Fiat Barchetta Owner's Handbook Manual page 73

BEFORE GETTING BEHIND
THE WHEEL
– Make sure all lights including the
headlights are working properly.
– Adjust the position of the seats,
steering wheel, driving and door mir-
rors properly for the best driving
position.
– Carefully adjust head restraints
so the back of the head and not the
nape of the neck is supported.
– Make sure that nothing (mats
etc.) gets in the way of the pedals
when they are pushed down.
– Adjust the height of the seat
belts, adapting them to your height
(see indications given in the chapter
"Getting to know your car - seat
belts").
– Make sure that any child restraint
systems (child seats, carriers, etc.)
are properly fixed.
72
– Stow objects in the luggage com-
partment with care to prevent them
from being thrown forwards in the
event of an accident.
– Make sure that any child restraint
systems are properly fixed. If the
child seat is installed when a passen-
ger airbag is fitted, make sure it is
facing forwards, and position the car
seat as far back as possible.
– Do not eat a heavy meal before
travelling. Light eating will help keep
your reflexes prompt. Above all, do
not have anything alcoholic to drink.
– Remember to check what is spec-
ified in the "Repeated checks and
checks before long trips" in this sec-
tion.
WHEN TRAVELLING
– The first rule of safe driving is
prudence.
– Prudence also means putting
yourself into a position where you
can predict wrong or imprudent
behaviour of other drivers.
– Stick closely to the rules of the
road in the particular country where
the car is being driven and, above all,
do not exceed speed limits.
– Do not drive with your foot rest-
ing on the clutch pedal as this will
quickly wear the clutch out.
– Ensure that, besides yourself, all
the other passengers in the car have
their seat belts fastened, that chil-
dren are sitting in the appropriate
child seats and any animals are in
special compartments.
– You should be physically fit and
mentally alert before setting out on
long journeys.