2003-2012 Fiat Panda SUV KNOWING YOUR CAR -> VERSION WITH METHANE SYSTEM (NATURAL POWER) User Manual
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KNOWING YOUR CAR -> VERSION WITH METHANE SYSTEM (NATURAL POWER) for Your Fiat Panda SUV Second Generation (2003-2012)

13) The vehicle is equipped with a gaseous  
LPG injection system designed specifically  
for it: it is therefore absolutely forbidden  
to alter the configuration of the system or  
its components. The use of other  
components or materials could cause  
malfunctions and lead to a reduction in  
safety; therefore, in the case of problems,  
contact a Fiat Dealership. To prevent  
damage to the gas system parts when  
towing or raising the vehicle, follow the  
instructions in the "Towing the vehicle"  
paragraph of the Owner Handbook.  
17) When switching from petrol to LPG is  
requested, a metal noise from the valves  
which pressurise the circuit can be heard.  
As a result of the switching logic described  
above, the delay between the ticking of  
the valve and the switching off of the green  
VERSION WITH  
METHANE SYSTEM  
(Natural Power)  
warning light on the instrument panel  
is entirely normal.  
33) 34) 35)  
21)  
INTRODUCTION  
18) In particular usage conditions, such as  
starting and operation at low ambient  
temperature or LPG supply with low  
The "Natural Power" version features  
two fuel systems, one for petrol and  
one for natural gas (methane).  
propane content, the system may switch  
temporarily to petrol operation, without  
an indication of switching on the instrument  
panel. In the event of low LPG levels in  
the tank or request for high performance  
(e.g. overtaking, vehicle fully laden, steep  
hills), the system may automatically switch  
to petrol operation to guarantee the engine  
power requested; the green warning light  
on the instrument panel switches on  
14) When painting in an oven, the LPG  
tank must be removed from the vehicle and  
later refitted by a Fiat Dealership. Although  
the LPG system has numerous safety  
features, it is advisable to proceed  
as follows every time the vehicle is not in  
use for a long period or moved in an  
emergency as a result of a breakdown or  
accident: unscrew the fastening devices A  
fig. 37, then remove the cover B. Close  
the LPG cock rotating the ring nut C fig. 39  
clockwise. Refit the cover and retighten  
the fastening devices.  
METHANE CYLINDERS  
The vehicle is equipped with two  
cylinders (total capacity about 72 litres)  
fig. 41 - fig. 42 located under the floor  
of the vehicle and protected by two  
special guards.  
to indicate this. When the above conditions  
are no longer present, the system  
automatically restores LPG operation; the  
green warning light  
switches off. To  
achieve the automatic switching described  
above, make sure that there is always  
enough fuel in the petrol tank.  
15) Periodically (at least once every six  
months), it is advisable to let the LPG in the  
tank run out and, at the next refuelling,  
check that it does not exceed the  
maximum capacity of 30.5 litres (reserve  
included) (with a tolerance of 2 litres  
excess) (see instructions in the "Capacities"  
paragraph of this Supplement). If the level  
is above 30.5 litres (reserve included)  
contact a Fiat Dealership immediately.  
19) Only use LPG for motor vehicles.  
20) It is strictly forbidden to use any  
additive in the LPG.  
F1D0137  
41  
16) Regardless of the last fuel system  
used, at the following engine starting, after  
the initial petrol stage, the system will  
automatically switch to LPG.  
33  
IMPORTANT If the vehicle has been  
registered in a country other than Italy,  
the certification data, identification  
and inspection procedures for  
To guarantee switching in full safety, the  
actual change to the chosen fuel  
system takes place depending on the  
car usage conditions; it may not  
therefore be immediate.  
the methane cylinders should conform  
to the legislation in that country. In  
any case, remember that the life of the  
cylinders is 20 years from the  
Switching is confirmed by the switching  
on/off of the green warning light  
the instrument panel.  
on  
production date as set out in ECE  
Regulation no. 110.  
In addition, when starting at outside  
temperatures below approximately  
–10°C, the switching times from petrol  
to methane increase to allow the  
pressure regulator/reduction unit to  
heat up.  
F1D0138  
42  
SELECTION OF  
PETROL/METHANE  
SUPPLY TYPE  
The methane, stored in the cylinders at  
high pressure, flows through a  
dedicated pipe to reach the pressure  
regulator/reduction unit which supplies  
the two methane injectors at low  
pressure (about 9 bar).  
36)  
22) 23) 24)  
If the methane has run out, switching to  
petrol takes place automatically. In this  
case, the four bars of the digital gauge  
switch off and the green warning light  
on the instrument panel switches on.  
This engine normally runs on methane  
except during starting, when it runs  
on petrol.  
Cylinder certification  
The (petrol/methane switch) button A  
fig. 43 allows drivers to select petrol or  
methane operation.  
The methane cylinders are certified in  
accordance with ECE Regulation no.  
110.  
SUPPLIES  
Methane  
The cylinders must be inspected, in  
accordance with ECE Regulation  
Procedure no. 110, every 4 years from  
the vehicle registration date or in  
accordance with specific regulations in  
individual countries.  
Capacity: about 12 kg. The total  
volume of cylinders is about 72 litres.  
The plates provided by the Dealership  
with the on board documentation  
contain the date for the first inspection  
of the cylinders. Methane refuelling  
stations are not authorised to refill the  
cylinders when the inspection date has  
expired.  
F1D0109  
43  
34  
24) In particular usage conditions, such as  
starting and operation at low ambient  
temperature, the system may switch  
temporarily to petrol operation, without  
indicating the performed switching. In the  
event of low methane levels in the tank  
or request for high performance (e.g.  
overtaking, vehicle fully laden, steep hills),  
the system may automatically switch to  
petrol operation to guarantee the engine  
power requested; the green warning light  
on the instrument panel switches on  
to indicate this. When the above conditions  
are no longer present, the system  
WARNING  
WARNING  
33) The Fiat Panda Natural Power is  
equipped with a high pressure methane  
fuel supply system, designed to operate at  
a rated pressure of 200 bar. It is dangerous  
to stretch the system with higher  
pressures. To prevent damage to the  
methane system parts when towing or  
raising the vehicle, follow the instructions in  
the "Towing the vehicle" paragraph of the  
Owner Handbook. If there is a problem  
with the methane system, only contact a  
Fiat Dealership. Do not alter the methane  
system configuration or components; they  
are designed exclusively for the Fiat Panda  
Natural Power. The use of other  
21) If, during methane operation, the same  
runs out, the vehicle switches to petrol  
automatically and all the bars of the digital  
gauge on the display switch off; this  
displaying remains until the next methane  
refuelling.  
22) Regardless of the last fuel system  
used, at the following engine starting, after  
the initial petrol stage, the system will  
automatically switch to methane.  
automatically restores methane operation;  
the green warning light  
switches off.  
23) When switching from petrol to methane  
is requested, a metal noise from the valves  
which pressurise the circuit can be heard,  
as it happens while starting the vehicle.  
As a result of the switching logic described  
above, the delay between the ticking of  
the valve and the switching off of the green  
To achieve the automatic switching  
described above, make sure that there is  
always enough fuel in the petrol tank.  
components or materials could cause  
malfunctions and reduce safety.  
34) In the case of painting in an oven, the  
cylinders should be removed from the  
vehicle and refitted later by a Fiat Dealer.  
Although the methane system has  
warning light on the instrument panel  
is entirely normal.  
numerous safety features, it is advisable to  
close the manual cocks for the cylinders  
every time the vehicle is not in use for  
a long period, transported on other  
vehicles or moved in an emergency as a  
result of a breakdown or accident.  
35) Modifications or repairs to the fuel  
system that are not carried out correctly or  
do not take the system technical  
specifications into account can cause  
malfunctions leading to a fire risk.  
36) Do not switch between the two  
operating modes whilst starting the engine.  
35  

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