FIAT STRADA 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

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
F0X0078m
fig. 96
F0X0077m
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Check the alignment of
the light beams each
time the weight of the load
transported changes.
WARNINGABS SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the braking
system, which prevents one or more
wheels from locking or slipping
regardless of the road surface
conditions and braking intensity,
ensuring control of the vehicle even
during emergency braking.
The EBD system (Electronic Braking
Force Distribution) completes the
system, allowing the brake force to
be distributed between the front and
rear wheels.
IMPORTANT For maximum
efficiency of the braking system, a
bedding-in period of about 500 km is
required: during this period it is
better to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.SYSTEM INTERVENTION
The driver can feel that the ABS
system has come into action because
the brake pedal pulsates slightly and
the system gets noisier: it means that
the speed of the vehicle should be
altered to suit the type of road
surface.
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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.
F0X0059m
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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.
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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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GENERAL WARNINGS
The front airbags may be deployed if
the vehicle is subject to heavy
knocks or accidents involving the
underbody area, such as for example
violent impacts against steps, kerbs
or low obstacles, vehicle falling into
big pot holes or depressions in the
road. A small amount of dust will be
released when the airbags are
deployed. This dust is not harmful
and does not indicate the beginning
of a fire. Furthermore, the surface of
the deployed bag and the interior of
the vehicle may be covered with a
dusty residue: this may irritate your
skin and eyes. Wash with mild soap
and water in the event of exposure.
Should an accident occur in which
any of the safety devices are
activated, contact a Fiat Dealership
to have the activated devices
replaced and to have the whole
system checked.
85
Every control, repair and
replacement operation concerning
the airbags must only be carried out
at a Fiat Dealership. If you are having
the vehicle scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at a Fiat
Dealership first. If the vehicle
changes ownership, the new owner
must be informed of the method of
using air bags and the above
warnings and also be given this
“Owner Handbook”. Pretensioners
and/or front airbags are deployed
differently on the basis of the type of
collision. Non-deployment of one or
more of the devices does not
therefore indicate a system
malfunction.
If the ûwarning light
stays on when driving
(together with a message on
the display on some versions),
there could be a failure in the
restraint systems. If this is the
case, the airbags or
pretensioners may not trigger
in the event of an accident or,
in a lesser number of cases,
they may be activated
incorrectly. Before proceeding,
contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the
system checked.
WARNING
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86
If the key is inserted
and turned to MAR
when no faults are indicated by
the warning lights, airbags may
be deployed if another vehicle
crashes into the vehicle even if
the engine is not running and
the vehicle is stationary. For
this reason, children must
never sit on the front seat,
even if the vehicle is stationary.
On the other hand, if the key is
inserted in STOP position,
none of the safety devices
(airbags or pretensioners) will
be deployed in the event of
impact. Non-deployment of
these devices does not indicate
a system malfunction.
WARNING
For versions/markets
where provided, when
the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the “yellow” Fwarning
light switches on for a few
seconds. If the passenger
airbag is active, the “yellow”
warning light switches off after
a few seconds. If the passenger
airbag is NOT active, the
“yellow” warning light
stays on.
WARNING
If the “red” ûwarning
light does not switch on
for a few seconds when the key
is turned to MAR, there may be
a fault with the “red” warning
light. In this case, the “yellow”
warning light starts to flash
after a few seconds and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING
The expiry date of the
explosive charge is
shown on a specific label
contained in the glove box;
contact a Fiat Dealership to
have it replaced when this
expiry date approaches.
WARNING
In the event of “yellow”
Fwarning light
failure, the “red”
ûwarning
light switches on and, for
versions/markets where
provided, the explosive charge
of the passenger airbag is
deactivated.
WARNING
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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
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