Fiat Idea (2012 year). Instruction — part 1

DASHBOARD

The presence and the position of the instruments and warning lights may vary according to the versions.

According to Customer’s requirements the upper and lower central console can offer different solutions, as shown in the follow-
ing figures.

1. Side vents - 2. Left-hand stalk - 3. Upper left oddment compartment - 4. Right-hand stalk - 5. Central vents -
6. Instrument panel - 7. Upper right oddment compartment housing the front passenger’s airbag deactivation switch - 8. Glove com-
partment - 9. Front passenger’s airbag - 10. Heating/ventilation/climate controls - 11. Control buttons - 12. Sound system (where
provided) - 13. Ignition switch - 14. Driver’s airbag - 15. Cruise Control (where provided).

F0R0734m

fig. 1

fig. 2

F0H0231m

Upper central console:
❒ with fixed oddment compartment A

and removable oddment compart-
ment (DIN) B for sound system in-
stallation fig. 2;

❒ with sound system upon request

fig. 3;

❒ with Connect Nav + fig. 4.

fig. 3

F0H0232m

fig. 4

F0H0735m

Lower central console:
❒ with heater A-fig. 5;
❒ with instruction climate control system B-

fig. 6;

❒ with automatic two-zone climate con-

trol system C-fig. 7.

fig. 5

F0H0233m

fig. 6

F0H0234m

fig. 7

F0H0235m

F0H0706m

Modal

A – Speedometer

B – Fuel gauge with reserve warning light

C – Engine coolant temperature gauge with

high temperature warning light

D – Rev counter

E – Multifunction display

c m Warning lights fitted on Multijet

versions only

INSTRUMENT PANEL

fig. 8

F0H0707m

Comfort

A – Speedometer

B – Fuel gauge with reserve warning light

C – Engine coolant temperature gauge with

high temperature warning light

D – Rev counter

E – Reconfigurable multifunction display

c m Warning lights fitted on Multijet ver-

sions only

fig. 9

F0H0012m

fig. 10

SYMBOLS

Special coloured labels have been attached
near or actually on some of the compo-
nents of your Fiat Idea. These labels bear
symbols that remind you of the precau-
tions to be taken as regards that particu-
lar component.

The plate summarising the symbols used
can be found under the bonnet fig. 10.

THE FIAT CODE SYSTEM

To further protect you car from theft, it
has been fitted with an engine immobilis-
ing system. This system is automatically ac-
tivated when the ignition key is removed.

An electronic device, in fact, is fitted in
each ignition key grip. The device trans-
mits a radio-frequency signal when the en-
gine is started through a special aerial built
into the ignition switch. The modulate sig-
nal, which changes each time the engine is
started, is the “password”, by means of
which the control unit recognises the key
and enables to start the engine.

KEY KIT AND DOOR
LOCKING

CODE CARD
(Optional for versions/markets
where applicable) fig. 11

The car is delivered with the keys and the
CODE card which bears the following:
❒ the electronic code A;
❒ the mechanical key code B to be giv-

en to the Fiat Dealership when or-
dering duplicate keys.

IMPORTANT In order to ensure perfect
efficiency of the electronic devices con-
tained inside the keys, they should never
be exposed to direct sunlight.

OPERATION

Each time the car is started turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the Fiat CODE sys-
tem control unit sends a recognition code
to the engine control unit to deactivate
the inhibitor.

The code is sent only if the Fiat CODE
system control unit has recognised the
code transmitted from the key.

Each time the ignition key is turned to the
STOP position, the Fiat CODE system
deactivates the functions of the engine
electronic control unit.

At starting, if the code has not been recog-
nised correctly, the warning light

Y

will

come on.

In this case, the key should be moved to
the STOP position and then back to
MAR; if the lock continues, possibly try
again with the other key provided with the
car. If it is still not possible to start the car,
then contact a Fiat Dealership.

IMPORTANT Every key has its own code,
which must be memorised by the system
control unit. To memorise new keys, up
to a maximum of eight, apply to Fiat Deal-
ership.

Warning light

Y

coming on when

driving
❒ If the warning light

Y

turns on, this

means that the system is running a self-
test (for example for a voltage drop).
Should the inconvenience persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.

The electronic components
inside the key may be dam-
aged if the key is submitted to
sharp knocks.

All the keys and the CODE
card must be handed over to
the new owner when selling
the car.

MAIN KEY WITH REMOTE
CONTROL fig. 12

The metal insert A of the key is grip-re-
tractable.

The key operates:
❒ the ignition switch;
❒ driver’s door lock;
❒ cut-in of door lock device D-fig. 13

when the electric system is failing (e.g.
run-down battery);

❒ cut-in of child lock safety device E on

rear doors.

fig. 11

F0H0700m

fig. 12

F0H0701m

fig. 13

F0H0246m

Button B-fig. 12 opens the metal insert
A.

To refit the metal insert A into the key
grip:
❒ keep button B pressed
❒ move the metal insert A

❒ release button B and then turn the

metal insert A until hearing the click
as it locks into place.

Button Ë unlocks the doors, the tailgate
and the fuel cap.

Button Á locks the doors, the tailgate and
the fuel cap.

Button

R

unlocks the boot.

IMPORTANT The remote control system
frequency can be disturbed by significant
radio transmissions outside the car (e.g:
mobile phones, HAM radio systems, etc.)
that could cause remote control malfunc-
tioning.

Button B-fig. 12 should only
be pressed when the key is

away from the body, in particular
from the eyes and from objects that
can be spoilt (e.g. clothes). Make sure
the key can never be touched by oth-
ers, especially children, who may in-
advertently press the button.

WARNING

Opening the doors and the tailgate

Pressing and keeping the pushbutton
pressed Ë: for a short time: remote un-
locking of doors, boot lid, unlocking of fu-
el lid, timed switching on of inner roof
lamp and double blinking.

Doors will be unlocked automatically if the
fuel inertial cut-off switch comes into op-
eration.

IMPORTANT The remote control system
frequency can be disturbed by significant
radio transmissions outside the car (e.g:
mobile phones, HAM radio systems, etc.)
that could cause remote control malfunc-
tioning.

fig. 14

F0H0702m

Closing the doors and the tailgate

Pressing and keeping the pushbutton
pressed Á: for a short time: remote lock-
ing of doors, boot lid, locking of fuel lid,
switching off of inner roof lamp and sin-
gle blinking.

Deterrence led

When locking the doors, the led on but-
ton A-fig. 15 switches on for about 3 sec-
onds and than starts flashing (deterrence
function). Once doors are locked, if one
or more doors or the tailgate are not
closed correctly, the led and direction in-
dicators will start flashing quickly.

IMPORTANT The remote control system
frequency can be disturbed by significant
radio transmissions outside the car (e.g:
mobile phones, HAM radio systems, etc.)
that could cause remote control malfunc-
tioning.

fig. 15

F0H0703m

fig. 16

F0H0702m

Opening the tailgate from
the outside fig. 16

The tailgate can be opened from the out-
side by pressing the remote control but-
ton

R

. Tailgate opening will obtain dou-

ble direction indicators flashing.

IMPORTANT The remote control system
frequency can be disturbed by significant
radio transmissions outside the car (e.g:
mobile phones, HAM radio systems, etc.)
that could cause remote control malfunc-
tioning.

Locking doors from the inside
fig. 15

With doors closed, press the button A lo-
cated on the dashboard in central position,
to lock (led on the button ON) or unlock
(led on the button OFF) the doors.

IMPORTANT Door locking from inside
will not cut-in if one door is not prefect-
ly closed or there is a system failure.

If the cause of the failure is removed, the
device will start working properly.

If the inside locking button is
pressed accidentally, when
getting out of the car only the
doors used will unlock where-

as the tailgate will stay locked.To re-
align the system, press the lock / unlock
button again.

fig. 17

F0H0704m

Replacing the battery of the key
with remote control fig. 17

Battery replacement:
❒ press button A and move the metal in-

sert B to open position;

❒ use a finely-tipped screwdriver to turn

the screw C;

❒ pull out the battery holder D and re-

place the battery E making sure that
the bias is correct;

❒ re-insert the battery holder D in the

key and lock it turning the screw C.

fig. 19

F0H0322m

Request for additional remote
controls

The system can recognise up to 8 keys
with incorporated remote control. Should
a new key with remote control be nec-
essary, contact a Fiat Dealership, taking
with you the CODE card, a personal iden-
tity document and the car’s ownership
documents.

Used batteries are harmful to
the environment. They should
be disposed of as specified by
law in the special containers

provided, or take them to a Fiat Deal-
ership, which will deal with their dis-
posal.

fig. 18

F0H0014m

KEY WITHOUT REMOTE
CONTROL (SPARE KEY)
(where required)

The metal insert A-fig. 18 of the key is
grip-retractable.

The key operates:
❒ the ignition switch;
❒ the driver’s door;
❒ cut-in of door lock device C-fig. 19

when the electric system is failing (e.g.
run-down battery;

❒ cut-in of child lock safety device D-

fig. 19 on rear doors.

Button B-fig. 18 opens the metal insert
A.

To refit the metal insert A into the key
grip:
❒ keep button B pressed
❒ move the metal insert A
❒ release button B and then turn the

metal insert A until hearing the click
as it locks into place.

Button B should only be
pressed when the key is

away from the body, in particular
from the eyes and from objects that
can be spoilt (e.g. clothes). Make sure
the key can never be touched by oth-
ers, especially children, who may in-
advertently press the button.

WARNING

fig. 20

F0H0705m

fig. 21

F0H0322m

KEY WITHOUT REMOTE
CONTROL (SPARE KEY)
(where required)

The metal insert A-fig. 20 of the key is
fixed.

The key operates:
❒ the ignition switch;
❒ the driver’s door;

❒ cut-in of door lock device C-fig. 21

when the electric system is failing (e.g.
run-down battery);

❒ cut-in of child lock safety device D-

fig. 21 on rear doors.

Type of
key

Pressing the pushbutton

Ë

enables fuel lid to be opened.

The main functions that can be activated with the keys (with or without remote control) are the following:

Door opening

Key turning counterclockwise
(driver’s side)

Key turning counterclockwise
(driver’s side)

Pressing briefly button

Ë

Two flashings

Turning off

Door locking
from the outside

Key turning clockwise
(driver’s side)

Key turning clockwise
(driver’s side)

Pressing briefly button

Á

One flashing

Turned on fixed for approx.
3 seconds, followed by deterrence
led flashing

Boot
opening

Pressing on button

R

Two flashings

Deterrence led flashing

Spare key without
remote control

Main key with
remote control

Direction indicators
flashing (only with key with
remote control)

Deterrence led

CHILD LOCK fig. 22

To prevent opening the rear doors from
the inside.

This device can be engaged only with
doors open.
❒ position 1 - engaged (door locked);
❒ position 2 - disengaged (door open-

able from inside).

The device A is engaged even if the doors
are unlocked by the centralised system.

IMPORTANT Always use the lock when
transporting children.

IMPORTANT After engaging the lock,
check by trying to open a rear door with
the internal handle.

Child lock device A is prop-
erly engaged only if after

turning the revolving plug it clicks in
horizontal position (

1).

WARNING

Child lock device A is prop-
erly disengaged only if after

turning the revolving plug it clicks in
vertical position (2).

WARNING

fig. 22

F0H0101m

EMERGENCY DEVICE
FOR LOCKING DOORS
FROM THE OUTSIDE fig. 23

Doors are fitted with a special device en-
abling to lock all doors when the electric
system is failing (no current).

To lock the doors:
❒ fit the ignition key into the revolving

plug B;

❒ turn the device to position 1 and close

the door.

To open the doors:
❒ fit the ignition key into the revolving

plug of the driver’s door and turn it
counterclockwise;

❒ open the driver’s door;
❒ once inside the car, open the other

doors using the levers set on door
handles.

fig. 23

F0H0247m

Never operate the child lock
device and the door handle

at the same time.

WARNING

IGNITION SWITCH

The key can be turned to 3 different po-
sitions fig. 24:
❒ STOP: engine off, key can be re-

moved, steering column locked. Cer-
tain electrical devices (e.g.: sound sys-
tem, power windows…) can work.

❒ MAR: driving position. All electrical

devices are powered.

❒ AVV: engine starting (unstable posi-

tion).

The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
mechanism that, in the event the engine is
not started, turns back the ignition key to
STOP before repeating the starting op-
eration.

fig. 24

F0H0021m

STEERING COLUMN LOCK

Engaging

When the key is to STOP remove the
key and turn the steering wheel until it
locks.

Disengaging

Rock the steering wheel slightly as you
turn the ignition key to MAR.

If the ignition device is tam-
pered with (e.g.: attempted

theft), have it checked over by a Fiat
Dealership.

WARNING

Never remove the ignition
key while the car is moving.

The steering wheel would automati-
cally lock as soon as you try to turn
it. This also applies when the car is
being towed.

WARNING

When getting out of the car,
always remove the key to

prevent any occupants from acci-
dentally activating the controls. Re-
member to engage the handbrake. If
the car is parked on uphill slope to
engage the first gear. If the car is fac-
ing downhill, engage the reverse gear.
Never leave unsupervised children in
the car.

WARNING

INSTRUMENTS

SPEEDOMETER fig. 25

Speed indicator.

REV. COUNTER fig. 26

Engine rpm indicator.

IMPORTANT The electronic injection
control system gradually shuts off the flow
of fuel when the engine is “over-revving”
resulting in a gradual loss of engine pow-
er.

When the engine is idling, the rev counter
may indicate a gradual or sudden higher-
ing of the speed.

This is normal as it takes place during nor-
mal operation, for example when activat-
ing the climate control system or the fan.
In particular a slow change in the speed
preserves the battery charge.

FUEL LEVEL GAUGE fig. 27

This shows the amount of fuel left in the
fuel tank (see the indications given in para-
graph “At the filling station").

fig. 25

F0H0708m

fig. 26

F0H0022m

fig. 27

F0H0023m

fig. 28

F0H0024m

The reserve warning light A turns on to
indicate that approx. 6 litres of fuel are left
in the tank.

Do not travel with the fuel tank almost
empty: the gaps in fuel delivery could dam-
age the catalyst.

ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE fig. 28

The turning on of the warning light A in-
dicates that the coolant fluid temperature
is too high; in this case, stop the engine
and contact a Fiat Dealership.

This shows the temperature of the engine
coolant fluid and begins working when the
fluid temperature exceeds approx. 50°C.

Under normal conditions, the needle
should hover around the middle of the
scale according to the working conditions.

IMPORTANT If the needle reaches the
low temperature area with warning light
A on, this means that there is a failure.
Contact a Fiat Dealership.

If the needle reaches the red
area, stop the engine imme-
diately and contact a Fiat
Dealership.

MULTIFUNCTIONAL
DISPLAY
(on two-line modal
panel)

The car can be equipped with a multi-
function display that shows useful infor-
mation for car driving according to the
settings made.

fig. 29

F0H0027m

“STANDARD” SCREEN fig. 29

The standard screen shows the following
information:

A Odometer (viewing of covered km or

miles)

B Time (always displayed, even with ig-

nition key removed and front doors
closed)

C Headlight aiming position (only with

dipped beam headlights on).

NOTE When opening one of the front
doors, the display turns on and shows the
clock and the kilometres or miles covered
for a few seconds.