118
F0U0204mfig. 122F0U0205mfig. 123
EMERGENCY STARTING fig. 123
When jump starting, never connect the negative lead (–)
of the auxiliary battery to the negative pole B of the car
battery, but rather to either the false pole A or to an en-
gine/gearbox earth point. OPERATING IRREGULARITIES
In the case of malfunctions the Start&Stop system is dis-
abled. The driver is informed of the problem by the gen-
eral failure warning light A-fig. 121, where provided, com-
ing on with an information message and the system fail-
ure symbol B-fig. 121 on the control panel. In this case,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
CAR INACTIVITY fig. 122
If the car is inactive, special care must be taken to dis-
connect the battery electrical power supply. This proce-
dure is carried out by disconnecting the rapid release neg-
ative terminal A from the negative false pole B because
there is a battery status monitoring sensor D at the neg-
ative battery pole C which should never be disconnected
except if the actual battery is replaced.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
When replacing the battery, always go to
a Fiat Dealership. Replace the battery us-
ing a new one of the same type (HEAVY DUTY)
and having the same specifications.
WARNING
082-128 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:43 Pagina 118
119
F0U0206mfig. 124
IMPORTANTKNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Before opening the bonnet, make sure
that the car is switched off and the key is
in the OFF position. Follow the instructions on the
plate near the front crossmember fig. 124. It is
advisable to extract the key when there are oth-
er people in the car. The car should always be
evacuated after the key has been removed or
turned to the OFF position. During refuelling op-
erations, it is necessary to make sure that the car
is off with the ignition key in the OFF position.
WARNING
For cars with a robotised transmission, if
the engine cuts out automatically on a
gradient, it is advisable to restart the engine by
moving the gear lever towards (+) or (-) without
releasing the brake pedal. For vehicles with Dua-
logic transmission, where the Hill Holder function
is present, if the engine cuts out automatically
whilst on a hill, it is advisable to restart it by mov-
ing the gear lever towards (+) or towards (-) with-
out releasing the brake pedal to make the Hill
Holder function – which is active only when the
engine is running – available.
WARNING
If you want to prioritise climate comfort,
the Start&Stop system can be disabled to
allow continuous operation of the climate control
system.
WARNING
082-128 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:43 Pagina 119
121
The beeping:
❒increases as the distance between the car and the ob-
stacle decreases;
❒becomes continuous when the distance between the
car and the obstacle is less than around 30 cm and stops
immediately if the distance increases;
❒is constant if the distance is unvaried; if this situation oc-
curs for the side sensors, the beeping will stop after
about 3 seconds to avoid, for example, warning indica-
tions in the event of manoeuvres alongside walls.
Detection distances
If several obstacles are detected by the sensors, only the
nearest one is considered.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
See “Warning lights and messages” section.
OPERATION WITH TRAILER
The operation of the sensors is automatically deactivated
when the trailer electric plug is inserted in the car tow
hook socket.
The sensors are automatically enabled again when the trail-
er cable plug is removed.
When using special washing equipment such as high pres-
sure jets or steam cleaning, clean the sensors very quick-
ly keeping the jet more than 10 cm away.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
The driver always has ultimate responsi-
bility for parking and other dangerous ma-
noeuvres. When parking, make sure that no-one
is standing in the area, especially children or an-
imals. The parking sensors are designed to assist
drivers: in all cases, you must always pay the ut-
most attention during potentially dangerous ma-
noeuvres, even when carried out at low speed.
WARNING
The sensor must be clean of mud, dirt, snow
or ice in order for the system to work. Be
careful not to scratch or damage the sen-
sors while cleaning them. Avoid using dry, rough or
hard cloths. The sensors should be washed with
clean water, possibly with some car shampoo.
082-128 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:43 Pagina 121
148
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
If the key is turned to MAR, even if the en-
gine is switched off, airbags may be de-
ployed when the car is stationary and hit by an-
other vehicle. For this reason, young children must
never sit on the front seat, even if the car is not
moving. We remind you that if the key is turned
to the STOP position, no safety device (airbag or
pretensioner) activates following a collision. Non-
deployment in such cases should not be consid-
ered as the sign of a malfunction.
WARNING
If the car has been stolen or has been the
subject of an attempted theft, if it has
been vandalised or flooded, have the airbag sys-
tem checked at a Fiar Dealership.
WARNING
When the ignition key is turned to MAR,
the warning light “turns on (with front
airbag on passenger’s side enabled) and blinks for
a few seconds to remind you that the passenger
airbag will activate in the event of a collision. Then
it turns off.
WARNING
Do not pressure wash the seats with steam
or water (either by hand or at automatic
seat washing stations).
WARNING
The front airbags deploy in the event of
more severe collisions than those required
for deploying the pretensioners. For collisions in
the range between the two activation thresholds,
pretensioner activation alone is normal.
WARNING
Do not hook rigid objects to clothes hang-
ers and support handles.
WARNING
The airbag does not replace seat belts; it
increases their effectiveness. Furthermore,
since front airbags are not deployed in low speed
collisions, side-on collisions, rear-end shunts or
roll-overs, the passengers are protected only by
the seat belts which must therefore be fastened
at all times.
WARNING
129-148 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:40 Pagina 148
149
STARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is on;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal without touching the ac-
celerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and let it go the moment
the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating the procedure.
STARTING THE ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic engine lock device: if
the engine fails to start, see the paragraph on “The Fiat
CODE system” in the “Dashboard and controls” section.
The engine may be noisier during the first few seconds of
operation, particularly after a long period of inactivity. This
is a feature of hydraulic tappets, the timing system cho-
sen to reduce the number of servicing interventions, and
effects neither functionality nor reliability.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
STARTING AND DRIVING
It is dangerous to let the engine run in en-
closed spaces. The engine consumes oxy-
gen and produces carbon dioxide, carbon monox-
ide and other toxic gases.
WARNING
In the first period of use, we recommend
that you do not demand maximum perfor-
mance from the car (e.g. excessive accel-
eration, extended travel at maximum revs, heavy
braking etc.).
With the engine off, do not leave the
key in the ignition to prevent draining the
battery.
Remember that the brake booster and
power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore you need
to apply much more force than usual to the brake
pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
149-160 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:41 Pagina 149
150
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel
warning light
Yremains on together with warning light
U, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try with the other keys provid-
ed with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on permanently, contact a Fiat Dealership immedi-
ately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key at MAR when
the engine is off.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTSSTARTING PROCEDURE FOR DIESEL
VERSIONS
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is on;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR: the warning lights mand
Yon the instrument panel will turn on;
❒wait for the warning lights Yand m to turn off. The
hotter the engine is, the quicker this will happen;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal without touching the ac-
celerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV as soon as warning light
m goes out. If you wait too long, you will lose the ben-
efit of the heating work done by the glow plugs. Release
the key as soon as the engine starts.If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating the procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel
warning light
Yremains on together with warning light
m, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning lights remain on, try with the other keys provid-
ed with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on permanently, contact a Fiat Dealership immedi-
ately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key at MAR when
the engine is off.
Warning light m will blink for 60 seconds af-
ter starting or during prolonged cranking to
indicate a fault with the glow plug system.
Use the car as normal if the engine starts, but go to
a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
149-160 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:41 Pagina 150
151
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a long drive, you should allow the en-
gine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the engine compartment
to fall. WARMING UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT HAS
JUST STARTED (petrol and diesel versions)
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly at medium revs, and accelerate
smoothly;
❒do not demand maximum performance for the first few
kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge starts
moving.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTSRemember that the brake booster and pow-
er steering are not operational until the en-
gine has been started, so you need to apply
much more force than usual to the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
Never jump start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. This could cause
fuel to flow into the catalytic converter 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 es-
pecially damaging to turbocharged engines.
149-160 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:41 Pagina 151
152
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
F0U0129mfig. 147
HANDBRAKE fig. 147
The handbrake lever is located to the left side of the dri-
ver’s seat. Pull the lever upwards to operate the handbrake.
Four or five notches are normally sufficient to secure the
car on flat terrain, while nine or ten may be necessary on
a steep slope with the car loaded.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, contact a Fiat Deal-
ership to have the handbrake adjusted.
When the handbrake is on and the ignition key is at
MAR,
the instrument panel warning light
xwill come on.
To release the handbrake, proceed as follows:
❒pull up slightly on the lever and press release button A;
❒hold button Adown and lower the lever. The x
warning light on the instrument panel will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this operation
to prevent the car from moving accidentally.
PARKING THE VEHICLE
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
❒engage a gear (first gear if the vehicle is parked uphill
or reverse if it is facing downhill) and leave the wheels
turned.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is further advis-
able to block the wheels with a wedge or stone. Do not
leave the key in the ignition as this drains the battery.
Always remove the key when you leave the car.
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take it with you.
WARNING
149-160 PUNTO FL EN 3ed 9-12-2009 13:41 Pagina 152