92
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
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
á, comes on with fixed light on the
instrument panel, together with the mes-
sage on the multifunction display (where
provided) (see section “Warning lights and
messages”) and with the button led ASR
OFF. In this case contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship 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 and traffic.
Road safety is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESP
system and it is provided to facilitate start-
ing on slopes.
It will activate automatically with the fol-
lowing conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with
a gradient of more than 5%, engine run-
ning, brake pressed and gearbox in neu-
tral or gear other than reverse engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 5%, engine
running, brake 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 releasing, the typical brake disengage-
ment noise indicating that the car is go-
ing to move will be heard.FAILURE INDICATIONS
System failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning light *on the instrument
panel with digital display and warning light
áon the instrument panel with multi-
function display (where provided) (see
section “Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORANT The Hill Holder system is not
a parking brake therefore, never leave the
car without having engaged the handbrake,
turned the engine off and engaged the first
speed.
For correct operation of the
ESP and ASR systems, the
tyres must absolutely be of the same
brand and type on all wheels, in per-
fect conditions and, above all, of
type, brand and size specified.
WARNING
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 92
93
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
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.
Switching the systemon/off fig. 114
The ASR system switches on automatically
each time the engine is started.
When travelling, the ASR can be switched
off and on again pressing button Aset on
the dashboard fig. 114.
When the ASR is switched off this is
shown by the lighting up of the led on the
button and by relevant message on the
multifunction display, where provided.
If the ASR is switched off when travelling,
it will turn on again automatically 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.
For correct operation of the
ESP and ASR systems, the
tyres must absolutely be of the same
brand and type on all wheels, in per-
fect conditions and, above all, of
type, brand and size specified.
WARNING
fig. 114
ASR
OFF
F0M0109m
ASR SYSTEM (Antislip Regulator)
The ASR function controls car drive and
cuts in automatically every time one or
both driving wheels slip.
According to slipping conditions, two dif-
ferent control 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).
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 93
94
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
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
For correct operation of the ASR system,
the tyres must absolutely be of the same
brand and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected and
the warning light
áwill come with fixed
light on the instrument panel together
with the message on the multifunction dis-
play, where provided, (see section “Warn-
ing lights and messages”). In this case con-
tact Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) allows continuous diagnosis of
the components of the car correlated with
emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light
Uon the instrument pan-
el (together with relevant message on the
multifunction display, where provided)
(see section “Warning lights and mes-
sages”), when these conditions are no
longer in peak conditions.
The objective is:
❒to keep the system efficiency under con-
trol;
❒warn when a fault causes emissions lev-
els to increase;
❒warn of the need to replace deteriorat-
ed components.
The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor that can be interfaced with appropriate
tools, which makes it possible to read the
error codes stored in the control unit, to-
gether with a series of specific parameters
for engine operation and diagnosis. This
check can also be carried out by the traf-
fic police.IMPORTANT After eliminating the incon-
venience, to check the system completely,
Fiat Dealerships are obliged to run a bench
test and, if necessary, road tests which may
also call for a long journey.
If turning the ignition key to
MAR, the warning light
Udoes not turn on or if, while
travelling it turns on glowing
steadily or flashing (together with the
message on the multifunction display,
where provided), contact Fiat Dealer-
ship as soon as possible. Warning light
Uoperation can be checked by means
of special equipment by traffic agents.
Always comply with the traffic regula-
tions in force in the country where you
are travelling.
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 94
95
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC
POWER STEERING
SYSTEM
The car is provided with the electrically
controlled power steering system called
“Dualdrive” working only with ignition key
at MARand engine running, that can be
customised by the driver according to the
driving conditions.
ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION
(CITY function)
To activate/deactivate the CITY function,
press the button set on the dashboard.
Activation is indicated by the turning on
of:
❒wording CITYon the instrument pan-
el (for versions with multifunction dis-
play);
❒wording CITYon the button, after
pressing it fig. 115.When the CITYfunction is on, the steer-
ing wheel effort is lighter and thus parking
operations are easier: therefore this func-
tion is particularly useful for driving in city
centres.
For Sport versions, this function guaran-
tees improved driving comfort since the
accelerator pedal results suitably calibrat-
ed for gradual accelration/deceleration.
fig. 115F0M0111m
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 95
96
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
FAILURE INDICATIONS
Any failure is indicated by instrument pan-
el warning light
gcoming on together
with the message on the multifunction dis-
play (where provided) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
In the event of electric power steering sys-
tem failure, the car can be driven with me-
chanical steering.
IMPORTANT In some circumstances, fac-
tors independent from the electric pow-
er steering could cause the illumination of
the warning light
gon the instrument
panel.
We suggest to stop immediately the car,
turn off the engine for about 20 seconds
and then re-start the car. If the warning
light
gstays on together with the mes-
sage on the multifunction display (where
provided), contact Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANT The steering may become
slightly stiff following parking manoeuvres
including a great deal of steering. This is
normal and caused by a system to prevent
motor overheating. No servicing is re-
quired. The electric power steering sys-
tem will return to normal operation the
next time the car is used.
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
Always switch the engine off,
remove the key from the
starting device and actuate the steer-
ing lock before carrying out any main-
tenance operation, especially when
the wheels are raised from the
ground. In case this is not possible
(e.g. when the key must be in MAR
position or the engine running); re-
move the electric power steering
main fuse before carrying out any
maintenance operation.
WARNING
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 96
97
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
TYRE PRESSURE
MONITORING
SYSTEM - T.P.M.S.
(where provided)
The car can be equipped with the T.P.M.S.
(Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). This
system consists of a radio-frequency sen-
sor, installed on each wheel (on the rim
inside the tyre) that sends pressure infor-
mation to the control unit.IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT
THE T.P.M.S. SYSTEM
Failure indications will not be stored and
therefore will not be displayed when turn-
ing the engine off and on again. If failure
persists, the control unit will send warn-
ing indications to the instrument panel on-
ly after a few seconds when the car is
moving.
IMPORTANT Strong radio- frequency
noises could inhibit regular operation of
the T.P.M.S. system. This condition is in-
dicated by a dedicated message on the dis-
play that will disappear automatically as
soon as radio-frequency noises will stop
to disturb the system.
Pay the utmost attention
when checking or inflating
tyres. Excessive pressure impairs road
holding, increases suspension and
wheel stress and causes abnormal
tyre wear.
WARNING
Tyre pressure should be
checked with tyres rested
and cold. Should it become necessary
for whatever reason to check pressure
with hot tyres, do not reduce pressure
although it is higher than the pre-
scribed value but repeat the check
when tyres are cold.
WARNING
The T.P.M.S. system helps
the driver to monitor tyre
pressure since the driver is the always
responsible for proper inflation pres-
sure of tyres and spare wheel (see
paragraph “Wheels” in section “Car
Maintenance”).
WARNING
T.P.M.S. system cannot indi-
cate sudden tyre pressure
drops (e.g.: tyre burst). In this event,
brake the car cautiously and avoid
sudden steering.
WARNING
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 97
98
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
Replacing standard tyres
with winter tyres and vice
versa involves T.P.M.S. system set-up
that shall be performed at Fiat Deal-
erships only.
WARNING
The T.P.M.S. system requires
special equipment. Consult
Fiat Dealership to know what type of
accessories are compatible with the
system (wheels, wheel caps, etc.). Us-
ing other accessories could cause sys-
tem malfunctioning.
WARNING
Tyre pressure could change
according to outside tem-
perature. For this reason the T.P.M.S.
system could temporarily indicate low
tyre pressure. In this event check pres-
sure with cold tyres and restore prop-
er inflation values if required.
WARNING
If the car is fitted with
T.P.M.S. system, tyre and/or
rim removal and refitting operations
involve special precautions; to pre-
vent damages or wrong sensor refit-
ting, contact Fiat Dealership to have
tyre and/or rim changed.
WARNING
If the car is fitted with
T.P.M.S. system, when
changing a tyre, change also the rub-
ber seal of the valve. Contact a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
Strong radio-frequency nois-
es could inhibit the regular
operation of the T.P.M.S. system.
This condition will be indicated by a
message on the multfunction display
(where provided).
The warning message will go off au-
tomatically as soon as the radio-fre-
quency noise will stop to disturb the
system.
WARNING
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 98
99
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
–
NO
NO
YES
YES
YESYES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NOContact Fiat
Dealership
Repair damaged
wheel
Contact Fiat
Dealership
–
– In order to use the system properly, refer to the following table when you have to change wheels/tyres:
Operation Sensor presence Failure indication Fiat Dealership
service operation
–
Wheel change with spare wheel
Wheel change
with snow tyres
Wheel change
with snow tyres
Wheel change
with others of different
size (*)
Wheel cross switching
(front/rear) (**)
(*) Given as an alternative on the Owner Handbook and available at Lineaccessori Fiat.
(**) Not cross switched (tyres shall stay on the same side).
088-108 Punto GDX GB 31-07-2008 17:26 Pagina 99