2011 Abarth Punto Evo Owner handbook (in English)

88
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
FAILURE INDICATIONS
In the event of a failure, the ESP system will be
automatically switched off and warning light áwill
appear on the instrument panel along with a message on
the reconfigurable multifunction display (see “Warning
lights and messages”). Contact an Abarth Dealership as
soon as possible.ESP SYSTEM
(Electronic Stability Program)
This is an electronic system controlling car stability in
the event of tyre grip loss, helping to maintain
directional control.
The ESP system is therefore particularly useful when
grip conditions of road surfaces change.
The MSR system (adjustment of the engine braking
torque during gear changes), the HBA system
(automatic increase in the braking pressure during
emergency braking) and the TTC system (with self-
locking differential effect) are present with ESP, ASR and
Hill Holder systems.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is signalled by the blinking of the warning light áon
the instrument panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESP system comes on automatically when the
vehicle is started and cannot be turned off.
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 ultimately responsible for road safety.
WARNING

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KNOWING
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HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESP system and it is
provided to facilitate starting on slopes.
It is automatically activated in the following conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pedal
depressed 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.
When setting off, 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, gradually releasing
the brake force.
At release, the typical brake disengagement noise
indicating that the car is going to move will be heard.Failure indications
A system fault is indicated by the switching on of the
warning light áand by the dedicated message on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a parking
brake; therefore, never leave the car without having
engaged the handbrake, turned the engine off and
engaged first gear.
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 specified.
WARNING

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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 specified.
WARNINGASR SYSTEM (Antislip Regulator)
This function controls car drive and intervenes
automatically every time one or both driving wheels slip.
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
❒if both drive wheels are slipping, the ASR function
intervenes by reducing the power transmitted by the
engine;
❒if the slipping only involves only one drive wheel, the
ASR system intervenes automatically braking the
wheel that is slipping.
The action of the ASR system is particularly helpful in
the following circumstances:
❒slipping of the inner wheel when cornering due to
the effect of dynamic load changes or excessive
acceleration;
❒too much power transmitted to the wheels in
relation to the conditions of the road surface;
❒acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy surfaces;
❒loss of grip on a wet surface (aquaplaning).Failure indications
In the event of a failure, the ASR will be automatically
switched off and the warning light áwill appear on the
instrument panel along with a message on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see “Warning lights
and messages”). In this case, contact an Abarth
Dealership as soon as possible.

91
KNOWING
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WARNING LIGHTS
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TECHNICAL
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CONTENTS
MSR system (engine drive regulation)
This is an integral part of the ASR system that, in the
event of sudden gear shifting on hills, cuts in to provide
torque to the engine, thus preventing excessive driving
wheel drag that, especially in poor grip conditions, can
lead to loss of stability.
TTC system (self-locking differential effect)
The TTC system uses the braking system to produce
a behaviour similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking system, during acceleration while
cornering, acts on the inner wheel, increasing the drive
of the outer wheel (with more load) and distributing the
torque between the front drive wheels dynamically and
continuously according to the driving conditions and the
road surface.
In this way, the system allows particularly effective and
sporty driving to be achieved.
The TTC system intervenes activating the Sport driving
mode of the “Manettino Abarth” system (see the
“Manettino Abarth car dynamic control system (DSS
– Driving Sport Switch)” paragraph in this section).
When the TTC system is active, the ASR system
calibration is changed and made less intrusive.
Do not take unnecessary risks, even if
your vehicle is fitted with this system.
Your driving style must always be suited to the
road conditions, visibility and traffic.
The driver is always responsible for road safety.
WARNING
When travelling on snowy roads with snow chains, it
may be helpful to have the ASR system less intrusive
(activating the Sport driving mode): in these conditions,
the slipping of the drive wheels when setting off makes it
possible to have better traction.

92
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EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board Diagnosis)
carries out a continuous diagnosis of the components of
the car related to emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the warning light
Uon the instrument panel (together with relevant
message on the reconfigurable multifunction display)
(see section “Warning lights and messages”), when
these components are no longer in peak conditions.
The goal of the system is to:
❒keep the system efficiency under control;
❒warn when a failure causes emissions levels to
increase;
❒warn of the need to replace deteriorated
components.
The system also has a connector that can be interfaced
with appropriate equipment, which makes it possible to
read the error codes stored in the control unit together
with a series of specific parameters for engine operation
and diagnosis. This check can also be carried out by
traffic control authorities.
Contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as
possible if warning light
Ueither does
not light up when the key is turned to
MAR or if while travelling it comes on either
steady or blinking (along with a message on the
multifunctional display, where provided).
The operation of the
Uwarning light may be
checked by the traffic control authorities using
specific devices. Always comply with the traffic
regulations in force in the country where you are
driving.
IMPORTANT After eliminating the failure, to check the
system completely, Abarth Dealerships run a bench test
and, if necessary, road tests which may require a long
journey.

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TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The car may be equipped with a tyre pressure
monitoring system (T.P.M.S.). This system comprises a
radio frequency transmitter 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.
Take the greatest of care when checking
or restoring 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 cold; if, for whatever
reason, you check the pressure when the tyres
are hot, do not reduce the pressure even if it is
higher than the recommended value, but check
again when the tyres are cold.
WARNING
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.
The presence of the TPMS does not
exonerate 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
sudden tyre pressure losses (for example
when a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the car,
braking with care and avoiding sharp steering
actions.
WARNING

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Replacing the normal tyres with winter
tyres and vice versa requires an
inspection of the TPMS, which should be carried
out only by an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
The TPMS requires the use of specific
equipment. Contact an Abarth
Dealership to find out which accessories are
compatible with the system (wheels, hub caps
etc.). The use of other accessories may affect
the normal operation of the system.
WARNING
Tyre inflation pressure may vary
according to outdoor temperature. The
TPMS system may temporarily indicate
insufficient pressure. In this case, check the tyre
pressures with the tyres cold and, if necessary,
pump them up.
WARNING
.If the vehicle is fitted with TPMS, tyre
and wheel fitting/removal operations
require specific precautions. To prevent damage
or incorrect sensor refitting, contact an Abarth
Dealership to have tyre and/or
rim changed.
WARNING
If the vehicle is fitted with TPMS, when
a tyre is removed, it is advisable to
replace the rubber gasket for the valve. Contact
an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
Strong radio-frequency interference
could inhibit the correct operation of
the TPMS system.
This condition will be indicated by a message on
the reconfigurable multfunction display. The
message will disappear automatically as soon as
the interference ceases to disturb the system.
WARNING

95
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
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EMERGENCY
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TECHNICAL
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In order to use the system properly, refer to the following table when you have to change wheels/tyres:
Operation Sensor Failure warning Abarth Dealership
Service Intervention
–
Replacing a wheel
with the spare wheel
Replacing wheels
with snow tyres
Replacing wheels
with snow tyres
Replacing wheels
with others of
a different size (*)
Switching wheels
(front/rear) (**)
(*) Given as an alternative in the Owner’s Handbook and available at Lineaccessori Abarth.
(**) Not cross-swapped (tyres must stay on the same side).–
NO
NO
YES
YES
YESYES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NOContact an Abarth
Dealership
Repair the damaged
wheel
Contact an Abarth
Dealership
–
–
–