2012 Abarth Punto tyre pressure

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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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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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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
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Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. For this reason, there
must be no obstacles on the floor under the
pedals: ensure that rubber mats (if any) are
lying flat and do not interfere with the pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand resting on
the shifting lever, because this pressure,
even if light, over time can wear out the
gearbox internal components.
MPORTANT Use of the clutch pedal must be limited
solely to gear changes. Do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal, however slightly. For
versions/markets where provided, the electronic clutch
control can intervene if it interprets incorrect driving
style as a fault.CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may help you to keep
the running costs of your vehicle down and lower the
amount of toxic emissions released into the
atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an interval
of no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is too low,
consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is
higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of
the car (especially when driving in town) and the way in
which it is laden greatly affect fuel consumption and
stability.
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SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the normal tyres
provided with the car.
Winter tyres 205/45 R17”- 88Q (M+S) are available at
Abarth Dealerships to be used if the car is mainly driven
on snow-covered roads.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation pressures and
the specifications of snow tyres, follow the instructions
given in paragraph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
The performance of these tyres is considerably reduced
when the tread depth is less than 4 mm. Replace them
in this case.
Due to snow tyre features, under normal conditions of
use or on long motorway journeys, the performance of
these tyres is much lower than that of standard tyres.
Limit performance according to the use for which they
were certified.
The max. speed of snow tyres with “Q”
marking is 160 km/h. The Highway Code
speed limits must however always be complied
with.
WARNING
IMPORTANT When snow tyres are used with a
maximum speed index below the one that can be
reached by the car (increased by 5%), place a notice in
the passenger compartment, plainly in view, which states
the maximum permissible speed of the snow tyres (as
per an EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand and track) to
ensure greater safety when driving and braking and
better driveability.
Remember that it is inadvisable to change the rotation
direction of tyres.
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❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a cloth or perforated plastic
sheet. Do not use sheets of non-perforated plastic
as they do not allow moisture on the car body to
evaporate;
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the standard
specified pressure and check it periodically;
❒if you don’t disconnect the battery from the
electrical system, check its charge every month and
recharge it if the indicator shows a dark colour
without the central green area;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
IMPORTANT Where relevant, switch off the car alarm
with the remote control.
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer than a month,
the following precautions should be followed:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if possible well-
ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not engaged;
❒disconnect the negative battery terminal and check
battery charge. Repeat this check once every three
months during storage. Recharge if the optical
indicator shows a dark colour without the central
green area;
❒clean and protect the painted parts using protective
wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts using special
compounds commercially available;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber windscreen
and rear window wiper blades and lift them off the
glass;
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TYRE PRESSURE CHECK
(amber)
TYRE PRESSURE LOW (amber)
TYRE PRESSURE UNSUITABLE FOR
SPEED
(amber)
(for versions/markets where provided)
Check tyre pressures
The symbol is shown on the display to indicate the flat
tyre. Should two or more tyres be flat, the display will
show the indications corresponding to each tyre in
sequence.
Restore correct tyre pressures as soon as possible (see
“Cold tyre pressures” in the “Technical specifications”
section).
Tyre pressure low
The symbol is shown on the display if the pressure of
one or more tyres drops below the preset level. In this
way the TPMS system warns the driver that one or
more tyres may be dangerously flat and liable to
puncture.
n
IMPORTANT Do not continue driving with one or
more flat tyres as handling may be compromised. Stop
the car, avoiding harsh braking or steering manoeuvres.
Repair using the dedicated kit (see the “Automatic
Fix&Go quick tyre repair kit” paragraph in the “In an
emergency” section) and contact an Abarth Dealership
as soon as possible.
Tyre pressure unsuitable for speed
Should travelling at a higher speed than 160 km/h be
required, inflate tyres to pressures values specified in
paragraph “Inflation pressures”.
If the TPMS system (where provided) detects that the
pressure of one or more tyres is unsuitable for the
current speed, the symbol will be shown on the display
together with the dedicated message (see paragraph
“Low tyre pressure” in this section) and it will stay on
until the car speed returns within the preset threshold.
IMPORTANT In this case, slow down immediately
because tyre overheating could compromise tyre
performance and durability beyond repair, and may even
make the tyre explode.
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