steering FIAT STRADA 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

they may not provide any additional
protection compared with seat belts,
so their activation would not be
appropriate.
In these cases, non-deployment does
not indicate a system malfunction.
Do not apply stickers or
other objects to the
steering wheel or the passenger
side airbag cover. Never put
objects (e.g. mobile phones) on
the passenger side of the
dashboard since they could
interfere with correct inflation
of the passenger air bag and
also cause serious injury to the
passengers.
WARNING
Their volume at maximum inflation
fills most of the space between the
steering wheel and the driver and
between the dashboard and the
passenger. The airbags are not
deployed in the event of minor front
collisions (for which the restraining
action of the seat belts is sufficient).
Seat belts must always be worn. In
the event of frontal impact they
guarantee correct positioning of the
passenger.
fig. 99
F0X0055m
fig. 98
F0X0054m
DRIVER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG fig. 98
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special recess
in the centre of the steering wheel.
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG fig. 99
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special recess
in the dashboard: this bag has a
larger volume than that on the
driver’s side.
The driver side and passenger side
front airbags have been designed and
calibrated to protect front seat
occupants wearing seat belts.
93

97
Do not travel carrying
objects in your lap, in
front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury
if the airbag is deployed in an
accident.
WARNING
Always drive keeping
your hands on the rim
of the steering wheel so that
the airbag can inflate freely if
necessary. Do not drive with
your body bent forward. Keep
the back of your seat upright
and lean back into it.
WARNING
When the ignition key is
turned to MAR, the F
warning light (with passenger
side front airbag deactivation
switch at ON) switches on and
flashes for a few seconds to
remind you that the passenger
air bag will be deployed in a
crash, after which it should
switch off.
WARNING
If your vehicle has been
subject to theft,
attempted theft, vandalism, or
flooding, have the airbag
system inspected at a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
The front airbag is
designed to be
deployed for impacts of a
greater intensity than for the
pretensioners. For impacts
whose intensity falls between
the two thresholds, it is normal
that only the pretensioners are
activated.
WARNING
The airbag does not
replace seat belts but
increases their efficiency.
Because front airbags are not
deployed for low-speed
crashes, side collisions, rear-
end shunts or rollovers,
occupants are protected only
by their seat belts, which must
always be fastened.
WARNING

E-LOCKER SYSTEM
ELD - ELECTRONIC LOCKING
DIFFERENTIAL
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Some versions may feature the
E-Locker system, used in conditions
where the vehicle may slip.
This system can lock the front
differential, supplying both front
wheels with the same rotational
speed; in doing so, the wheel with
the greatest grip will be the one
which can propel the vehicle.
The E-Locker System
must not be considered
as a kind of “four-wheel drive”:
the system must not be used on
normal surfaces (dry asphalt
etc.). In any case, the system
deactivates automatically as
soon as the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 km/h.
WARNING
You are advised to use
the E-Locker System
only when a wheel loses grip
resulting in conditions of low
friction (e.g. on roads with
mud, sand, stones, wet grass
etc.).
WARNING
To operate the E-Locker System:
– press the brake pedal (vehicle
stationary);
– press the ELD button-fig. 101
located on the dashboard to the
left of the steering wheel; the
system emits a long beep, the ELD
warning light on the instrument
panel starts to blink and the
display shows a dedicated message
(ELD ON for 5 seconds);
– release the clutch slowly,
accelerating gradually; having
overcome the difficulty, deactivate
the system.
The E-Locker system
must be activated with
vehicle stationary. The expert
driver must be capable of
assessing the conditions of the
terrain before activation.
WARNING
fig. 101
F0X0082m
98

105
CORRECT USE OF THE VEHICLE
STARTING THE ENGINE
The vehicle is fitted with an
electronic engine lock device: if the
engine fails to start, see the
“The Fiat CODE system” paragraph
in the “Know your vehicle” section.
It is advisable not to
demand maximum
performance from your
vehicle (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at
high speeds, excessively intense
braking, etc.) during the initial
period of use.
When the engine is off,
do not leave the key
turned to MAR to
prevent unnecessary electrical
consumption from draining the
battery.
It is dangerous to run
the engine in enclosed
areas. The engine consumes
oxygen and engine exhaust
contains carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other
toxic gasses.
WARNING
The brake servo and
power steering are not
operational until the engine
has been started, so you need
to apply much more force than
usual to the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
WARNING

107
HOW TO WARM THE
ENGINE WHICH HAS JUST
STARTED
– Drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not
accelerate abruptly.
– Do not demand maximum
performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine
coolant temperature gauge starts
moving.EMERGENCY STARTING
Never bump start the
engine by pushing,
towing or driving
downhill. This could cause fuel
to flow into the catalytic
converter and damage it beyond
repair.
Remember that the
brake servo and power
steering are not operational
until the engine has been
started, so you need to apply
much more force than usual to
the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
WARNING
TO STOP THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while
the engine is idling.
A quick burst on the
accelerator before
turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
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.

118
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving downhill.
This could cause fuel to flow into
the catalytic converter and damage it
beyond repair.
IMPORTANT The brake servo and
power steering are not operational
until the engine has been started, so
you need to apply much more force
than usual to the brake pedal and
steering wheel.IF A TYRE IS
PUNCTURED
General instructions
To use the jack and
space-saver wheel
correctly, some
precautions are necessary,
described below.
Never use a quick
battery charger to start
the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems,
particularly the ignition and fuel
supply control units.
Incorrect positioning of
the jack may cause the
raised vehicle to fall. Do not
use the jack for loads greater
than that indicated on the jack
itself. The jack is only to be
used for replacing wheels on
the vehicle with which it is
provided. Never use the jack
for other purposes, such as
lifting other vehicles. Never use
the jack to carry out repairs
under the vehicle. Do not
grease the threads of bolts
before fitting them: they might
slip out.
WARNING
This procedure must be
performed by expert
personnel as incorrect actions
may cause high-intensity
electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames and lit
cigarettes away from the
battery. Do not create sparks.
WARNING

132
If a general protection
fuse (MEGA-FUSE,
MIDI-FUSE) is activated,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Before replacing a fuse,
make sure that the
ignition key has been removed
and that all the other services
are switched off and/or
deactivated.
WARNING
If a general protection
fuse for safety systems
(airbag system, braking
system), power unit systems
(engine system, transmission
system) or steering system
blows, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
Refer to the tables on the following
pages to identify the protective fuse.
Never replace a blown
fuse with metal wires or
other material.
If the replaced fuse
blows again, contact a
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
Never replace a fuse
with another with a
higher amp rating; DANGER
OF FIRE.
WARNING

133
To access the fuse box fig. 143, undo
the fixing screws A-fig. 144 and
remove the guard B.
The symbols which identify the main
electrical component that
corresponds to each fuse are
located on the inside of the cover.
fig. 143
F0X0126m
fig. 144
F0X0127m
DASHBOARD FUSE BOX fig. 143
The fuse box is located under the instrument panel, to the left of the steering
wheel.

140
Before towing, turn the
ignition key to MAR
and then to STOP without
extracting it. If the key is
removed, the steering lock will
activate automatically and it
will be impossible to steer the
wheels.
WARNING
The tow hook must be
used exclusively for
roadside assistance operations.
You are allowed to tow the
vehicle for short distances using
an appropriate device in
accordance with the highway
code (rigid bar), to move the
vehicle on the road in readiness
for towing or transport via a
breakdown vehicle. The tow
hook MUST NOT be used to
tow vehicles off the road or
where there are obstacles
and/or for towing operations
using cables or other non-rigid
devices. In compliance with the
above conditions, towing must
take place with the two
vehicles (one towing, the other
towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre
line.
WARNING
fig. 149
F0X0132m
IF THE VEHICLE
MUST BE TOWED
The vehicle can only be towed at the
front.
The tow hook is supplied with the
vehicle.
It is located in the tool bag.
How to attach the tow hook:
1) Take the tow hook.
2) Remove the cover on the front
bumper fig. 149, prising it up using
a screwdriver in the notch on the
cover.
3) Fully tighten the ring on the
threaded pin.

141
Before screwing on the
tow hook, clean the
threaded pin thoroughly.
Before towing the vehicle,
make sure that the tow ring is
fully screwed onto the
threaded pin.
WARNING
Do not start the engine
whilst the vehicle is
being towed.
WARNING
The brake servo and
power steering will not
work while the vehicle is being
towed. You will therefore need
to apply more force to the brake
pedal and steering wheel. Do
not use flexible cables when
towing and avoid jerky
movements. During towing
operations, make sure that the
fixing of the joint does not
damage adjoining components.
WARNINGEXTINGUISHER
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Some versions may feature an
extinguisher A-fig. 152.
For use and maintenance, follow the
instructions on the extinguisher
itself.
fig. 152
F0X0135m