2017 Abarth 124 Spider steering

Warning light What it means
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT
If the tire pressure monitoring system has a malfunction, the tire pressure warning light flashes
for about 1 minute when the ignition is switched ON and then stay on. Contact an Abarth
Dealership as soon as possible. When the warning light illuminates, and the warning beep sound
is heard (about 3 seconds), tire pressure is too low in one or more tires. Inspect the tires and
adjust to the specified inflation pressure.
Perform tire pressure adjustment when the tires are cold. Tire pressure will vary according to the
tire temperature, therefore let the vehicle stand for 1 hour or only drive it 1.6 km or less before
adjusting the tire pressures. When pressure is adjusted on hot tires to the cold inflation pressure,
the warning light/beep may turn on after the tires cool and pressure drops below specification.
Also, an illuminated TPMS warning light, resulting from the tire air pressure dropping due to cold
ambient temperature will remain illuminated even if the ambient temperature rises. In this case, it
will also be necessary to adjust the tire air pressures. If the TPMS warning light illuminates due to
a drop in tire air pressure, make sure to check and adjust the tire air pressures.
Tires lose air naturally over time and the TPMS cannot tell if the tires are getting too soft over
time or you have a flat. However, when you find one low tire in a set of four-that is an indication
of trouble; you should have someone drive the vehicle slowly forward so you can inspect any
low tire for cuts and any metal objects sticking through tread or sidewall. Put a few drops of
water in the valve stem to see if it bubbles indicating a bad valve. Leaks need to be addressed
by more than simply refilling the trouble tire as leaks are dangerous: take it to an Abarth
Dealership which has all the equipment to fix tires, TPMS systems and order the best
replacement tire for your vehicle.
63) 64)
POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT
The light illuminates if the electric power steering has a malfunction. If the light illuminates, stop
the vehicle in a safe place and do not operate the steering wheel. There is no problem if the light
turns off after a while. Contact an Abarth Dealership if the light illuminates continuously.
NOTE If the indicator light illuminates, the power steering will not operate normally. If this
happens, the steering wheel can still be operated, however, the operation may feel heavy
compared to normal, or the steering wheel could vibrate when turning.
NOTE Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped or moving
extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into protective mode which will
make the steering feel heavy, but this does not indicate a problem. If this occurs, park the
vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the system to return to normal.
59

Warning light What it means
TCS / DSC SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light turns on when the in case of intervention of TCS/DSC systems. This means
that the vehicle is in critical stability and grip conditions.
DSC OFF INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light turns on when the ESC system is deactivated.
REAR FOG LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light switches on when the rear fog light is turned on.
ADJUSTABLE SPEED LIMITER MAIN INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light switches on when the MODE switch on steering wheel is pressed and the
adjustable speed limiter is activated (see “Speed limiter” paragraph in “Starting and driving”
chapter).
WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT (where provided)
When the ignition is switched ON, the wrench indicator light is illuminated and then turns off
after a few seconds.
The wrench indicator light is illuminated when the preset maintenance period arrives. Verify the
content and perform maintenance. Refer to “Maintenance monitor” paragraph in this chapter.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

MESSAGE INDICATED ON
DISPLAY
If a message is displayed in the center
display, take appropriate action (in a
calm manner) according to the
displayed message.
If the following messages are displayed
in the centre display, a vehicle system
may be malfunctioning:
Engine Coolant Temperature
High: displays if the engine coolant
temperature has increased excessively.
Changing System Malfunction:
displays if the charging system has a
malfunction.
Temperature Warning:the
following message is displayed when
the temperature around the centre
display is high. Lowering the
temperature in the cabin or the
temperature around the centre display
by avoiding direct sunlight is
recommended.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
contact an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING SOUND IS
ACTIVATED
A warning sound is activated in
following cases:
Lights-on reminder;
Air Bag/seat belt pretensioner
system;
Active bonnet (where provided);
Ignition not switched off (STOP);
Key removed from vehicle;
"Door locking" switch inoperable
(versions with advanced keyless
function);
Key left-in-boot compartment
(versions with advanced keyless
function);
Key left-in-vehicle (versions with
advanced keyless function);
Vehicle speed alarm (where
provided);
Tire inflation pressure warning beep
(where provided);
Outside temperature (where
provided);
Electronic steering lock;
Speed limiter (where provided);
120 km/h warning (where provided).
WARNING
61)Never tamper with the air
bag/pretensioner systems and always
contact an Abarth Dealership perform all
servicing and repairs. Self-servicing or
tampering with the systems is dangerous.
An air bag/pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled causing
serious injury or death.62)Do not drive the vehicle with the active
bonnet warning light turned on or flashing.
Driving the vehicle with the active hood
warning light turned on or flashing is
dangerous as the active hood mechanism
may not activate normally and function as
intended in the event the vehicle were to
contact a pedestrian.
63)If the TPMS warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, decrease vehicle speed
immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. If the warning
light illuminates or flashes, or the tire
pressure warning beep sound is heard, it is
dangerous to drive the vehicle at high
speeds, or perform sudden maneuvering
or braking. Vehicle drivability could worsen
andresultinanaccident.Todetermineif
you have a slow leak or a flat, pull over to a
safe position where you can check the
visual condition of the tire and determine if
you have enough air to proceed to a place
where air may be added and the system
monitored again by Abarth Dealership or a
tire repair station.
64)Do not ignore the TPMS warning light.
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken care of
as soon as possible before it develops into
a more serious situation that could lead to
tire failure and a dangerous accident.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

110)Make sure the child restraint system
is properly secured. A child restraint
system that is not secured is dangerous. In
a sudden stop or collision, it can become a
projectile and hit someone, causing serious
injury. When not in use, remove it from the
vehicle, put it in the trunk or at least make
sure it is securely fastened to the ISOFIX
anchors.
111)Make sure there are no seat belts or
foreign objects near or around the ISOFIX
anchor secured child restraint system. Not
following the child restraint system
manufacturer's instructions when installing
the child restraint system is dangerous. If
seat belts or a foreign object prevent the
child restraint system from being securely
attached to the ISOFIX anchors and the
child-restraint system is installed
improperly, the child restraint system could
move in a sudden stop or collision causing
serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants. When installing the child
restraint system, make sure there are no
seat belts or foreign objects near or around
the ISOFIX anchors. Always follow the child
restraint system manufacturer's
instructions.SUPPLEMENTARY
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
SRS - AIR BAG
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) PRECAUTIONS
112) 113) 114)
The front and side supplementary
restraint systems (SRS) include different
types of air bags.
IMPORTANT Please verify which kinds
of air bags are equipped on your
vehicle by locating the “SRS AIR BAG”
location indicators.
These indicators are visible in the area
where the air bags are installed.
The air bags are installed in the
following locations:
the steering wheel hub (driver air
bag);
the passenger dashboard (passenger
air bag);
the outer sides of the seat backs
(side air bags).
The air bag supplementary restraint
systems are designed to provide
supplementary protection in certain
situations so seat belts are always
important in the following ways.
Without seat belt usage, the air bagscannot provide adequate protection
during an accident. Seat belt usage is
necessary to:
keep the occupant from being
thrown into an inflating air bag;
reduce the possibility of injuries
during an accident that is not designed
for air bag inflation, such as roll-over or
rear impact;
reduce the possibility of injuries in
frontal, near frontal or side collisions
that are not severe enough to activate
the air bags;
reduce the possibility of being thrown
from your vehicle;
reduce the possibility of injuries to
lower body and legs during an accident
because the air bags provide no
protection to these parts of the body;
hold the driver in a position which
allows better control of the vehicle.
Achildwhoistoosmalltouseaseat
belt must be properly secured using a
child restraint system.
Carefully consider which child restraint
system is necessary for your child and
follow the installation directions in this
Owner Handbook as well as the child
restraint system manufacturer's
instructions.
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SAFETY

HOW THE SRS AIR BAGS
WORK
115) 116) 117) 118) 119) 120) 121) 122) 123) 124) 125) 127)
Your vehicle is equipped with the
following types of SRS air bags. SRS air
bags are designed to work together
with the seat belts to help to reduce
injuries during an accident. The SRS air
bags are designed to provide further
protection for passengers in addition to
the seat belt functions. Be sure to wear
seat belts properly.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belt pretensioners are
designed to deploy in moderate or
severe frontal, near frontal collisions. In
addition, during a side collision, the
pretensioner operates on the side in
which the collision occurs. The
pretensioners operate differently
depending on what types of air bags
are equipped. For details on the seat
belt pretensioner operation, refer to the
“SRS Air Bag deployment criteria”
paragraph.
Driver Air Bag
The driver's air bag is mounted in the
steering wheel fig. 74.When air bag crash sensors detect a
frontal impact of greater than moderate
force, the driver's air bag inflates quickly
helping to reduce injury mainly to the
driver's head or chest caused by
directly hitting the steering wheel. For
more details about air bag deployment,
refer to "SRS Air Bag deployment
criteria" in this chapter.
Passenger Air Bag
(Single stage)
The passenger air bag is mounted in
the passenger dashboard fig. 75.The inflation mechanism for the
passenger air bag is the same as the
driver's air bag, as mentioned above.
For more details about air bag
deployment, refer to "SRS Air Bag
deployment criteria" in this chapter.
In addition, the passenger air bag is
designed to only deploy when the
passenger occupant classification
sensor detects a passenger sitting on
the passenger's seat. For more details
about air bag deployment, refer to
"SRS Air Bag deployment criteria" in
this chapter.
Side Air Bags
The side air bags are mounted in the
outer sides of the seat backs fig. 76.
When the air bag crash sensors detect
a side impact of greater than moderate
force, the system inflates the side air
7406010203-126-123AB7506010204-126-123AB
96
SAFETY
bag only on the side in which the
vehicle was hit.

WARNING
112)Seat belts must be worn in air bag
equipped vehicles. Depending only on the
air bags for protection during an accident
is dangerous. Alone, air bags may not
prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air
bags can be expected to inflate only in the
first accident, such as frontal, near frontal
or side collisions that are at least
moderate. Vehicle occupants should
always wear seat belts.
113)Always make sure the passenger air
bag deactivation OFF indicator light is
illuminated when using a child restraint
system. Seating a child in a child-restraint
system that is installed on the passenger
seat with the passenger air bag
deactivation OFF indicator light not
illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an
accident, an air bag could inflate and
cause serious injuries or even death to the
child seated in the child restraint system.
Always make sure the passenger air bag
deactivation OFF indicator light is
illuminated.114)EXTREME HAZARD! Never use a
rear-facing child-restraint system on the
passenger seat with an air bag that could
deploy. NEVER use a rearward facing child
restraint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE
AIR BAG in front of it, DEATH or SERIOUS
INJURY to the CHILD can occur. Even in a
moderate collision, the child-restraint
system can be hit by a deploying air bag
and moved violently backward resulting in
serious injury or death to the child. If your
vehicle is equipped with on passenger
occupant classification system, always
make sure the passenger air bag
deactivation OFF indicator light is
illuminated.
115)Do not sit too close to the driver and
passenger air bags. Sitting too close to the
driver and passenger air bag modules or
placing hands or feet on them is extremely
dangerous. The driver and passenger air
bags inflate with great force and speed.
Serious injuries could occur if someone is
too close. The driver should always hold
onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The
passenger should keep both feet on the
floor. Seat occupants should adjust their
seats as far back as possible and always
sit upright against the seat backs with seat
belts worn properly.116)Do not sit too close to a door or lean
against doors in vehicles with side air bags.
Sitting too close to the side air bag
modules or placing hands on them is
extremely dangerous. A side air bag
inflates with great force and speed directly
out of the outer shoulder of the seat and
expands along the door on the side the car
is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone
is sitting too close to the door or leaning
against a window in the seats.
Furthermore, sleeping up against the door
or hanging out the driver-side window while
driving could block the side air bag and
eliminate the advantages of supplementary
protection. Give the side air bags room to
work by sitting in the center of the seat
while the vehicle is moving with seat belts
worn properly.
117)Sit in the center of the seat and wear
seat belts properly. Sitting too close to the
side air bag modules or placing hands on
them, or sleeping up against the door or
hanging out the windows is extremely
dangerous. The side air bags inflate with
great force and speed directly expanding
along the door on the side the car is hit.
Serious injury could occur if someone is
sitting too close to the door. Give the side
air bags room to work by sitting in the
center of the seat while the vehicle is
moving with seat belts worn properly.
118)Do not attach objects on or around
the area where driver and passenger air
bags deploy. Attaching an object to the
driver and passenger air bag modules or
placing something in front of them is
dangerous. In an accident, an object could
interfere with air bag inflation and injure the
occupants.
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SAFETY

126)Do not operate a vehicle with
damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner
system components. Expended or
damaged air bag/seat belt pretensioner
system components must be replaced
after any collision which caused them to
deploy or damage them. Only a trained
expert repairer, we recommend an Abarth
Dealership that can fully evaluate these
systems to see that they will work in any
subsequent accident. Driving with an
expended or damaged air bag or
pretensioner unit will not afford you the
necessary protection in the event of any
subsequent accident which could result in
serious injury or death.
127)Do not remove interior air bag parts.
Removing any components such as the
seats, front instrument panel, the steering
wheel, containing air bag parts or sensors
is dangerous. These parts contain essential
air bag components. The air bag could
accidentally activate and cause serious
injuries. Always have an Abarth Dealership
remove these parts.128)Do not allow an occupant in the
passenger's seat to sit with a posture
which makes it difficult for the passenger
occupant classification sensor to detect
the occupant correctly. Sitting in the
passenger's seat with a posture which
makes it difficult for the passenger
occupant classification sensor to detect
the occupant correctly is dangerous. If the
passenger occupant classification sensor
cannot detect the occupant sitting on the
passenger's seat correctly, the passenger
front and side air bags and pretensioner
system may not operate (deploy) or they
may operate (deploy) accidentally. The
passenger will not have the supplementary
protection of the air bags or the accidental
operation (deployment) of the air bags
could result in serious injury or death.129)Under the following conditions, the
passenger occupant classification sensor
cannot detect a passenger sitting on the
passenger's seat correctly and the
deployment/non-deployment of the air
bags cannot be controlled as indicated in
the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light on/off condition chart. For
example: luggage or other items placed
under the passenger seat or between the
passenger seat and driver seat that push
up the passenger seat bottom / An object,
such as a seat cushion, is put on the
passenger's seat or between the
passenger's back and the seat back / A
seat cover is put on the passenger's seat /
Luggage or other items are placed on the
seat with the child in the child restraint
system / The seat is washed / Liquids are
spilled on the seat / The passenger seat is
moved backward, pushing into luggage or
other items placed behind it / Luggage or
other items are placed between the
passenger seat and driver seat / An electric
device is put on the passenger's seat. The
passenger front and side air bags and seat
belt pretensioner systems will deactivate if
the passenger air bag deactivation OFF
indicator light turns on.
IMPORTANT
22)To assure proper deployment of the
front air bag and to prevent damage to the
sensor in the seat cushion: do not place
sharp objects on the seat cushion or leave
heavy luggage on them. Do not spill any
liquids on the seats or under the seats.
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SAFETY

accelerator pedal when driving in D
range, 5th gear/6th gear, the gear may
shift to M4/M5.
Manually shifting up / down
Using selector lever
To shift upto a higher gear, tap the
selector lever back+once.To shift
downto a lower gear, tap the selector
lever forward–once.
Using steering shift switch
142)
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP
switch+/OFFfig. 89 toward you once
with your fingers. To shift down to a
lower gear with the steering shift
switches, pull the DOWN switch–
toward you once with your fingers.Second gear fixed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 2 km/h
or less, the gearbox is set in the second
gear. The gear is set in second while in
this mode for easier acceleration from a
stop and driving on slippery roads such
as snow-covered roads.
SHIFT GEAR (SHIFTING)
SPEED LIMIT
Shift up
The gear does not shift up while the
vehicle speed is lower than the speed
limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while the
vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is
depressed fully while driving, the gear
shifts down.
Auto-shift down
The gear shifts down automatically
depending on the vehicle speed during
deceleration.
DIRECT MODE(where provided)
Direct mode can be used for
temporarily switching gears by
operating the steering shift switch whilethe vehicle is being driven with the
selector lever in the D range.
Direct mode is cancelled (released)
when the vehicle is stopped.
IMPORTANT Shifting up and down
while in direct mode may not be
possible depending on the vehicle
speed.
DRIVING TIPS
143) 144)
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades,
depress the accelerator fully. The
transmission will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position depress the brake pedal, shift
to D or M1, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness, release
the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to lower gears, depending on load
weight and grade steepness.
Descend slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from
overheating.
8907040110-124-007AB
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