Fiat Punto: How to warm up the engine after it has just started (petrol and diesel versions)

Fiat Punto Owners Manual

Proceed as follows:

• Drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium revs. Do not accelerate abruptly;
• Do not drive at full performance for the initial kilometres. Wait until the coolant temperature gauge starts moving.

EMERGENCY START-UP

If the instrument panel warning light stays on with
fixed light, the emergency start-up can be performed by using the CODE card code (see section “In an emergency”).

STOPPING THE ENGINE

Turn the ignition to STOP while the engine is idling.

IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you should allow the engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by letting it idle to allow the temperature in the engine compartment to fall.

Never bump start the engine by pushing, towing or coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to flow into the catalytic exhaust system and damage it beyond repair.

A quick burst on the accelerator before turning off the engine serves absolutely no practical purpose, it wastes fuel and is damaging especially to turbocharged engines.

Remember that the servobrake and power steering are not operational until the engine has been started, therefore much effort than usual is required on the brake pedal and steering wheel.