ESC SYSTEM (Electronic Stability
Control)(for versions/markets, where provided)
This is an electronic system that controls car stability
in the event of tyre grip loss, helping maintain
directional control. The system is capable of
recognising potentially dangerous situations in terms
of the stability and intervenes automatically on the
brakes in a differentiated manner for the four wheels
in order to provide a stabilizing torque.
The ESC system also includes the following
subsystems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒HBA
❒ABS
❒EBD
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the flashing of theESCwarning light
on the instrument panel, to inform the driver that
the car is in critical stability and grip conditions.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system switches on automatically when the
engine is started and cannot be switched off.HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESC system and
facilitates starting on slopes.
It is activated automatically in the following instances:
❒uphill: car stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pressed and
gearbox in neutral or gear (other than reverse)
engaged;
❒downhill: car stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESC system control unit
maintains braking pressure on the wheels until the
torque required for starting is reached or, in any
case, for a maximum of 2 seconds so that the right
foot can be moved easily from the brake pedal to the
accelerator pedal.
When 2 seconds have elapsed, without any
departure having taken place, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually releasing the
braking pressure. During this release stage, a typical
mechanical brake release noise can be heard,
indicating that the car is about to move.
NOTE: the Hill Holder system is not active with
engaged parking brake.
74GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
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 engaged the first gear, so that the parked vehicle
is in safe conditions (further read the paragraph
"When parked" in the chapter "Starting and driving").
ASR SYSTEM (AntiSlip Regulation)
It is an integral part of the ESC system. It
automatically operates in the event of drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads (aquaplaning)
and acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy roads,
etc…
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
❒if the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR
intervenes reducing the power transmitted by the
engine;
❒if the slipping only involves one of the drive
wheels, it intervenes automatically braking the
wheel that is slipping.Activation/deactivation of the ASR system
The ASR system activates automatically each time
the engine is started.
Whilst driving, the ASR can be switched off and
subsequently switched on again by pressing the ASR
OFF button fig. 67.
fig. 67
F0W0040
75GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CARSAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
HBA SYSTEM
(Hydraulic Brake Assist)
The HBA system is designed to improve the car's
braking capacity during emergency braking. The
system detects an emergency braking by monitoring
the speed and strength with which the brake pedal
is pressed, thereby applying the optimal brake
pressure.
This can reduce the stopping distance, the HBA
system therefore completes the ABS.
Max. assistance from the HBA system is obtained
pressing the brake pedal very quickly. In addition, the
brake pedal should be pressed continuously during
braking, avoiding intermittent presses, to obtain
benefits from the system.
Do not reduce pressure on the brake pedal until
braking is not necessary anymore.
The HBA system is deactivated when the brake pedal
is released.
WARNING
The HBA system cannot increase tyre
grip on the road over the limits imposed
by laws of physics: always drive carefully
according to the conditions of the road surface.
WARNING
The HBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due
to excessive speed on bends, travelling on
low-grip surfaces or aquaplaning.
WARNING
The HBA system is an aid for the driver,
who must always pay full attention
while driving.The responsibility always rests
with the driver.The features of the HBA system
must never be tested in imprudent or dangerous
ways, with the possibility of putting the safety
of the driver, occupants or other road users
at risk.
77GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CARSAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
❒driver's door not shut;
❒driver's seat belt not fastened;
❒reverse gear engaged (for example, for parking
manoeuvres);
❒for versions equipped with automatic climate
control (for versions/markets, where provided), if
an adequate level of thermal comfort has not
been reached or with MAX-DEF activation;
❒during the first period of use for a new car, to
initialise the system.
If climate comfort is to be favoured, the
Star t&Stop system can be disabled, for
continuous operation of the climate
control system and avoidance of, for example, the
windows misting up.
ENGINE RESTARTING CONDITIONS
For reasons of comfort, limiting harmful emissions
and safety purposes, the power unit can restart
automatically without any action on behalf of the
driver if certain conditions are met, including:
❒battery not sufficiently charged;
❒reduced braking system vacuum (e.g. if the brake
pedal is pressed repeatedly);
❒car moving (e.g. when driving on roads with a
gradient);❒engine stopping by Start&Stop system for over 3
minutes;
❒for versions equipped with automatic climate
control (for versions/markets where provided), to
enable suitable thermal comfort or with MAX-DEF
activation.
If a gear in engaged during stopping with Start&Stop,
the automatic restarting of the engine is only
permitted by fully depressing the clutch pedal.
The driver is informed by a message on the display
and - for versions/markets, where provided - by
the flashing of the
symbol.
If the clutch is not pressed, about 3 minutes after the
engine stops, the engine can be restarted only using
the ignition key.
In cases of undesired engine stops, due for example
to the clutch pedal being released abruptly with a
gear engaged, if the Start&Stop system is activated,
the engine can be restarted by fully depressing
the clutch pedal.
SAFETY FUNCTIONS
When the engine is stopped by the Start&Stop
system, if the driver releases his/her seat belt and
opens the driver's or passenger's door, the engine
can be restarted only using the ignition key.
The driver is informed by a buzzer and by the
flashing of the symbol
on the display; on some
versions, a message is displayed as well.
80GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CAR
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
CITY BRAKE CONTROL - "Collision
Mitigation" SYSTEM(for versions/markets, where provided)
This is a driving assistance system that can detect the
presence of nearby cars in front of the vehicle and,
in case of imminent collision, intervenes
automatically, braking the car to prevent the impact
or mitigate its effects.
The system only works if:
❒the ignition key is at MAR-ON;
❒the car speed is between 5 and 30 km/h;
❒the front seat belts are fastened.
The system can be deactivated (and then reactivated)
with the display setup menu (see paragraph “Menu
items” in this chapter).
The system activates if there is risk of imminent
collision and the driver does not press the brake
pedal promptly.
If the system detects that the vehicle ahead could be
hit, it may prepare the car to a possible emergency
braking.
If the driver does not carry out any action to prevent
the collision, the system may automatically slow
down the car, in order to prepare it to a possible
impact.When there is risk of impact, if the action on the
brake pedal by the driver is not sufficient, the system
may intervene in order to improve the reaction of
the braking system, therefore reducing car speed
further.
When driving uphill on a steep slope, the system may
intervene, activating the braking system.
Versions equipped with Start&Stop system:at
the end of the automatic braking, the Start&Stop
system will activate as described in paragraph
"Start&Stop system" of this chapter.
Versions equipped with manual gearbox:atthe
end of the automatic braking the engine may stall
and turn off, unless the driver presses the clutch
pedal.
Versions equipped with Dualogic automatic
transmission(for versions/markets, where
provided): at the end of braking the last gear stored
remains engaged.
IMPORTANT Both on versions equipped with
manual gearbox and on those with Dualogic
automatic transmission (for versions/markets, where
provided), after the car is stopped the brake calipers
may be stuck for about 2 seconds for safety reasons.
Make sure you press the brake pedal if the car moves
slightly forwards.
IMPORTANT The system doesNOTactivate
engaging the reverse. The system doesNOTactivate
if the front seat belts are not fastened.
83GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CARSAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
Lane change by other vehicles
Vehicles suddenly changing lane, getting in the driving
lane of the car fig. 76 and inside the laser sensor
operating range, may cause system activation.IMPORTANT
WARNING
The system is an aid for the driver who
must never reduce attention while
driving.The responsibility always rests with the
driver, who must take into account the traffic
conditions for driving in complete safety.The
driver must always maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front .
WARNING
If the driver depresses the brake pedal
fully or carries out a fast steering during
system operation, the automatic braking
function may stop (e.g. to allow a possible
manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle).The laser sensor may have limited or
absent operation due to weather
conditions such as: heavy rain, hail, thick
fog, heavy snow, formation of ice layers on the
windscreen.
fig. 75
F0W0275
fig. 76
F0W0273
85GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CARSAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
For correct operation, sensors must always
be clean from mud, dirt , snow or ice. Be
careful not to scratch or damage the
sensors while cleaning them. Avoid using dr y,
rough or hard cloths.The sensors should be
washed using clean water with the addition of car
shampoo if necessary.When using special
washing equipment such as high pressure jets or
steam cleaning, clean the sensors very quickly
keeping the jet more than 10 cm away.
GENERAL WARNINGS
❒When parking, take the utmost care over
obstacles that may be above or under the sensors.
❒Objects close to the car, are not detected under
certain circumstances and could therefore cause
damage to the car or be damaged.
Some of the conditions that could affect the
performance of the parking system are described
below:
❒Reduced sensor sensitivity and a reduction in the
parking assistance system performance could be
due to the presence on the surface of the sensor
of: ice, snow, mud, thick paint
❒The sensor may detect a non-existent obstacle
(echo interference) due to mechanical
interference, for example when washing the
vehicle, in rain, (strong wind), hail.❒The signals sent by the sensors can also be altered
by the presence of ultrasonic systems (e.g.
pneumatic brake systems or pneumatic drills) near
the vehicle.
❒Parking assistance system performance can also be
influenced by the position of the sensors, for
example due to a change in the ride setting
(caused by wear to the shock absorbers,
suspension), or by changing tyres, overloading the
car or carrying out specific tuning operations
that require the car to be lowered.
❒The presence of a tow hook without trailer
interferes with the correct operation of the
parking sensors. If a fixed tow hook is installed, the
sensors cannot be used. If the customer installs a
removable tow hook, this must always be
disconnected from the crossmember whenever
the trailer is not attached to prevent the activation
of the sensors.
WARNING
The responsibility for parking and other
dangerous manoeuvres always and in
every case lies with the driver.When making
these manoeuvres, always make sure that no
people (especially children) or animals are
present in your manoeuvering space.The parking
sensors serve to assist the driver, but must never
allow his attention to lapse during potentially
dangerous manoeuvres, even those executed at
low speeds.
89GETTING TO
KNOW YOUR CARSAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
STARTING AND DRIVING
STARTING THE ENGINESTARTING PROCEDURE FOR PETROL
VERSIONS
0.9 TwinAir 65 HP and 85 HP versions
excluded
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gearbox lever
in neutral;
❒fully press the clutch pedal without touching the
accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon
as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt,
return the ignition key to STOP before repeating the
procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
remains on
together with warning light
, turn the key to
STOP and then back to MAR-ON; if the warning
light remains on, try the other keys provided with
the vehicle.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you still cannot start the
engine.
Never leave the ignition key in MAR-ON position
when the engine is stopped.For 0.9 TwinAir 65 HP and 85 HP versions
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the gear lever in
neutral or fully press the clutch pedal if a gear
other than neutral is engaged;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon
as the engine starts.
NoteIf the vehicle does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP and repeat
the starting procedure placing the gear lever in
neutral and fully pressing the clutch pedal.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
remains on
together with warning light
, turn the key to
STOP and then back to MAR-ON; if the warning
light remains on, try the other keys provided with
the vehicle.
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you still cannot start the
engine.
Never leave the ignition key in MAR-ON position
when the engine is stopped.
121GETTING TO KNOW
YOUR CAR
SAFETYSTARTING AND
DRIVINGWARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX