2017 Abarth 124 Spider Owner handbook (in English)

front bumper. In addition, it may
activate depending on the level of
impact from even a light object, small
animal, or other small object;
the system may also activate if the
lower part of the vehicle or the front
bumper receives an impact from one of
the following situations:
– the vehicle hits a curb;
– the vehicle falls into a deep ditch or
hole;
– the vehicle bounces and hits the
ground;
– the front, bottom part of the vehicle
contacts the slope of a parking
garage, the surface of an even,
undulating road, or a protruding or
fallen object on the road.
Situations in which the active
bonnet may not activate
The active bonnet may not active in the
following situations as an impact would
be difficult to detect:
the pedestrian gets hit at an angle or
by the side areas on the left and right of
the front bumper;
the vehicle hits a pedestrian who is
carrying something such as a bag
which can absorb the impact.Situations in which the system does
not activate
The active bonnet does not activate
under the following conditions:
the front bumper gets hit while the
vehicle is being driven at a speed
insufficient to activate the system;
the vehicle gets hit from the side or
the rear;
the vehicle rolls or turns over (the
active bonnet may operate depending
on the accident conditions).
WARNING
65)Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving. The ABS cannot compensate
for unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow, and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
66)When the ABS intervenes and you feel
the brake pedal pulsating, do not reduce
the pressure, but hold it down firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will brake in the
shortest distance possible, depending on
the current road conditions.
67)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.68)If the ABS intervenes, this indicates
that the grip of the tyres on the road is
nearing its limit: you must slow down to a
speed compatible with the available grip.
69)Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving. The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed, tailgating
(following another vehicle too closely), and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
70)Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow. Driving
without proper traction devices on snow
and/or ice-covered roads is dangerous.
The Traction Control System (TCS) alone
cannot provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
71)The capability of the TCS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
72)Do not rely on the DSC as a substitute
for safe driving: the Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of water
on the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
73)For the correct operation of the DSC
system, the tyres must necessarily be of
the same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and size.
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74)The capability of the DSC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.
75)If the active bonnet has activated,
always contact an Abarth Dealership. If the
bonnet release handle is pulled after the
active bonnet has activated, the bonnet will
rise even further. If the vehicle is driven with
the bonnet raised it will obstruct visibility
and could result in an accident. In addition,
do not attempt to push the bonnet back
down. Otherwise, it could deform the
bonnet or cause injury because the
activated bonnet cannot be lowered
manually. Before driving the vehicle contact
an Abarth Dealership after the active
bonnet has activated, make sure that the
raised bonnet does not obstruct vision and
drive the vehicle at a low speed.AUXILIARY DRIVING
SYSTEMS
TPMS (Tire Pressure
Monitoring System)
76) 77) 78)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire. If tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires, the system will inform the
driver via the warning light in the
instrument cluster and by the warning
beep sound. Refer to “Warning lights
and messages” paragraph “Knowing
the instrument panel” chapter.
Refer to “Tire inflation pressure warning
beep” in “Warning sound is activated” in
Knowing the instrument panel” chapter.
The tire pressure sensors installed on
each wheel send tire pressure data by
radio signal to the receiver unit in the
vehicle.
NOTE When the ambient temperature is
low due to seasonal changes, tire
temperatures are also lower. When the
tire temperature decreases, the air
pressure decreases as well. The TPMS
warning light may illuminate more
frequently. Visually inspect the tires daily
before driving, and check tire pressures
monthly with a tire pressure gauge.
When checking tire pressures, use of adigital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires regularly.IMPORTANT Each tire, including the
spare (where provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label (if your
vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires).
IMPORTANT As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a TMPS system that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
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SAFETY

IMPORTANT Please note that the
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly.
IMPORTANT The TPMS malfunction
indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement oralternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
IMPORTANT To avoid false readings,
the system samples for a little while
before indicating a problem. As a result
it will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
System error activation
When the TPMS warning light flashes,
there may be a system malfunction.
Contact an Abarth Dealership.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
when there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors;
when a metallic device such as a
non-genuine navigation system is
equipped near the center of the
dashboard, which may block radio
signals from the tire pressure sensor to
the receiver unit;
when using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit;
a digital device such as a personal
computer;
a current converter device such as a
DC-AC converter;
when excess snow or ice adheres to
the vehicle, especially around the
wheels;
when the tire pressure sensor
batteries are exhausted;
when using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed;
when using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls;
when using tire chains.
Tires and wheels
IMPORTANT When inspecting or
adjusting the tire air pressures, do not
apply excessive force to the stem part
of the wheel unit. The stem part could
be damaged.
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure
sensor's unique ID signal code
whenever tires or wheels are changed,
such as changing to and from winter
tires.
IMPORTANT Each tire pressure sensor
has a unique ID signal code. The signal
code must be registered with the TPMS
before it can work. The easiest way to
do it is to have an Abarth Dealership
change your tire and complete ID signal
code registration.
When having tires changed at an
Abarth Dealership: when an Abarth
Dealership changes your vehicle's tires,
they will complete the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code registration.
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When changing tires yourself:ifyou
or someone else changes tires, you or
someone else can also undertake the
steps for the TPMS to complete the ID
signal code registration:
after tires have been changed, switch
the ignition ON, then back to ACC or
OFF;
wait for about 15 minutes;
after about 15 minutes, drive the
vehicle at a speed of at least 25 km/h
for 10 minutes and the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code will be registered
automatically.
IMPORTANT If the vehicle is driven
within about 15 minutes of changing
tires, the
warning light will flash
because the sensor ID signal code
would not have been registered. If this
happens, park the vehicle for about
15 minutes, after which the sensor ID
signal code will register upon driving the
vehicle for 10 minutes.
Replacing tires and wheels
IMPORTANT When replacing/repairing
the tires or wheels or both, have the
work done by an Abarth Dealership, or
the tire pressure sensors may be
damaged.
IMPORTANT The wheels equipped on
your vehicle are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure sensors.Do not use non-genuine wheels,
otherwise it may not be possible to
install the tire pressure sensors.
Be sure to have the tire pressure
sensors installed whenever tires or
wheels are replaced.
When having a tire or wheel or both
replaced, the following types of tire
pressure sensor installations are
possible:
the tire pressure sensor is removed
from the old wheel and installed to the
new one;
the same tire pressure sensor is used
with the same wheel. Only the tire is
replaced;
a new tire pressure sensor is installed
to a new wheel.
IMPORTANT The tire pressure sensor
ID signal code must be registered when
a new tire pressure sensor is
purchased. For purchase of a tire
pressure sensor and registration of the
tire pressure sensor ID signal code,
consult an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT When reinstalling a
previously removed tire pressure sensor
to a wheel, replace the grommet (seal
between valve body/sensor and wheel)
for the tire pressure sensor.MECHANICAL LIMITED
SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
Your vehicle is equipped with a
mechanical limited slip differential. In
particular this vehicle adopts a
super-LSD which guarantees improved
vehicle traction and handling.
A super-LSD with a low torque bias
ratio (*) has been adopted to improve
performance when starting from a
standstill, driving straight-ahead and
response.
(*)Torque bias ratio: when a wheel
slips due to a low-traction surface, the
LSD provides proportionally more
torque to the opposite wheel. The
torque bias ratio is the ratio of torque
supplied to the right and left wheels in
such cases, and represents the
performance capability of the LSD.
The super-LSD is a torque-sensing type
that provides improved driving stability
due to the following characteristics:
low torque bias ratio provides
improved controllability (torque bias
ratio: 2.0);
creation of initial torque provides
improved starting from a standstill and
acceleration/deceleration response, and
driving straight-ahead (initial torque:
49 Nm);
simplified construction provides
weight reduction.
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SAFETY

Super-LSD operation
Straight ahead driving
When driving straight, the right and left
side gears rotate at the same speed,
and the pinion and side gears rotate
together with the differential gear case.
Input force from the ring gear is
transmitted to the pinion gears via the
gear case and to the drive shaft via the
side gears. Due to this, a speed
difference between right and left in the
differential does not occur.
Differential operation
If the rotation speed between the right
and left wheels becomes different
(during normal driving), the pinion gears
rotate together while revolving around
the center axle of the drive shaft,
thereby absorbing the difference in
rotation speed. This mechanism serves
as a differential.
Limited-slip operation
If the differential encounters a condition
requiring limited-slip control such as
wheel spin, thrust force acts on the side
gears due to the reaction force from the
meshing of the pinion and side gears.
This thrust force presses the side gears
against the taper ring, generating
friction between the side gear cone and
the taper ring and reducing the torque
of the slipping wheel.The reduced torque is transmitted
without change to the wheel with higher
traction, and the limited slip differential
function is provided. The torque
transmitted to the wheel with higher
traction is proportionate to the input
torque of the ring gear.
HLA (Hill Launch Assist)
FUNCTION
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is a function
which assists the driver in accelerating
from a stop while on a slope. When the
driver releases the brake pedal and
depresses the accelerator pedal while
on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, Hill Launch Assist
operates on a downward slope when
the shift lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when
the shift lever is in a position other than
the reverse (R) position.
For vehicles with an automatic
transmission, Hill Launch Assist
operates on a downward slope when
the selector lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when
the selector lever is in a forward gear.
IMPORTANT Hill Launch Assist does
not operate on a gentle slope. Inaddition, the gradient of the slope on
which the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
IMPORTANT Hill Launch Assist does
not operate if the parking brake is
applied, the vehicle has not stopped
completely, or the clutch pedal is
released.
IMPORTANT While Hill Launch Assist is
operating, the brake pedal may feel stiff
and vibrate, however, this does not
indicate a malfunction.
IMPORTANT Hill Launch Assist does
not operate while the TCS/DSC
indicator light is illuminated. Refer to
“Warning lights and messages”
paragraph in “Knowing the instrument
panel” chapter.
IMPORTANT Hill Launch Assist (HLA)
does not turn off even if the DSC OFF
switch is pressed to turn off the
TCS/DSC.
IMPORTANT For vehicles with an
automatic transmission although the Hill
Launch Assist does not operate during
idling stop, the vehicle roll prevention
function operates to prevent vehicle roll.
IMPORTANT Do not rely completely on
Hill Launch Assist. Hill Launch Assist is
an auxiliary device for accelerating from
a stop on a slope. The system only
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operates for about two seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system,
when accelerating from a stop is
dangerous because the vehicle may
move (roll) unexpectedly and cause an
accident. The vehicle could roll
depending on the vehicle's load or if it
is towing something. In addition, for
vehicles with a manual transmission,
the vehicle could still roll depending on
how the clutch pedal or the accelerator
pedal is operated. Always confirm the
safety around the vehicle before starting
to drive the vehicle.
WARNING
76)The presence of the TPMS does not
permit the driver to neglect regular checks
of the tire pressure, including for the spare
wheel, and correct maintenance: the
system is not used to signal a possible fault
to a tire. Tire pressure must be checked
with tires rested and cold. Should it
become necessary for whatever reason to
check pressure with warm tires, do not
reduce pressure even though it is higher
than the prescribed value. Repeat the
check when the tires are cold.
77)Replacing the normal tires with winter
tires and vice versa requires an inspection
of the TPMS, which should be carried out
only by an Abarth Dealership.
78)Changes in outside temperature may
cause tire pressures to vary. The system
may temporarily indicate insufficient
pressure. In this case check the tire
inflation pressure with the tires cold and, if
necessary top up the inflation pressure.
OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
The most important safety equipment
of the vehicle comprise the following
protection systems:
seat belts;
SBA (Seat Belt Alert) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
front air bags and side air bags.
Read the information given the following
pages with the utmost care.
It is of fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
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SAFETY

SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT
PRECAUTIONS
79) 80)
Seat belts help to decrease the
possibility of severe injury during
accidents and sudden stops. FCA
recommends that the driver and
passengers always wear seat belts.
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts.
These belts have retractors with inertia
locks that keep them out of the way
when not in use.
The locks allow the belts to remain
comfortable on users, but they will lock
in position during a collision.
Belt retraction may become difficult if
the belts and seat belt guides
fig. 59 are soiled, so try to keep them
clean.Pregnant women and persons with
serious medical conditions
Pregnant women should always wear
seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific
recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY
AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER
THE HIPS. The shoulder belt should be
worn across your shoulder properly, but
never across the stomach area fig. 60.
Persons with serious medical
conditions also should wear seat belts.
Check with your doctor for any special
instructions regarding specific medical
conditions.
Emergency locking mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking
mode.
In the emergency locking mode, the
belt remains comfortable on theoccupant and the retractor will lock in
position during a collision.
If the belt is locked and cannot be
pulled out, retract the belt once, and
then try pulling it out slowly. If this fails,
pull the belt strongly one time and
loosen, then pull it out again slowly.
USING THE SEAT BELTS
81) 82) 83) 84) 85) 86) 87)
Fastening the seat belt
1: seat belt tongue fig. 61;
2: seat belt buckle.
Position the lap belt as low as possible
1 fig. 62, not on the abdominal area 2,
then adjust the shoulder belt 3 so that it
fits snugly against your body.
5903020100-12A-001AB
6006050100-CHD-003
6103020201-121-001AB
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Unfastening the seat belt
Depress the button 1 fig. 63 on the seat
belt buckle. If the belt does not fully
retract, pull it out and check for kinks or
twists. Then make sure it remains
untwisted as it retracts.
IMPORTANT If a belt does not fully
retract, inspect it for kinks and twists. Ifit is still not retracting properly, have it
inspected: contact an Abarth
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Always wear the seat belt
with it correctly routed in its guide 1
fig. 64. Wearing a seat belt without the
seat belt routed in its guide is
dangerous because the seat belt would
not be able to provide adequate
protection in an accident, which could
result in serious injury.
SEAT BELT WARNING
SYSTEMS
If it detects that the occupant seat belt
is unfastened, the warning light or beep
alerts the occupant.
Refer to “Warning lights and messages”
paragraph in “Knowing the instrument
panel” chapter.Refer to “Seat belt warning beep” in
“Knowing the instrument panel”
chapter.
WARNING
79)Always wear your seat belt and make
sure all occupants are properly restrained.
Not wearing a seat belt is extremely
dangerous. During a collision, occupants
not wearing seat belts could hit someone
or things inside the vehicle or even be
thrown out of the vehicle. They could be
seriously injured or even killed. In the same
collision, occupants wearing seat belts
would be much safer.
80)Do not wear twisted seat belts. Twisted
seat belts are dangerous. In a collision, the
full width of the belt is not available to
absorb the impact. This puts more force on
the bones beneath the belt, which could
cause serious injury or death. So, if your
seat belt is twisted, you must straighten
the seat belt to remove any twists and to
allow the full width of the belt to be used.
81)Never use one seat belt on more than
one person at a time. Using one seat belt
for more than one person at a time is
dangerous. A seat belt used in this way
cannot spread the impact forces properly
and the two passengers could be crushed
together and seriously injured or even
killed. Never use one belt for more than
one person at a time and always operate
the vehicle with each occupant properly
restrained.
6203020201-122-002AB
6303020202-UNF-001AB
6403020200-12A-001AB
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SAFETY