2017 FIAT 124 SPIDER ABARTH tow

STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTINGTHEENGINE .......148
BRAKE SYSTEM............149
MANUAL TRANSMISSION ......151
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED ..............152
ELECTRONIC SPEED
CONTROL ................157
RADAR SENSORS —
IF EQUIPPED ..............160
REAR PARK ASSIST —
IF EQUIPPED ..............161
PARKVIEW REAR BACKUP
CAMERA — IF EQUIPPED ......166
REFUELING THE VEHICLE ......171
VEHICLELOADING ..........175
TOWING TRAILERS ..........176
DRIVING TIPS ..............177
147

You can start out, from a stop, in
first or second gear. Tapping the gear
selector rearward (+) (at a stop) will
allow starting in second gear. Starting
out in second gear can be helpful in
snowy or icy conditions.
Paddle Mode — If
Equipped
Tapping one of the steering
wheel-mounted shift paddles (+/-), if
equipped, while the gear selector is in
DRIVE (D), will activate Paddle Mode (a
temporary manual mode). The current
gear will be displayed in the instrument
cluster, with the "M" also illuminated.
The transmission will revert back to
normal operation (if the gear selector
remains in DRIVE) after a period of time,
depending on accelerator pedal activity.
Note: Because Paddle mode is only
temporary, use of the MANUAL (M)
position is recommended if you need to
drive the vehicle in a particular gear for
long periods.
Driving Tips
Overtaking
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, press
the accelerator fully. The transmission
will shift to a lower gear, depending on
vehicle speed. Note:
The accelerator pedal may initially
feel heavy as it is being pressed, then
feel lighter as it is pressed further. This
change in pedal force controls whether
or not kickdown should be performed.
While the gear selector is in the
MANUAL (M) position and the Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
pressed. Tap the gear selector forward
or rearward to select the appropriate
gear.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to DRIVE (D) or M1, depending
on the load weight and grade
steepness.
3. 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.
ELECTRONIC SPEED
CONTROL
Electronic Speed
Control
This is an electronically controlled
driving assistance feature that allows
the desired vehicle speed to be
maintained, without having to press the
accelerator pedal.
This feature can be used at a speed
above 25 mph (40 km/h) on long
stretches of dry, straight roads with few
variations (e.g. motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this feature on city roads with traffic. Do
not use it in town.
Warning!
Do not use the cruise control under the
following conditions:
hilly terrain
steep inclines
heavy or unsteady traffic
slippery or winding roads
similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Using the cruise control under the following
conditions is dangerous and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
157

The system is equipped with an assist
device to notify the driver of the
approximate distance from the vehicle
to the surrounding obstruction using a
audible alert.
Note:
Do not install any accessories within
the detection ranges of the sensors. It
may affect the system operation.
Depending on the type of obstruction
and the surrounding conditions, the
detection range of a sensor may narrow,
or the sensors may not be able to
detect obstructions.
The system may not operate
normally under the following
conditions:
Mud, ice, or snow is adhering to the
sensor area (returns to normal
operation when removed).
The sensor area is frozen (returns to
normal operation when the ice is
thawed).
The sensor is covered by a hand or
excessively shocked.
The vehicle is excessively tilted.
Under extremely hot or cold
weather conditions.
The vehicle is driven on bumps,
inclines, gravel, or grass covered
roads.
Anything which generates
ultrasound is near the vehicle, such as
another vehicle's horn, the engine
sound of a motorcycle, the air brakes
of a large-sized vehicle, or another
vehicle's sensors.
The vehicle is driven in heavy rain or
in road conditions causing
water-splash.
A antenna for a radio transmitter is
installed to the vehicle.
The vehicle is moving towards a tall
or square curbstone.
An obstruction is too close to the
sensor.
The following types of obstructions
may not be detected:
Thin objects such as wire or rope.
Things which absorb sonic waves
easily such as rain or snow.
Angular shaped objects.
Very tall objects, and those which
are wide at the top.
Small, short objects.
Obstructions under the bumper
may not be detected. Obstructions
that are lower than the bumper or thin
which may have been initially detected
but are no longer detected as the
vehicle approaches more closely.
Always have the system inspected
by an authorized dealer if any shock is
applied to the bumpers, even in a
minor accident. If the sensors are
deviated, they cannot detect
obstructions.
The system may have a malfunction
if the audible signal does not operate.
Contact an authorized dealer.
The beeper which indicates a
system malfunction may not be heard
if the ambient temperature is extremely
cold, or mud, ice, or snow adheres to
the sensor area. Remove any foreign
material from the sensor area.
When installing a trailer hitch,
contact an authorized dealer.
05200100-121-001Parking Sensor Locations
162
STARTING AND OPERATING

Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined
as the total weight of the vehicle with all
fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no
occupants or cargo loaded into the
vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your
vehicle on a commercial scale before
any occupants or cargo are added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight
of the front and rear of your vehicle at
the ground can best be determined by
weighing it when it is loaded and ready
for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be
weighed on a commercial scale to
insure that the GVWR has not been
exceeded. The weight on the front and
rear of the vehicle should then be
determined separately to be sure that
the load is properly distributed over the
front and rear axle. Weighing the vehicle
may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded
but the total load is within the specified
GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as
appropriate until the specified weight
limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the
weight is distributed equally. Stow all
loose items securely before driving.Improper weight distributions can have
an adverse effect on the way your
vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
Caution!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
TOWING TRAILERS
Trailer Towing
Your car is not designed for towing.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all four wheels.
Caution!
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to
the drivetrain will result. If this vehicle
requires towing, make sure the drive
wheels are OFF the ground.
Ensure that the Parking Brake is
released, and remains released, while
being towed.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
176
STARTING AND OPERATING

Warning!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded,
or stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat
fasteners may cause your floor mat to
interfere with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle
control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:
ALWAYS securely attachyour floor
mat using the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT
install your floor mat upside down or turn
your floor mat over. Lightly pull to confirm
mat is secured using the floor mat
fasteners on a regular basis.
ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING
FLOOR MAT FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any other floor mat.
NEVER install or stack an additional floor
mat on top of an existing floor mat.
ONLY install floor mats designed to fit
your vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that
cannot be properly attached and secured
to your vehicle. If a floor mat needs to be
replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year
of your vehicle.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on
the driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly parked
with the engine off, fully depress the
accelerator, the brake, and the clutch pedal
(if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of any
pedal, or is not secure to the floor, remove
the floor mat from the vehicle and place the
floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor
mat on the passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall
or slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals and could cause a loss of
vehicle control.
NEVER place any objects under the
floor mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These
objects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference with
the accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for
interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild
soap and water to clean your floor mats.
After cleaning, always check your floor mat
has been properly installed and is secured
to your vehicle using the floor mat
fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
Rocking The Vehicle
Note: Too much rocking may cause
engine overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
gear selector from 1 (D) to R.
Warning!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin
your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you
are stuck and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
Caution!
When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by
shifting between DRIVE and REVERSE, do
not spin the wheels faster than 15 mph
(24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may result.
Revving the engine or spinning the
wheels too fast may lead to transmission
overheating and failure. It can also damage
the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
Winter Driving
Carry emergency gear, including tire
chains, window scraper, flares, a small
shovel, jumper leads, and a small bag
of sand or salt.
178
STARTING AND OPERATING

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS . . . .183
REPLACING A BULB..........183
REPLACING FUSES ..........194
CHANGINGAWHEEL ........202
TIRE SERVICE KIT ...........207
JUMPSTARTING............217
OVERHEATING .............219
TOWINGTHEVEHICLE........220
182
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
Control
The hazard warning lights should
alwaysbeusedwhenyoustoponor
near a roadway in an emergency.
Push the hazard button to switch the
hazard warning lights on/off.
Note:
The hazard warning lights warn other
drivers that your vehicle is a traffic
hazard and that they must take extreme
caution when near it.When the switch is pushed, the hazard
warning lights are active and all
directional turn signals will flash on and
off to warn oncoming traffic of an
emergency. Push the switch a second
time to turn off the hazard warning
lights. The hazard warning indicator
lights in the instrument cluster will flash
simultaneously.
Note:
The turn signals do not work when
the hazard warning lights are on.
Check local regulations about the
use of hazard warning lights while the
vehicle is being towed to verify that it is
not in violation of the law.
If the brake pedal is depressed
while driving on slippery roads, the
emergency stop signal system could
operate causing all the turn and lane
change signals to flash.
While the emergency stop signal
system is operating, all the direction
indicators automatically flash rapidly to
caution the driver of a vehicle following
behind your vehicle of a sudden
braking situation.
REPLACING A BULB
General Instructions
Warning!
Before proceeding with the replacement
of the lamp wait for the exhaust pipes are
cool: DANGER OF BURNS!
Modifications or repair of the electrical
system performed incorrectly and without
taking into account the technical
characteristics can cause malfunctions
with the risk of fire.
Halogen lamps contain gas under
pressure, in the event of breakage be
careful of the projection of fragments of
glass.
Halogen lamps must be handled by
touching only the metallic part. If the
transparent bulb is in contact with the
fingers, reduces the intensity of the
emitted light and you can also affect the
life of the lamp. In case of accidental
contact, rub the bulb with a cloth
dampened with alcohol and allow to dry.
05031100-L12AHazard Warning Light Switch
183

Before replacing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation.
Replace blown bulbs with others of
the same type and power.
After replacing a headlight bulb,
always check its alignment.
To replace the bulb, contact your
Authorized Dealer.
When a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before replacing the bulb. For the
location of fuses, refer to the section on
“Replacing Fuses” in this chapter.
Caution!
Use the protective cover and carton for the
replacement bulb to dispose of the old bulb
promptly and out of the reach of children.
Note:
When removing the lens or light unit
using a flathead screwdriver, make
sure that the flathead screwdriver does
not contact the interior terminal. If the
flathead screwdriver contacts the
terminal, a short circuit may occur.
When the weather is cold or damp
or after heavy rain or washing, the
surface of headlights or rear lights may
steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is a
natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside of
the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from the
center of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges.
184
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY