instrument panel FIAT STRADA 2012 Owner handbook (in English)
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: FIAT, Model Year: 2012, Model line: STRADA, Model: FIAT STRADA 2012Pages: 187, PDF Size: 8.06 MB
Page 65 of 187

Do not use the
windscreen wipers to
remove layers of snow
or ice from the windscreen. In
these conditions, the windscreen
wipers may be submitted to
excessive effort resulting in the
motor protection cutting in and
wiper operation being inhibited
for a few seconds. If operation is
not subsequently restored,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
(r
fig. 64
F0X0040m
CONTROLS
HAZARD WARNING 
LIGHTS fig. 64 
They are turned on by pressing
switch A, regardless of the position
of the ignition key.
With the device activated, the
switch flashes and the warning
lights flash on the instrument panel
at the same time.
To switch off, press the switch again.The use of hazard
warning lights is
governed by the highway code
of the country you are in.
Drivers must therefore comply
with the regulations that the
code contains.
WARNING
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CONTROLSWITCHES fig. 65
These are located above the central
air diffusers.
They only operate with ignition key
at MAR.
When a function is activated, the 
appropriate warning light switches
on in the instrument panel. 
To deactivate, press the button
again.
(
r
fig. 65
F0X0041m
Rear fog lights
Switch A: to activate these lights, the
dipped headlights and/or front fog
lights must be switched on. The rear
fog lights are deactivated when the
ignition key is turned to STOP. 
If they are required when the vehicle
is next started, they must be
reactivated.
Fog lights
Switch B: to activate these lights, the
external lights must be switched on
(not the main beam headlights). The
front fog lights are deactivated when
the ignition key is turned to STOP.
If they are required when the vehicle
is next started, they must be
reactivated.Driving lights
Switch C. To activate these lights,
the mean beam headlights must be
switched on. The driving lights are
deactivated when the ignition key is
turned to STOP.
If they are required when the vehicle
is next started, they must be
reactivated.
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Page 81 of 187

REAR AND SIDE 
FOOTBOARDS
(for versions/markets, where
provided) 
To facilitate access to the load
compartment, the vehicle features
two rear footboards fig. 96.
To facilitate access to the passenger
compartment, the Adventure
version features side footboards.
HEADLIGHTS
LIGHT BEAM DIRECTION
The correct direction of the
headlights is essential for the
comfort and safety of the driver and
other road users. To ensure the
best visibility when travelling with
the headlights on, the vehicle’s
headlight alignment must be correct.
Contact a Fiat Dealership to have
the headlights checked and adjusted.
HEADLIGHT ALIGNMENT 
CORRECTOR
This device operates with the
ignition key at MAR and the dipped
headlights on. The vehicle tilts
backwards when it is laden, raising
the beam. The beams must
therefore be realigned in this case.Headlight alignment
adjustment fig. 97
To adjust, depending on the version,
use the dedicated buttons on the
control panel to the left of the
steering wheel fig. 97.
The display on the instrument panel
provides a visual indication of the
adjustment position.
Position 0 - one or two people in
the front seats.
Position 1 (for versions/markets,
where provided) - four people.
Position 2 (for versions/markets,
where provided) - four people +
load in the rear compartment.
Position 3 (for versions/markets,
where provided) - driver +
maximum permitted load, all stowed
in the rear load compartment.
fig. 97
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fig. 96
F0X0077m
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When the ABS
intervenes and you feel
the brake pedal pulsating, do
not raise your foot, but keep it
pressed; in doing so you will
stop in the shortest amount of
space possible depending on
the current road conditions.
WARNING
If the ABS system
intervenes, this
indicates that the traction of
the tyres on the road is nearing
its limit. You must slow down
to a speed compatible with the
available traction.
WARNING
The ABS gets the most
from the available grip,
but it cannot improve it; you
should therefore take every
care when driving on slippery
surfaces and not take
unnecessary risks.
WARNING
FAULT INDICATIONS
ABS failure
This is indicated by the >warning
light switching on in the instrument
panel (together with a message on
the display on some versions) (see
“Warning lights and messages”
section).
In this case, the braking system will
still be effective, although without
the extra capacity offered by the
ABS system. Drive carefully to the
nearest Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked.  EBD failure
This is indicated by the >and x
warning lights switching on in the
instrument panel (together with a
message on the display on some
versions) (see “Warning lights and
messages” section).
In this case, the rear wheels may
suddenly lock and the vehicle may
swerve when braking sharply.
Therefore, drive very cautiously to
the nearest Fiat Dealership to have
the system checked.
If only the xwarning
light switches on in the
instrument panel (together
with a message on the display
on some versions), stop the
vehicle immediately and
contact the nearest Fiat
Dealership. Leakage of
hydraulic fluid from the
braking system will
compromise the operation of
the braking system, whether it
is of the conventional type or
with ABS.
WARNING
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FRONT AIRBAGS
The front (driver and passenger)
airbags protect the front seat
occupants in the event of head-on
crashes of medium-high severity, by
placing the cushion between the
occupant and the steering wheel or
instrument panel.
Therefore, non-activation in other
types of collisions (side collisions,
rear shunts, rollovers, etc.) does not
indicate a system malfunction.
An electronic control unit causes the
bag to inflate, if necessary, in the
event of a head-on crash.
The bag will inflate instantaneously,
placing itself between the front
occupants’ bodies and the structures
which could cause injury. It will
deflate immediately afterwards.
Front (driver and passenger) airbags
are not a replacement of but
complementary to the use of seat
belts, which should always be worn,
as specified by law in Europe and
most non-European countries.In the event of an impact, someone
not wearing a seat belt could move
forward and come into contact with
a bag which is still in the opening
phase. The protection offered by the
cushion is reduced in such a case.
Front air bags may not activate in
the following situations:
– frontal impacts against highly
deformable objects not involving
the front surface of the vehicle
(e.g. wing collision against guard
rail, etc.);
– vehicle wedging under other
vehicles or protective barriers
(e.g. trucks or guard rails);AIRBAGS
The vehicle is fitted with front airbag
for the driver and, for
versions/markets where provided,
front airbag for the passenger.
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fig. 100
F0X0081m
SEVERE
DANGER: 
Do not put cradle seats facing
backwards on the front seat if
the passenger side airbag has
been activated. Deployment of
the airbag in an accident could
cause fatal injuries to the child.
Should it be necessary to place
a child seat on the front seat,
always deactivate the
passenger side airbag. The
passenger seat must also be slid
back as far as possible in order,
to prevent the child seat from
coming into contact with the
dashboard. Although this is not
mandatory by law, the airbag
should be immediately
reactivated when children are
no longer carried to ensure
better protection for adults.
WARNINGMANUALLY DEACTIVATING
THE PASSENGER SIDE
FRONT AIR BAG
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Should it be absolutely necessary to
carry a child on the front seat, the
passenger side front airbag can be
deactivated.
With the ignition at STOP, the
airbags can be
deactivated/reactivated using the
ignition key in the special key-
operated switch that can be
accessed with the passenger side
door open. 
The key can be inserted and
removed in both positions.
IMPORTANT Only operate the
switch with the engine off and the
ignition key removed.The key-operated switch has two
positions fig. 100:
– passenger front airbag activated
(ON position 
P): 
warning light 
Fon instrument
panel off; carrying children on the
front seat is strictly prohibited.
– passenger front airbag deactivated
(OFF position 
F): warning light
Fon instrument panel on;
children, protected with
appropriate restraint systems, may
be carried on the front seat. 
The 
Fwarning light on the
instrument panel remains on
constantly until the passenger airbag
is reactivated.
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Page 90 of 187

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
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The E-Locker System
should not encourage
the driver to head towards and
travel through unknown places
and/or regions, confident of
tackling any obstacle. 
The driver is always responsible
of controlling and driving the
vehicle in all circumstances.
WARNING
SEVERE DANGER: 
If emergency conditions
require that a front wheel is
lifted: make sure that the 
E-Locker system is deactivated
before any operation is carried
out.
WARNING
The system features manual and
automatic deactivation.
Manual deactivation 
Press the ELD button again.
Automatic deactivation 
This occurs when the speed of the
vehicle exceeds 20 km/h.
When the vehicle approaches this
speed (about 15 km/h):
– the system emits a sequence of 
3 beeps
– the ELD warning light on the
instrument panel flashes more
quickly.When it is deactivated (manual or
automatic):
– the system emits a short beep
– The ELD warning light switches
off in the instrument panel
– the display shows a dedicated
message (ELD OFF for 5 seconds).
In the event of failure 
– the ELD warning light on the
instrument panel switches on
constantly and the display shows a
dedicated message.
IMPORTANT If a user attempts to
activate the E-Locker System with
vehicle in motion and/or without the
brake pedal pressed, the command is
rejected and the system is not
activated; the ELD warning light on
the instrument panel switches on for
a few seconds at the same time.
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96
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.
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98
PARKING
Stop the engine, engage the
handbrake, engage 1st gear uphill or
reverse downhill and leave the
wheels steered towards the edge of
the road or the pavement. If the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope, it
is advisable to block the wheels with
a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the ignition key at
MAR because this drains the battery.
Always extract the key when getting
out of the vehicle.
Never leave children
alone in the unattended
vehicle.
WARNING
HANDBRAKE fig. 105
The handbrake lever is located
between the front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to engage the
handbrake and ensure that the
vehicle does not move.When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR, the x
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on.
To release the handbrake:
1) Slightly lift the handbrake and
press release button A.
2) Hold down the button and lower
the lever. The xwarning light
switches off.
Depress the brake pedal when
carrying out this operation to
prevent the vehicle from moving
accidentally.
The vehicle must be
secured after several
clicks of the lever. If this is not
the case, contact a Fiat
Dealership to have it adjusted.
WARNING
fig. 105
F0X0086m
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