Handling Your 2017+ Fiat 124 Spider In Emergency Situations

Jump Starting

Even with roadside assistance membership, owners that want to know the correct jump starting procedure should read this quick breakdown. If jump starting becomes common and not just an anomaly, visiting your local dealer is recommend along with checking what owners have to say in the Technical Discussion section.

Preparations For Jump Starting
Jump-starting is dangerous if done incorrectly, so follow the procedure in this section carefully. If you feel unsure about jump-starting, it is strongly recommend that you have a competent service technician do the work.


Jump Start Locations
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Jump-Starting Procedure

To jump start the vehicle, follow this
procedure:

1. Remove the positive terminal cover.
   
   
   
   Positive Terminal Cover
   
   
2. Make sure the booster battery is 12 V and that the negative terminal is grounded.
3. Turn off the engine of the vehicle with the booster battery and all unnecessary electrical loads in both vehicles.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cables to the positive terminal on the discharged battery.
5. Connect the other end to the positive terminal on the booster battery.
6. Connect one end of the other jumper cables to the negative terminal of the booster battery.
7. Connect the other end to a good engine ground of the vehicle with the discharged battery (exposed metal part of the engine) away from the battery and the fuel injection system.
8. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and run it a few minutes. Then start the engine of the other vehicle.
9. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in the reverse sequence.
10. Replace the positive terminal cover. Make sure cover is secure.

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Tire Service Kit

If you never had to patch/seal a punctured tire or add air to your tire, and are interested in the process, this guideline will get you up to speed. But depending on where the puncture is (ex. sidewall) and how big, this won't apply for every situation. This guideline is specific to U.S.A. and Canada markets. For more on tires see the Wheels, Tires, Brakes, and Suspension part of this forum.


Tire Service Kit Components And Operation
The tire service kit includes the following items:
(U.S.A. And Canada Markets)

Tire Service Kit Components — U.S.A. And Canada Markets
1— Sealant Bottle
2— Compressor
3— Speed Restriction Sticker
4— Repaired Tire Sticker
5— Instructions

Tire Service Storage
The tire service kit is located inside the
trunk.


Tire Service Kit Location


U.S.A. And CANADA Markets:

Proceed as follows:

1. Pull over to a safe location and turn on the vehicle’s hazard warning lights.
2. Verify that the valve stem (on the wheel with the deflated tire) is in a position that is near to the ground. This will allow the tire service kit hoses to reach the valve stem and keep the tire service kit flat on the ground. This will provide the best positioning of the kit when injecting the sealant into the deflated tire and running the air pump. Move the vehicle as necessary to place the valve stem in this position before proceeding.
3. Shift the gear selector to Reverse (R) for a manual transmission, and shift the gear selector to Park (P) for an automatic transmission.
4. Apply the parking brake with the brake pedal depressed and turn off the engine.
5. Unload passengers and cargo and remove the tire service kit.
   
   
   Tire Service Kit Location
   
   
6. Shake the sealant bottle to mix the contents. Then extend the injection hose.
   
   
   Sealant Bottle With Injection Hose
   1 — Injection Hose
   
   
7. Pull out the air compressor hose and the air compressor plug from the air compressor.
   
   
   Air compressor With Hose And Plug
   2 — Air Compressor Hose
   
   
8. Install the air compressor hose which was pulled out of the air compressor to the injection valve of the bottle.
   
   
   Install Air Compressor To Sealant Bottle
   3 — Air Compressor Hose
   4 — Injection Valve
   
   
9. Remove the valve cap from the valve of the flat tire, install the injection hose to the tire valve, and turn the sleeve to the right, and tighten it.
   
   
   Valve And Valve Cover
   5 — Valve Cap
   6 — Valve
   
   
10. Install the bottle to the air compressor and push it in until the left and right tabs are engaged securely.
    
    
    Sealant Bottle Into Air Compressor
    7 — Air Compressor Tabs
    
    
11. Insert the air compressor plug into the accessory socket inside the vehicle and place the ignition to ACC.
12. The sealant is injected into the tire when the air compressor is switched on. After the sealant is injected completely, wait until the tire inflation pressure increases to the specified tire inflation pressure. For the correct pressure, check the tire inflation pressure label on the driver's door frame.
13. Adhere the speed restriction sticker to an area where it can be viewed easily by the driver
14. Adhere the repaired tire sticker to the wheel of the flat tire.
    
    
    Repaired Tire Sticker
    
    
15. When the tire inflates to the specified tire inflation pressure, turn the air compressor switch off, turn the sleeve of the injection hose to the left, and pull it out of the tire valve.
    
    
    Install Injection Hose To Sealant Bottle
    
    
16. Install the tire valve cap.
17. Place the tire service kit back into its storage location.
18. Start driving immediately to spread the sealant in the tire.

See more in the Fiat 124 Spider Owners Manual

Changing A Wheel

If you happen to find yourself in a situation where you need to swap on your spare tire or want to get familiar with the process and location of tools, then this will walk you through the various steps involved. Not everyone will have a feel for the correct tightness, so have them immediately checked out with a torque wrench by your Dealer or Service Station of choice.

Tools Location
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and tow eyes. For details, contact an Authorized Dealer. Tools are stored in the trunk.


Jack Tools
1 — Jack Lever
2 — Lug Wrench (If Equipped)
3 — Tow Eyes (If Equipped)

Jacking Instructions - If Equipped

To Remove The Jack
Proceed as follows:

1. In the right side of the trunk, pull on indentation on side of cover to remove
   
   
   Jack Location
   1 — Indentation On Cover
   2 — Jack And Tools Cover
   
   
2. Turn the wing bolt and jack screw counterclockwise.

Jack Components
3 — Wing Bolt
4 — Jack Screw

To Secure The Jack
Proceed as follows:

1. Insert the wing bolt into the jack with the jack screw pointing back, and turn the wing bolt clockwise to temporarily tighten it.
2. Turn the jack screw clockwise.
3. Turn the wing bolt completely to secure the jack.
4. Insert the cover tabs and install the cover.

Changing Procedure
Proceed as follows:

1. Stop the vehicle in a position that does not cause any danger to traffic and lets you change the tire in safety, as far as possible from the edge of the driving lane. The ground must be flat and sufficiently compact.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights and engage the parking brake.
3. For vehicles with automatic transmission, place the gear selector in Park (P). For vehicles with manual transmission, place gear selector in Reverse (R) and turn off the engine.
4. Stop the engine. The motor must be kept off as long as the vehicle is lifted off the ground.
5. Remove the jack and tools.
6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally opposite of the jacking position. For example, if changing the right front tire, block the left rear wheel.

Blocking Right Front Tire And Left Rear Tire

Removing A Tire
Proceed as follows:

1. Loosen the lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise one turn each, but do not remove any lug nuts until the tire has been raised off the ground.
   
   
   Loosen Lug Nuts Counterclockwise
   
   
2. Place the jack under the lift point closest to the tire being changed with the jack head squarely under the jack-up point.
3. Turn the jack screw in the direction shown and adjust the jack head so that it is close to the jack-up position.
   
   
   Raising The Jack
   
   
4. Continue raising the jack head gradually by rotating the screw with your hand until the jack head is inserted into the lift point.
   
   
   Front Jacking Location
   
   
5. Insert the jack lever and attach the lug wrench to tire jack.
   
   
   Jack With Lug Wrench Attached
   
   
6. Turn the jack handle clockwise and raise the vehicle high enough so that the tire is raised off the ground and can be removed. Before removing the lug nuts, make sure your vehicle is firmly in position and that it cannot slip or move.
7. Remove the wheel nuts by turning them counterclockwise; then remove the wheel.

Mounting The Tire
Proceed as follows:

1. Remove dirt and grime from the mounting surfaces of the wheel hub, including the hub bolts, with a cloth.
   
   
   Clean Mounting Surface
   
   
2. Mount the tire and install the wheel nuts with the beveled edge inward; tighten them by hand.
3. Turn the lug wrench counterclockwise and lower the vehicle. Use the lug wrench to tighten the nuts in the order shown.
   
   
   Lug Nut Tightening Order
   
   
4. Remove the tire blocks and store the tools and jack. Check the inflation pressure.
5. If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them checked with a torque wrench by your Authorized Dealership or Service Station.

See more in the Fiat 124 Spider Owners Manual

Replacing Fuses

Any time something electrical doesn't work, odds are you have a blown fuse and should start by checking them before anything else. As any good mechanic will recommend, easiest most common thing is where you want to start diagnosing issues and this is it. Here you will find all fuse related information.

General Information
Your vehicle's electrical system is protected by fuses.
If any lights, accessories, or controls do not work, inspect the appropriate circuit protector. If a fuse has blown, the inside element will be melted. If the same fuse blows again, go to an Authorized Dealer as soon as possible.

Fuse location
Fuses are grouped together in two fuse boxes located in the interior on the left side of the vehicle and under the hood.

Interior Fuses

If the electrical system does not work,
first inspect the fuses on the vehicle's
left side.

Proceed as follows:

1. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and other switches are turned off.
2. Open the fuse panel cover (located near the door).
   
   
   Fuse Panel Cover
   
   
3. Press retaining clip and remove protection cover.
4. Pull the fuse straight out with the fuse puller provided on the fuse block located in the engine compartment.
   
   
   Fuse Puller
   
   
5. Inspect the fuse and replace it if it is blown.

Fuses
1 — Normal Fuse
2 — Blown Fuse

Underhood Fuses
If the headlights or other electrical components do not work and the fuses in the cabin are normal, inspect the fuse block in the engine compartment. If a fuse is blown, it must be replaced. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and other switches are turned off and remove the fuse block cover. If the lock is forcefully opened, the fuse block cover may come in contact with the frame when it is removed and become scratched. When removing the cover, remove it slowly according to the following procedure:

1. Disengage the rear lock by pressing down on the front tab with your fingers.
   
   
   Underhood Fuse Block
   1 — Lock
   2 — Cover
   
2. Remove the front tab while slightly lifting the front of the cover.
3. Remove the cover while lifting it and sliding it to the rear.
4. If any fuse but the main fuse is blown, replace it with a new one of the same amperage rating.
   
   
   Fuse
   1 — Normal Fuse
   2 — Blown Fuse
   
5. Reinstall the cover and make sure that it is securely installed.

Fuse Block (Engine Compartment)







Fuse Block Interior




See more in the Fiat 124 Spider Owners Manual

Replacing Bulbs

Along with the fuses listed above, bulbs are the next easiest thing for you to change as an owner, although some dealers will be more than happy to do the labor part for free. Unlike all the points that have come before this, it isn't as straight forward as it seems to be as any mechanically inclined enthusiast will tell you. Most tool kits with a range of screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, etc. tailored for automotive usage (if you don't already have one) will include what you to access and change some of these hard to get to bulbs. For more information and discussions on interior/exterior lighting, see the Lighting Section of the forum.

Replacement Bulbs



Light Bulbs

Front Lights
The bulbs are arranged as follows:

Head Lights
1 — High Beam with Daytime Running Lights (DRL)/Position Light/Low Beam/Side Marker
2 — Front Indicator Light
3 — Fog Light


Rear Lights
The bulbs are arranged as follows:

Rear Lights
4 — Side Marker — If Equipped
5 — Position Light/Stop Light/Rear Direction Indicator Light
6 — Reverse Light — If Equipped
7 — Third Stop Light

Replacing Exterior Lights

Headlights (low beam)
(If Equipped with halogen bulb)

Proceed as follows:

1. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and turn off engine. If you are changing the left bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and the headlight switch is off.
3. Remove the fasteners in the seven locations and partially peel back the mud guard.
   
   
   Mud Guard
   1 — Fasteners
   2 — Mud Guard
   
   
4. Turn the cover counterclockwise and remove it, disconnect the connector from the unit by pressing the tab on the connector with your finger and pulling the connector.
5. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
6. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Headlights (high beam) with Daytime Running Lights
(If Equipped with LED Lamps)
Proceed as follows:

1. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and turn off engine. If you are changing the left bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and the headlight switch is off.
3. Remove the fasteners in the seven locations and partially peel back the mud guard.
4. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
5. Turn the cover counterclockwise and remove it, disconnect the connector from the unit by pressing the tab on the connector with your finger and pulling the connector.
6. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
7. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
8. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Head Lamp Assembly
1 — High Beam Lamp
2 — Position Lamp
3 — Daytime Running Lamp


Mud Guard


Front Direction Indicator Lights
Proceed as follows:

1. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and turn off engine. If you are changing the left bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Make sure the ignition is switched off, and the headlight switch is off.
3. Remove the fasteners in the five locations and partially peel back the mud guard.
4. Disconnect the connector from the unit by pressing the tab on the connector with your finger and pulling the connector rearward.
5. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove it.
   
   
   Front Direction Indicator Housing
   1 — Socket Assembly
   2 — Bulb
   
   
6. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
   
   
   Direction Indicator Lamp Connector

Fog Lights
Proceed as follows:

1. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and turn off engine. If you are changing the left bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
2. Make sure the ignition is switched off, and the headlight switch is off.
3. Remove the fasteners in the five locations and partially peel back the mud guard.
4. Disconnect the connector from the unit by pressing the tab on the connector with your finger and pulling the connector.
5. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise, extract the bulb and remove it;
6. Disconnect the bulb from the socket.
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Brake lights / Tail lights
Go to your authorized dealer when the replacement of this lights is necessary.


Side Direction Indicator Lights
Proceed as follows:

1. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and the headlight switch is off.
2. If you are changing the right bulb, start the engine, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and turn off engine. If you are changing the left bulb, turn the steering wheel to the left.
3. Remove the fasteners in the five locations and partially peel back the mud guard.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb by pressing the tab on the connector with your finger and pulling the connector.
5. Remove the lens assembly by pressing the tab on the unit with your finger and pulling the unit forward to compress in the internal catch, then pull the cluster outwards.
6. Lift up the lens assembly, and then remove the cluster and install the new side direction indicator lens assembly in the reverse order of the removal procedure.
   
7. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Side Direction Indicator
1 — Fasteners



Side Direction Indicator
2 — Lens Assembly



Side Direction Indicator
3 — Internal Catch
4 — Lens Assembly

Front Side Marker
(If equipped with halogen bulb)
Proceed as follows:

1. Remove the fasteners in the seven locations and partially peel back the upper side of the mud guard.
2. Turn the socket counterclockwise, remove socket assembly then remove the bulb.
   
   
   Front Side Marker
   1 — Socket
   2 — Bulb Assembly
   
   
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Rear Direction Indicator Lights
Proceed as follows:

1. Remove the retainers and the trunk lid end trim.
   
   
   Trunk Trim
   1 — Retainers
   
   
   
   Trunk Trim
   2 — Connector
   
   
2. Disconnect the connector from the unit by pressing the tab on the connector with your finger.
   
   
   Rear Direction Indicator Socket
   3 — Connector
   
   
3. Remove the screw and nuts.
   
   
   Taillight Housing Fasteners
   4 — Screw
   5 — Nuts
   
   
4. Pull the taillight housing rearward to remove it.
   
   
   Rear of Vehicle
   6 — Taillight Housing
   
   
5. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove from taillight housing, and remove bulb.
   
   
   Taillight Housing
   7 — Socket and Bulb Assembly
   
   
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Reverse Light
Proceed as follows:

1. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and the headlight switch is off.
2. Turn the socket assembly counterclockwise to remove, and remove bulb.
   
   
   Reverse Light
   1 — Socket Assembly
   2 — Bulb
   
   
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Rear Side Marker
Proceed as follows:

1. Push the lens assembly rearward to compress the internal catch, then pull the lens assembly outwards.
   
   
   Rear Side Marker
   1 — Rear Side Marker Lens Assembly
   
   
2. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise to remove, and remove bulb.
   
   
   Side Marker Housing
   2 — Socket and Bulb Assembly
   
   
3. Install the new bulb and then reinstall the socket in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

License Plate Lights
Proceed as follows:

1. Make sure the ignition is placed in the OFF mode, and the headlight switch is off.
2. Slide the unit as shown in the figure to remove it.
   
   
   Trunk Lid
   1 — License Plate Light Assembly
   
   
3. Turn the socket and bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove, remove bulb.
   
   
   License Plate Light Housing
   2 — Socket and Bulb Assembly
   
   
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure. Insert catch and push the housing back into place.

Replacing Interior Light Bulbs

Overhead Light
Proceed as follows:

1. Using a suitable tool to prevent damage to the lens, remove the overhead light by carefully prying on the edge of the lens.
   
   
   Overhead Light Location
   1 — Overhead Light Lens
   
   
2. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
3. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

Trunk Light
Proceed as follows:

1. Using a suitable tool to prevent damage to the to the lens, remove the trunk light lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens.
   
   
   Trunk Light
   1 — Trunk Light Lens
   
2. Disconnect the connector from the trunk light lens.
   
   
   Trunk Light Housing
   2 — Connector
   
   
3. Disconnect the bulb by pulling it out.
4. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of the removal procedure.

See more in the Fiat 124 Spider Owners Manual