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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 4ed 20-01-2010 15:06 Pagina 111
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142
F0U0125mfig. 142F0U0126mfig. 143
FRONT AIRBAG ON DRIVER’S SIDE
fig. 142
This consists of an instant-inflating bag contained in a spe-
cial compartment in the centre of the steering wheel.
FRONT AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE
fig. 143
This consists of an instant-inflating bag contained in a spe-
cial compartment in the dashboard: this bag has a larger
volume than that of the driver’s.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
WARNING: Do not put child seats facing
backwards on the front seat if the pas-
senger’s airbag is enabled (ON). Deploy-
ment of the airbag in an accident could
cause fatal injuries to the baby. Should it
be absolutely necessary to place a child seat on
the front seat, always deactivate the passenger
airbag. Also, the passenger seat should be as far
back as possible to avoid contact between the
child seat and the dashboard. Although this is not
mandatory by law, the airbag should be immedi-
ately reactivated when children are no longer car-
ried to ensure better protection for adults.
WARNING
129-148 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 18-01-2010 12:26 Pagina 142
Page 144 of 270
143
F0U0343mfig. 144
KNEE BAG ON DRIVER’S SIDE fig. 144
(for versions/markets where provided)
This consists of an instant-inflating bag contained in a spe-
cial compartment under the steering wheel at knee level,
designed to give further protection in the event of a head-
on crash.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
MANUAL DEACTIVATION OF FRONT AND
SIDE PASSENGER AIRBAGS
(for versions/markets where provided)
Should it be absolutely necessary to carry a child on the
front seat, the passenger front and side airbags can be de-
activated. The instrument panel warning light
“will stay
on constantly until the passenger front and side airbags are
reactivated.
129-148 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 18-01-2010 12:26 Pagina 143
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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 4ed 20-01-2010 14:37 Pagina 151
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156
TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
The car must be equipped with an approved tow hook and
adequate electrical system to tow caravans or trailers. In-
stallation must be performed by specialised personnel who
will issue the required papers for travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional rear-view mirrors in
accordance with the highway code of the country in which
you are travelling.
Remember that, when towing a trailer, steep hills are hard-
er to climb, braking distances increase and overtaking takes
longer relative to the overall weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving downhill, rather than con-
stantly using the brake.
The weight of the trailer on the car’s tow hook will re-
duce the load capacity of the car by the same amount. Con-
sider the weight of the trailer fully laden, including acces-
sories and luggage, to make sure you do not exceed the
maximum towable weight (shown on the vehicle regis-
tration document).
Respect each country’s speed limits for vehicles towing
trailers. The top speed must not exceed 100 km/h at any
time.
You should fit a suitable stabiliser to the trailer.
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
The ABS with which the car may be
equipped will not control the braking sys-
tem of the trailer. Particular caution is therefore
required on slippery roads.
WARNING
Never modify the braking system of the
car to control the trailer brake. The trail-
er braking system must be fully independent from
the hydraulic system of the car.
WARNING
149-160 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 20-01-2010 14:37 Pagina 156
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167
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
FUEL RESERVE (amber)
Turning the key to the MAR position illuminates
the warning light, but it will switch off after a few
seconds.
The warning light turns on when about 7 litres of fuel are
left in the tank.
IMPORTANT The warning light will blink to indicate a sys-
tem failure. If this happens, go to a Fiat Dealership to have
the system checked.
Warning light “indicates a failure of warn-
ing light ¬. This condition is indicated by
intermittent blinking of warning light “for longer
than 4 seconds. In this case, warning light ¬may
not be indicating that there is a fault in the restraint
systems. Before driving off, contact a Fiat Dealer-
ship to have the system checked immediately.
WARNING
ç
ABS SYSTEM FAULT (amber)
Turning the key to the MAR position illuminates
the warning light, but it will switch off after a few
seconds.
The warning light comes on when the system is either not
working properly or not available. Under these circum-
stances, the braking system will work as normal but without
the extra performance offered by the ABS system. Drive
carefully and go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
On some versions the display shows the associated message.
>
GLOW PLUG PREHEATING
(Multijet versions – amber)
GLOW PLUG PREHEATING FAULT
(Multijet versions – amber)
Glow plugs
This warning light comes on when the key is turned to
MAR. It will go out as soon as the glow plugs have reached
a preset temperature. Start the engine as soon as the
warning light goes out.
IMPORTANT When it is particularly warm outside, the
warning light stays on for an extremely short time.
Glow plug preheating fault
The warning light flashes if there is a fault in the preheat-
ing system. Go to a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
m
161-174 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 18-01-2010 12:27 Pagina 167
Page 190 of 270

D
C
AB
F0U0148mfig. 165F0U0149mfig. 166
IMPORTANT You can replace the front direction indica-
tor, main beam and dipped beam headlight bulbs through
the access flap (see “Direction indicators” in this section).
SIDELIGHTS fig. 166
To change the bulb, proceed as follows:
❒remove the rubber cap by pulling the flap;
❒press in tabs B and remove the bulb holder;
❒remove the bulb C and replace it;
❒refit the bulb holder and then refit the cap, ensuring that
it locks into place.
CHANGING AN EXTERIOR BULB
For the type of bulb and relative power rating, see “Chang-
ing a bulb”.
FRONT LIGHT CLUSTERS fig. 165
The front light clusters contain sidelights, dipped beam,
main beam and direction indicator bulbs.
The bulbs are arranged inside the light cluster as follows:
A sidelights
B daytime running lights
C direction indicators
D main beam/dipped beam headlights.
189
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
175-210 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 20-01-2010 15:09 Pagina 189
Page 195 of 270

194
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
❒refit the bulb holder;
❒reconnect the electric connector, correctly realign the
unit with the car body and then tighten the fastening
screws A.
IMPORTANT To replace the LED taillights you must con-
tact a Fiat Dealership.
REAR FOG LIGHTS fig. 176
Contact a Fiat Dealership to have bulbs for the rear fog
lights A replaced.
REVERSE LIGHTS fig. 176
Contact a Fiat Dealership to have bulbs for the reverse
lights B replaced.
F0U0157mfig. 176F0U0281mfig. 177
THIRD BRAKE LIGHT fig. 177
To change the bulb proceed as follows:
❒open the boot;
❒remove the rubber caps;
❒press in the catches and remove the lens unit
C-fig. 177;
❒disconnect the electric connector;
❒press in the tabs D-fig. 177 and remove the bulb holder;
❒remove the snap-fitted bulb and replace it.
NUMBER PLATE LIGHTS
To change the bulb proceed as follows:
❒manipulate the point shown by the arrow and remove
the lens unit A-fig. 178;
175-210 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 20-01-2010 15:09 Pagina 194