
103
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
The driver can tell the ABS system has come into action
because the brake pedal pulsates slightly and the system
gets noisier: it means that the vehicle speed should be al-
tered to suit the type of road surface.ABS SYSTEM
If you have never driven a vehicle with ABS before, it is ad-
visable to perform a few tests on slippery ground, always
in safe conditions and respecting the highway code of the
country where you are driving. Read the following infor-
mation carefully.
This system, which is an integral part of the braking sys-
tem, prevents one or more wheels from locking and skid-
ding on all road surface conditions, irrespective of the in-
tensity of the braking action, ensuring that the vehicle can
be controlled even during emergency braking.
The system is completed by EBD (Electronic Braking Force
Distribution), which distributes the braking action between
the front and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT For the maximum efficiency of the braking
system, a bedding-in period of about 500 km is needed (for
a new vehicle or after having replaced the brake
pads/discs): during this period it is better to avoid sharp,
repeated and prolonged braking.
The ABS system gets the most out of the
available grip but it cannot improve it.
Therefore, you should take great care when
driving on slippery surfaces: don’t take unneces-
sary risks.
WARNING
If the ABS cuts in, it is a sign that the grip
between tyre and the road surface has
reached the limit: you must slow down to match
the speed to the road grip available.
WARNING
FAILURE INDICATIONS
ABS failure
ABS failure is indicated by warning light >coming on on
the instrument panel together with the dedicated message
on the multifunction display (where provided), (see “Warn-
ing lights and messages”).
In this case, the braking system will work as normal, but
without the extra capacity offered by the ABS system. Dri-
ve carefully to the nearest Fiat Dealership to have the sys-
tem checked.
EBD failure
EBD failure is indicated by warning lights >and xcom-
ing on on the instrument panel together with the dedicated
message on the multifunction display (where provided),
(see section “Warning lights and messages”).
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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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105
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESP system comes on automatically when the vehi-
cle is started and cannot be turned off.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
In the event of a failure, the ESP will be automatically
switched off and the áwarning light will come on per-
manently on the instrument panel along with a message on
the multifunction display (for versions/markets where pro-
vided) (see “Warning lights and messages” section). The
LED on the ASR OFF button will also light up. Contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible if this happens.ESP SYSTEM
(Electronic Stability Program)
(for versions/markets where provided)
This is an electronic system that controls car stability in
the event of tyre grip loss, helping to maintain direction-
al control.
The ESP system is therefore particularly useful when the
grip conditions of road surfaces change.
The MSR system (adjustment of the engine braking torque
during gear changes) and the HBA system (automatic in-
crease in the braking pressure during emergency brak-
ing) are present with ESP, ASR and Hill Holder systems
(for versions/markets where provided).
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is signalled by warning light áflashing on the instru-
ment panel to inform the driver that the car is experiencing
critical stability and grip conditions.
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106
KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Do not take unnecessary risks, even if your
vehicle is fitted with an ESP system. Your
driving style must always be suited to the road
conditions, visibility and traffic. The driver is al-
ways ultimately responsible for road safety.
WARNING
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESP system and it
facilitates hill starts.
It is automatically activated in the following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient high-
er than 5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and
gearbox in neutral or gear other than reverse;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed and
reverse gear engaged.During start-up, the ESP system control unit maintains the
braking pressure at the wheels until the engine torque
required for departure is reached, or for a maximum of
1 second, allowing your right foot to be moved easily from
the brake pedal to the accelerator.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the system
will deactivate automatically by gradually releasing the
brake force.
At release, the typical brake disengagement noise indicat-
ing that the car is going to move will be heard.
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107
❒if only one of the drive wheels skids, the system inter-
venes by automatically braking the wheel that is
skidding.
The action of the ASR system is especially useful in the fol-
lowing conditions:
❒slipping of the inner wheel when cornering due to the
effect of dynamic load changes or excessive accelera-
tion;
❒too much power transmitted to the wheels also in re-
lation to the conditions of the road surface;
❒acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy surfaces;
❒in the case of loss of grip on a wet surface (aquaplaning). Failure indications
System failure is indicated by warning light *lighting up
on the instrument panel with digital display and warning
light álighting up on the instrument panel with multi-
function display (where provided) (see section “Warn-
ing lights and messages”).
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a parking
brake; therefore, never leave the vehicle without having
engaged the handbrake, turned the engine off and select-
ed first gear.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
For the correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect condition
and, above all, of the type, make and size recom-
mended.
WARNING
For the correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must absolutely be
the same make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the type, make and
size specified.
WARNING
ASR SYSTEM (Anti-slip Regulator)
This function controls car drive and cuts in automatically
every time one or both driving wheels skid.
Depending on how skiddy the road is, two different con-
trol systems are activated:
❒if both drive wheels skid, the ASR function intervenes
by reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
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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
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117
F0U0203mfig. 121
SAFETY FUNCTIONS
In engine cut-out conditions through the Start&Stop sys-
tem, if the driver unfastens his/her seat belt and opens the
driver’s door or the passenger door, the engine can be
restarted only by using the key.
The driver is notified of this condition both by a buzzer
and through an information message on the display and
(for versions/markets where provided) by the warning light
fig. 121 on the instrument panel flashing.
ENERGY SAVING FUNCTION
(For versions/markets where provided)
If, after the engine has been automatically restarted, the
driver does not take any action for a period of about 3
minutes, the Start&Stop system will definitively stop the
engine to avoid fuel consumption. In these cases, the en-
gine can be restarted only by using the key.
NB: In any case, it is possible to keep the engine running
by deactivating the Start&Stop system. RESTARTING CONDITIONS
For reasons of comfort, limiting harmful emissions and safe-
ty purposes, the power unit can restart automatically with-
out any action on behalf of the driver if certain conditions
are met, including:
❒ battery not sufficiently charged;
❒ windscreen wipers working at maximum speed;
❒extreme braking system pressure, e.g. following the
brake pedal being pressed repeatedly;
❒ car moving around, for example when driving on hilly
roads;
❒stopping the engine through the Start&Stop system for
more than about three minutes.
❒automatic climate control system for establishing a com-
fortable temperature or enabling the MAX – DEF func-
tion.
With a gear engaged, the engine can be automatically
restarted only by fully depressing the clutch pedal. The dri-
ver is asked to perform this operation through a message
on the instrument panel and, where provided, by the warn-
ing light fig. 121 on the instrument panel flashing
NB: If the clutch is not pressed, when the three minutes
have elapsed since the engine was stopped, the engine can
be restarted only by using the key.
NB: In cases when the engine stops and this is not desired,
due for example to the clutch pedal being released sharply
with a gear engaged, if the Start&Stop system is activat-
ed, the engine can be restarted by fully depressing the
clutch pedal or by putting the gear lever into neutral.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
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130
CONOSCENZA
DELLA
VETTURA
AVVIAMENTO
E GUIDA
SPIE E
MESSAGGI
IN EMERGENZA
MANUTENZIONE
E CURA
DATI TECNICI
INDICE
F0U0114mfig. 131
IMPORTANT When the red band next to the backrest
folding levers fig. 131 disappears, it means the backrest is
properly secured. If you can still see the red band, the back-
rest is not securely fastened. When returning the backrest
to its normal position, make sure it is correctly fastened
and you hear the lock click.
IMPORTANT After putting the seats back to their normal
position, make sure the seat belts are positioned so they
are ready to use.KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Remember that, in the event of a violent
collision, back seat passengers not wearing
seat belts represent a serious danger not only to
themselves but also to the front seat passengers.
WARNING
Ensure that the backrest is properly se-
cured on both sides so that it does not fly
forwards in the event of sharp braking and injure
passengers.
WARNING
SBR SYSTEM
(for versions/markets where provided)
The car is fitted with the SBR system (Seat Belt Reminder),
consisting of a warning sound which, together with the
warning light
fastened.
For permanent deactivation, contact a Fiat Dealership.
With a digital display, the SBR system can be reactivated
only at a Fiat Dealership.
With a multifunction display, the SBR system can also be
re-enabled through the setup menu.
129-148 PUNTO FL EN 4ed 18-01-2010 12:25 Pagina 130