absorption
users with disconnected key, above all
if applied in after market.
Please refer page no. 52 of 24
hours service assistance booklet
for BAT MOBILE service extend-
ed by M/s. Exide Batteries.You should check the battery fluid
(electrolyte) level more frequently
than shown in the service schedulein
this chapter if the car is used in hot cli-
mates or particularly demanding con-
ditions.
24 HOURS SERVICE
CALL - 9628 290 260
This single response num-
ber is available in 9 cities.*
AHMEDABAD - BANGALORE -
KOLKATA - CHENNAI - DELHI -
HYDERABAD - MUMBAI -
PUNE - LUCKNOW
* If you are not in, but near any of the above
cities; Dial city code followed by the single
response numberFor further information about Fiat Service Network please refer 24 Hours Service
AssistanceBooklet provided.
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117
BATTERY
The Fiat Palio battery is of the “lim-
ited maintenance” type: under normal
conditions it will not need to be
topped up with distilled water.
The level of the battery fluid(elec-
trolyte) should be between the two
marks on the battery when the car is
parked on level ground. If the level is
under the
MIN-fig. 16 line, have the
car seen to at a
Fiat Dealership.
See the section “In an emergency”
for instructions on how to recharge
the battery.
The liquid in the battery
is poisonous and corro-
sive. do not let it touch
the skin or eyes. Do not bring
naked flames or possible sources
of sparks near the battery: risk of
fire and explosion.
Working on low fluid
can damage the battery
beyond repair and lead to
the casing cracking and spilling
the acid it contains.
When you have to oper-
ate on the battery or near
it, always protect your
eyes with adequate glasses.
fig. 16
P4E01443
Batteries contain sub-
stances very dangerous for
the environment. We rec-
comend you have the car seen to
at a Fiat Dealership for the bat-
tery replacement. It is suitably
equipped for disposing of used oil
and filters in an environmentally
-friendly way that complies with
the law.
Incorrect fitting of elec-
trical and electronic ac-
cessories can seriously
damage the car.
If the car will stand for a
long time in the cold, re-
move the battery and
store it in a warm place to avoid
it freezing.
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126
Detergents pollute wa-
ter. For this reason, the
car must be washed in an
area equipped for the collection
and purification of the liquids
used while washing.
To wash the car properly:
1)Wash the body using a low pres-
sure jet of water.
2)Wipe a sponge with a slightly
soapy solution over the bodywork,
frequently rinsing the sponge.
3) Rinse well with water and dry
with a jet of air or a chamois leather.
When drying the car, be careful to
get at those parts which are not so
easily seen e.g. the door frames, bon-
net and around the headlights where
water can most readily collect. You
should leave the car out in the open
so that any water remaining can evap-
orate more easily.
Do not wash the car after it has been
parked in the sun or while the bon-
net is hot: it could take the shine off
the paint.Outside plastic parts must be cleaned
following the usual car washing pro-
cedure.
Avoid parking the car under trees;
the resinous substances that certain
species of tree shed dull the paintwork
and increase the possibility of rust
forming.
IMPORTANTBird droppings must
be washed off immediately and with
great care as their acid is particularly
aggressive.
Windows
Use specific window cleaners to
clean the windows. Use very clean
cloths to avoid scratching the glass or
damaging its transparency.
TIPS FOR KEEPING THE
BODY IN GOOD CONDITION
Paintwork
The paintwork is not only to make
your car look attractive but also to
protect the steel.
If the paint is scuffed or scratched
deeply you are advised to touch up as
necessary to prevent rust from form-
ing.
Only use genuine products when
touching up the paintwork (see the
“Technical Specifications”).
Ordinary maintenance of the paint-
work means washing it. The frequen-
cy you should do this depends on the
conditions and the environment the
car is driven in. For example:
– in areas with a high level of air pol-
lution;
– on roads sprinkled with road salt-
wash;
– parking under trees which drop
resin. In these cases, you should wash
your car more frequently.
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