2017 FIAT SPIDER ABARTH warning

Placing an object on the floor under the
front passenger seat may prevent the
occupant classification sensor from
working properly, which may result in
serious injury or death in a collision. Do not
place any objects on the floor under the
front passenger seat.
If there is a fault present in the occupant
classification sensor, both the Indicator
Light and the Air Bag Warning Light will
illuminate to show that the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated.
Should this occur, the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag will remain
deactivated until the fault is cleared. This
indicates that you should take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer for service
immediately.
Warning!Do not carry or hold any objects (e.g.,
backpacks, boxes, etc.) while seated in the
front passenger seat. Holding an object
may provide an output signal to the
occupant classification sensor that is
different than the occupant’s properly
seated weight input, which may result in
serious injury or death in a collision. Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Indicator Lights
These indicator lights turn on to remind
you that the passenger front and side
Air Bags and seat belt pretensioner will
or will not deploy during a collision.
Warning! If the Indicator Light remains illuminated
for an adult passenger, have an authorized
dealer service the air bag system
immediately. Failure to do so may cause
serious injury or death. If the Indicator Light
is illuminated with the words “PASS
AIRBAG OFF,” the Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag will not deploy in the event of
a collision.
Never place a rear-facing child restraint
in front of an air bag. A deploying
passenger front air bag can cause death or 03040702-12A-001
Passenger Not Sitting Correct 06070400567567
Passenger Air Bag Deactivated
142
SAFETY

serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing
child restraint.
Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a
vehicle with a rear seat.
Children 12 years or younger should
always ride buckled up in a vehicle with a
rear seat.
Note:
The system requires about
10 seconds to alternate between
turning the passenger front and side
Air Bags and seat belt pretensioner
system on or off.
The passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light may turn on repeatedly if
luggage or other items are put on the
passenger seat, or if the temperature
of the vehicle's interior changes
suddenly. The passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light may turn on for
10 seconds if the electrostatic capacity
on the passenger seat changes.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner
system warning light might turn on if
the passenger seat receives a severe
impact.
If the passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator light does not
turn on after installing a child restraint
system on the passenger seat, first,
reinstall your child restraint system
according to the procedure in this
Owner Handbook. Then, if the
passenger Air Bag deactivation OFF
indicator light still does not turn on,
contact an authorized dealer as soon
as possible. If the passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator light turns on
when an occupant is seated directly in
the passenger seat, have the
passenger readjust their posture by
sitting with their feet on the floor, and
then refastening the seat belt. If the
passenger Air Bag deactivation
indicator light remains turned on, slide
the passenger seat as far back as
possible. Contact an authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
143

Warning!Never place a rear-facing child restraint
in front of an air bag. A deploying
passenger front air bag can cause death or
serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing
child restraint.
Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a
vehicle with a rear seat.
Children 12 years or younger should
always ride buckled up in a vehicle with a
rear seat.
Warning!No objects should be placed over or
near the air bag on the instrument panel or
steering wheel because any such objects
could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the air
bag to inflate.
Do not put anything on or around the air
bag covers or attempt to open them
manually. You may damage the air bags
and you could be injured because the air
bags may no longer be functional. The
protective covers for the air bag cushions
are designed to open only when the air
bags are inflating.
Relying on the air bags alone could lead
to more severe injuries in a collision. The air
bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all. Always wear your seat
belts even though you have air bags.
Maintaining Your Air Bag
System
Warning!Modifications to any part of the air bag
system could cause it to fail when you
need it. You could be injured if the air bag
system is not there to protect you. Do not
modify the components or wiring, including
adding any kind of badges or stickers to
the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body
structure, or add aftermarket side steps or
running boards.
It is dangerous to try to repair any part
of the air bag system yourself. Be sure to
tell anyone who works on your vehicle that
it has an air bag system.
Do not attempt to modify any part of your
air bag system. The air bag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to
an authorized dealer for any air bag system
service. If your seat, including your trim cover
and cushion, needs to be serviced in any way
(including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to
your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer
approved seat accessories may be used. If it
is necessary to modify the air bag system for
persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer. EVENT DATA
RECORDER (EDR) This vehicle is equipped with an event
data recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle,
data that will assist in understanding
how a vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety
systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:
How various systems in your vehicle
were operating.
Whether or not the driver and
passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened.
How far (if at all) the driver was
pushing the accelerator and/or brake
pedal.
How fast the vehicle was traveling.
This data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.
145

CONSTANT
MONITORING The following components of the Air
Bag systems are monitored by a
diagnostic system:
Crash Sensors, And Diagnostic
Module (Sas Unit)
Front Air Bag Sensors
Air Bag Modules
Side Crash Sensors
Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner
System Warning Light
Seat Belt Pretensioners
Related Wiring
With Passenger Occupant
Classification System
Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Indicator Light
Passenger Occupant Classification
Sensor
Passenger Occupant Classification
Module — If Equipped
The diagnostic module continuously
monitors the system's readiness. This
begins when the ignition is switched
ON and continues while the vehicle is
being driven.
147

STARTING THE
ENGINE Starting The Engine
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, and
the door mirrors, and fasten the seat
belt correctly.
Warning!When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock your
vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of a
vehicle equipped with Advanced Keyless
Entry in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat
build-up may cause serious injury or death. Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
Models Equipped With A
Manual Transmission
Proceed as follows:
1. Engage the parking brake and place
the gear selector in NEUTRAL.
2. Place the start button in the ACC
mode.
3. Fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator.
4. Place the start button in the ON
mode, push and release it as soon as
the engine starts. If the engine does not
start within 10 seconds, push the start
button to OFF mode and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
Models Equipped With
An Automatic
Transmission
Proceed as follows:
1. Engage the parking brake and place
the gear selector to P (PARK) or N
(NEUTRAL).
2. Fully depress the brake pedal
without touching the accelerator.
3. Place the start button in the ACC
mode. 4. Place the start button in the ON
mode, push and release it as soon as
the engine starts. If the engine does not
start within 10 seconds, push the start
button to OFF mode and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
Regarding Cold Start Disable
When the ambient temperature is
extremely low, the engine may not
crank even when the engine starting
procedure is performed. At this time,
the Cold Start Disable Indicator light in
the instrument cluster flashes. However,
this does not indicate a problem.
Perform the necessary procedures (see
“Warning lights And Messages”
paragraph in “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” chapter).
Regarding Ice Breaker
When the ambient temperature is low,
the start of cranking may be delayed
after engine starting procedure is
performed. At this time, the Cold Start
Disable Indicator light in the instrument
cluster illumintes. However, this does
not indicate a problem.
Refer to your authorized dealer
regarding other related parts which are
to be input such as function name,
operating scenario (condition) of each
function, indicator operation, and user
operation/procedure information.
149

Warning!Riding the brakes can lead to brake
failure and possibly a collision. Driving with
your foot resting or riding on the brake
pedal can result in abnormally high brake
temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not
have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
Driving a vehicle with the “Brake
Warning Light” on is dangerous. A
significant decrease in braking performance
or vehicle stability during braking may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to
control. You could have a collision. Have
the vehicle checked immediately.
Caution!Wear shoes appropriate for driving in order
to avoid your shoe contacting the brake
pedal when depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Parking Brake
Note: Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
parts. Warning!Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle or in a location accessible to
children. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Be sure the park brake is fully
disengaged before driving; failure to do so
can lead to brake failure and a collision.
Always fully apply the park brake when
leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and
cause damage or injury. Also be certain to
leave a manual transmission in REVERSE
(R) or FIRST (1st) gear. Failure to do so may
allow the vehicle to roll and cause damage
or injury.
Setting the Parking Brake
Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully
upwards with sufficient force to hold the
vehicle in a stationary position. Releasing the Parking Brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then
press the release button. While holding
the button, lower the parking brake
lever all the way down to the released
position.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction. Refer to
“Warning Lights And Messages” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument
Panel” for further information. 05050102-12A-001AB
Parking Brake
1 — Parking Brake Lever
2 — Parking Brake Release Button
151

Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become
worn, the built-in wear indicators
contact the rotors. This causes a
screeching noise to warn that the pads
should be replaced. When you hear this
noise contact your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal with greater force, the
brake assist system provides braking
assistance, thus enhancing braking
performance. When the brake pedal is
depressed hard or depressed more
quickly, the brakes apply more firmly.
Note:
When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, the
pedal will feel softer but the brakes will
apply more firmly. This is a normal
effect of the brake assist operation and
does not indicate a malfunction.
When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, a
motor/pump operation noise may be
heard. This is a normal effect of the
brake assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
The brake assist equipment does
not supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system. MANUAL
TRANSMISSION Manual Transmission
Warning!You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended without having the
park brake fully applied. The park brake
should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle, especially on an
incline.
Caution!Never drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle
on a hill with the clutch pedal partially
engaged, as this will cause abnormal wear
on the clutch.
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear selector
into the required position. The diagram
for gear engagement is shown on the
knob. Depress the clutch pedal all the way
down while shifting, then release it
slowly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a device
to prevent shifting to REVERSE (R) by
mistake. Push the gear selector
downward and shift to REVERSE (R).
A natural driving posture can be
achieved by lightly gripping the gear
selector from the side without having to
rest your elbow on the center console.
If shifting to REVERSE (R) is difficult,
shift back into neutral, release the
clutch pedal, and try again. 05987654-12A-001AB
Gear Selector
152
STARTING AND OPERATING

With Parking Sensor System
When the gear selector is shifted to the
REVERSE (R) position with the ignition
placed in the ON mode, the parking
sensor system is activated an audible
sound is heard.
Caution!Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also, do not
use the clutch to hold the vehicle on an hill
or grade. Riding the clutch will cause
needless clutch wear and damage.
Do not apply any excessive lateral force
to the gear selector when changing from
fifth to fourth gear. This could lead to the
accidental selection of second gear, which
could result in damage to the transmission.
Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to REVERSE
(R). Shifting to REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is still moving may damage the
transmission.
Reverse can only be engaged when the
vehicle is completely stationary. With the
engine running, wait at least two seconds
with the clutch pedal fully pressed before
engaging reverse to prevent damage to the
gears. AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED Shift Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with an
interlock system that holds the
transmission gear selector in PARK (P)
unless the brakes are applied. To shift
the transmission out of PARK (P), the
ignition must be placed in the ON/RUN
mode (engine running or not) and the
brake pedal must be pressed.
Warning!It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle
could injure those in or near the vehicle. As
with all vehicles, you should never exit a
vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the park
brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
and turn the ignition OFF. When the ignition
is in the OFF mode, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement. When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition in
the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Caution!Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not observed:
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
153