Fiat Panda Owner's Handbook Manual page 200

BATTERY
GETTING TO KNOW
Battery F (see previous pages) does not require the
YOUR CAR
electrolyte to be topped up with distilled water. A
periodic check carried out at a Fiat Dealership
is, however, necessary to check efficiency.
SAFETY
REPLACING THE BATTERY
If necessary, replace the battery with another
STARTING AND
genuine battery with the same specifications. Follow
DRIVING
the battery manufacturer's instructions for
maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR EXTENDING THE
WARNING LIGHTS
LIFE OF YOUR BATTERY
AND MESSAGES
To avoid draining your battery and make it last
longer, observe the following instructions:
❒ when you park the car, ensure that the doors,
IN AN EMERGENCY
tailgate and bonnet are closed properly, to prevent
any roof lights from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment;
SERVICING AND
❒ switch off all roof lights inside the car: the car is
MAINTENANCE
however equipped with a system which switches
all internal lights off automatically;
❒ do not keep accessories (e.g. sound system, hazard
TECHNICAL
lights, etc.) switched on for a long time when the
SPECIFICATIONS
engine is not running;
❒ before performing any operation on the electrical
system, disconnect the negative battery pole;
INDEX
❒ Completely tighten the battery terminals.
196
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50%
for a long time, the battery is damaged by sulphation,
reducing its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing (this
can happen as early as -10°C). Refer to the paragraph
"Car inactivity" in "Starting and driving" if the car is
left parked for a long time.
If, after buying the car, you wish to install electrical
accessories which require permanent electrical
supply (alarm, etc.) or accessories which influence
the electrical supply requirements, contact a Fiat
Dealership, whose qualified staff will evaluate the
overall electrical consumption.
WARNING
Battery liquid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin
and eyes. Keep naked flames and sources of
sparks away from the battery: risk of explosion
and fire.
WARNING
Using the battery with insufficient fluid
irreparably damages the battery and
may cause an explosion.