Get Servicing and Maintenance -> Bodywork Guide for Fiat 124 Spider 2 Door Second Generation (2016-2020)

Because your vehicle is not

equipped with a spare tire, you cannot

do a tire rotation safely with the jack

that may come with your vehicle if so

equipped. Contact an authorized

dealer for tire rotation.

habits, service practices, and

differences in road characteristics

and climate.

DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION

UNIFORM TIRE

QUALITY GRADES

Traction Grades

The following tire grading

The Traction grades, from highest

to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.

These grades represent the tire's

ability to stop on wet pavement, as

measured under controlled

categories were established by the

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration. The specific grade

rating assigned by the tire's

manufacturer in each category is

shown on the sidewall of the tires

on your vehicle.

Also, inspect them for uneven wear and

damage. Abnormal wear is usually

caused by one or a combination of the

following:

Incorrect tire pressure

Improper wheel alignment

Out-of-balance wheel

Severe braking

conditions on specified government

test surfaces of asphalt and

concrete. A tire marked C may

have poor traction performance.

All passenger vehicle tires must

conform to Federal safety

requirements in addition to these

grades.

After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to

specification and inspect the wheel nuts

for tightness.

Warning!

Treadwear

With Tire Pressure Monitor System

(TPMS)

The traction grade assigned to

this tire is based on straight-ahead

braking traction tests, and does

not include acceleration,

The Treadwear grade is a

The TPM system must be initialized

after adjusting the tire pressure, to

make the system operate normally.

Refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring

System” in “Safety” for further

information.

comparative rating, based on the

wear rate of the tire when tested

under controlled conditions on a

specified government test course.

For example, a tire graded 150 would

wear one and one-half times as well

on the government course as a tire

graded 100. The relative performance

of tires depends upon the actual

conditions of their use, however, and

may depart significantly from the

norm due to variations in driving

cornering, hydroplaning, or peak

traction characteristics.

Rotate unidirectional tires and radial

tires that have an asymmetrical tread

pattern only from front to rear, not from

side to side. Tire performance will be

reduced if rotated from side to side.

261

Temperature Grades

STORING THE

VEHICLE

Warning!

The Temperature grades are A (the

highest), B, and C, representing the

tire's resistance to the generation of

heat and its ability to dissipate heat,

when tested under controlled

conditions on a specified indoor

laboratory test wheel.

If the vehicle is left inactive for longer

than a month, the following precautions

should be observed:

The temperature grade for this tire

is established for a tire that is

properly inflated and not

Park the vehicle in covered, dry and if

possible well-ventilated premises and

slightly open the windows.

overloaded. Excessive speed,

under-inflation, or excessive

loading, either separately or in

combination, can cause heat

buildup and possible tire failure.

Check that the parking brake is not

activated.

Sustained high temperature can

cause the material of the tire to

degenerate and reduce tire life, and

excessive temperature can lead to

sudden tire failure. The grade C

corresponds to a level of

Disconnect the negative battery

terminal and check the battery charge.

Repeat this check once every three

months during storage.

If the battery is not disconnected

from the electrical system, check its

state of charge every thirty days.

performance, which all passenger

vehicle tires must meet under the

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Standard No. 109. Grades B and A

represent higher levels of

Clean and protect the painted parts

using protective wax.

Clean and protect the shiny metal

parts using special compounds

available commercially.

performance on the laboratory test

wheel, than the minimum required

by law.

Sprinkle talcum powder on the

windshield and rear window wiper

rubber blades and lift them off the

glass.

262

Cover the vehicle with a fabric or

perforated plastic sheet, paying

Preserving The

Paintwork

BODYWORK

Protection From

Atmospheric Agents

particular care not to damage the

painted surface by dragging any dust

that may have accumulated on it. Do

not use compact plastic sheets which

do not allow humidity to evaporate from

the surface of the vehicle.

Touch up abrasions and scratches

immediately to prevent the formation of

rust.

The vehicle is equipped with the best

available technological solutions to

protect the bodywork against corrosion.

Maintenance of paintwork consists of

washing the vehicle: the frequency

depends on the conditions and

environment in which the vehicle is

used.

These include:

Inflate the tires at a pressure of

+7.25 psi (+0.5 bar) higher than

recommended on the tire placard and

check it periodically.

Painting products and systems

which give the vehicle resistance to

corrosion and abrasion.

For example, it is advisable to wash the

vehicle more often in areas with high

levels of atmospheric pollution or salted

roads.

Use of galvanized (or pre-treated)

steel sheets, with high resistance to

corrosion.

Do not drain the engine cooling

system.

To correctly wash the vehicle, follow

these instructions:

Any time the vehicle is left inactive for

two weeks or more, operate the air

conditioning system with engine idling

for at least five minutes, setting external

air and with fan set to maximum speed.

This operation will ensure appropriate

lubrication for the system, thus

minimizing the possibility of damage to

the compressor when the system is

operated again.

Spraying of plastic parts, with a

protective function in the more exposed

points: underdoor, inner fender, edges,

etc.

If high pressure jets or cleaners are

used to wash the vehicle, keep a

distance of at least 1.3 ft (40 cm) from

the bodywork to avoid damage or

alteration. Build up of water could

cause damage to the vehicle in the long

term.

Use of “open” boxed sections to

prevent condensation and pockets of

moisture which could favor the

formation of rust inside.

Use of special films to protect

against abrasion in exposed areas (e.g.

rear fender, doors, etc.).

Wash the vehicle using a low

pressure jet of water if possible.

Note: After placing the ignition in the

OFF mode and having closed the driver

side door, wait at least one minute

before disconnecting the electrical

supply from the battery. When

reconnecting the electrical supply to the

battery, make sure that the ignition in

the OFF mode and the driver side door

is closed.

Wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy

solution over the bodywork, frequently

rinsing the sponge.

Corrosion Warranty

Your vehicle is covered by Corrosion

Warranty against perforation due to rust

of any original element of the structure

or bodywork. For the general terms of

this Corrosion Warranty, refer to the

Warranty Booklet.

Rinse well with water and dry with a

jet of air or a chamois leather.

Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door

frames, hood, headlight frames, etc.)

with special care, as water may

stagnate more easily in these areas. Do

263

not wash the vehicle after it has been

left in the sun or with the hood hot: this

may alter the shine of the paintwork.

Damage caused by bird

dropping/insects/tree sap

Water marks

Problem:

Rain, fog, dew, and even tap water can

contain harmful minerals such as salt

and lime. If moisture containing these

minerals settles on the vehicle and

evaporates, the minerals will

concentrate and harden to form white

rings. The rings can damage your

vehicle's finish.

Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned

in the same way as the rest of the

vehicle.

Bird droppings contain acids. If these

are not removed they can eat away the

clear and color base coat of the

vehicle's paintwork.

Note:

When insects stick to the paint surface

and decompose, corrosive compounds

form. These can erode the clear and

color base coat of the vehicle's

Avoid parking under trees; the sap

dropped by trees makes the paint

work go dull and increases the

possibility of corrosion.

Prevention:

paintwork if they are not removed.

It is necessary to wash and wax your

vehicle to preserve its finish according

to the instructions in this section. These

steps should be taken immediately after

you find water marks on your vehicle's

finish.

Bird droppings must be washed off

immediately and thoroughly as the acid

they contain is particularly aggressive.

Tree sap will harden and adhere

permanently to the paint finish. If you

scratch the sap off while it is hard, some

vehicle paint could come off with it.

Etching caused by acid rain or

industrial fallout

Prevention:

It is necessary to have your vehicle

washed and waxed to preserve its finish

according to the instructions in this

section. This should be done as soon

as possible.

Paint chipping

Problem:

Cause:

Industrial pollutants and vehicle

emissions drift into the air and mix with

rain or dew to form acids. These acids

can settle on a vehicle's finish. As the

water evaporates, the acid becomes

concentrated and can damage the

finish.

Paint chipping occurs when gravel

thrown in the air by another vehicle's

tires hits your vehicle.

Bird droppings can be removed with a

soft sponge and water. If you are travelling

and these are not available, a moistened

tissue may also take care of the problem.

The cleaned area should be waxed

How to avoid paint chipping:

Keeping a safe distance between you

and the vehicle ahead reduces the

chances of having your paint chipped

by flying gravel.

The longer the acid remains on the

surface, the greater the chance is for

damage.

according to the instructions in this

section. Insects and tree sap are best

removed with a soft sponge and water or

a commercially available chemical cleaner.

Note:

Prevention:

The paint chipping zone varies with

the speed of the vehicle. For example,

when travelling at 55 mph (90 km/h),

the paint chipping zone is 164 ft

(50 m).

It is necessary to wash and wax your

vehicle to preserve its finish according

to the instructions in this section. These

steps should be taken immediately after

you suspect that acid rain has settled

on your vehicle's finish.

Another method is to cover the affected

area with dampened newspaper for one

to two hours. After removing the

newspaper, rinse off the loosened

debris with water.

264

In low temperatures, a vehicle's

finish hardens. This increases the

chance of paint chipping.

Note: FCA is not responsible for

scratches caused by automatic car

washes or improper washing.

Scratches are more noticeable on

vehicles with darker paint finishes.

When washing and waxing the

vehicle, be careful not to apply

excessive force to any single area of

the vehicle hood. Otherwise, you could

dent the vehicle.

Chipped paint can lead to rust

forming on your vehicle. Before this

happens, repair the damage by using

FCA touch-up paint according to the

instructions in this section. Failure to

repair the affected area could lead to

serious rusting and expensive repairs.

When the wiper lever is in the AUTO

position and the ignition is placed in the

ON mode, the wipers may move

Do not use automatic car washing

machines and car washing devices

using high water pressure.

automatically in the following cases:

Make sure that the fuel door is

closed and lock the doors. Otherwise,

the fuel door may be forcefully opened

by water pressure causing damage to

the vehicle or fuel door.

If the windshield above the rain

sensor is touched or wiped with a cloth.

Follow all label and container directions

when using a chemical cleaner or

polish. Read all warnings and cautions.

If the windshield is struck with a hand

or other object from either outside or

inside the vehicle.

Maintaining The Finish

To minimize scratches on the vehicle's

paint finish:

Washing

Note:

Rinse off any dirt or other foreign

matter using lukewarm or cold water

before washing.

To help protect the finish from rust and

deterioration, wash your vehicle

thoroughly and frequently, at least once

a month, with lukewarm or cold water.

Keep hands and scrapers clear of

the windshield when the wiper lever is

in the AUTO position and the ignition is

cycled to ON mode as fingers could be

pinched or the wipers and wiper

blades damaged when the wipers

activate automatically. If you are going

to clean the windshield, be sure the

wipers are turned off completely (when

it is most likely that the engine is left

running) this is particularly important

when clearing ice and snow.

Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water

and a soft cloth when washing the

vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.

If the vehicle is washed improperly, the

paint surface could be scratched. Here

are some examples of how scratching

could occur:

Rub gently when washing or drying

the vehicle.

The vehicle is washed without first

rinsing off dirt and other foreign matter.

Take your vehicle only to a car wash

that keeps its brushes well maintained.

The vehicle is washed with a rough,

dry, or dirty cloth.

Do not use abrasive cleansers or

wax that contain abrasives.

Do not spray water in the engine

compartment. Otherwise, it could

result in engine-starting problems or

damage to electrical parts.

The vehicle is washed at a car wash

that uses brushes that are dirty or too

stiff.

Cleansers or wax containing

abrasives are used.

265

Always wash and dry the vehicle before

waxing it. In addition to the vehicle

body, wax the metal trim to maintain its

lustre:

Bright-Metal

Maintenance

Caution!

Use tar remover to remove road tar and

insects. Never do this with a knife or

similar tool.

Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,

or strong detergents containing highly

alkaline or caustic agents on chrome

plated or anodized aluminium parts. This

may damage the protective coating; also,

cleaners and detergents may discolor or

deteriorate the paint.

Use wax which contains no

abrasives. Waxes containing abrasive

will remove paint and could damage

bright metal parts.

To prevent corrosion on bright-metal

surfaces, apply wax or chrome

preservative and rub it to a high lustre.

During cold weather or in coastal areas,

cover bright-metal parts with a coating

of wax or preservative heavier than

usual. It would also help to coat them

with noncorrosive petroleum jelly or

some other protective compound.

Use a good grade of natural wax for

metallic, mica, and solid colors.

When waxing, coat evenly with the

sponge supplied or a soft cloth.

Pay special attention to removing salt,

dirt, mud, and other foreign material

from the underside of the fenders, and

make sure the drain holes in the lower

edges of the doors and rocker panels

are clean.

Wipe off the wax with a soft cloth.

Note: A spot remover to remove oil,

tar, and similar materials will usually also

take off the wax. Rewax these areas

even if the rest of the vehicle does not

need it.

Caution!

Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,

industrial fallout, and similar deposits

can damage the finish if not removed

immediately. When prompt washing

with plain water is ineffective, use a mild

soap made for use on vehicles.

Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners,

or strong detergents containing highly

alkaline or caustic agents on chrome

plated or anodized aluminium parts. This

may result in damage to the protective

coating and cause discoloration or paint

deterioration.

Repairing Damage To

The Finish

Deep scratches or chips on the finish

should be repaired promptly. Exposed

metal quickly rusts and can lead to

major repairs.

Thoroughly rinse off all soap with

lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow

soap to dry on the finish.

Note: If your vehicle is damaged and

needs metal parts repaired or replaced,

make sure the body shop applies

corrosion prevention materials to all

parts, both repaired and new. This will

prevent them from rusting.

After washing the vehicle, dry it with a

clean chamois to prevent water spots

from forming.

Waxing

Your vehicle needs to be waxed when

water no longer beads on the finish.

266

Servicing and Maintenance -> Bodywork for Your Fiat 124 Spider 2 Door Second Generation (2016-2020)

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