2010 FIAT PUNTO EVO MEDIA

BRAKE ASSIST
(integrated ESP emergency braking assistance)
(for versions/markets where available)
This system (which cannot be switched off) recognises
emergency braking (according to the speed of operation
of the brake pedal) and provides additional hydraulic brak-
ing pressure to support that applied by the driver. This
allows faster and more powerful operation of the brak-
ing system.
The Brake Assist is deactivated on versions equipped with
ESP if there is an ESP system failure (indicated by the warn-
ing light and the message on the multifunction display, for
versions/markets where provided). Drive carefully to the nearest Fiat Dealership to have the
system checked.
104
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTSIf only warning light xlights up on the in-
strument panel (with a message on the
multifunction display, where provided), stop the
car immediately and contact the nearest Fiat
Dealership. Fluid leaking from the hydraulic sys-
tem will compromise the operation of the brak-
ing system, whether it is of the conventional type
or with ABS.
WARNING
When the ABS cuts in, and you feel the
brake pedal pulsating, do not remove your
foot, but keep it pressed; in doing so you will stop
in the shortest distance possible under the road
conditions at the time.
WARNING
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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.
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122
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.
GENERAL WARNINGS
❒When parking, watch out for obstacles that may be
above or under the sensors.
❒Sometimes, objects placed close to the car are not de-
tected and could therefore cause damage to the car or
be damaged themselves.
❒Indications sent by the sensors can be altered by dirt,
snow or ice deposited on the sensors or by ultrasound
systems (e.g. truck pneumatic brakes or pneumatic ham-
mers) near the car.
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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.
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144
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
To manually deactivate the passenger’s
front and side chest/pelvis airbags (for ver-
sions/markets where provided), refer to para-
graphs “Digital display” and “Multifunction dis-
play” in the section “Dashboard and controls”.
WARNINGSIDE AIRBAGS
The car is fitted with front side airbags for driver and pas-
senger (for versions/markets where provided) for pro-
tecting the chest and pelvis, and window bags (for ver-
sions/markets where provided) for protecting the heads
of front and rear occupants.
Side airbags (for versions/markets where provided) pro-
tect car occupants from side-on crashes of medium/high
severity by placing the bag between the occupant and the
internal parts of the side structure of the car. Non-acti-
vation of side bags in other types of collisions (head-on
collisions, rear shunts, roll-overs, etc...) is not an indica-
tion of system malfunction. In the event of a side-on crash,
an electronic control unit triggers the inflation of the bag
if required. The cushion immediately inflates, placing it-
self between the occupant’s body and structures that could
cause injuries, the cushion deflates Immediately afterwards.
Side bags (for versions/markets where provided) are not
a replacement for, but rather a complement to, the seat
belts, which should be worn at all times as specified by law
in Europe and most non-European countries.
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147
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on
the doors, windows or window bag de-
ployment area as you could be injured during the
inflation phase.
WARNING
Never lean you head, arms or elbows out
of the window.
WARNING
Do not cover the front seat backrest with
sheets or covers that are not compatible
with side bags.
WARNING
If, when turning the key to MAR, the warn-
ing light
¬does not turn on or if it stays
on when travelling (together with the message on
the multifunction display, where provided), there
could be a failure in the safety systems; if this is
the case, the airbags or pretensioners may not trig-
ger in the event of an accident or, in a minor num-
ber of cases, they could activate incorrectly. Con-
tact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have the
system checked before driving off.
WARNING
GENERAL WARNINGS
Do not travel with objects in your lap,
in front of your chest, or between your lips
(pipes, pencils, etc.). In the event of a crash when
the airbag is deployed, you may be seriously in-
jured.
WARNING
Always drive keeping your hands on the
steering wheel rim so that, in the event of
airbag activation, it can inflate without obstruc-
tion. Do not drive with your body slouched for-
wards; keep the backrest upright and lean back
into it.
WARNING
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154
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SAVING FUEL
Here are some suggestions which may help you to save fu-
el and reduce the amount of toxic emissions released in-
to the atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once every 4 weeks: if
the pressure is too low, consumption levels increase as re-
sistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of
the car (especially when driving in town) and its arrange-
ment greatly affect fuel consumption and stability.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or ski rack from the roof after use.
These accessories decrease aerodynamic penetration and
have a negative effect on fuel consumption. It is better to
use a trailer to transport particularly bulky objects.Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the amount of time need-
ed. The heated rear window, auxiliary headlights, wind-
screen wipers and fan heater use up a considerable amount
of current, causing increased fuel consumption (up to
+25% in the urban cycle).
Air conditioning
Air conditioning leads to higher fuel consumption (on av-
erage up to +20%). If the temperature outside is not too
extreme, try and use the air vents.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified spoilers may adversely affect aero-
dynamics and fuel consumption.
DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm up the engine at low or high revs when the
vehicle is stationary; this causes the engine to warm up more
slowly, thereby increasing fuel consumption and emissions.
It is advisable to set off immediately and slowly, avoiding high
revs: this allows the engine to warm up more quickly.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when stationary at traffic lights or before
stopping the engine. The latter action, like double de-
clutching, is entirely unnecessary and causes increased fu-
el consumption and pollution.
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162
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
AIRBAG FAILURE (red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR position,
the warnintg light turns on but should go off af-
ter a few seconds.
The warning light stays on constantly if there is a failure
in the airbag system. A specific message is displayed on cer-
tain versions.
¬
If the warning light ¬does not come on
when turning the key to MAR or stays on
during car travel, a failure may be present in the
restraint systems. If this is the case, the airbags
or pretensioners may not be deployed after an im-
pact or, in a minor number of cases, they may be
deployed accidentally. Contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked before
driving off.
WARNING
A problem with the warning light ¬(light
off) is indicated by the warning light “,
which indicates the front passenger airbag is de-
activated, flashing for more than the usual four
seconds.
WARNING
OVERHEATED ENGINE COOLANT
(red)
When the ignition key is moved to MAR position,
the warnintg light turns on but should go off after a few
seconds. The warning light turns on when the engine is
overheated. If the warning light comes on, proceed as fol-
lows:
❒when driving normally: stop the car, switch off the en-
gine and check that the water level in the reservoir is
not below the MIN mark. If it is not, wait for a few min-
utes for the engine to cool down then slowly and care-
fully open the cap, top-up with coolant and check that
the level is between the MIN and MAX marks. Also
visually check for leaks. Go to a Fiat Dealership if the
warning light comes on again when the engine is next
started.
❒if the vehicle is used under demanding conditions (e.g.
towing trailers uphill or fully loaded): slow down and,
if the light stays on, stop the car. Stop for 2 or 3 min-
utes with the engine running and slightly accelerated to
assist better coolant circulation. Then switch the en-
gine off. Check correct fluid level as described above.
IMPORTANT On particularly demanding journeys, it is ad-
visable to keep the engine on and slightly accelerated for
a few minutes before switching it off.
A specific message is displayed on certain versions.
ç
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