2010 Abarth Grande Punto heating

94
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
PRETENSIONERS
To increase the efficiency of the seat belts,
the car is fitted with pretensioners. These
devices, in the event of a violent crash,
rewind the seat belts a few centimetres.
In this way they ensure that the seat belt
adheres perfectly to the wearer before the
restraining action begins.
The seat belt locks to indicate that the de-
vice has intervened; the seat belt cannot
be drawn back up even when guiding it
manually.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest de-
gree of protection from the action of the
pretensioning device, wear the seat belt
keeping it firmly close to the chest and
pelvis.
A small amount of smoke may be pro-
duced. This smoke is in no way toxic and
presents no fire hazard.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or greasing.
Anything that modifies its original condi-
tions invalidates its efficiency.
If due to unusual natural events (floods,
seas storm, etc.) the device has been af-
fected by water and mud, it must neces-
sarily be replaced.LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger’s safety, the front
seat belt reels contain a load limiter which
allows controlled sag in such a way as to
dose the force acting on the chest and
shoulders during the belt restraining ac-
tion in case of front crash.The pretensioner can only
be used once. After a colli-
sion that has triggered it, have it re-
placed at a Abarth Dealership. Pre-
tensioner validity is indicated on the
label in the glove compartment: the
pretensioners should be replaced at a
Abarth Dealership as this date ap-
proaches.
WARNING
Operations which lead to
knocks, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a
maximum of 6 hours) in the
area around the pretensioners may
cause damage or trigger them. These
devices are not affected by vibrations
caused by irregularities of the road sur-
face or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc.
Contact a Abarth Dealership for any
assistance.

129
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
MESSAGES ON THE MULTI-
FUNCTIONAL RESETTABLE
DISPLAY
Check tire pressure
The message is visualized on the display in
the event that two or more tires turn out
to be under inflated. The display will show
the information regarding each tire in se-
quence.
In this event it is advisable to proceed as
soon as possible with the inflation of the
tires in order to return the pressure val-
ues back to the recommended ones (see
paragraph “ Recommended cold inflation
pressures” in the “Technical Data” chap-
ter).Insufficient tyre pressure
The message is visualized on the display
when the pressure of one or more tires
goes under a fixed threshold. In this way
the T.P.M.S. system informs the driver that
there is the possibility that one or more
tires are dangerously under inflated and
there probably is a puncture.
IMPORTANT Do not continue driving
with one or more deflated tires since the
driveability of the vehicle can be jeopar-
dized. Stop the car trying not to brake or
to steer roughly. Immediately fix the tire
using the suitable kit (see the “Emergen-
cies” chapter) and refer to the Abarth
Dealership as soon as possible.
Tire pressure not suitable
for the speed
If one foresees to drive at a speed high-
er than 160 km/h, it is necessary to inflate
the tires to a higher pressure as recom-
mended in the “Recommended inflation
pressures” paragraph.
This message is viewed on the display in
the event the T.P.M.S. system (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided) notes that
the pressure of one or more of the tires
is not suitable for the speed of the vehi-
cle at the moment (see what reported in
the “Insufficient tire pressure” paragraph
of this chapter).IMPORTANT In this event immediately
reduce your speed since the overheating
of the tire could jeopardize the perfor-
mance and the life of the tire, as well as,
in extreme cases, cause the tire explosion.
Very high radio frequencies
can cause troubles and in-
hibit the correct functioning of the
T.P.M.S. system.
This event is indicated to the driver
with a specific message (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided). This
message will disappear automatical-
ly as soon as the radio frequency dis-
turbance ceases to perturb the sys-
tem.
WARNING

136
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
IINDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
IT SHOULD BE NOTICED THAT:
The sealing fluid of the quick tyre repair
kit is effective with external temperatures
between –20 °C and +50 °C.
The sealing fluid has limited life. INFLATING PROCEDURE
The compressor shall not be
operated for more than 20
minutes. Risk of overheating. Tyres
repaired with the quick tyre repair kit
shall be used temporarily only.
WARNING
The cylinder contains ethyl-
ene glycol. The cylinder con-
tains latex: it can cause allergic reac-
tions. It is harmful if ingested or in-
haled and irritant for the eyes and in
case of contact. In case of contact
rinse immediately with water and take
off contaminated clothes. If swal-
lowed, do not induce vomit, rinse out
the mouth, drink a lot of water and
call the doctor immediately. Keep
away from children. This product must
not be used by asthmatics. Do not in-
hale vapours. Call the doctor imme-
diately in case of allergic reactions.
Keep the cylinder in the space provid-
ed for the purpose and far from heat.
The sealing fluid has limited life.
WARNING
Replace the cylinder if sealer
has run out. Do not throw
away the cylinder and the
sealing fluid. Have the sealing
fluid and the cylinder disposed of in
compliance with national and local
regulations.
Put on the protection gloves
provided together with quick
tyre repair kit.
WARNING
❒Pull up the handbrake. Loosen tyre
inflation valve cap, take out the filler
hose A-fig. 4and screw the ring nut
Bon the tyre valve;
Repairs are not possible in
case of damages on the
wheel rim (bad groove distortion
causing air loss). Do not remove for-
eign bodies (screws or nails) from the
tyre.
WARNING
fig. 4F0M038Ab

174
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products; TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they
should be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒ if the temperature fall below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the
rubber against glass. If necessary, thaw
using an antifreeze product;
❒ remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this pre-
vents effort on the motor and over-
heating;
❒do not operate the windscreen wipers
on dry glass.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber
hoses are concerned, carefully follow the
“Service schedule” in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and pro-
longed lack of fluid in the system may
cause hardening and cracking of the hoses,
with possible leaks. Careful control is
therefore necessary.If the pressure is too low the
tyre overheats and this can
cause it serious damage.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from the
right of the car to the left and vice
versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments re-
quiring to use temperatures exceed-
ing 150°C. The mechanical properties
of the wheels could be impaired.
WARNING
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING

178
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Detergents cause water pollu-
tion. Therefore the engine
compartment should be
washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid used
in the washing process.Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species re-
lease give the paint a dull appearance and
increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly ag-
gressive.Windows
Use specific window cleaner products.
Use also clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or damaging the transparency.
IMPORTANT The inside of the
rearscreen should be wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electron-
ic control units. Contact a specialised
workshop to have this done.IMPORTANT The car should be washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key
at STOP. After washing make sure that
the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and various covers) have not been dam-
aged or removed.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g.: petrol) or ketones (e.g.: ace-
tone) for cleaning front headlight plastic
lens.