Fiat 124 1981 User Manual

Fiat Spider - 2000

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SERVICE NETWORK

When your car needs Service look
for the sign which identifies all autho ­rized Fiat Dealers where trained per­sonne!, specially designed equipment
and faciiities are available.

Our organization is at your füll
disposal for any Suggestion or advice
you may need.

SPARE PARTS

Authorized FIA T parts are the bsst
guarantee for top Performance and
satisfactory Operation of all compo-

nents.

When ordering, p/ease quote (see

page 2) :

— Car Model.
— Nurnber for Spates.
— PartNumber(s) of Spare (s) Ordered.

BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

Current progress in design and

manufacturing technology is so ad-

vanced that no hard-and-fast rule

need be given for break-in, However,
a few simple rules should be fol­!owed for the first 1000 mües:

Avoid fierce accelerations soon after
starting and allow time for the
engme to warmup (a good habit
even after break-in).

Do not fully depress the accele­rator pedal and avoid high engine
speeds, when operating in the
lower gears, that is, never allow
the tachometer pointer to move
into the yellow sector indicating
hfgh rpm rates.

Change your road speed occasion­ally, especially on long trips. Avoid
long drives at constant high or
Iow speeds,

Downshift whenever necessary to
cope with driving conditions on
route: you will avoid engine lug­ging at excessively iow rpm.

Avoid, if possible, severe stops at
sustained speeds during the first
few hundred miles: brakes will
set properly and improve their life
and effectiveness.

Remember that satisfactory Oper­ation and iong life are dependent to a
great extent on the care with which
the car is handled during break-in.

Fiat Spider 2000

This Manual provides the Information
necessary for satisfactory
Operation and maintenance
of your car.

We wish you pieasant motoriny
and trust the Information providsd

will help to ensure the
fang Ufe and safety of your car.

Operation maintenance specifications

KEYS

IDENTIFICATION
DATA

Each vehicle is provided with two
keys in duplicate; quoting the number
stamped on each key is essential to
obtain a replacement from FIAT's
Sales Organization.

A For ignitron switch
B For door and trunk locks.

B

50022

• Manufacturer's Plate

A - Name of manufacturer

B - Vehicls identification code
C - Chas&is Number
D - Engine type
E - Version code
F - Number for spares
G - Space reserved for Diesel vehicles

Kg

o

MOTOFtE-ENGINE
YEFSIONF- VERSION
N'PERRICAMBI-NäFDR

1-

2-

Kg
Kg
Kg

SPAR£S

0

i i

1 1

39090

— J

• Engine Type (132 C3.031) and

Identification Number - Punched

on crankcase, near oil filter mount.

• Chassis Type (124 CS2} and

Identification Number - Punched

on engine compartment bulkhead

(permanent structure) right side.

• F.M.V.Safety Standard 115Tag

Type of vehicle and chassis number,
located on panel top between instru­ment cluster and windshield.

• F.M.V.Safety Standard 110Tag

Tire data and car capacity, located
on R.H. door pillar, above striker.

• A) F.M.V. Safety Standard Con­formity Tag - Month and year
of manufacture, gross vehicle weight
rating, gross axle weight rating,
chassis number and car type, located
on left door pillar.

• B) Vehicle Emission Control In­formation Label - Located on left

door pillar.

• E.P.A. and California Regula­tions Conformity Tag - Air pollution

control specifications for correct engine
tuneup and adjustments, located in
engine compartment, on cowl.

3

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

11

12 13 14 15

16

35 34

33

32

31

30 27

INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS

1 lighting switch, three-position
2 Turn signal lights switch levei
3 High/Low beams change-over

switch lever

4 Inspection lamp receptacle

5 Instrument cluster
6 Horn button
7 Steering lock ignition switch
8 Windshield washer and wiper

switch lever, three-position

9 Air outlets
10 Windshield wiper sweep rate knob
11 Low brake fluid level/hand brake

ON indicator

12 «EX. GAS SENSOR)) indicator

13 Fasten belts indicator
14 Knob switch and rheostat for

instrument cluster lighting

15 Glove compartment
16 Glove compartment lock

17 Utility recesses (two)
18 Power window switches housing

19 Courtesy light with switch

20 Vehicular hazard warning signal

indicator and switch

21 Gearshift lever
22 Lever controlling air flow through

outlets 9 and/or under dash

23 Cigar lighter

24 Optional radio housing blanking

lid

25 Ash tray
26 Hand brake lever. To release the

lever press in button on top of

handgrip

27 Two-speed heater fan switch,

three-position

28 Air volume control lever
29 Air temperature control lever

30 Accelerator pedal
31 Service brake pedal
32 Clutch pedal
33 Fusebox
34 Hood release emergency cable
35 Hood catch release lever

FIAT Dealer for a cooling system
check (including fan circuitry).

a b

n i m n

Instrument Cluster

a) Fuel Reserve Indicator (Red) -

Warning that the fuel supply avail­able in the tank is between 5
and 7.5 liters {173to2 Gals).

b) Fuel Gage
c) Speedometer - This instrument

(which includes the odometer) is
factory-sealed: any tampering by
unauthorized persons will invali­date the warranty.

o p q f s

d) Odometer (Totalizer)
e) Trip Recorder

f) Engine Water Temperature

Gage - If the pointer enters the

red area it means that the engine is

overheating: it will then be neces­sary to immediately rev down the
engine to idle speed (do not $witch
off). Should the pointer remain
on the red area, contact the nearest

g) Tachometer - Electronically-op-

erated from the ignition distribu-

tor. The yellow area indicates ma-

ximum engine speed for all gears
whereas the red area shows

dangerous engineoperating speeds.

h) Type of Fuel Used (see page 33)
i) Cluster Panel Mounting Knobs

(Four)

I) Parking and Tail Lights Indi-

cator (Green)

m) Turn Signal Arrow Indicator

(Flashes green)

n) High Beams Indicator (Blue)
o) Trip Recorder Zeroing Knob -

Turn knob clockwise but never

when car is running.

p) Battery Charge Indicator (Red)

With engine inoperative, and ig­nition key in position MAR, the
charge indicator is on and must
go out when engine is started;

should indicator turn on while
engine is running, this is a warn-

ing of a fault in the battery re­charging system: turn immedia­tely to a FIAT Dealer for assist-

ance.

Fasten Belts Indicator (Red) and
Buzzer - Both are operative for a

few seconds when a starting attempt
is made with seat belts (driver and/or

passenger) unfastened.

q) Insufficient Oil Pressure In-

dicator (Red) - The light should

go off when oil pressure is suffi­cient to ensure adequate engine
lubrication,

r) Clock Reset Knob - Push and

turn clockwise making sure that

it springs back when released.

5) Quartz Crystal Clock

Lighting Switch

Up = All lights OFF.

With Ignition Key at MAR:

Down — Parking and tail lights,

headlight low or high beams and
flashers (main beams).

With Ignition Key Removed:

Center (night parking oniy) = Park-

ing and tail lights.
Down = All lights OFF.

Low Brake Fluid Level/Hand Brake

ON Indicator (Red)

With ignition key at MAR the indicator
lights up to warn the driver that the
bulb is efficient. In case the indicator
remains ON it means either that the
hand brake lever is pulled upwards

(brake applied) or that the brake fluid

level is too low.
Should the indicator turn on while

the vehicle is moving, stop and check
the fluid level in reservoir. If the level
is too low, great care should be taken
when applying the brakes and the
nearest FIAT Dealer contacted for a
brake system check.

Vehicular Hazard Warning Signal
Switch - Turns ON (independently of

key position in lock switch) the front
and rear turn signal lights which will all
flash simultaneously to warn of the pre­sence of the vehicle stopped on the road.

38003

EXHAUST GAS SENSOR
INDICATOR (red)

Lights up:

— Every 30 000 miles to warn owner

of need to replace exhaust gas

sensor (Lambda probe);

— On starting; it should go out when

engine is started.

Steering Lock Ignition Switch (*)

(See page 16 for starting procedure

instructions)
MAR (Run) = Engine ignition ON and

accessories energized

Remove Key Buzzer - Operates
when the steering wheel side door is
opened to leave the car and the igni­tion key is forgotten in the lock switch.
Gearshiftirtg Pattern - To engage
reverse (R), press the lever and shift

AW (Start) = Engine starting

ST [Stop) = Steering post antr-theft

lock in. Key removable

as indicated by the gating pattern.
Note: The use of fifth gear over 4B mph

improves fuel economy.

The total or partial removal oi key will lock the steering post even if car is in motion.
To facilitate the disengagement of steering post lock, slightly rock the steering wheel
while rotating the key. Key must not be left in position MAR when engine is inoperative
and must be removed only when leaving the car, especially if unattended.

(*) Even with key removed (position ST) the following circuits are stifl energized : courtesy

lights; horns; cigar lighter and housing indicator; vehicular hazard warning signal; remove

key buzzer; clock; inspection lamp receptacle.

Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch
Lever

a = Wiper off
b = Wiper On-Off intermittently (par-

ticularly useful in drizzly weather)

c = Wiper on continuously

Lifting the lever towards steering
wheel, whatever its position, will switch
on the washer.

Windshield Wiper Sweep Rate
Knob - Provides high or low sweep

rates in either wiper continuous or
intermittent operation, depending on
the position of wiper lever switch.

25947

High/Low Beams Change-Over
Switch Lever {With lighting switch

down and ignition switch at MAR)

I = Low beams
II = High beams

By lifting the lever towards steer­ing wheel headlight high beam flashes
are obtained even with all lights out

(Daylight signals).

Turn Signal Lights Switch Lever

Automatically trips back to OFF.

R = Right turn

Left turn

Inner Rear View Mirror - Collap-

sible, with anti-glare (Day/Night) po-

sition controlled by a lever. If the

mirror comes off its seat, following
an impact, refit by engaging spring B
on stud A — make sure the two
location dowels are properly registered

with relevant seats — and press

on base C. Engagement is of the
snap-on type.

Outer Rear View Mirror A on
steering wheel side door is adjustable

from driver's seat, by means of lever B.

DOORS

Opening

From outside - Unlock and pull the

handle.

From inside - Pull up lever A.

From inside (safety latch) - With

door already shut set the lever A down.
The lever will thus first insert the
safety latch and then snap back to
rest.

SEATS

Seats may be adjusted for leg reach

after moving control lever A downwards.

Locking

From outside - Both doors are pro-

vided with key-operated locks. Step-

ping out of the car on the curb side
is thus also possible. Always use the
key; never lever A.

10

Note: Lubrication of lock cylinders is not
recommended. At most, blow some gra­phite powder into the cylinder keyhole.
In cold climates it is recommended to
squirt in some special antifreeze fuild for
locks. Repeat the operation every time
the car is washed or at least every 15 days,
if insertion of key in the frozen lock proves
difficult, simply warm up the key.

Once the desired position is found,
release the lever and make sure the
seat has locked.

The position of the backrest is ad-

justed by turning knob B.

Warning

Before fastening the belts make sure
the seats and headrests are properly
positioned.

Each belt is intended for use by
one adult or one child over 6 years
of age.

For access to the rear compart­ment push down lever C and tilt
backrest downward.

On top of each seat backrest is fitted
a headrest: to re-set height pull up
or push down as required.

The headrest must be adjusted so

as to support the head and not the

neck of the occupant.

39078

SEAT BELTS

Seat belts provided as standard
original equipment are of the 3-point
lap type.

Pull belt fully out from retractors
without stopping as otherwise it will
be necessary to return the belt to the

stowed position to release the re­tractor stop mechanism.

To fasten, fit tongue A into buckle

B until a sharp click is heard.

Adjust the belt snugly around the
hips, not the waist, allowing excess
webbing to be pulled back into re-

tractor.

To free yourself from the belt
restraint: simply press in buckle
button C.

Occasionally, check that webbing

is in good condition.

In the event of an accident even
if the belt you were wearing is appa­rently undamaged it is suggested

that you replace it with a new belt
assembly of the same type.

To keep belts clean, wash only,
using warm water and mild soap.
Rinse and dry thoroughly. Do not
use strong detergents and avoid any
chemical that may weaken the equip­ment.

Users are warned to consult the
Manufacturers in case of doubt and
not to make any alterations of, or

additions to, seat belt assemblies
and/or anchorages.

11

VENTILATION AND HEATING

Ventilation and heating are adjusta-

ble according to seasonal requirements.

To ensure best comfort to occu­pants it is important to become familiar
with system controls and operation.

Admission of Heated or Fresh Air

Heater fan switch C is ener-

gized only when ignition key is in

position MAR.

Pressed in forward = High speed
Intermediate position = Off
Pressed in backward = Low speed

12

390 68

Lever D controls the air tempera- Defrosting end Demisting

ture.

Pulled all back - No heating of air
Pushed allforward - Maximum heating

of afr

For quick defrosting of windshield,

pull back completely lever F, push
forward lever D and set lever E in an
intermediate position. Turn on the

heater fan by switch C.

Lever E controls the air volume.

Frost Precautions

If during cold weather the car must
remain inactive for some time at freez­ing temperatures and the cooling
system is not protected with antifreeze
mixture, it will be necessary while
draining the radiator and Jackets
to empty also the heater core by
shifting lever D all forward.

Pulled all back - Maximum air flow
Pushed all forward - No admission

of air

Intermediate positions are used
especially when outdoor temperature
is low to limit the flow of cold air
around heater core.

Lever F controls the amount of air

flowing through windshield outlets A
and into front lower area through
console outlets B.

Pulled all back - Air flows through

outlets A only

Pushed all forward - Air flows through

outlets A and B

Door window ventilators are

opened by pulling lever G and tur-

ning upward lock H.

Note: If heating proves inadequate,

operation of the thermostat on the line
from cylinder block to radiator must be
checked.

FOLD-AWAY TOP

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14

To lower the folding top, proceed as
follows:

— Wind down the door windows.

— Pull down the two latch levers A

and release clamps B from latches C
securing the top to windshield
frame.

Push the top to the rear, making
sure the back window is not pinch­ed by the metal frame.

Free the rubber strap from the peg
on body side and strap the folded
top as shown in the figure.

Place cover F on the folded top
well by fitting rear eyelets D on
hooks E (page 14) then catches G

in detents H, spring hooks I in
holes L and snap on the button
fasteners M.

15

38000

STARTING THE ENGINE

Cold Starts With Manual
Transmission

— Move gearshift lever to neutral.
— Depress clutch pedal, especially in

cold climates.

— Insert and turn ignition key clock-

wise to the stop, that is position

AW. As soon as engine is started
release key which will snap back to
position MAR.

16

Should the engine fail to start
return ignition key back to ST posi­tion and repeat starting attempt.

— Do not step on accelerator pedal

until the engine is running smoo­thly.

— Avoid sudden acceleration when

engine is cold.

Do not continue with repeated start­ing attempts. If the engine fails to

start or stalls at idling have the fuel

injection and ignition systems checked

as soon as possible.

Cold Starts With Automatic

Transmission

Move the selector lever to HI or P

Engine starting is not possible with
the selector lever in any other po­sition.
Then proceed according to manual
transmission instructions.

Hot Starts

For vehicles with manual and automatic
transmission turn ignition key without
touching accelerator pedal.

DRIVING THE CAR

Never maintain nor exceed the
maximum allowed speeds and do
not drive with tachometer pointer
steadily on the yellow sector.

Do not travel steadily for long

intervals at top speed in any gear.

All red indicator lights should be
out while driving.

Do not coast downhill with the
clutch pedal depressed, the transmis­sion in neutral or the engine off, as the
marginal saving in fuel consumption
which may be derived from such
practice does not compensate for the
resulting loss in brake lining life and
driving safety which is provided by the

braking effect of the engine.

Remember that upon switching off
the engine, the brake servo is
deactivated and, therefore, braking

requires more effort.

Do not allow the engine to lug,
particularly when driving up steep
hills, but shift down in good time to
benefit from maximum engine pulling
power.

Do not ride the clutch, otherwise
slippage and damage will result.

Ensure that both the foot and
hand brakes are efficient at all times.
After a car wash apply the foot-brake
a few times so as to restore full
brake effectiveness.

Always apply the foot brake pro­gressively. Remember that wheel lock­ing, especially with an unladen car,
will result in dangerous skidding. In
case of emergency the hand brake may
be used to stop the car.

On wet or slippery roads hard

braking will increase the likelihood of
wheel locking and consequent inevi­table loss of handling control. Instead,

use the engine braking effect by

engaging a gear lower than would
normally be required. Braking, if abso­lutely unavoidable, should be gentle
and progressive and, in any case,
simultaneous with engine braking.

On icy roads drive slowly, turn

the steering wheel very gently, avoid

using the brakes, change gear smoothly

and do not drive with the clutch

pedal depressed. If the car starts
skidding release the accelerator pedal,
do not brake, but steer smoothly in
the direction of skid; as the car re-

gains its course straighten the wheels

and accelerate gently.

Always use tire chains or snow
tires before starting a journey on ice
or snow covered roads and remember
that while snow chains can be fitted
to the driving wheels only, studded
tires should be fitted to all wheels.

When driving in mist or fog during
daylight switch on the parking and
tail lights: do not use the high beams.

17

Before turning or changing lanes,

in addition to giving the correct signals
glance in the mirrors to ascertain the
intentions of the drivers behind you.

Before cutting back into your lane
after overtaking a vehicle wait until
it appears in your inner mirror.

At night when meeting oncom-

ing traffic, keep your eyes on the

right side of the road rather than

looking straight into the approaching
headlights or other light sources: you

will avoid being blinded.

PARKING

Always apply the hand brake when
parking and if on a grade, for added
safety also shift into first or reverse
depending on whether the car is
heading up- or downhill.

RECOMMENDED
SHIFTING SPEEDS

1st-2nd 2nd-3rd 3rd-4th 4th-5th
15 mph 25 mph 40 mph 45 mph

Note: In any case the maximum speed
listed on page 62 should never be exceeded.

When the car is left in dark areas
always turn on the parking lights:
lighting switch pressed halfway in
at bottom.

18

AUTOMATIC

TRANSMISSION

(Optional Extra)

OPERATION

To obtain any ratio move selector

lever A to the desired position.

When shifting from P to R, R to P,
N to R, D to N or 2 to 1 lift trigger B
simultaneoulsy. When shifting from D
to 2 and viceversa do not operate
trigger B, Light C indicates the selected
position.

Selector Lever Positions

P. Park - R. Reverse - M. Neutral ­D. Drive - 2. Intermediate - 1. Low.

Selector Lever Positions

Park

In this position the transmission is
mechanically locked but engine starting
is possible. Park should not be selected
when the car is in motion or stationary
in busy car parks where shunting is
likely to occur.

Use of the Park position is recom­mended when parking on flat and
sloping ground and before servicing.

Reverse

To select Reverse bring the car to Q

dead stop and release the accelerator

pedal (engine idling).

Drive

This position is used for normal

driving.

The transmission starts in low gear
and automatically changes up or down
at suitable road speeds according to

the position of the accelerator pedal

and the demands made by the driver.
For quick down-shifting depress the
accelerator pedal through its hard spot

(kickdown position).

Kickdown permits down-shifting
from third to second below 59 to 64
mph or into first below 31 to 34 mph.

Normal change-down from D to 2
and D to 1 can be obtained by means
of the selector lever below 70 mph
and 43 mph respectively, without de-

pressing the accelerator pedal.

Intermediate

Neutral

In this position the engine can be

started.

Operation is as described under D

but no up-shift into third is possible.

This may be advantageous when driving

over hilly or difficult roads requiring

19