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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
Before opening the bonnet,
check that windscreen wiper
arms are not lifted from the wind-
screen.
WARNING
fig. 83
C
B
F0G0075m
To close the bonnet fig. 83
Hold the bonnet up with one hand and,
with the other, remove rod Bfrom recess
Dand replace it in its clip C;
Lower the bonnet until it is about 20 cm
above the engine compartment, then let it
fall and make sure it is properly locked and
not just secured in safety position. In this
case do not press the bonnet but raise it
again and repeat the operation.
For safety reasons the bon-
net must be closed properly
to avoid its opening while the car is
travelling. Therefore, always check it
is properly closed and the catch en-
gaged. Should you notice that the
catch is not perfectly engaged when
travelling, stop the car immediately
and close the bonnet.
WARNING
If checks are needed in the
engine compartment, when
it is still hot, proceed with the utmost
care to avoid burns. Do not approach
the fan: it might start working also
with the ignition key removed. Wait
for the engine cool down.
WARNING
Scarves, ties and other loose
articles of clothing could
easily get caught up in moving parts.
This can be extremely dangerous.
WARNING
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65
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
HEADLIGHTS
ADJUSTING THE HEADLIGHT
BEAM
The correct positioning of the headlight
beams is very important for the comfort
and safety not only of the person driving
the car but also all other road users. This
also covered by a specific law.
To ensure you and other drivers have the
best visibility conditions when travelling
with the headlights on, the headlights must
be set properly.
Have the headlight positioning checked at
a Fiat Dealership and adjusted if necessary.
Check the positioning of the headlight
beams whenever the weight or the load
position is changed.
ROOF RACK/
SKI RACK
FASTENERS fig. 84
The roof rack fastener seats Aare shown
in the figure.
To secure the roof rack, remove plugs B
(two per side).
A roof rack/ski rack especially designed for
Fiat Panda is available from Lineaccessori
Fiat.
On some versions, bars carrying all ob-
jects can be provided as an optional.
fig. 84F0G00203m
After travelling a few kilo-
metres, check that the at-
tachment fastening screws are tight.
WARNING
Never exceed the permitted
weight (see section “Techni-
cal specifications”.
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66
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SLANT COMPENSATION fig. 85
The car is fitted with an electrical device
for correcting the headlight slant. The de-
vice can be operated with the ignition key
at MARand the dipped beam headlights
are on.
When the car is loaded, it slopes back-
wards. This means the headlight beam ris-
es.
In this case, it is necessary to return it to
the correct position using buttons +and
–.
The display shows the positions during the
adjustment.ADJUSTING THE FRONT
FOGLIGHTS (where provided)
fig. 86
Have the headlight positioning checked at
a Fiat Dealership and adjusted if necessary.
fig. 85F0G0141mfig. 86F0G0076m
Correct positions according
to the load
Position 0- one or two passengers on
front seats.
Position 1- four passengers.
Position 2- four passengers + load in the
boot.
Position 3- driver + maximum admitted
load in the boot.
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67
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
This is done using non-transparent stick-
er tape as shown in the figure. The figure
refers to passing from left-hand drive to
right-hand drive.
ABS SYSTEM
(where provided)
The car is fitted with an ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from lock-
ing when braking, makes the most of road
grip and gives the best control when emer-
gency braking under difficulty road condi-
tions.
System is completed by EBD (Electronic
Braking Force Distribution), which dis-
tributes the braking action between front
and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To have the maximum ef-
ficiency of the braking system, it is neces-
sary a setting period of about 500 km: dur-
ing this period, it is better to avoid sharp,
repeated and prolonged brakes. HEADLIGHT BEAM
ADJUSTMENT ABROAD fig. 87
Headlights are orientated as to drive in-
side the country of origin before selling
the car. When travelling in countries with
opposite driving direction, you need to
cover the headlight areas according to the
Road Code of the country you are trav-
elling in.
fig. 87F0G0691m
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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
FAILURE WARNINGS
ABS failure fig. 88
If warning light >lights up on the instru-
ment panel, together with the message on
the reconfigurable multifunction display
(where provided), see section “Warning
lights and messages”.
In this case the braking system will still be
effective, although without the anti-lock
device. Drive carefully to the nearest Fiat
Dealership to have the system checked.EBD failure fig. 89
It is indicated by the turning on of warn-
ing lights >and xon the instrument
panel, together with the message on the
reconfigurable multifunction display
(where provided), see section “Warning
lights and messages”.
In this case with sharp braking the rear
wheels might lock too early, with the pos-
sibility of skidding . Drive extremely care-
fully to the nearest Fiat Dealership to have
the system checked. ABS INTERVENTION
When the ABS cuts in, you will feel the
brake pedal pulsating slightly and the sys-
tem get noisier: it means that the speed
should be altered to fit the type of road sur-
face.
fig. 88F0G0158mfig. 89F0G0159mWhen the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the brake pedal pul-
sating, do not remove your foot, but
keep it pressed; in doing so you will
stop in the shortest amount of space
possible under the current road con-
ditions.
WARNING
If the ABS system cuts in, it
is a sign that the grip be-
tween the tyre and the road surface
has reached the limit: you must slow
down to match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the road
hold available as much as
possible but cannot increase it. You
should always drive carefully on slip-
pery surfaces and avoid any unnec-
essary risks.
WARNING
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69
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
If only the warning light x
turns on together with the
message on the reconfigurable multi-
function display (where provided),
stop the car immediately and contact
the nearest Fiat Dealership. Fluid
leaks from the hydraulic system, in
fact, can compromise the braking sys-
tem, both traditional systems and sys-
tems with ABS.
WARNINGESP SYSTEM (Electronic
Stability Program)
(where provided)
GENERAL INFORMATION
The ESP system is an electronic system
controlling the car stability in the event of
tyre grip loss.
The ESP system is therefore particularly
useful when grip conditions of the road sur-
faces changes.
In addition to the ESP system, ASR system
(antislip regulation system) and HILL
HOLDER, also the MSR system (adjusting
the engine braking torque) and the HBA
system (improving the braking force dur-
ing emergency braking) are provided.
ESP INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the warn-
ing lightáon the instrument panel, to in-
form the driver that the car is in critical
stability and grip conditions.ESP system activation
The ESP system is automatically activat-
ed when the car is started and cannot be
de-activated.
Failure indications
In the event of failure, the ESP system is
automatically disconnected, the warning
light
ácomes on with fixed light on the
instrument panel, together with the mes-
sage on the reconfigurable multifunction
display (where provided) and with the but-
ton led ASR OFF (see section “Warning
lights and messages”). In this case contact
a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
Performance of the ESP sys-
tem, in terms of active safe-
ty should not induce the driver to take
pointless and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any case al-
ways be adapted to the conditions of
the road surface, visibility an traffic.
Road safety is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
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SAFETY
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CORRECT USE
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
FAILURE INDICATIONS
System failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning light *on the instrument
panel, together with the message on the
reconfigurable multifunction display
(where provided), see section “Warning
lights and messages”.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is
not a parking brake therefore, never leave
the car without having engaged the hand-
brake, turned the engine off and engaged
the first speed.ASR SYSTEM
(Antislip Regulation)
The ASR function controls car drive and
cuts in automatically every time one or
both driving wheels slip.
In slipping conditions, two different con-
trol systems are activated:
❒if slipping involves both driving wheels,
the ASR function intervenes reducing
the power transmitted by the engine;
❒ if the slipping involves only one driving
wheel, the ASR system cuts in auto-
matically braking the wheel that is slip-
ping.
The action of the ASR is particularly help-
ful in the following circumstances:
❒ slipping of the inner wheel due to the
effect of dynamic load changes or ex-
cessive acceleration;
❒ too much power transmitted to the
wheels also in relation to the conditions
of the road surface;
❒ acceleration on slippery, snowy or
frozen surfaces;
❒ in the case of loss of grip on a wet sur-
face (aquaplaning). HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
(where provided)
This system is an integral part of the ESP
system and it is provided to facilitate start-
ing on slopes. It will activate automatical-
ly with the following conditions:
❒Uphill: car at a standstill on a road with
a gradient higher than 2%, engine run-
ning, clutch and brake pedal pressed,
gearbox to neutral or engaged gear oth-
er than reverse;
❒Downhill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 2%, engine
running, clutch and brake pedal pressed
and reverse gear engaged.
At pickup the ESP system control unit will
keep brake force on wheels until reaching
the torque suitable for starting, or in any
case for max. 2 seconds in order to pass
easily from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal.
After two seconds without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by re-
leasing gradually the brake force. At re-
leasing, the typical brake disengagement
noise indicating that the car is going to
move will be heard.
During the use of the space-
saver spare wheel, the ESP
system carries on working. However,
you must remind that the space-saver
spare wheel has dimensions smaller
than the standard tyre and therefore
its grip is reduced as to the other car
tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of the
ESP system, the tyres must
absolutely be of the same brand and
type on all wheels, in perfect condi-
tions and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING
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SAFETY
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CORRECT USE
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
Switching the
ASR system on/off fig. 90
The ASR function switches on automati-
cally each time the engine is started.
When travelling ASR can be switched off
and on again pressing button CASR OFF.
System activation is indicated by the rel-
evant message on the reconfigurable mul-
tifunction display (where provided).
When the ASR is switched off this is
shown by the lighting up of the led on the
button ASR OFF and by relevant message
on the reconfigurable multifunction display
(where provided). If the ASR is switched
off when travelling, it will turn on again au-
tomatically the next time the engine is
started.When travelling on snowy roads with
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn the
ASR off: in fact, in these conditions, slip-
ping of the driving wheels when moving off
makes it possible to obtain better drive. MSR system
(engine braking torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system that
in case of sudden gear shifting, cuts in pro-
viding torque to the engine thus prevent-
ing excessive driving wheel drive that, spe-
cially in poor grip conditions, can lead to
loss of stability.
fig. 90F0G0267m
The performance of the sys-
tem, in terms of active safe-
ty should not induce the driver to take
pointless and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any case al-
ways be adapted to the conditions of
the road surface, visibility an traffic.
Road safety is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
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