FIAT Punto Classic - Manual (Page 257)

256
SAFETY DEVICES
CORRECT USE OF THE CAR
W
ARNING
LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICA
TIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND
CONTROLS
CAR
MAINTENANCE
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF YOUR
BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and lengthen its life,
observe the following indications:
❒ when you park the car, ensure the doors, tailgate
and bonnet are closed properly;
❒ the ceiling lights must be off. The car is however
provided with an automatic system for switching off
internal lights;
❒ do not keep accessories (e.g.: sound system, hazard
lights, etc.) switched on for a long time when the
engine is not running;
❒ before performing any operation on the electrical
system, disconnect the battery negative cable;
❒ battery terminals shall always be perfectly
tightened.
IMPORTANT A battery which is kept at a charge of
less than 50% (optical indicator with dark colour
without green area in the middle) for any length of
time will be damaged by sulphation leading to a
reduction in cranking power. Moreover, this might
lead to a higher risk of the battery electrolyte freezing
(this may even occur at –10°C).
If the car is left inactive for a long period of time, refer
to “Car inactivity”, in section “Correct use of the car”.
If after buying the car, you want to install electric
accessories which require permanent electric supply
(alarm, free-hands set, etc.) contact Fiat Dealership
whose qualified personnel, in addition to suggesting
the most suitable devices, will evaluate the overall
electric absorption, checking whether the car’s electric
system is capable of withstanding the load required, or
whether it should be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
In fact, since these devices continue absorbing energy
even when the ignition key is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
The total intake of these systems (factory and after-
market) must be less than 0.6 mA x Ah (of the
battery) as shown in the following table:
Battery Maximum admitted
stand-by intake
40 Ah 24 mA
44 Ah 27 mA
50 Ah 30 mA