ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking.
IMPORTANT To obtain the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, a
bedding-in period of about 500 km is
needed: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
braking.
The ABS also integrates the following
systems: EBD (Electronic Braking Force
Distribution), MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment Regelung) and MBA
(Mechanical Brake Assist) (for
versions/markets, where provided).System intervention
The driver can feel that the ABS system
has come into action because the
brake pedal pulsates slightly and the
system gets noisier: this is entirely
normal with the system operating.
44) 45) 46) 47) 48) 49) 50) 51) 52)
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This is an electronic system that
controls car stability in the event of loss
of tyre grip, helping maintain directional
control. The system is capable of
recognising potentially dangerous
situations in terms of the stability and
intervenes automatically on the brakes
in a differentiated manner for the four
wheels in order to provide a stabilising
torque.
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
System intervention
The intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of theESC
warning light on the instrument panel,
to inform the driver that the vehicle is in
critical stability and grip conditions.
53) 54) 55) 56) 57) 58)
HH (Hill Holder) SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the
ESC system and facilitates starting on
slopes.
It is automatically activated in the
following conditions:
uphill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and
transmission in neutral or gear other
than reverse engaged;
downhill: car stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESC system
control unit maintains the braking
pressure on the wheels until the torque
necessary for starting is reached, or
in any case for a maximum of 2
seconds, allowing your right foot to be
moved easily from the brake pedal to
the accelerator.
When the 2 seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During
this release stage, the typical
mechanical brake release noise can be
heard, indicating that the car is about
to move.
NOTE: The Hill Holder system is not
active with the handbrake engaged.
60
SAFETY
ELD (Electronic Locking
Differential) SYSTEM
(Panda Cross 4x4 and Panda 4x4
versions)
The ELD system allows the drive force
to be evenly distributed over the same
axle when one or both wheels are
slipping. The ELD acts by braking the
wheels with poor grip (or those slipping
more than the others), thereby
transferring the drive force to those
which have greater grip on the ground.
The system operates at speeds below
50 km/h. Above this speed, it is
automatically deactivated and it is
reactivated when the speed falls below
50 km/h.
The activation of the ELD system
involves the following functions being
switched on:
inhibition of the ASR function, in
order to fully exploit the engine torque;
differential lock effect on the front
and rear axles, via the braking system,
to improve drive on uneven surfaces.
Enabling the system
To arrange operation of the ELD system
press button A fig. 49 (Panda 4x4
versions) or turn the ring fig. 50 to the
right (Panda Cross 4x4 versions) and
keep it in this position until LED 2
on the selector lights up.System intervention
Thewarning light on the instrument
panel flashes to signal that the system
has intervened.If the space-saver wheel is used
If the space-saver wheel is used, the
control unit for 4x4 drive detects its
presence (via the wheel speed signals)
and reduces the intervention of the
four-wheel drive mode to a minimum,
while guaranteeing the agility of the
vehicle. No fault/alarm signal is
displayed on the instrument panel or on
the display.
Disabling the system
To disable the system, press button A
fig. 49 (Panda 4x4 versions) or turn
the ring to the left fig. 50 (Panda Cross
4x4 versions) and keep it in this position
until LED 1 on the selector lights up.
GRAVITY CONTROL
SYSTEM
(Panda Cross 4x4 versions)
IMPORTANT This function can be
activated only with "Off Road" mode
activated.
It is an integral part of the ESC system
and is aimed at keeping the vehicle at a
constant speed during a descent,
operating autonomously on the brakes
in various ways at the same time. In this
way, the Gravity Control function
assists the driver on steep gradients in
low-grip conditions and/or on rough
terrain.
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62
SAFETY
Noise and vibrations coming from the
wheel sides (brakes) when the Gravity
Control system is activated are normal.
IMPORTANT The system does not
relieve the driver of the responsibility of
controlling the vehicle and does not
replace attention while driving. The
driver of the vehicle takes the complete
responsibility for the consequences of
their actions and of an incorrect and not
responsible use of the vehicle.
Enabling the system
To arrange operation of the Gravity
Control system, turn ring fig. 51, with
LED 2 on, to the right, and keep it
in this position until LED 3 on the
selector lights up. The
warning light
comes on in the instrument panel and
the dedicated message is displayed.
IMPORTANT System intervention
set-up can be engaged only with "Off
Road" mode activated.System intervention
You must travel at a speed slower than
25 km/h for the system to activate.
After reaching the desired speed,
release the accelerator and brake
pedals completely. If you want to
increase/decrease the speed, press the
accelerator/brake pedals again.
IMPORTANT The system is also
available for very low speeds between 5
km/h and 9 km/h, but in this interval
the gearbox must be set to neutral to
prevent engine stalling.
IMPORTANT For speeds above 9 km/h,
the Gravity Control system must be
used with a gear that is suitable for the
set speed, in order to prevent possible
engine stalling. While the Gravity
Control system is operating it is also
possible to take control of the vehicle
again by pressing the brake and
accelerator pedals. If the Gravity
Control is not available when system
intervention set-up is engaged, this
could be due to brake overheating. In
this case, wait for a few minutes.
IMPORTANT The Gravity Control
system is available for speeds between
5 km/h and 25 km/h. It is advisable to
use the system in low gears (first,
second and third).IMPORTANT On level ground in urban
areas it is advisable to deactivate the
Gravity Control system intervention
set-up, since for speeds below 25 km/h
in some usage conditions, such as
when setting off, shifting gear and
driving over road humps without using
the accelerator pedal, the system might
activate.
Disabling the system
To deactivate the system, turn the ring
fig. 51 to the left, keeping it in this
position until LED 3 on the selector
switches off.
IMPORTANT If the braking system
overheats the system will deactivate
through a gradual release of the braking
pressure, leaving vehicle control to the
driver. Deactivation of the Gravity
Control system is accompanied by
flashing of the
warning light, by a
dedicated message on the display and
an acoustic warning. To reactivate
the system intervention set-up wait for
the system to cool down and turn
the ring nut again.
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63
IMPORTANT The Gravity Control
system is deactivated when exceeding
25 km/h and at speeds lower than
50 km/h it remains enabled to be
reactivated when the speed returns
under 25 km/h. In this case, the
indication on the instrument panel is
switched off and the LED on the ring
stays on. If car speed exceeds 50
km/h, the Gravity Control system
completely deactivates and each
individual action made by the system
on the brakes is blocked. To reactivate
it, turn the ring nut again when the
speed is again below 25 km/h.
T+ (Traction Plus)
SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Traction Plus is a driving aid, useful
for setting off in poor grip conditions
(snow, ice, mud, etc.) which allows the
drive force to be distributed in the
best way over the front axle when one
wheel is slipping.
Traction Plus acts by braking the
wheels with poor grip (or those slipping
more than the others), thereby
transferring the drive force to those
which have greater grip on the ground.Engagement/disengagement
The system is deactivated when
starting. To activate the Traction Plus
system, press the T+ button fig. 52: the
LED on the button switches on; the
display shows a dedicated message. To
disengage the system press the T+
button again.
Operation
This function operates under a
threshold of 30 km/h. Over this speed,
it is automatically deactivated (the
LED on the button is still on) and it is
reactivated again when the speed
is below 30 km/h.
The activation of the Traction Plus
system causes the differential locking
effect on the front axle, through the
braking system, to improve traction on
irregular grounds.If the Traction Plus system is faulty, the
ESCwarning light on the instrument
panel switches on constantly.
WARNING
44)The ABS gets the most from the
available grip, but it cannot improve it; you
should therefore take every care when
driving on slippery surfaces and not take
unnecessary risks.
45)When the ABS cuts in and you feel the
brake pedal pulsating, do not remove
your foot, but keep the pedal pushed
down; in doing so you, will stop in the
shortest distance possible under the road
conditions at the time.
46)If the ABS system intervenes, this
indicates that the traction of the tyres on
the road is nearing its limit. You must slow
down to a speed compatible with the
available traction.
47)To obtain the maximum efficiency of
the braking system, a bedding-in period of
about 500 km is needed: during this period
it is better to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.
48)The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
49)The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
52F1D0039
64
SAFETY
Driving in special conditions
In certain driving conditions, such as,
for example:
driving close to a bend (see fig. 54);
vehicles with small dimensions
and/or not aligned in the driving lane
(see fig. 55);
lane change by other vehicles (see
fig. 56);
system intervention can be unexpected
or delayed. The driver must therefore
be very careful, keeping control of
the vehicle to drive in complete safety.
IMPORTANT If you are driving on roads
close to trees with protruding branches
it is advisable to deactivate the system
to prevent the branches at the height
of the bonnet or the windscreen from
interfering with the system.iTPMS System (indirect
Tyre Pressure
Monitoring System)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
72) 73) 74) 75) 76) 77)
The car can be equipped with the
iTPMS (indirect Tire Pressure
Monitoring System) which monitors the
tyre inflation status thanks to wheel
speed sensors.The system warns the driver if one or
more tyres are flat by the
warning
light continuously lit on the instrument
panel and a dedicated warning
message on the display.
If one tyre only is flat, the system can
indicate its position: it is in any case
recommended to check the pressure
on all four tyres.
This indication is displayed also when
turning the engine off and on again until
the RESET procedure is carried out.
Reset procedure
The iTPMS needs an initial "self-
learning" phase (with length depending
on the driving style and road conditions:
optimal conditions being driving on a
straight road at 80 km/h for at least 20
minutes) which starts when the Reset
procedure is carried out.
The Reset procedure must be carried
out:
each time tyre pressure is modified;
when even only one tyre is changed;
when tyres are rotated/inverted;
when the space-saver wheel is
fitted.
54F1D0042
55F1D0043
56F1D0044
67
SBR (Seat Belt
Reminder) SYSTEM
The SBR system warns the passengers
of the front and rear (for versions/
markets, where provided) seats if their
seat belt is not fastened.
The system signals unfastened seat
belts with visual warnings (warning
lights on in the instrument panel and
icons on the display) and an acoustic
signal (see the following paragraphs).
Contact a Fiat Dealership to deactivate
this acoustic warning permanently.
The acoustic warning can be
reactivated at any time through the
display Setup Menu.
Seat belts warning light operation
The icons shown on the display fig.
62 indicate:
1: front left seat belt;
2: rear left seat belt;
3: rear central seat belt;
4: rear right seat belt;
5: front right seat belt;
A: seat belt not fastened;
B: seat belt fastened;With driver and/or passenger side (with
passenger present) seat belts
unfastened, when 20 km/h are
exceeded or when travelling at a speed
between 10 and 20 km/h for longer
than 5 seconds, an acoustic signal
cycle will be started for the front seats
(continuous acoustic signal for 6
seconds followed by a 90 second
beep) and the warning light will flash.Once the cycle is complete, the
warning lights stay on with a fixed light
until the vehicle is turned off or the
seat belt fastened.
If the seat belt is unfastened again while
travelling, the acoustic warning restarts
as described previously and the
icon is displayed.
For the rear seats, the reminder cycle is
only activated when any seat belt is
unfastened together with an acoustic
warning (three beeps). If the condition
of any (front or rear) seat belt changes,
also the condition of the other
(front/rear) seat belts is reported.
The visual indication (display of the
icon) will start and stop
independently for each warning light if
several seat belts are unfastened.
The visual indication will change
condition (display of the
icon) after
the corresponding seat belt has been
fastened again.
IMPORTANT When the ignition key is
turned to MAR, if all the front and
rear belts are already fastened the
warning lights will be displayed for
30 seconds.
62F1D0054
72
SAFETY
If the car is scrapped, have the airbag
system deactivated at a Fiat Dealership.
Pretensioners and airbags are
deployed in different ways on the basis
of the type of collision. Failure to
activate one or more of the devices
does not indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
99)Do not apply stickers or other objects
on the steering wheel, on the dashboard in
the passenger side airbag area, on the
side upholstery on the roof and on the
seats. Never put objects (e.g. mobile
phones) on the passenger's side
dashboard since they could interfere with
correct inflation of the airbag and also
cause serious injury to the passengers.
100)Always drive with your hands on the
rim of the steering wheel so that the airbag
can inflate freely if required. Do not drive
bent over the steering wheel, but rather sit
upright with your back firmly resting against
the seat back.101)When there is an active passenger
airbag, DO NOT install rearward facing
child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in a crash could
cause fatal injuries to the child regardless
of the severity of the collision. Therefore,
always deactivate the passenger side
airbag when a rearward facing child
restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat. The front passenger seat
must also be positioned back as far as
possible in order to prevent the child
restraint system from coming into contact
with the dashboard. Immediately reactivate
the passenger airbag as soon as the child
restraint system has been removed.
102)To deactivate the airbags using the
instrument panel menu, see the description
in the "Knowing the instrument panel"
chapter, "Setup Menu" paragraph.
103)Do not affix rigid objects to the
garment hooks or support handles.
104)Do not rest your head, arms or
elbows on the door, windows or the area in
which the window bag is located to avoid
possible injury during airbag inflation.
105)Never lean your head, arms or
elbows out of the window.
106)If, when the ignition device is turned
to MAR, the
warning light does not
switch on or stays on whilst driving, a fault
may have occurred in the restraint
systems. In this case the airbags or
pretensioners may not be deployed in an
impact or, in a lower number of cases, they
may be deployed accidentally. Contact a
Fiat Dealership immediately to have the
system checked.107)In the event of “yellow”
warning
light failure, the “red”warning light
switches on and, for versions/markets
where provided, the explosive charges of
the passenger airbag and the side bags
are deactivated. When the "red" warning
light is on, before proceeding contact a Fiat
Dealership to have the system immediately
checked (see previous warning).
108)On vehicles with side bags, do not
cover the front seat backrests with extra
covers.
109)Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between
your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could
cause severe injury if the airbag is
deployed.
110)If the car has been stolen or in the
case of attempt to steal it, if it has been
subjected to vandalism or floods, have the
airbag system checked by a Fiat
Dealership.
90
SAFETY
STARTING THE
ENGINE
116) 117)
38) 39) 40) 41)
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.
VERSIONS WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
Petrol versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and put the
gear lever in neutral.For 0.9 TwinAir
and 0.9 TwinAir Turbo versions
engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral or fully press the
clutch pedal if a gear other than neutral
is engaged;
for all versions (except 0.9
TwinAir and 0.9 TwinAir Turbo)fully
depress the clutch pedal without
touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.Diesel versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake, put the gear
lever into neutral and turn the ignition
key to MAR: the warning lights
and
on the instrument panel will turn
on;
wait for the warning lightsand
to turn off and then fully depress
the clutch pedal without pressing the
accelerator;
turn the ignition key to the AVV
position as soon as the warning light
turns off. Release the ignition key as
soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT If the engine does not
start at the first attempt, return the
ignition key to STOP before repeating
the procedure. If, with the ignition
key on MAR, the instrument panel
warning lights
andstay on (for
petrol versions only), it is advisable to
turn the key to STOP and then back to
MAR. If the
warning light remains
on, try with the other keys provided
with the car. Contact a Fiat Dealership if
you still cannot start the engine.VERSIONS WITH
DUALOGIC
TRANSMISSION
118)
Engine starting is allowed both with a
gear engaged and with the gearbox
in neutral (N).
However, the brake pedal must always
be pressed first if neutral is not
engaged. It is therefore advisable to
place the gear lever in neutral (N) before
starting the engine.
LPG AND NATURAL
POWER VERSIONS
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the previously
selected mode.
42)
SWITCHING OFF THE
ENGINE
43)
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive,
before turning the engine off you should
allow it to idle to allow the temperature
in the engine compartment to
decrease.
93