2008 Abarth Grande Punto brake

MUST BE READ!

K
REFUELLING
Only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95 conforming to the European specifica-
tion EN 228.
ENGINE STARTING
Make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch without pressing
the accelerator, then turn the ignition key toAVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
While working, the catalyst develops a very high temperature. Do not park the car over grass, dry leaves, pine nee-
dles or any other inflammable materials: risk of fire.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The car is fitted with a system that allows continuous diagnosis of the components correlated with emissions to en-
sure better respect for the environment.

12
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
IGNITION DEVICE
The key can be turned to 3 different po-
sitions fig. 9:
❒STOP: engine off, key can be removed,
steering column locked. Certain elec-
trical devices (e.g.: sound system, pow-
er windows…) can work.
❒MAR: driving position. All electrical de-
vices are powered.
❒AVV: engine starting (unstable posi-
tion).
The ignition switch is fitted with an elec-
tronic safety system that, in the event the
engine is not started, turns back the igni-
tion key to STOPbefore repeating the
starting operation.STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
When the key is at STOP, remove the
key and turn the steering wheel until it
locks.
Disengaging
Rock the steering wheel slightly as you
turn the ignition key to MAR.
If the ignition device is tam-
pered with (e.g.: attempted
theft), have it checked over by
a Abarth Dealership as soon as pos-
sible.
WARNING
When getting out of the car,
always remove the key to
prevent any occupants from acci-
dentally activating the controls. Re-
member to engage the handbrake
and if the car is parked on uphill slope
to engage the first gear. If the car is
facing downhill, engage the reverse
gear. Never leave unsupervised chil-
dren in the car.
WARNING
fig. 9F0M0015m
Never remove the ignition
key while the car is moving.
The steering wheel would automati-
cally lock as soon as you try to turn
it. This also applies when the car is
being towed.
WARNING
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in non-
compliance of the car with homolo-
gation requirements.
WARNING

53
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
TO RESET THE
MEMORISED SPEED
If the device has been disengaged for ex-
ample pressing the brake or clutch pedal,
the memorised speed can be reset as fol-
lows:
❒accelerate gradually until reaching a
speed approaching the one memorised;
❒engage the gear selected at the time of
speed memorising;
❒press button RES B-fig. 39.
TO INCREASE THE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased in
two ways:
❒pressing the accelerator and then mem-
orising the new speed reached;
or
❒moving the stalk upwards (+).
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight increase in speed (about
1 km/h), while keeping the stalk upwards
will correspond to a continuous speed in-
crease. TO REDUCE
MEMORISED SPEED
The speed memorised can be increased in
two ways:
❒disengaging the device and then mem-
orising the new speed;
or
❒moving the stalk downwards (–) until
reaching the new speed which will be
memorised automatically.
Each operation of the stalk will corre-
spond to a slight reduction in speed (about
1 km/h), while keeping the stalk down-
wards will correspond to a continuous
speed reduction.
DEVICE DISENGAGEMENT
The device can be disengaged in the fol-
lowing ways:
❒turn knob Ato OFF;
❒turning the engine off;
❒pressing the brake pedal;
❒pressing the clutch pedal;
❒pressing the accelerator pedal; in this
case the system is not really disengaged
but the request for acceleration takes
priority over the system. The cruise
control is however active and it will not
be necessary to press button RES
B-fig. 39to resume previous condi-
tions after ending acceleration.
The device is automatically deactivated in
one of the following cases:
❒ABSor ESPsystem cut-in;
❒ with car speed below the preset limit;
❒system failure.
When travelling with the de-
vice on, never set the
gearshift lever to neutral.
WARNING
In the event of device mal-
function or failure, turn knob
A to OFF and contact a Abarth Deal-
ership.
WARNING

59
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
FRONT ARMREST WITH
ODDMENT COMPARTMENT
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Certain versions are fitted with armrest
A-fig. 55between the front seats.
To use it, push it down as shown in
fig. 55. Press button A-fig. 56to raise the top
of the armrest in order to use space B.
Use lever Cto tilt down the armrest with
respect to the normal position of use.
CENTRAL CONSOLE ODDMENT
COMPARTMENT
This compartment A-fig. 53is located on
the central console in front of the hand-
brake.
DOOR POCKETS fig. 54
Document / map pockets are located in
door panels.
fig. 53F0M0080mfig. 55F0M013Abfig. 56F0M014Ab
fig. 54F0M0081m

60
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
Press button A-fig. 62to switch on the
cigar lighter with ignition key at MAR.
After about 15 seconds the button will re-
turn to its initial position and is ready for
use.
IMPORTANT Always check that the cig-
ar lighter has turned off. GLASS HOLDER - CAN HOLDER
fig. 57-58
The central console houses the recesses
(two in front of the handbrake and one be-
hind it) for glasses, cups or cans.
CARD BOX - CD BOX fig. 59
The central console features recesses to
keep cards or CDS.
SMOKER’S KIT
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
The smoker’s kit is composed of an ash-
tray A-fig. 60and by a lighter B-fig. 60
situated on the central compartment in
front of the hand-brake lever.
In case the vehicle is not equipped with a
smoker’s kit, it is alternatively equipped
with a power socket A-fig. 61.
fig. 62F0M0084m
fig. 57F0M015Ab
fig. 59F0M0083m
fig. 58F0M0118m
fig. 60F0M016Abfig. 61F0M0294m

68
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
BOOT
OPENING THE TAILGATE
The tailgate can be opened at any time
from the passenger’s compartment by
pressing button A-fig. 76.
The tailgate can be opened from the out-
side by pressing the remote control but-
ton
R, fig. 75.
Tailgate opening is indicated by double
flashing of direction indicators.TAILGATE CLOSING
Lower the tailgate until hearing the lock-
ing click fig. 77. The addition of objects
(speakers, spoilers, etc.) on
the rear shelf or boot lid, ex-
cept those envisaged by the
manufacturer, may prevent the gas
filled struts at the sides of the boot
from working properly.
When using the boot, make
sure the loads do not exceed
the permitted weight (see “Technical
specifications” chapter). Also make
sure the items in the boot are
arranged properly to prevent them
being thrown forwards and injuring
passengers should you brake sharply.
WARNING
Never travel with objects on
the rear shelf to prevent
them being thrown forwards and in-
juring passengers in case of accident
or sharp braking.
WARNING
fig. 75F0M101Ab
fig. 76F0M077Ab
fig. 77F0M0094m

76
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
ABS SYSTEM INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has
come into action because the brake pedal
pulsates slightly and the system gets noisi-
er: it means that the car speed should be
altered to fit the type of road surface.
If the ABS system cuts in, it
is a sign that the grip be-
tween tyre and the road surface has
reached the limit: you must slow
down to match the speed to the road
grip available.
WARNING
ABS SYSTEM
If this is the first car with ABS you drive, get
familiar with it by some preliminary “driving
tests” on poor grip roadbeds, obviously un-
der safety conditions and in compliance
with the traffic regulations of the Country
you are driving in. Read carefully the fol-
lowing instructions.
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.
The ABS exploits the tyre-
road grip at the best, but it
cannot improve it; you should there-
fore take every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without taking un-
necessary risks.
WARNING
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
(with new car after replacing brake
pads/discs): during this period it is better
to avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
brakes.

ESP SYSTEM
(Electronic Stability
Program)
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
and Hill Holder, (for versions/markets,
where provided) also the MSR system (ad-
justing the engine braking torque) and the
HBA system (improving the braking force
during emergency braking) are provided.
ABS SYSTEM INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the warn-
ing light
áon the instrument panel, to in-
form the driver that the car is in critical
stability and grip conditions.
78
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance
integral with ESP)
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
The system, which cannot be cut out, rec-
ognizes emergency braking (on the ground
of the brake pedal operation speed) and
considerably increases the pressure in the
brake circuit thus supporting the driver to
obtain prompt and effective braking.
Brake Assist is deactivated on the versions
equipped with ESP, in the event of ESP sys-
tem failure (indicated by warning light
áswitching on together with the message
on the multifunction display, where pro-
vided).
When 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