Fiat Palio 2003 User Manual

Dear New Car Owner,

Thank you for selecting Fiat and congratulations on your choice of a Fiat Palio.
We have produced this owner handbook to help you get to know all your Fiat Palio’s new features and use it

in the best possible way.

We suggest you to read it with the utmost attention prior to driving the car for the first time.

Information, suggestions and warnings, important for the use of the car, are contained in this owner handbook
and they will help you to derive the maximum from your Fiat Palio’s technological features. You will find indi­cations for your own safety, the car’s well-being and about how to protect the environment.

You have also been given with Fiat Warranty (Owner’s Service Policy) Booklet, wherein you will find the

Warranty Certificate with the terms and the conditions for the maintenance of the car.

Best regards and happy motoring.

This Owner Handbook describes most of the features of the Fiat Palio. As a consequence, you should consider only that informa-

tion which is related to your version and optional which you have purchased.

Commitment to the Max

WELCOME ABOARD FIAT PALIO

Fiat Palio is a car presenting an original bodyline, designed to offer great driving satisfaction with full safety and

with maximum respect of the environment. Everything, from its new multivalve engine to its safety devices, from
its improved comfort for driver and passengers alike to its practical solutions, with the possibility of a large load­ing volume contributes to make you appreciate the personality of your new Fiat Palio.

And you will realise it later when you discover that its driving style and performance goes hand in hand with

new manufacturing processes that help cut running costs.

For instance, Fiat Palio only needs you to take it for its first servising

2

* Replace the engine oil every 7,500 kms or every 18 months.

Moving to the Max

THE SIGNS TO HELP YOU DRIVE CORRECTLY

The signs you see on this page are very important. They highlight those parts of the owner handbook where,

more than anywhere else, you should stop for a minute and read carefully.

As you can see, each sign has a different image to make it clear and easy to identify the subjects in the differ­ent areas:

Personal safety.

Attention. Total or partial failure to
follow these instructions can cause
serious danger for safety of people.

Protecting the environment.

It indicates the correct procedures to
follow to ensure that the car does not
harm the environment.

Well-being of the car.

Important: Total or partial failure to
follow these instructions will result
in the risk of serious damage to the
car and sometimes invalidates the
warranty as well.

3

4

Expansion tank

Do not remove the cap

when the coolant fluid is boiling.

Climate control tub­ing

Do not open.

High pressure gas.

Belts and pulleys

Moving parts; do not

expose any part of the

body or clothes.

SYMBOLS

On some components of your Fiat
Palio, or near them, are applied spec­ified coloured labels, whose symbols
attract the attention and indicates
important precautions that the user
must observe towards the compo­nents under analysis.

A list of symbols to be found on
your Fiat Palio is given below with
the name of the component to which
it relates besides.

It is also indicates the meaning that
the symbol represents depending on
the subdivision of: danger, prohibi­tion, warning, obligation, to which
the symbol belongs.

DANGER SYMBOLS

Coil

High voltage.

Battery

Corrosive fluid.

Battery

Explosion.

Fan

It can start when the

engine is switched off also.

5

Hydraulic power
steering

Do not exceed the max­imum level of the fluid as indicated
on the tank. Use only the fluid pre­scribed in the “Refueling” chapter.

PROHIBITION SYMBOL WARNING SYMBOLS

Battery

Do not expose to open

flames.

Battery

Keep children away.

Heat guards - belts ­pulleys - fan

Do not put hands.

Catalytic converter

Do not stay on inflam-

mable surfaces. Refer to
the “Safeguard of the device reduc­ing the emissions” chapter.

INJECTION SYSTEM
FAILURE (red) (diesel
versions)

When there is a fault in the injection

system.

The warning light should come on

when the ignition key is turned to

MAR and go out after a few seconds.

WATER IN DIESEL FU­EL FILTER versions (am­ber) (diesel version)

When there is water in the diesel fu­el filter. have the condense drained out
by a Fiat Dealership.

GLOW PLUGS
(amber)
(diesel version)

When the ignition key is turned to
the MAR position. The warning light
will go out when the glowplugs reach
the correct temperature

6

OBLIGATION SYMBOLS

Battery

Protect eyes.

Battery
Jack

Refer the owner

handbook.

Expansion tank

Use only the fluid pre-

scribed in the “Refueling” chapter.

Engine

Use only the lubricant

prescribed in the

“Refueling” chapter.

Unleaded fuel car

Use only unleaded fuel

87 R.O.N.

Windscreen wiper

Use only the fluid pre-

scribed in the “Refueling”

chapter.

Brake circuit

Do not exceed the max-

imum level of the fluid as
indicated on the tank. Use only the
fluid prescribed in the “Refueling”
chapter.

7

SUMMARY

READY TO GO

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

DRIVING YOUR CAR

IN AN EMERGENCY

CAR MAINTENANCE

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

INDEX

READY TO GO

Sit comfortably in your car and get ready to...

read.

The following pages tell you everything you need to
know to start off in the best way: that is to say, in
total safety, right from the start.

In a few minutes you will be confident with warning
lights, instruments and main devices.

All adjustments must be made when the car is sta­tionary.

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT HOLDER ......... PAGE 9

INSTRUMENT PANEL .......................................... PAGE 10

KEYS............................................................................ PAGE 11

SEATS ........................................................................ PAGE 11

HEAD RESTS ........................................................... PAGE 11

SAFETY BELTS ........................................................ PAGE 12

STEERING COLUMN STALKS ........................... PAGE 13

REARVIEW MIRRORS ........................................... PAGE 14

MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL ........................ PAGE 14

HAZARD LIGHTS .................................................. PAGE 14

COMMAND SWITCHES .......................................PAGE 15

ELECTRIC WINDOW WINDER ....................... PAGE 15

BOOT ........................................................................ PAGE 16

ENGINE BONNET ............................................... PAGE 16

DOORS ..................................................................... PAGE 17

AT THE FILLING STATION.................................. PAGE 18

8

9

1. Adjustable side air vents - 2. Vents for air dispatch to side windows - 3. Adjustable central air vents - 4. Commands and
pilot lights - 5. Sound system seat - 6. Switch for hazard lights - 7. Digital clock - 8. Command lever of windscreen/rear win-
dow wiper and washer - 9. Instrument panel and pilot lights - 10. Air bag - 11. External light command lever - 12. Object box -

13. Climate command - 14. Cigar lighter - 15. Ashtray - 16. Horn Pad - 17. Ignition switch - 18. Access to the fuse box -

19. Lever for opening hood to access engine.

P4E02269

DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT HOLDER

The presence and the position of the instruments and indicators may vary according to the version of your car.

fig. 1

10

VERSIONS 1.2 EL - ELX

A

- Fuel level gauge with reserve

warning light.

B - Speedometer, kilometre

counter and trip meter.

C - Engine coolant temp. gauge.

VERSIONS 1.6 - GTX

A

- Fuel level gauge with reserve

warning light.

B - Engine coolant temperature

gauge.

C - Speedometer, kilometre

counter and trip meter.

D - Rev counter.

fig. 2

P4E02270

fig. 3

P4E02271

INSTRUMENT PANEL

VERSION 1.9 D EL-ELX

A

- Fuel level gauge with reserve

warning light.

B - Engine coolant gauge.

C - Speedometer, kilometre

counter and trip meter.

D - Rev counter.

P4E02671

Note: Dial gauge background

colours for illustrative purpose only.

11

KEYS

A set of 2 keys are provided with

the car for fig. 5:

– ignition;

– locking/unlocking the front doors;

– locking/unlocking the boot.

STEERING COLUMN LOCK

It is automatically locked when the
ignition key is removed. It is
unlocked when the key is turned to
MAR; lightly move the steering
wheel in either direction if the rota­tion of the key is difficult.

fig. 5

P4E02062

HEAD RESTS

Adjust the headrest fig. 7 such that
the nape, and not the neck, rests on
them, making sure that they are
locked in the desired position. Refer
to the “Getting to know the car”
chapter.

SEATS

All adjustments must
be made when the car is
stationary.

Seat adjustment fig. 6.

A - To move the seat forwards or

backwards.

B - Seat back inclination adjust-

ment.

fig. 7

P4E01603

fig. 6

P4E01989

12

Adjusting the central rear seat

belt fig. 10

To tighten:

pull the end A (this
operation can be carried out also
with the seat belt already fastened).

To loosen: pull length B holding

the buckle at right-angles to the belt.

fig. 10

P4E01607

SAFETY BELTS

The adjustments
described below must be
performed before dri-

ving. Avoid performing these
operations when the car is in
motion.

Adjusting the height
of the front seat belts

Fig. 8:

fix the loop in point A or B

fig. 9

P4E01796

Fig. 9

To lift:

lift the loop C.

To lower: keeping the knob

pressed D move the loop C.

fig. 8

P4E01783

To ensure maximum
protection, keep the
backrest in the upright

position, lean back into the seat
and ensure that the seat belt
adheres closely to torso and
hips. Do not use the seat belt
when the seat back is reclined.

13

STEERING COL­UMN STALKS

RIGHT-HAND STALK fig. 12

In position A = left turn indicator

lights on.

In position

B = right turn indicator

lights on.

Pulled towards the steering wheel

= flicks.

Ring turned on

O = lights switched

off.

Ring turned on 3

= parking

lights on.

Ring turned on

2

= Low beams.

With ring turned on

2

& stalk

towards the dashboard = high beams.

Fig. 11

To fasten:

insert tongue A in B

on the buckle.

To loosen: press button C.

fig. 11

P4E01355

fig. 12

P4E02023

LEFT-HAND STALK fig. 13

Position A = Windscreen wipers

OFF.

Position

B = Intermittent wipe.

Position

C = Slow continuous

wipe.

Position

D = Quick continuous

wipe.

Position

E (not fixed) = Quick con­tinuous wipe. This is a unique anti­panic feature.

Stalk pulled towards the steering

wheel = windscreen washer activated.

Thrust towards the dashboard =

rear window washer/wiper.

Ring on O position = Rearwind

screen wiper OFF.

Ring at

''

position = Rear wind-

screen wiper ON.

fig. 13

P4E01682

14

HAZARD LIGHTS

To switch them on, press the

switch A-fig. 16.

To switch them off, press the

switch again.

The use of the hazard
lights is ruled by the
road code of the

Country in which you are dri­ving and should be followed
accordingly.

fig. 16

P4E02286

fig. 15

P4E02285

MANUAL CLI­MATE CONTROL

CONTROLS fig. 15

A

- To adjust the temperature.

B - Air recirculation selector.

C - Fan speed selector.

D - Air distribution control.

E - System on/off switch.

fig. 14

P4E02007

If the dimension of the
mirror causes difficulties
in a narrow place, fold

from the position 1 to the posi­tion 2.

REARVIEW MIR­RORS

IMPORTANT The reflecting sur­face of the left-hand mirror is para­bolic to increase viewing range.
Consequently, the dimension of the
reflected image is reduced, giving the
impression that the object is more
distant than it really is.

For the adjustment, operate knob
from inside of car

A-fig. 14.

15

COMMAND
SWITCHES

Switches fig. 17.

A - Rear windscreen heater switch.

B - Front fog light switch with LED.

C - A/C on/off switch.

ELECTRIC WIN­DOW WINDER

FRONT ELECTRICAL WIN­DOW WINDERS

Press the switch fig. 18 to lower
the window. Raise the switch to
wind up the window.

A - Switch for adjusting front left
window.

B - Switch for adjusting front right
window.

Each door handle has a switch on it
to raise/lower its window.

fig. 17

P4E02287

fig. 18

P4E02011

fig. 19

P4E02012

ELECTRIC REAR WINDOWS
fig. 19

A

- Switch on door handle.

B - Rear left-hand window switch.

C - Rear right-hand window switch.

D - Rear window enable switch.

16

ENGINE BONNET

To open: pull lever A-fig. 22.
Press lever B and lift the bonnet.
Insert the end of rod A-fig. 23 in
the recess B on the bonnet.

To close: remove rod

A from
recess B and refit it in its clip. Lower
the bonnet until it is about 20 cm
above the engine compartment and
let it fall. Make sure the bonnet is
locked.

fig. 22

P4E02124

Open the boot only
when the car is station­ary.

EXTENDING THE BOOT

For extending the boot space by
adjusting the rear seat refer to the
chapter on “Getting to know your
car”.

fig. 21

P4E01944

BOOT

From outside the car: use ignition
key to open.

From inside the car: pull lever

A-

fig. 21.

Improper use of the
electrical windows can be
dangerous.

Before and during their opera­tion ensure that passengers are
not at risk from the moving glass
either by personal objects getting
caught in the mechanism or by
being injured by it directly.

Always remove the ignition key
when you get out of the car to
prevent the electric windows be­ing operated accidentally and
constituting a danger to the peo­ple left in the car.

fig. 20

P4E01791

MANUAL WINDOWS fig. 20

To wind down/up the door win­dows operate the command A han­dles.

17

DOORS

Turn the key fig. 24:

1 - door locked.

2 - door unlocked

Pull the handle to open.

From inside:

– to open - pull handle

A-fig. 25;

– safety lock - with the door closed

press the lever

A.

It is possible to insert the safety
lock with open door only on the pas­senger side on versions without cen­tralized locking.

fig. 24

P4E01367

fig. 25

P4E02015

CENTRAL DOOR LOCKING
SYSTEM

To lock/unlock all the doors at the

same time:

– from outside the car, turn the key

in the lock;

– from inside the car, with closed
door, press (to lock) or pull(to
unlock) one of the front door open­ing lever.

The bonnet should be
opened only when the
car is stationary.

fig. 23

P4E01365

18

AT THE FILLING
STATION

Refuel the car with unleaded fuel
only with octane-number (R.O.N.)
equal to 87.

Lift the lever

A-fig. 27 to unlock

the access door of fuel tank plug.

fig. 27

P4E01945

When refueling, position the plug in
the adequate seat on the door, as
shown in fig. 28.

CHILD SAFETY LOCK
(rear doors)

This ensures that the rear doors
cannot be opened from inside the
car.

With the head of the ignition key
turn the device

A-fig. 26.

Position

1 - activated device.

Position

2 - deactivated device (a
little yellow mark certificates the
occurred connection).

fig. 26

P4E01612

19

Ideally, refuel the car
before the reserve warn­ing light illuminates.

Driving in fuel shortage condi­tions can cause irregular supply
with negative effects on the
exhaust and catalytic system.

A damaged catalytic
convertor means harm­ful emissions and conse-

quent environment pollution.

NEVER go close to the
tank filler with naked
flames or lit cigarettes:

Also avoid going too close to
the fuel tank filler area, to avoid
inhaling harmful vapours.

NEVER fill leaded fuel
in the car (even in an
emergency) as the cat-

alytic muffler will get irre­barably damaged.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

You should read this chapter sitting comfortably in

your new Fiat Palio. This way you can see the parts
described in the handbook at a glance and immediate­ly check out what you have just read for yourself.

You will quickly become familiar with your Fiat Palio,
and its control and other features. Later, when you start
the engine and join the traffic, you will make a host of
other pleasant discoveries.

INSTRUMENTS ......................................................... PAGE 33

WARNING LIGHTS ................................................ PAGE 35

HEATING/

CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ............................ PAGE 37

MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ....... PAGE 38

STEERING COLUMN STALKS ............................. PAGE 41

CONTROLS ............................................................... PAGE 43

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT ........................................ PAGE 45

DOORS ........................................................................ PAGE 48

BOOT .......................................................................... PAGE 51

BONNET .................................................................... PAGE 54

HEADLIGHTS ............................................................ PAGE 56

ABS ............................................................................... PAGE 56

AIR BAG ...................................................................... PAGE 58

SOUND SYSTEM....................................................... PAGE 60

AT THE FILLING STATION ................................. PAGE 62

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT ............... PAGE 63

20

KEYS ............................................................................. PAGE 21

IGNITION SWITCH ............................................... PAGE 21

INDIVIDUAL SETTINGS ........................................ PAGE 22

SEAT BELTS ............................................................... PAGE 24

TRANSPORTING CHILDREN IN SAFETY ...... PAGE 29

PRETENSIONER ....................................................... PAGE 32

21

IGNITION
SWITCH

The key can turn to 4 different po-

sitions fig. 2:

–

STOP: engine switched off, ex­tractable key, steering column lock.
Some electrical devices (e.g. door cen­tralized lock etc.) remain operational.

–

MAR: ride position. All electrical

devices are operational.

–

AVV: engine starting.

–

PARK: engine switched-off, park­ing lights switched on, extractable key,
steering column lock. To turn the key
in PARK position, press the button

A.

In the event of a break­in (e.g. attempted theft),
have the car checked at a

Fiat Dealership prior to driving
again.

fig. 1

P4E02062

KEYS

Two keys are provided with the car

& (fig. 1) they are used for:

– the ignition;

– the front doors;

– the boot door.

Together with the keys, a self-stick
label is supplied. On this label is re­ported the number to be quoted to
Fiat Dealership when ordering du­plicate keys.

fig. 2

P4E02017

When getting out of the
car, always remove the
key, to avoid someone ac-

cidentally activating the controls.
Remember to engage the hand
brake, ensuring complete lockup
of the car, engage gear and leave
the wheels steered. If the car is
parked on a very sloping road, we
recommend you lock the wheels
also with a wedge or a stone.
Never leave children alone in an
unattended car.

Once you have released the lever,
check that the seat is firmly locked in
the runners by trying to move it back
and forth. Failure to lock the seat in
place could result the seat moving sud­denly and the driver losing control of
the car.

Adjusting the reclining seat
back

Turn knob B-fig. 3 until the back
reaches the reclination you desire.

Do not remove the seats
nor carry out mainte­nance and/or repair oper-

ations on them. Improper oper­ations can compromise safety de­vice operation. Always go to a Fi­at Dealership.

22

Moving the seat backwards or
forwards

Lift the lever A-fig. 3 and push the
seat forwards or backwards; you are
in the correct position for driving
when your hands are resting on the
steering wheel rim and your arms are
slightly bent.

Only make adjustments
when the car is station­ary.

STEERING COLUMN LOCK

Engagement:

After turning the key
to position STOP or PARK remove it
and turn the steering wheel till it locks .

To release: Gently move the steer­ing wheel from side to side as you turn
the ignition key to MAR.

Never remove the igni­tion key while the car is
moving. The steering

wheel will automatically lock as
soon as you turn it. This also ap­plies when the car is being towed.

INDIVIDUAL SET­TINGS

FRONT SEATS fig. 3

fig. 3

P4E01989

23

HEAD RESTS

Front seats fig. 4

To improve passenger safety, the
height of the head restraints can be ad­justed. They lock into place automat­ically.

fig. 4

P4E01603

Remember that the
head restraints should be
adjusted to support the

back of your head and not your
neck. Only if they are in this po­sition will they be able to provide
effective protection in the event
of a rear-end shunt.

DRIVING MIRROR fig. 6

This mirror can be adjusted. Move
lever A to shift the mirror to the fol­lowing positions:

1) anti glare position;

2) standard position.

fig. 6

P4E01375

24

SEAT BELTS

USING THE SEAT BELTS
(for the front seats) fig. 8

To fasten the seat belts, take the
tongue of fastener A and push it into
buckle B, until you hear it click.

Pull the seat belt gently. If it jams, let
it rewind a little then pull it out again
without jerking.

fig. 8

P4E01376

DOOR MIRRORS

To adjust, operate the knob inside

the car A-fig. 7.

Make sure that the car is stationary
and the handbrake is on before you
adjust mirrors.

The reflecting surface
of the left-hand mirror is
parabolic to increase

viewing range. Consequently,
the dimension of the reflected
image is reduced, giving the
impression that the object is
more distant than it really is.

fig. 7

P4E02007

When driving, the door
mirrors must always be in
the extended position 1.

If the mirror makes it
difficult to get through
narrow gaps, fold it from

1-fig. 7 to position 2.

25

To unfasten the seat belts, press but­ton C. Guide the seat belt with your
hand while it is rewinding, to prevent
it from twisting.

The seat belt reel mechanism will
adapt the belt to the body of the per­son wearing it, offering freedom of
movement.

When the car is parked on a steep
slope the reel mechanism may lock;
this is normal.

The reel mechanism prevents the
webbing coming out when it is jerked
or if the car brakes sharply, as in a col­lision or when cornering at high speed.

To ensure maximum
protection, keep the
backrest in the upright

position, lean back into the seat
and ensure that the seat belt ad­heres closely to torso and hips.
Do not use the seat belt when the
seat back is reclined.

Always adjust the height of the seat
belt to fit the person wearing it. This
could greatly reduce the risk of injury
in the case of collision.

The belt is adjusted properly when
the webbing passes approximately
halfway between the edge of the
shoulder and the neck.

ADJUSTING THE HEIGHT OF
THE SEAT BELTS

Make the height adjust­ment when the car is sta­tionary.

fig. 9

P4E01783

Adjust the seat belt height only when

the car is stationary.

Fig. 9: fasten the loop in A or B.

Fig. 10: The seat belt can be adjust-

ed on four different heights.

To raise the belt: raise loop C to

the required position.

To lower the belt: press knob (D)
and move loop (C) down to the re­quired position at the same time.

After adjustment always check that
the seat belt is locked by pushing loop

C downwards without pressing knob
D.

fig. 10

P4E01796

26

Releasing knob D, press
a little further to trigger
the anchor device. This

ensures the belt is locked into a
stable position if not already
done.

27

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
FOR THE USE OF THE SEAT
BELTS

The driver is obliged to respect (and
check that the car occupants respect)
all local traffic laws regarding the use
of seat belts.

Always fasten seat belt.
To travel with seat belts
unfastened increases the

risk of serious injury or death in
the event of a crash.

fig. 13

P4E02064

If the seat belt is sub­jected to high stress, for
example after a collision,

it must be replaced completely
together with the anchors, an­chor fixing screws and the pre­tensioner, if the car is equipped
with, in fact, even if the seat belt
does not seem damaged, the seat
belt could have lost its resistance
proprieties.

The belt webbing must
not be twisted, make sure
that it is well stretched

out and fits close to the passen­ger’s body. The upper section
must pass over the shoulder and
cross the chest diagonally. The
lower section must fit close
across the passenger’s hips and
not the abdomen to prevent
them sliding forward fig. 13. Do
not use devices (clips, fasteners
etc.) to prevent the belt adhering
to the passenger’s body.

28

Do not travel with a
child sitting on the lap of
a passenger using one

seat belt to protect both (fig. 14).

Seat belts are also to be worn by ex­pectant mothers: the risk of injury in
the case of accident is greatly reduced
for them and the unborn child if they
are wearing a seat belt.

Of course they must position the
lower part of the belt very low down
so that it passes under the abdomen

fig. 15

HOW TO KEEP THE SEAT
BELTS IN PROPER WORKING
ORDER AT ALL TIMES

1)

When wearing the seat belts, al­ways ensure they are not twisted and
are free to wind in and out.

2) Following a serious accident, re­place the belt being worn at the time,
even if it does not seem damaged.

3) When cleaning the belts, wash
them by hand with water and neutral
soap, rinse them and let them dry in
the shade. Do not use strong deter­gents, bleach, colouring or any other
chemical substance that could weaken
the fibres.

4) Do not allow the reel mechanisms
to get wet: they are only guaranteed
to work properly if they remain dry.

fig. 14

P4E02065

fig. 15

P4E02066

29

TRANSPORTING
CHILDREN
IN SAFETY

For optimal protection in the event
of a crash, all passengers must be seat­ed and wearing adequate restraint sys­tems.

This is especially relevant for chil­dren.

A child’s head is larger and heavier
than an adult’s head with respect to
their body weight. Moreover, a child’s
muscular and bone structure is not ful­ly developed. For these reasons, chil­dren require specific restraint systems,
different from those required by adult
passengers.

Child’s restraint systems are classi­fied into the following four weight
groups, fig. 16:

Group 0 weight 0-10 kg

Group 0 weight 9-18 kg

Group 0 weight 15-25 kg

Group 3 22-36 weight kg.

The groups partially overlap. This is
because there are systems which cov­er more than one weight group.

Children weighing more than 36 kg
or taller than 1.5 m are, with reference
to restraint systems, considered adults
and can wear normal seat belts.

fig. 16

P4E00197

The seat shown in fig. 16 is suitable
for children weighing between 18-36
kgs.