FIAT Barchetta - Manual (Page 67)

66
PROTECTING THE
ENVIRONMENT
Protecting the environment has been
the guiding principle in the design of
the Fiat barchetta right from the start.
The result is the use of materials and
creation of devices that can reduce or
considerable curtail harmful influences
on the environment.
The Fiat barchetta is ready to travel
well ahead of the most stringent in-
ternational pollution control stan-
dards.
USE OF MATERIALS
THAT DO NOT HARM
THE ENVIRONMENT
None of the car’s components con-
tain asbestos. Padding and the climate
control system do not contain CFI’s
(Chlorofluorocarbides) the gases con-
sidered responsible for the destruc-
tion of the ozone layer. Other sub-
stances which may pollute the air and
water tables, such as cadmium used in
bolt anti-rust coverings and the chro-
mate used in some colourings, have
been replaced entirely with environ-
mentally-friendly substances.
DEVICES FOR REDUCING
PETROL ENGINE EMISSIONS
Three-way catalytic converter
(catalytic exhaust pipe)
Carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides
and unburned hydrocarbons are the
main harmful components in exhaust
gases.
The catalytic exhaust pipe and the
devices connected to it are a “minia-
ture laboratory” where a very high
percentage of these components is
converted into harmless substances.
The conversion is aided by minute
particles of precious metals on the ce-
ramic core enclosed in the stainless-
steel container.
Lambda Sensor
All petrol versions are fitted with this
device. It ensures that air and fuel are
constantly mixed in the correct pro-
portions. This is a fundamental condi-
tions for the proper functioning of the
engine and the catalytic converter.
Anti-evaporation canister
As it is impossible to stop the build-
up of petrol fumes even when the en-
gine is not running, the system traps
them in a special active carbon canis-
ter. They are sucked in from here and
burnt while the engine is running.