2009 FIAT PUNTO EVO steering

F0U0044mfig. 51
FRONT FOG LIGHTS WITH CORNERING
LIGHTS FUNCTION
When the dipped headlamps are on and the speed is be-
low 40 km/h, if the steering wheel rotation angle is large
or the direction indicators are on, a light (incorporated
in the fog light) will come on on the relevant side to im-
prove visibility at nightime. This function can be activat-
ed/deactivated via the display menu (see “Display” in this
section).WINDOW CLEANING
The right-hand lever fig. 51 controls windscreen wiper/
washer and heated rear window wiper/washer operation.
WINDSCREEN WIPER/WASHER
This operates only with the ignition turned to MAR.
The twist switch on the right stalk can be moved to four
different positions:
Owindscreen wiper off;
≤intermittent operation;
≥continuous slow operation;
¥continuous fast operation.
Move the stalk to position A (temporary) to limit operation
to the time for which the stalk is held in this position.
63
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
037-081 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:39 Pagina 63

“Smart washing” function
Pull the stalk towards the steering wheel (temporary po-
sition) to operate the windscreen washer.
Keeping the stalk pulled for more than half a second, with
just one movement it is possible to operate the washer jet
and the wiper at the same time.
The wiper stops working three strokes after releasing the
stalk. A further stroke 6 seconds later completes the wip-
ing operation.RAIN SENSOR
(for versions/markets where provided)
The rain sensor is located behind the rear-view mirror in
contact with the windscreen and has the purpose of au-
tomatically adjusting the frequency of the windscreen wiper
strokes depending on the intensity of the rain during in-
termittent operation.
IMPORTANT Keep the glass in the sensor area clean.
Activation
Move the twist switch on the right-hand stalk to
≤fig.
51. The activation of the sensor is signalled by a wiper
stroke. Through the setup menu it is possible to increase
the sensitivity of the rain sensor. The increasing of the rain
sensor sensitivity is also signalled by a stroke of the wipers.
If the windscreen washer is used with the rain sensor ac-
tivated, the normal washing cycle is performed, after which
the rain sensor resumes its normal automatic operation.
Deactivation
Move the stalk twist switch away from
≤fig. 51 or turn
the ignition key to STOP. When the engine is next start-
ed (key at MAR), the sensor will not be reactivated even
if the twist switch is still at
≤fig. 51. To activate the rain
sensor, you have to move the twist switch from
≤to an-
other position and then back to
≤. Rain sensor activa-
tion will be indicated by at least one wiper stroke, even if
the windscreen is dry.
64
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Do not use the windscreen wipers to re-
move layers of snow or ice from the wind-
screen. In such conditions, the windscreen
wipers may be subjected to excessive stress,
prompting intervention from the motor protection
which prevents operation for a few seconds. If op-
eration is not restored, even after turning the key
and restarting the engine, go to a Fiat Dealership.
When released, the stalk returns to its default position and
the wipers automatically switch off.
With the twist switch at
≤, the windscreen wiper will
automatically adapt to the speed of the car.
IMPORTANT Replace the wiper blades as specified in the
“Maintenance and care” section.
037-081 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:39 Pagina 64

F0U0038mfig. 6272
F0U0056mfig. 60
F0U0057mfig. 61
The use of rear fog lamps is governed by the Highway
Code of the country you are in. Keep to the rules.
DUALDRIVE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM fig. 61
Press button A to activate the “CITY” function (see the
“Electric power steering system” paragraph in this sec-
tion). When the function is active, the word CITY is lit
up on the instrument panel. Press the button again to de-
activate the function.
HEATED REAR WINDOW fig. 62
Press button A to turn this function on. It will turn off
automatically after about 20 minutes. REAR FOG LIGHTS fig. 60
Press button 4to turn these lights on with the dipped
beam headlights or the front fog lights (where provided)
switched on.
The 4light on the instrument panel will come on.
Press the button again to turn the lights off, or turn off the
dipped beams and/or the front fog lights (where provid-
ed).KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
037-081 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:39 Pagina 72

75
F0U0060mfig. 66
F0U0061mfig. 67
SIDE ODDMENTS COMPARTMENT
Storage compartment A-fig. 67 is located to the left of the
steering wheel.
It is built into the dashboard.
To open and close the compartment, use handle B locat-
ed on the flap fig. 66.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
F0U0062mfig. 68
COMPARTMENT IN CENTRAL CONSOLE
Compartment A-fig. 68 is located on the central console
in front of the handbrake.
037-081 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:39 Pagina 75

110
F0U0107mfig. 117
When the CITY function is on, the steering wheel effort
is lighter, making parking easier: therefore, this function
is particularly useful for driving in city centres.
For the Sport version, this function guarantees improved
driving comfort because the accelerator pedal is better cal-
ibrated for gradual acceleration/deceleration.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
Any failure of the electric power steering system is indicat-
ed by instrument panel warning light
gcoming on together
with a message on the multifunction display (for ver-
sions/markets where provided) (see “Warning lights and
messages”). In the event of electric power steering system
failure, the car can be driven with mechanical steering.
IMPORTANT In some circumstances, factors independent
of the electric power steering could cause the
gwarning
light on the instrument panel to come on.
In this case, stop the car immediately, switch off the en-
gine for about 20 seconds and then restart the car. If the
warning light
gis still on, along with the message on the
multifunction display (for versions/markets where provid-
ed), contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT During parking manoeuvres requiring a lot
of steering, the steering may become harder; this is nor-
mal and is due to the intervention of the system that pro-
tects the electric steering motor from overheating, so no
intervention is required. The power steering system will
start working properly again the next time the car is used.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM
The car is equipped with an electrically controlled power
steering system called “Dualdrive”, working only with the
ignition key at MAR and the engine running, that cus-
tomises steering force according to the driving conditions.
ACTIVATION/DEACTIVATION
(CITY function)
To activate/deactivate the function, press the button on
the dashboard.
Activation is indicated by:
❒the word CITY on the instrument panel (for versions
with multifunction display);
❒the word CITY lit up on the button after it has been
pressed fig. 117.
082-128 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:43 Pagina 110

111
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The car may be equipped with a tyre pressure monitor-
ing system. This system comprises a radio frequency trans-
mitter fitted to each wheel (on the rim inside the tyre),
which is able to send information on the pressure of each
tyre to the control unit.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any
after-market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifications (e.g. in-
stallaing an anti-theft device). This could badly af-
fect performance and safety, invalidate the war-
ranty and also result in the non-compliance of the
car with regulations.
WARNING
Take the greatest of care when checking
or topping up the tyre pressures. If the
pressure is too high, road hold is compromised,
there is more demand on the suspension and
wheels, and the tyres wear abnormally.
WARNING
Tyre pressure should be checked when the
tyres are rested and cold; if, for whatever
reason, you check the pressure when the tyres are
hot, do not reduce the pressure even if it is high-
er than the recommended value, but check again
when the tyres are cold.
WARNING
Before carrying out any maintenance op-
eration, switch off the engine and remove
the ignition key to activate the steering lock. This
is particularly important if the vehicle’s wheels are
raised from the ground. If this is not possible (for
example if the key needs to be turned to MAR or
the engine must be running), remove the main fuse
that protects the electric power steering.
WARNING
082-128 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:43 Pagina 111

112
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE TPMS
SYSTEM
The fault indications are not stored and will therefore not
be displayed after the engine has been switched off and
then on again. If the fault conditions persist, the control
unit will send the relative indications to the instrument
panel only after the vehicle has been in motion for a short
time.
WARNING Particularly strong radio frequency interference
may cause the TPMS system to function incorrectly. This
condition is indicated to the driver by a message on the dis-
play. The warning message will go off automatically as soon
as the interference stops disturbing the system.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
The presence of TPMS does not exoner-
ate the driver from regularly checking the
pressure of the tyres and the spare wheel (see
“Wheels” in the “Maintenance and care” section).
WARNING
The TPMS is not able to warn you of sud-
den tyre pressure losses (for example when
a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the car, braking
with care and avoiding sharp steering actions.
WARNING
Replacing the normal tyres with winter
tyres and vice versa requires an inspection
of the TPMS, which should be carried out only
by a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
The TPMS requires the use of specific
equipment. Contact a Fiat Dealership to
find out which accessories are compatible with the
system (wheels, hub caps etc.). Using other ac-
cessories may hinder the normal operation of the
system.
WARNING
Changes in outside temperature may
cause tyre pressures to vary. The TPMS
system may temporarily indicate insufficient pres-
sure. In this case, check the tyre pressures with the
tyres cold and, if necessary, pump them up.
WARNING
082-128 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:43 Pagina 112

141
Front airbags may not be activated in the following situa-
tions:
❒in collisions against very strangely shaped objects that
do not affect the front surface of the car (e.g. mudguard
collision against guard rail, piles of gravel etc.);
❒jamming of the car underneath other vehicles or pro-
tective barriers (e.g. underneath a truck or a guard rail);
in this case, the bags would offer no additional pro-
tection with respect to the seat belt and their deploy-
ment is unnecessary. In these cases, non-deployment
of the airbag does not necessarily indicate a system mal-
function.FRONT AIRBAGS
The car is fitted with front airbags for the driver and the
passenger, and with a knee bag on the driver’s side (where
provided).
The front driver/passenger airbags and the driver’s knee
bag (where provided) have been designed to protect the
occupants in the event of head-on crashes of medium/high
severity, by placing the cushion between the occupant and
the steering wheel or dashboard.
Non-activation in other types of crash (side-on collisions,
rear shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is therefore not a sign of sys-
tem malfunction.
An electronic control unit causes the bag to inflate, if nec-
essary, in the event of a head-on crash. The bag will inflate
instantaneously, placing itself between the front occupant’s
body and the structures which could cause injury. It will
deflate immediately afterwards.
The front driver/passenger airbags and the driver’s knee
bag (where provided) are not a replacement for, but rather
complement the use of, belts, which should always be
worn, as specified by law in Europe and most non-Euro-
pean countries.
The volume of the front airbags at maximum inflation fills
most of the space between the steering wheel and the dri-
ver and between the dashboard and the passenger.
In the event of an impact, someone not wearing a seat belt
could move forward and come into contact with a bag
which is still in the opening phase. The protection offered
by the bag is reduced in such a case.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Do not apply stickers or other objects on
the steering wheel, passenger side airbag
cover or upper side upholstery. Do not place ob-
jects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger side
dashboard because these could interfere with the
correct opening of the airbag and cause severe in-
jury to occupants.
WARNING
The airbags are not deployed in the event of minor colli-
sions (for which the withholding action of the seat belts is
sufficient). For this reason, the seat belt must be worn at
all times. In the case of side-on collisions, the seat belts hold
occupants in the correct position and prevent them from
being thrown out of the car by a very violent impact.
129-148 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:40 Pagina 141