ABS
This is an integral part of the
braking system, which prevents
one or more wheels from locking or
slipping regardless of the road
surface conditions and braking
intensity, ensuring control of the
vehicle even during emergency
braking.
The system intervenes when
braking and the wheels are about
to lock, typically in emergency
braking or low-grip conditions,
when locking may be more
frequent.
The ABS ensures the direction of
the vehicle while braking and
optimises the braking distances at
the same time.
The system also improves control
and stability of the car when
braking on a surface where the grip
of the left and right wheels varies,
or when braking on corners.
The system is completed by EBD
(Electronic Braking Force
Distribution), which distributes the
braking action between the front
and rear wheels.IMPORTANT To obtain the
maximum efficiency of the braking
system, a bedding-in period of
about 500 km is needed: during
this period it is better to avoid
sharp, repeated and prolonged
braking.
50)
SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
The driver can feel that the ABS
has come into action because the
brake pedal pulsates slightly and
the system gets noisier: it means
that the car speed should be
altered to suit the type of road
surface.
51) 52) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) 57)
MSR SYSTEM
(Motor Schleppmoment
Regelung)
This system is an integral part of
the ABS and intervenes, if there is
sudden downshifting, restoring
torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the
drive wheels which, especially
in poor grip conditions, could lead
to a loss in stability of the vehicle.
WARNING
50) The ABS exploits the grip
available to the full, but it cannot
improve it. Therefore, you should
take great care when driving on
slippery surfaces, without taking
unnecessary risks.
51) When the ABS intervenes and
you notice the brake pedal
pulsating, keep the pedal pushed
down and don’t be alarmed. This
will help you to stop in the
shortest distance possible,
depending on the road conditions.
52) If the ABS intervenes, it means
you have almost reached the grip
limit between the tyres and the
road surface: slow down to make
sure that you drive in accordance
with the available grip
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KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
53) The ABS can’t overrule the
natural laws of physics, and can’t
increase the grip available
according to the condition of the
road.
54) The ABS cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners,
driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
55) The capability of the ABS must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as
to compromise personal safety
and the safety of others.
56) For the correct operation of the
ABS, it is essential that the tyres
are of the same make and type on
all wheels, in perfect condition
and, above all, of the specified
type and dimensions.
57) If the space-saver wheel (for
versions/markets, where
provided) is used, the ABS keeps
operating. Always remember
that the space-saver wheel, being
smaller than the original wheel,
provides less grip.ESC (Electronic
Stability Control)
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of
the vehicle in various driving
conditions.
The ESC system corrects the
vehicle’s understeer and oversteer,
distributing the brake force on
the appropriate wheels. The torque
supplied by the engine can also
be reduced in order to maintain
control of the vehicle.
The ESC system uses the sensors
in the vehicle to determine the
trajectory required by the driver
through steering and compares it
with the real trajectory of the
vehicle. When the real trajectory
deviates from the desired trajectory,
the ESC system intervenes to
counter the car’s understeer or
oversteer.
❒Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.❒Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should
according to the angle of the steering
wheel
The ESC system also includes the
following subsystems:
❒Hill Holder
❒ASR
❒HBA
❒ERM
❒HDC
58) 59) 60)
SYSTEM
INTERVENTION
This is signalled by the flashing of
warning light
in the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that
the vehicle 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.
83
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of
the ESC system and facilitates
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 pressed and
gearbox in neutral or gear (other than
reverse) engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle 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 the braking
pressure on the wheels until the
torque necessary for starting is
reached, or in any case for a
maximum of 2 seconds, allowing
your right foot to be moved easily
from the brake pedal to the
accelerator.When two seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure.
During this release stage, the
typical brake disengagement noise
indicating that the vehicle is going
to move imminently will be heard.
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
first gear, so that it is parked in
safe conditions (for further
information read the "Parking"
paragraph in the "Starting
and driving" chapter).
ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
It is an integral part of the ESC
system. It automatically operates in
the event of one or both 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.
62)
Engagement/ disengagement of
the ASR system
The ASR system switches on
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. 125.
61)
On some versions, the intervention
of the system is indicated by a
message shown on the display.
When the system is not active, the
LED on the button ASR OFF turns
on and, on some versions, a
message appears on the display.
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KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
If the ASR is disengaged during
driving, it is automatically
reactivated when the vehicle is next
started.
When travelling on snowy roads
with snow chains, it may be helpful
to turn the ASR off: in fact, in these
conditions, the driving wheels
slipping when moving off gives you
better traction.HBA SYSTEM
(Hydraulic Brake Assist)
The HBA system is designed to
improve the vehicle’s braking
capacity during emergency braking.
The system detects 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 braking
distance: the HBA system therefore
completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the HBA
system is obtained by pressing
the brake pedal very quickly. In
addition, the brake pedal must be
pressed continuously during
braking, avoiding intermittent
presses, to benefit 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.
63) 64) 65)
ERM ELECTRONIC ROLLOVER
MITIGATION SYSTEM
(Electronic Rollover Mitigation)
The system monitors the tendency
of the wheels to rise from the
ground if the driver performs
extreme manoeuvres like quick
steering to avoid an obstacle,
especially in poor road conditions.
If these conditions occur, the
system intervenes on the brakes
and engine power to reduce the
possibility that the wheels are
raised from the ground.
It is not possible to avoid the
tendency to roll over if this is due to
reasons such as driving on high
side gradients, collision with objects
or other vehicles.
66)
125F1A0324
85
HILL DESCENT
CONTROL (HDC)
SYSTEM
It is an integral part of the ESC and
is aimed at keeping the vehicle at
a constant speed during a descent,
operating autonomously on the
brakes in various ways at the same
time. In this way the vehicle stability
and completely safe driving are
guaranteed, above all in poor grip
conditions and/or steep descents.
To activate the system reach a
speed slower than 25 km/h and
press the dedicated key A fig. 126;
the LED on the button turns on
and the display gives a specific
message.After reaching the desired speed,
release the accelerator and brake
pedals completely (the LED on
the button flashes). If you want to
increase/decrease the speed, press
the accelerator/brake pedals
again.
IMPORTANT Do not use the device
with the gearbox in neutral position.
IMPORTANT It is important to
engage a gear suitable for the set
speed, to prevent the engine from
stalling.
When this function is active the
brake lights turn on automatically.
While the HDC system is operating
it is also possible to take control
of the vehicle again by pressing the
brake and accelerator pedals.
If the function is not made available
when the button is pressed, this
could be due to brake overheating.
In this case, wait a few minutes
before using the function again.
IMPORTANT The system is
available for speeds below 25
km/h.IMPORTANT Above 25 km/h the
HDC system deactivates but is still
ready to operate (the LED on the
button remains on) when the speed
is again below 25 km/h. If the
speed exceeds 50 km/h, the HDC
system deactivates completely
(the LED on the button switches off)
and the function does not operate
autonomously on the brakes
anymore. To reactivate it, press the
dedicated button again when the
speed is again below 25 km/h.
8)
WARNING
58) The ESC system can’t overrule
the natural laws of physics, and
can’t increase the grip available
according to the condition of
the road.
59) The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners,
driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
126F1A0300
86
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
TRACTION PLUS
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Traction Plus is a driving aid, useful
for setting off in poor grip
conditions on non-homogeneous
road surfaces (snow/asphalt,
ice/asphalt, mud/asphalt, etc.),
which allows the drive force to be
distributed adequately on the
engine axle when one of the two
drive wheels slips.
Traction Plus acts by braking the
wheel with poor grip (or slipping
more than the others), thereby
transferring the drive force to that
which has greater grip on the
ground.
This function can be activated
manually by pressing button A on
the dashboard fig. 127 and
operates under 50 km/h. When this
speed is exceeded, it is
automatically deactivated (the LED
on the button is still on) and it is
reactivated again when the speed
falls below 30 km/h.
67) 68)
Traction Plus
operation
The system is deactivated when
starting. To activate the Traction
Plus system, press button A fig.
127: the LED on the button
switches on.
The activation of the Traction Plus
system involves the following
functions being switched on:
❒inhibition of the ASR function, in
order to fully exploit the engine
torque;
❒the differential locking effect on the
front axle, through the braking
system, to improve traction
on irregular grounds.
If the Traction Plus system is faulty,
the
warning light on the
instrument panel switches on
constantly.
When travelling on snowy roads
with snow chains, it may be helpful
to turn the Traction Plus on and
thus inhibiting the ASR function: in
fact, in these conditions, slipping
of the drive wheels when moving off
makes it possible to obtain better
traction.
WARNING
67) The Traction Plus system acts
effectively only on road surfaces
that are not homogeneous and/or
differentiated between the two
drive wheels.
68) Until the setting off manoeuvre is
terminated, fully depress the
accelerator pedal in order to
transfer all the drive torque to the
wheel with the best grip.
127F1A0325
88
KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
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.
IMPORTANT After eliminating the
failure, to check the system
completely, Fiat Dealerships run a
bench test and, if necessary, road
tests which may also call for a
long journey.PARKING SENSORS
The parking sensors are located in
the rear bumper fig. 132 and their
function is to inform the driver,
through an intermittent acoustic
signal, about the presence of
obstacles behind the vehicle.
ACTIVATION
The sensors are automatically
activated when reverse gear is
engaged.
As the obstacle behind the vehicle
gets closer to the bumper, the
frequency of the acoustic signal
increases.ACOUSTIC SIGNAL
When reverse gear is engaged an
intermittent acoustic signal is
automatically activated.
The acoustic signal:
❒increase as the distance between the
vehicle and the obstacle decreases;
❒becomes continuous when the
distance between the vehicle and the
obstacle is less than 30 cm and
stops immediately if the distance
increases;
❒remains constant if the distance
remains unchanged; if this situation
concerns the side sensors, the
buzzer will stop after about 3
seconds to avoid, for example,
warning indications in the event of
manoeuvres along walls.
If several obstacles are detected by
the sensors, only the nearest one
is considered.
132F1A0134
101
IMPORTANT
17) The sensor must be clean of
mud, dirt, snow or ice in order for
the system to operate correctly.
Be careful not to scratch or
damage the sensors while
cleaning them. Avoid using dry,
rough or hard cloths. The sensors
must be washed using clean
water, with the addition of car
shampoo if necessary.
WARNING
86) The responsibility for parking
and other dangerous manoeuvres
always and in every case lies
with the driver. While carrying out
these manoeuvres, always make
sure that no people (especially
children) or animals are in the
area concerned. The parking
sensors are used to assist the
driver, who must never allow his
attention to lapse during
potentially dangerous
manoeuvres, even those executed
at low speeds.
START&STOP
SYSTEM
IN BRIEF
The Start&Stop device
automatically stops the engine
each time the vehicle is stationary
and starts it again when the
driver wants to move off. This
improves the efficiency of the
vehicle by reducing fuel
consumption, the emission of
harmful gases and noise
pollution.
OPERATING MODES
Engine stopping mode
WITH MANUAL GEARBOX
With the vehicle stationary, the
engine stops with the gearbox in
neutral and the clutch pedal
released.
NoteThe engine can only be stopped
automatically after exceeding a speed
of about 10 km/h, to prevent the engine
from being repeatedly stopped when
driving at walking pace.
103
Engine stopping is signalled by the
icon on the display.