2018 FIAT 124 SPIDER towing

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
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 anaccident. 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 a Fiat 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.
78
SAFETY

STARTING AND OPERATING
Let’s get to the "heart" of the vehicle:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and our
wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE.......112
PARKING.................112
PARKING BRAKE............113
MANUAL TRANSMISSION......114
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. . . .115
CRUISE CONTROL...........118
SPEED LIMITER.............120
PARKING SENSOR SYSTEM.....121
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE.....123
REAR CAMERA (PARKVIEW REAR
BACKUP CAMERA)...........125
TOWING TRAILERS..........128
111

STARTING THE
ENGINE
130) 131) 132)
24)
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
For starting procedure see “Starting the
engine” in “Getting to know your
vehicle” chapter.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Proceed as follows:
park the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic; engage
a gear (versions with manual
transmission) or position the gear lever
to P (Parking) (versions with automatic
transmission);
turn the ignition device to STOP with
the engine idling.
WARNING
130)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.131)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
132)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
IMPORTANT
24)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
damaging for the engine.
PARKING
Keep away the key when leaving the
vehicle and take it with you.
When parking and leaving the vehicle,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (first gear if facing
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions equipped with automatic
transmission, before releasing the brake
pedal, wait for letter P to be displayed.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the vehicle
with the gearbox in neutral (or, on
versions equipped with automatic
transmission, before placing the gear
lever at P).
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STARTING AND OPERATING

IMPORTANT
29)It is vital, for correct operation, that the
camera is always kept clean and free from
mud, dirt, snow or ice. Be careful not to
scratch or damage the camera while
cleaning it. Avoid using dry, rough or hard
cloths. The camera must be washed using
clean water, with the addition of car
shampoo if necessary. In washing stations
which use steam or high-pressure jets,
clean the camera quickly, keeping the
nozzle more than 10 cm away from the
sensors. Do not apply stickers to the
camera.
TOWING TRAILERS
Your car is not designed for towing.
128
STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING
158)Parking and other potentially
dangerous manoeuvres are, however,
always the driver’s responsibility. While
carrying out these manoeuvres, always
make sure that no people (especially
children) or animals are in the area
concerned. The camera is an aid for the
driver, but the driver must never allow
his/her attention to lapse during potentially
dangerous manoeuvres, even those
executed at low speeds. Always keep a
slow speed, so as to promptly brake in the
case of obstacles.
159)Always adjust the picture quality of
the rear view monitor while the vehicle is
stopped: do not adjust the picture quality
of the rear view monitor while driving the
vehicle. Adjusting the picture quality of the
rear view monitor such as brightness,
contrast, color, and tint while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could distract
your attention from the vehicle operation
which could lead to an accident.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere with
our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the national or
international universal freephone
number to search for the nearest
Dealership.HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS.....130
REPLACING A BULB..........131
REPLACING FUSES..........139
TIRE SERVICE KIT...........146
JUMP STARTING............151
TOWING THE VEHICLE........153
EMERGENCY TOWING........155
129

WARNING
164)If the fuse blows again contact a Fiat
Dealership.
165)Never replace a fuse with another
with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF
FIRE.
166)Contact a Fiat Dealership if a safety
system (airbags, brakes), power unit
system (engine, gearbox) or steering
system general protection fuse blows.
167)Do not replace the main fuse and
multiplex slow blow fuse by yourself.
Contact a Fiat Dealership to perform the
replacement. Replacing these fuses by
yourself is dangerous because they are
high current fuses. Incorrect replacement
could cause an electrical shock or a short
circuit resulting in a fire.
168)Before replacing a fuse, make sure
that the ignition device is in OFF position
and that all the other services are switched
off and/or deactivated.
IMPORTANT
32)Never replace a fuse with metal wires
or anything else.
33)If it is necessary to wash the engine
compartment, take care not to directly hit
the junction unit and the window wiper
motors with the water jet.
TIRE SERVICE KIT
(where provided)
169) 170) 171) 172) 173) 174) 175)
3)
TOOL STORAGE
Your vehicle is not equipped with a
spare tire, jack and wheel brace. For
details, contact a Fiat Dealership.
Tools are stored in the locations
illustrated in fig. 127:
1: jack lever;
2: towing eyelet
Inside the boot lid is also located the
emergency flat tire repair kit.
TIRE SERVICE STORAGE
The tire service kit is located inside the
boot lid fig. 128.
IMPORTANT Your vehicle is not
equipped with a spare tire. In the event
of a flat tire, use the tire service kit to
repair the tire temporarily. When doing
the repair, refer to the instructions
included in the tire service kit. If an
emergency repair was performed on a
flat tire using the tire service kit, contact
a Fiat Dealership, repair or replace the
tire as soon as possible.
TIRE SERVICE USAGE
PRECAUTIONS
NoteThe tire sealant cannot be reused.
Purchase new tire sealant at a Fiat
Dealership.
The tire service kit cannot be used in
the following cases. Consult a Fiat
Dealership:
– the period of effective use for the
tire sealant has expired (the period12708020100-733-733
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146
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

connect the jumper leads in the
exact sequence as in “Preparations for
jump starting” paragraph:
– connect one end of a lead to the
positive terminal on the discharged
battery;
– attach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery;
– connect one end of the other lead
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery;
– connect the other end to the
ground point indicated in the
illustration away from the
discharged battery.
start the engine of the booster
vehicle and run it a few minutes. Then
start the engine of the other vehicle;
when finished, carefully disconnect
the leads in the reverse order as
previously described;
if the battery cover has been
removed, install it in the reverse order of
removal.
IMPORTANT Verify that the covers are
securely installed.
IMPORTANT Perform the phonic
wheel learning procedure described in
the “Battery maintenance” section (see
the “Maintenance and care” chapter).
WARNING
176)Before opening the bonnet, make
sure that the engine is off and that the
ignition switch is in OFF position. During
refuelling, make sure that the engine is off
(and that the ignition switch is in OFF
position).
177)Do not get too close to the radiator
cooling fan: the electric fan may start;
danger of injury. Pay attention to scarves,
ties and other loose clothing which might
be pulled by moving parts.
178)Remove any metal objects (e.g. rings,
watches, bracelets), that might cause an
accidental electrical contact and cause
serious injury.
179)Batteries contain acid which may
burn skin and eyes. Batteries produce
hydrogen, which is easily flammable and
explosive. Thus keep away flames or
devices which may cause sparks.180)Do not allow the positive (+) terminal
to contact any other metal object that
could cause sparks. Flames and sparks
near open battery cells are dangerous.
Hydrogen gas, produced during normal
battery operation, could ignite and cause
the battery to explode. An exploding
battery can cause serious burns and
injuries. When working near a battery, do
not allow metal tools to contact the positive
(+) or negative (–) terminal of the battery.
181)Keep all flames, including cigarettes,
and sparks away from open battery cells.
Flames and sparks near open battery cells
are dangerous. Hydrogen gas, produced
during normal battery operation, could
ignite and cause the battery to explode. An
exploding battery can cause serious burns
and injuries.
182)Do not jump-start a frozen battery or
one with a low fluid level. Jump-starting a
frozen battery or one with a low fluid level is
dangerous. It may rupture or explode,
causing serious injury.
183)Route the jumper leads away from
parts that will be moving. Connecting a
jumper lead near or to moving parts
(cooling fans, belts) is dangerous. The lead
could get caught when the engine starts
and cause serious injury.
184)Never tow a vehicle to start it. Towing
a vehicle to start it is dangerous. The
vehicle being towed could surge forward
when its engine starts, causing the two
vehicles to collide. The occupants could be
injured.
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152
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

185)Connect the negative lead to a good
ground point (see figure) away from the
battery. Connecting the end of the second
jumper lead to the negative (–) terminal of
the discharged battery is dangerous. A
spark could cause the gas around the
battery to explode and injure someone.
IMPORTANT
34)Do not connect the cable to the
negative terminal (–) of the flat battery. The
following spark could lead to battery
explosion and cause serious harm. Only
use the specific earth point; do not use any
other exposed metallic part.
TOWING THE
VEHICLE
ATTACHING THE TOW
HOOKS
35) 36) 37)
Proceed as follows:
remove the towing eyelet and the
wheel brace from the luggage
compartment;
wrap a flathead screwdriver or similar
tool with a soft cloth to prevent damage
to a painted bumper, and open the cap
located on the front 1 fig. 141 or rear
bumper 2 fig. 142;
IMPORTANT Do not use excessive
force as it may damage the cap or
scratch the painted bumper surface.
IMPORTANT Remove the cap
completely and store it so as not to lose
it.
securely install the towing eyelet
using the wheel brace or equivalent
front fig. 143 and rear fig. 144;
hook the towing rope to the towing
eyelet.
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