steering wheel FIAT STRADA 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

87
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
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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
88
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95
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
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97
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.
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108
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
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123
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.
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130
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.
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131
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
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147
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.
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148
Tyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread and on
the sidewalls are a sign of ageing. In
any event, have the tyres checked by
specialised personnel if they have
been fitted for longer than 6 years,
so that they can determine whether
they can still be used. Remember to
check the spare wheel with
particular care.
Always fit new replacement tyres.
Do not use any of dubious origin.
The Fiat Strada uses tubeless tyres.
Do not use inner tubes with these
tyres.
If a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve.
To allow even wear between the
front and rear tyres, it is advisable to
change them over every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them
on the same side of the vehicle so as
not to reverse the direction of
rotation.RUBBER HOSES
For the rubber hoses of the brake,
power steering and supply system,
follow the Scheduled Servicing Plan
precisely. Ozone, high temperatures
and prolonged lack of fluid in the
system may cause hardening and
cracking of the hoses, with possible
leaks. Careful checking is therefore
necessary.Do not switch tyres
from the right hand side
of the vehicle to the left hand
side, and vice versa.
WARNING
Do not re coat alloy
wheel rims at
temperatures above 150°C. The
mechanical characteristics of
the wheels could be
compromised.
WARNING
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