FIAT Barchetta - Manual (Page 131)

130
BODYWORK
PROTECTING THE CAR
FROM ATMOSPHERIC
AGENTS
The main causes of rust are:
– atmospheric pollution
– salt and humidity in the atmosphere
(seaside or very hot and humid areas)
– environmental conditions that are
specific to the season.
In addition, the abrasiveness of dust
in the atmosphere and sand carried by
the wind as well as mud and stones
kicked up by other vehicles must not
be underestimated.
For your Fiat barchetta, Fiat has used
leading-edge technological solutions to
effectively protect the body from rust.
These are the main ones:
– Painting systems and products that
make the car particularly resistant to
rust and scratching.
– The use of zinc-plated (or pre-
treated) sheet steel which is highly re-
sistant to rust.
– The spraying of the underbody, en-
gine compartment, inside the wheel-
arches and other parts with wax-based
products with a high protective ca-
pacity.
– Spraying plastic-coating materials
for protecting the most exposed
points: under the door, inside the
wings, the edges etc.
– The use of “open” box sections to
prevent condensation and water from
building up and rusting the inside of
the parts.
MANUAL CLIMATE
CONTROL SYSTEM
(where fitted)
During the winter, the climate con-
trol system must be turned on at least
once a month for about ten minutes.
Have the system checked at a Fiat
Dealership before the summer.
The system uses R134a
refrigerating liquid. If it
accidentally leaks it will
not damage the environment.
Under no circumstances should
R12 fluid be used. Besides being
incompatible with the system's
components, it contains chloro-
fluorocarbides (CFC).