IMPORTANT Please note that the
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly.
IMPORTANT The TPMS malfunction
indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement oralternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
IMPORTANT To avoid false readings,
the system samples for a little while
before indicating a problem. As a result
it will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
System error activation
When the TPMS warning light flashes,
there may be a system malfunction.
Contact an Abarth Dealership.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
when there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors;
when a metallic device such as a
non-genuine navigation system is
equipped near the center of the
dashboard, which may block radio
signals from the tire pressure sensor to
the receiver unit;
when using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit: a
digital device such as a personal
computer or a current converter device
such as a DC-AC converter;
when excess snow or ice adheres to
the vehicle, especially around the
wheels;
when the tire pressure sensor
batteries are exhausted;
when using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed;
when using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls;
when using tire chains.
Tires and wheels
IMPORTANT When inspecting or
adjusting the tire air pressures, do not
apply excessive force to the stem part
of the wheel unit. The stem part could
be damaged.
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure
sensor's unique ID signal code
whenever tires or wheels are changed,
such as changing to and from winter
tires.
IMPORTANT Each tire pressure sensor
has a unique ID signal code. The signal
code must be registered with the TPMS
before it can work. The easiest way to
do it is to have an Abarth Dealership
change your tire and complete ID signal
code registration.
When having tires changed at an
Abarth Dealership: when an Abarth
Dealership changes your vehicle's tires,
they will complete the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code registration.
78
SAFETY
When changing tires yourself:ifyou
or someone else changes tires, you or
someone else can also undertake the
steps for the TPMS to complete the ID
signal code registration:
after tires have been changed, switch
the ignition ON, then back to ACC or
OFF;
wait for about 15 minutes;
after about 15 minutes, drive the
vehicle at a speed of at least 25 km/h
for 10 minutes and the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code will be registered
automatically.
IMPORTANT If the vehicle is driven
within about 15 minutes of changing
tires, the
warning light will flash
because the sensor ID signal code
would not have been registered. If this
happens, park the vehicle for about
15 minutes, after which the sensor ID
signal code will register upon driving the
vehicle for 10 minutes.
Replacing tires and wheels
IMPORTANT When replacing/repairing
the tires or wheels or both, have the
work done by an Abarth Dealership, or
the tire pressure sensors may be
damaged.
IMPORTANT The wheels equipped on
your vehicle are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure sensors.Do not use non-genuine wheels,
otherwise it may not be possible to
install the tire pressure sensors.
Be sure to have the tire pressure
sensors installed whenever tires or
wheels are replaced.
When having a tire or wheel or both
replaced, the following types of tire
pressure sensor installations are
possible:
the tire pressure sensor is removed
from the old wheel and installed to the
new one;
the same tire pressure sensor is used
with the same wheel. Only the tire is
replaced;
a new tire pressure sensor is installed
to a new wheel.
IMPORTANT The tire pressure sensor
ID signal code must be registered when
a new tire pressure sensor is
purchased. For purchase of a tire
pressure sensor and registration of the
tire pressure sensor ID signal code,
consult an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT When reinstalling a
previously removed tire pressure sensor
to a wheel, replace the grommet (seal
between valve body/sensor and wheel)
for the tire pressure sensor.
MECHANICAL LIMITED
SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
Your vehicle is equipped with a
mechanical limited slip differential. In
particular this vehicle adopts a
super-LSD which guarantees improved
vehicle traction and handling.
A super-LSD with a low torque bias
ratio (*) has been adopted to improve
performance when starting from a
standstill, driving straight-ahead and
response.
(*)Torque bias ratio: when a wheel
slips due to a low-traction surface, the
LSD provides proportionally more
torque to the opposite wheel. The
torque bias ratio is the ratio of torque
supplied to the right and left wheels in
such cases, and represents the
performance capability of the LSD.
The super-LSD is a torque-sensing type
that provides improved driving stability
due to the following characteristics:
low torque bias ratio provides
improved controllability (torque bias
ratio: 2.0);
creation of initial torque provides
improved starting from a standstill and
acceleration/deceleration response, and
driving straight-ahead (initial torque:
49 Nm);
simplified construction provides
weight reduction.
79
Super-LSD operation
Straight ahead driving
When driving straight, the right and left
side gears rotate at the same speed,
and the pinion and side gears rotate
together with the differential gear case.
Input force from the ring gear is
transmitted to the pinion gears via the
gear case and to the drive shaft via the
side gears. Due to this, a speed
difference between right and left in the
differential does not occur.
Differential operation
If the rotation speed between the right
and left wheels becomes different
(during normal driving), the pinion gears
rotate together while revolving around
the center axle of the drive shaft,
thereby absorbing the difference in
rotation speed. This mechanism serves
as a differential.
Limited-slip operation
If the differential encounters a condition
requiring limited-slip control such as
wheel spin, thrust force acts on the side
gears due to the reaction force from the
meshing of the pinion and side gears.
This thrust force presses the side gears
against the taper ring, generating
friction between the side gear cone and
the taper ring and reducing the torque
of the slipping wheel.The reduced torque is transmitted
without change to the wheel with higher
traction, and the limited slip differential
function is provided. The torque
transmitted to the wheel with higher
traction is proportionate to the input
torque of the ring gear.
HLA (Hill Launch Assist)
FUNCTION
80)
Hill Launch Assist (HLA) is a function
which assists the driver in accelerating
from a stop while on a slope. When the
driver releases the brake pedal and
depresses the accelerator pedal while
on a slope, the function prevents the
vehicle from rolling. The braking force is
maintained automatically after the brake
pedal is released on a steep grade.
For vehicles with a manual
transmission, Hill Launch Assist
operates on a downward slope when
the shift lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when
the shift lever is in a position other than
the reverse (R) position.
For vehicles with an automatic
transmission, Hill Launch Assist
operates on a downward slope when
the selector lever is in the reverse (R)
position, and on an upward slope when
the selector lever is in a forward gear.
IMPORTANT Hill Launch Assist does
not operate on a gentle slope. In
addition, the gradient of the slope on
which the system will operate changes
depending on the vehicle's load.
IMPORTANT Hill Launch Assist does
not operate if the parking brake is
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.
80
SAFETY
WARNING
77)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.
78)Replacing the normal tires with winter
tires and vice versa requires an inspection
of the TPMS, which should be carried out
only by an Abarth Dealership.
79)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.80)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 an
accident. 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.
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.
81
SUPPLEMENTARY
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
SRS - AIR BAG
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) PRECAUTIONS
116) 117) 118)
The front and side supplementary
restraint systems (SRS) include different
types of air bags.
IMPORTANT Please verify which kinds
of air bags are equipped on your
vehicle by locating the “SRS AIR BAG”
location indicators.
These indicators are visible in the area
where the air bags are installed.
The air bags are installed in the
following locations:
the steering wheel hub (driver air
bag);
the passenger dashboard (passenger
air bag);
the outer sides of the seat backs
(side air bags).The air bag supplementary restraint
systems are designed to provide
supplementary protection in certain
situations so seat belts are always
important in the following ways.
Without seat belt usage, the air bags
cannot provide adequate protection
during an accident. Seat belt usage is
necessary to:
keep the occupant from being
thrown into an inflating air bag;
reduce the possibility of injuries
during an accident that is not designed
for air bag inflation, such as roll-over or
rear impact;
reduce the possibility of injuries in
frontal, near frontal or side collisions
that are not severe enough to activate
the air bags;
reduce the possibility of being thrown
from your vehicle;
reduce the possibility of injuries to
lower body and legs during an accident
because the air bags provide no
protection to these parts of the body;
hold the driver in a position which
allows better control of the vehicle.A child who is too small to use a seat
belt must be properly secured using a
child-restraint system.
Carefully consider which child-restraint
system is necessary for your child and
follow the installation directions in this
Owner Handbook as well as the
child-restraint system manufacturer's
instructions.
100
SAFETY
HOW THE SRS AIR BAGS
WORK
119) 120) 121) 122) 123) 124) 125) 126) 127) 128) 129) 130)
131)
Your vehicle is equipped with the
following types of SRS air bags. SRS air
bags are designed to work together
with the seat belts to help to reduce
injuries during an accident. The SRS air
bags are designed to provide further
protection for passengers in addition to
the seat belt functions. Be sure to wear
seat belts properly.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belt pretensioners are
designed to deploy in moderate or
severe frontal, near frontal collisions. In
addition, during a side collision, the
pretensioner operates on the side in
which the collision occurs. The
pretensioners operate differently
depending on what types of air bags
are equipped. For more details on the
seat belt pretensioner operation, refer
to the “SRS Air Bag deployment
criteria” paragraph.
Driver Air Bag
The driver's air bag is mounted in the
steering wheel fig. 76.
When air bag crash sensors detect a
frontal impact of greater than moderate
force, the driver's air bag inflates quickly
helping to reduce injury mainly to the
driver's head or chest caused by
directly hitting the steering wheel. For
more details about air bag deployment,
refer to "SRS Air Bag deployment
criteria" in this chapter.
Passenger Air Bag(Single stage)
The passenger air bag is mounted in
the passenger dashboard fig. 77.
The inflation mechanism for the
passenger air bag is the same as the
driver's air bag. For more details about
air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air
Bag deployment criteria" in this chapter.
In addition, the passenger air bag is
designed to only deploy when the
passenger occupant classification
sensor detects a passenger sitting on
the passenger's seat. For more details
about air bag deployment, refer to
"SRS Air Bag deployment criteria" in
this chapter.
7606010203-126-123AB
7706010204-126-123AB
102
SAFETY
LIMITATIONS TO
SRS AIR BAG
In severe collisions such as those
described in "SRS Air Bag deployment
criteria" paragraph, the applicable SRS
air bag equipment will deploy.
However, in some accidents, the
equipment may not deploy depending
on the type of collision and its severity.
Limitations to front / near front
collision detection
Front/near front collisions may not be
detected as severe enough to deploy
the SRS air bag equipment:
impacts involving trees or poles A
fig. 80;
frontal offset impact to the vehicle B
fig. 80;
rear-ending or running under a
truck's tail gate fig. 81.
Limitations to side collision
detection
Side collisions may not be detected as
severe enough to deploy the SRS air
bag equipment:
side impacts involving trees or poles
A fig. 82;
side impacts with two-wheeled
vehicles B fig. 82;
roll-over fig. 83.
8003040600-121-001AB
8103040600-122-001AB
8203040600-123-001AB
106
SAFETY
WARNING
116)Seat belts must be worn in air bag
equipped vehicles. Depending only on the
air bags for protection during an accident
is dangerous. Alone, air bags may not
prevent serious injuries. The appropriate air
bags can be expected to inflate only in the
first accident, such as frontal, near frontal
or side collisions that are at least
moderate. Vehicle occupants should
always wear seat belts.
117)Always make sure the passenger air
bag deactivation OFF indicator light is
illuminated when using a child-restraint
system. Seating a child in a child-restraint
system that is installed on the passenger
seat with the passenger air bag
deactivation OFF indicator light not
illuminated is extremely dangerous. In an
accident, an air bag could inflate and
cause serious injuries or even death to the
child seated in the child-restraint system.
Always make sure the passenger air bag
deactivation OFF indicator light is
illuminated.118)EXTREME HAZARD! Never use a
rear-facing child-restraint system on the
passenger seat with an air bag that could
deploy. NEVER use a rearward facing
child-restraint on a seat protected by an
ACTIVE AIR BAG in front of it, DEATH or
SERIOUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
Even in a moderate collision, the
child-restraint system can be hit by a
deploying air bag and moved violently
backward resulting in serious injury or
death to the child. If your vehicle is
equipped with on passenger occupant
classification system, always make sure the
passenger air bag deactivation OFF
indicator light is illuminated.
119)Do not sit too close to the driver and
passenger air bags. Sitting too close to the
driver and passenger air bag modules or
placing hands or feet on them is extremely
dangerous. The driver and passenger air
bags inflate with great force and speed.
Serious injuries could occur if someone is
too close. The driver should always hold
onto only the rim of the steering wheel. The
passenger should keep both feet on the
floor. Seat occupants should adjust their
seats as far back as possible and always
sit upright against the seat backs with seat
belts worn properly.120)Do not sit too close to a door or lean
against doors in vehicles with side air bags.
Sitting too close to the side air bag
modules or placing hands on them is
extremely dangerous. A side air bag
inflates with great force and speed directly
out of the outer shoulder of the seat and
expands along the door on the side the car
is hit. Serious injury could occur if someone
is sitting too close to the door or leaning
against a window in the seats.
Furthermore, sleeping up against the door
or hanging out the driver-side window while
driving could block the side air bag and
eliminate the advantages of supplementary
protection. Give the side air bags room to
work by sitting in the center of the seat
while the vehicle is moving with seat belts
worn properly.
121)Sit in the center of the seat and wear
seat belts properly. Sitting too close to the
side air bag modules or placing hands on
them, or sleeping up against the door or
hanging out the windows is extremely
dangerous. The side air bags inflate with
great force and speed directly expanding
along the door on the side the car is hit.
Serious injury could occur if someone is
sitting too close to the door. Give the side
air bags room to work by sitting in the
center of the seat while the vehicle is
moving with seat belts worn properly.
122)Do not attach objects on or around
the area where driver and passenger air
bags deploy. Attaching an object to the
driver and passenger air bag modules or
placing something in front of them is
dangerous. In an accident, an object could
interfere with air bag inflation and injure the
occupants.
110
SAFETY