2018 FIAT PANDA Owner handbook (in English)

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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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.
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SAFETY

50)The capability of the ABS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
51)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.
52)When the Mechanical Brake Assist
intervenes, noises may be heard from the
system. This is normal. In any case, while
braking keep the brake pedal firmly
depressed.
53)For the correct operation of the ESC
system, the tyres must necessarily be
of the same make and type on all wheels,
in perfect condition and, above all, of
the prescribed type and size.
54)The ESC functions even when the
space-saver wheel is being used. Always
remember that the space-saver wheel,
being smaller than the original wheel,
provides less grip.
55)ESC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary
or unfounded risks. Your driving style must
always be suited to the road conditions,
visibility and traffic. The driver is, in any
case, responsible for safe driving.
56)The ESC system cannot alter the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase grip, which depends on the
condition of the road.
57)The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.58)The capability of the ESC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.
59)For the correct operation of the ASR
system, the tyres must of necessity be the
same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and dimensions.
60)Do not take unnecessary risks, even if
your vehicle is fitted with an ASR system.
Your driving style must always be suited to
the road conditions, visibility and traffic.
The driver is, in any case, responsible for
safe driving.
61)The ASR cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
62)The ASR system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
63)The capability of the ASR must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
64)The HBA system cannot increase tyre
grip on the road over the limits imposed by
laws of physics: always drive carefully
according to the conditions of the road
surface.
65)The HBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on bends, travelling on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.66)The HBA system is an aid for the driver,
who must always pay full attention while
driving. The responsibility always rests with
the driver. The features of the HBA system
must never be tested in imprudent or
dangerous ways, with the possibility of
putting the safety of the driver, occupants
or other road users at risk.
65

DRIVING
ASSISTANCE
SYSTEMS
CBC (City Brake
Control) system
(for versions/markets, where provided)
67) 68) 69) 70) 71)
30) 31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36)
This is a driving assistance system,
which includes a laser sensor, located
in the upper part of the windscreen
fig. 53, that can detect the presence of
nearby cars in front of the vehicle and,
in the case of an imminent collision,
intervenes automatically, braking the
vehicle to prevent the impact or
mitigate its effects.
The system is only active if:
the ignition key is at MAR;
the vehicle speed is between 5 and
30 km/h;
the front seat belts are fastened.
Anyway, the system can be deactivated
(then reactivated) through the Setup
Menu on the display.
The system intervenes if there is risk of
imminent collision and the driver does
not press the brake pedal promptly.
If the system detects that the vehicle
ahead could be hit, it may prepare the
vehicle to a possible emergency
braking.
If the driver does not carry out any
action to prevent the collision, the
system may automatically slow down
the vehicle, in order to prepare it to
a possible impact.
When there is risk of impact, if the
action on the brake pedal by the driver
is not sufficient, the system may
intervene in order to improve
the reaction of the braking system,
therefore reducing vehicle speed
further.
When driving uphill on a steep slope,
the system may intervene, activating
the braking system.
Versions equipped with Start&Stop
system: at the end of the automatic
braking, the Start&Stop system will
activate as described in the "Start&Stop
system" paragraph of the "Starting
and driving" chapter.Versions equipped with manual
gearbox: at the end of the automatic
braking the engine may stall and turn
off, unless the driver presses the clutch
pedal.
Versions equipped with "Dualogic"
gearbox(for versions/markets, where
provided): at the end of braking the last
gear stored remains engaged.
IMPORTANT Both on versions
equipped with manual gearbox and on
those with "Dualogic" gearbox (for
versions/markets, where provided),
after the vehicle is stopped the brake
calipers may be stuck for about 2
seconds for safety reasons. Make sure
you press the brake pedal if the vehicle
moves slightly forwards.
IMPORTANT The system doesNOT
activate when reverse is engaged. The
system doesNOTactivate if the front
seat belts are not fastened.
Engagement/disengagement
The system can be deactivated (then
reactivated) through the Setup Menu on
the display.
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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.
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Before carrying out the Reset
procedure, inflate the tyres to the rated
pressure values specified in the inflation
pressure table (see "Wheels" paragraph
in the "Technical specifications"
chapter).
If the Reset procedure is not carried
out, in all above cases, the
warning
light may give false indications on
one or more tyres.
To carry out the RESET procedure, with
the car stopped and the ignition device
at MAR, use the Main Menu as follows:
briefly press thebutton: the
display will show Reset;
press thebutton or the
button to select ("Yes" or "No");
briefly press thebutton: the
display will show "Confirm";
pressbutton orto select
("Yes" to Reset or "No" to exit the video
page);
press thebutton again to return
to the standard screen or to the main
menu according to where you are in the
menu.
At the end of the Reset procedure, the
display will show the message "Reset
saved", indicating that self-learning has
started.Operating conditions
The system is active for speeds above
15 km/h.
In a few situations such as sporty
driving, particular conditions of the road
surface (e.g. icy, snowy, unsurfaced
roads...) the signalling may be delayed
or partial in detecting the contemporary
deflation of more than one tyre.
Under special conditions (e.g. vehicle
loaded asymmetrically on one side,
towing a trailer, damaged or worn tyre,
fitting the space-saver wheel, use of the
"Fix&Go" kit, fitting snow chains, fitting
different tyres on the axles) the system
may give false indications or be
temporarily deactivated.
If the system is temporarily deactivated,
the warning light
flashes for about
75 seconds and then is continuously
on; at the same time, the display shows
a dedicated message.
This warning is also displayed after the
engine has been switched off and
then on again if the correct operating
conditions are not restored.
WARNING
67)The system is an aid for the driver, who
must always pay full attention while
driving. The responsibility always rests with
the driver, who must take into account
the traffic conditions in order to drive
in complete safety. The driver must always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle
in front.
68)If the driver depresses the brake pedal
fully or carries out a fast steering during
system operation, the automatic braking
function may stop (e.g. to allow a possible
manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle).
69)The laser beam is not visible at the
naked eye. Do not look directly, or with
optical instruments (e.g. lenses), at the
laser beam from a distance lower than 10
cm: this may cause damage to the sight.
The laser beam is also present when
the key is at MAR but its operation is off,
not available or manually deactivated
with the display Setup Menu.
70)The system intervenes on vehicles
travelling in the same lane. Small sized
vehicles (e.g. bicycles or motorbikes)
or people, animals and things (e.g.
pushchairs) and more in general all those
obstacles with a low reflection of the light
emitted by the laser (e.g. vehicles soiled
with mud) are not taken into consideration.
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SAFETY

71)If the car must be placed on a roller
bench (at a speed within 5 and 30 km/h)
for maintenance interventions or if it is
washed in an automatic roller washing
tunnel with an obstacle in the front part
(e.g. another car, a wall or another
obstacle), the system may detect its
presence and activate. In this case the
system must be deactivated through the
display Setup Menu.
72)If the system signals a pressure
decrease on a specific tyre, it is
recommended to check the pressure on all
four tyres.
73)The iTPMS does not relieve the driver
from the obligation to check the tyre
pressure every month; it is not to
be considered a system to replace
maintenance or a safety system.
74)Tyre pressure must be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary for
whatever reason to check pressure with
warm tyres, do not reduce pressure even
though it is higher than the prescribed
value, but repeat the check when tyres are
cold.
75)The iTPMS cannot indicate sudden
tyre pressure drops (for example when
a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the vehicle,
braking with caution and avoiding abrupt
steering.
76)The system only warns that the tyre
pressure is low: it is not able to inflate
them.
77)Insufficient tyre inflation increases fuel
consumption, reduces the tread duration
and may affect the capacity to drive safely.
WARNING
30)The laser sensor may have limited or
absent operation due to weather
conditions such as: heavy rain, hail, thick
fog, heavy snow, formation of ice layers on
the windscreen.
31)Sensor operation may also be
compromised by the presence of dust,
condensation, dirt or ice on the
windscreen, by traffic conditions (e.g.
vehicles that are driving not aligned with
you car, vehicle driving in a transverse
or opposite way on the same lane, bend
with a small radius of curvature), by road
surface conditions and by driving
conditions (e.g. off-road driving). Make sure
the windscreen is always clean. Use
specific detergents and clean cloths to
avoid scratching the windscreen. The
sensor operation may also be limited or
absent in some driving, traffic and road
surface conditions.
32)Projecting loads on the roof of the car
may interfere with the correct operation
of the sensor. Before starting make sure
the load is correctly positioned, in order not
to cover the sensor operating range.
33)If the windscreen must be replaced
due to scratches, chipping or breakage,
contact exclusively a Fiat Dealership.
Do not replace the windscreen on your
own, risk of malfunction! It is advisable to
replace the windscreen if it is damaged
in the laser sensor area.34)Do not tamper nor operate on the laser
sensor. Do not close the openings in the
aesthetic cover located under the interior
rear view mirror. In the event of a sensor
failure, contact a Fiat Dealership.
35)Do not cover the operating range of the
sensor with stickers or other objects. Also
pay attention to other objects on the
bonnet (e.g. a layer of snow) and make
sure they do not interfere with the light
emitted by the laser.
36)If a trailer or a vehicle is towed the
system must be deactivated with the
display Setup Menu.
69

OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
The most important safety equipment
of the vehicle comprises the following
protection systems:
seat belts;
SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
front airbags and side 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.
For the description of the headrest
adjustment see the "Headrests"
paragraph in the "Knowing your
vehicle" chapter.
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor. The reel mechanism operates
locking the belt in the event of sharp
braking or strong deceleration due
to an impact. This allows the belt strap
to slide freely and to adapt to the body
of the occupant. In the event of an
accident, the belt will lock reducing the
risk of impact inside the passenger
compartment and of being projected
outside the car.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other
occupants of the vehicle also respect,
the local laws in force in relation to
the use of the seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off
The belt should be worn keeping the
torso straight and rested against the
backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold tongue A
fig. 57 and insert it into buckle B, until
it clicks into place. On removal, if the
belt jams, let it rewind for a short
stretch, then pull it out again without
jerking.To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C. Guide the seat belt with your hand
while it is rewinding, to prevent it from
twisting. Through the retractor, the
belt automatically adapts to the body of
the passenger wearing it, allowing
freedom of movement.
78)
The retractor may lock when the vehicle
is parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the
retractor mechanism locks the belt if it
is pulled sharply or in the event of
sudden braking, collisions and
high-speed bends.
The rear seat is fitted with inertia seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor. Wear the rear seat belts
as shown in fig. 58 (4-seater versions)
or fig. 59 (5-seater versions).
79) 80) 81)
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