stop start FIAT STRADA 2011 Owner handbook (in English)

106
STARTING PROCEDURE
1) Make sure that the handbrake is
engaged.
2) Put the gear lever in neutral.
3) Turn the ignition key to MAR.
The mand
Uwarning lights
switch on in the instrument panel
4) Wait for the warning lights to
switch off. The hotter the engine
is, the quicker this will happen.
5) Fully depress the clutch pedal.
6) Turn the ignition key to AVV,
within the first few moments
after the warning lights switch off.
Waiting too long will waste the
heating work carried out by the
plugs. Release the key as soon as
the engine starts.IMPORTANT With the engine cold,
the accelerator pedal must be
completely released while you turn
the ignition key to AVV.If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key
to STOP before repeating the
starting procedure.
If you still cannot start the engine,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the
ignition key at MAR when the
engine is off.Warning light mwill
flash for 60 seconds
after starting or during
prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault in the plug preheating
system.
Use the vehicle normally if the
engine starts, but contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.

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.

113
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low
or high revs when the vehicle is
stationary; this causes the engine to
warm up more slowly, thereby
increasing fuel consumption and
emissions. It is advisable to move off
immediately and slowly, avoiding
high speeds: in this way the engine
will warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before stopping the
engine.
This, as well as double declutching, is
absolutely unnecessary and increases
consumption and pollution.
Gear selection
As soon as the conditions of the
traffic and road permit, use a higher
gear.
Using a low gear for faster
acceleration will increase
consumption.Improper use of a high gear
increases consumption, emissions
and engine wear.
Maximum speed
Fuel consumption increases
considerably with speed. Maintain a
constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and
acceleration, which cost in terms of
both fuel and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently will greatly
affect consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual.
CONDITIONS OF USE
The main usage conditions that
negatively affect fuel consumption
are listed below.Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold
starts do not allow the engine to
reach optimum operating
temperature.
This results in a significant increase
in consumption levels (by 15–30% in
the urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption levels are
linked to situations with heavy
traffic, for instance when travelling in
queues with frequent use of the
lower gears or in cities with many
traffic lights. Winding mountain
roads and rough road surfaces also
adversely affect consumption.
Stopping in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups
(e.g. at level crossings) the engine
should be switched off.

149
ENGINE OIL fig. 153
Engine oil level checkCheck the oil level a few minutes
(about 5) after the engine has
stopped, with the vehicle parked on
level ground.
Take out the engine oil dipstick
A-fig. 153, clean it and then fully
reinsert it, take it out again and
check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the
dipstick. The interval between MIN
and MAX corresponds to about
1 litre of oil.
AB
fig. 153
F0X0137m
Always top up using
engine oil of the same
specifications as that
already in the engine.
Be very careful when
working in the engine
compartment when the engine
is hot: you may get burned.
Remember that the fan may
start up if the engine is hot:
this could injure you. Scarves,
ties and other loose clothing
may be pulled by moving parts.
WARNING
Topping up the engine oil
If the oil level is near or under the
MIN mark, add oil through the filler
B-fig. 153 until it reaches the MAX
mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
IMPORTANT If the engine oil level,
after a routine check, is above the
MAX level, contact a Fiat Dealership
to have the correct level restored.
IMPORTANT After adding or
changing the oil, let the engine turn
over for a few seconds and wait a
few minutes after stopping it before
you check the level.

157
ABC
fig. 160
F0X0144m
WHEELS AND TYRES
TYRE PRESSURE
Check the pressure of each tyre,
including the space-saver wheel,
approximately every two weeks and
before long journeys: the pressure
should be checked with the tyre
rested and cold.
It is normal for the pressure to
increase when the vehicle is used;
for the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see “Wheels” in the
“Technical specifications” section.Incorrect pressure causes abnormal
tyre wear fig. 160:
A - Normal pressure: tread evenly
worn.
B - Low pressure: tread particularly
worn at the edges.
C - High pressure: tread particularly
worn in the centre.Remember that the
road holding qualities
of your vehicle also depend on
the correct inflation pressure
of the tyres.
WARNING
If the pressure is too
low the tyre overheats
and can be seriously damaged.
WARNING
The tyres must be replaced when
the tread is less than 1.6 mm thick.
In any case, comply with the laws in
force in the country where you are
driving.
IMPORTANT
Avoid sharp braking, racing starts
etc. where possible.
In particular, avoid striking the kerb,
potholes or other obstacles
violently. Driving for long stretches
over bumpy roads can damage the
tyres.
Periodically check that the tyres
have no cuts in the side wall,
abnormal swelling or irregular tyre
wear. Contact a Fiat Dealership if
required.
Avoid overloading the car when
travelling: this may cause serious
damage to the wheels and tyres.
If you have a puncture, stop
immediately and change the tyre, so
that the tyre itself, the rim, the
suspension and the steering are not
damaged.