REFUELLING
Only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating
(RON) not less than 95 conforming to the European
specification EN 228.
The use of petrol that does not conform to the
above-mentioned specification will cause the EOBD
warning light to come on and the irregular operation
of the engine.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the
gearshift lever to neutral; fully depress the clutch
without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition
key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has
started.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures
during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry
leaves, pine needles or other flammable material: fire
hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The car is fitted with a system that allows continuous
diagnosis of the components linked to emissions to
ensure better respect for the environment.ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the car, you decide to add electrical
accessories (with the risk of gradually draining the
battery), contact an Abarth Dealership. They can
calculate the overall electrical requirement and check
that the vehicle electric system can support the
required load.
CODE card (for versions/markets where provided)
Keep the card in a safe place, not in the car.
Make sure you have the electronic code written on
the CODE card with you at all times.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct car servicing is essential for ensuring it stays in
tip-top condition and safeguards its safety features, its
environmental friendliness and low running costs for
a long time to come.
THE OWNER HANDBOOK CONTAINS…
... important information and warnings on the correct
use and maintenance of your car over time as well as
safe driving tips. Pay special attention to the symbols
"(personal safety) #(car safety) !(environmental
protection).
VERY IMPORTANT
K
001-028 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 12:04 Pagina 2
54
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
❒move the stalk upwards (+) for at least one second,
then release it. The car speed is now memorised and
you can therefore release the accelerator pedal.If needed (when overtaking for instance), you can
accelerate simply by pressing the accelerator pedal;
when you release the pedal, the car will return to the
speed memorised previously.
RESTORING THE MEMORISED SPEED
If the device has been switched off, for example by
depressing the brake or clutch pedal, the memorised
speed can be restored as follows:
❒accelerate gradually until reaching a speed
approaching the memorised speed;
❒engage the gear selected at the time of speed
memorisation;
❒press button RES B-fig. 39.
CRUISE CONTROL
(for versions/markets where provided)
This is an electronically controlled device which allows
the vehicle to be driven at a chosen speed above 30
km/h on long stretches of dry, straight roads with few
variations (e.g. motorways), without having to depress
the accelerator pedal. It is therefore not recommended
to use this device on extra-urban roads with traffic. Do
not use it in town.
TURING THE DEVICE ON
Turn twist switch A-fig. 39 to ON.
The cruise control cannot be engaged in 1st or reverse
gear. It is advisable to engage it in 4th gear or higher.
When travelling downhill with the device engaged, the
vehicle speed may slightly exceed the preset one.
When the device is activated the warning light
Ücomes
on together with the relevant message on the
instrument panel.
SETTING VEHICLE SPEED
Proceed as follows:
❒turn twist switch A-fig. 39 to ON and press the
accelerator pedal until you reach the required speed;
F0U039Abfig. 39
029-068 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 12:06 Pagina 54
55
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
INCREASING THE MEMORISED SPEED
This can be done in two ways:
❒by pressing the accelerator and then memorising the
new speed reached;
or
❒moving the stalk upwards (+).
Each operation of the lever will correspond to a slight
increase in speed of about 1 km/h, while keeping the
lever upwards will increase the speed continuously.
REDUCING THE MEMORISED SPEED
This can be done in two ways:
❒by turning the device off and then storing a new
speed;
or
❒by moving the stalk downwards (–) until reaching the
new speed which will be memorised automatically.
Each movement of the lever will correspond to a slight
reduction in speed of about 1 km/h, while keeping the
lever held downwards will decrease the speed
continuously.
TURNING THE DEVICE OFF
The device can be switched off by the driver in the
following ways:
❒turning twist switch A to OFF;
❒switching off the engine;
❒pressing the brake pedal;❒pressing the clutch pedal;
❒pressing the accelerator pedal; in this case, the
system is not really switched off but the request for
acceleration takes priority. The cruise control is,
however, active and you do not need to press
button RES B-fig. 39 to restore the previous
conditions when you have finished accelerating.
The device is automatically switched off in the following
cases:
❒if the ABS or ESP systems cut in;
❒if the car speed drops below the preset limit;
❒if there is a system failure.
While travelling with the device engaged, do
not put the gear lever into neutral.
WARNING
In the event of malfunction or if the device
fails, turn twist switch A to OFF and contact an
Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
029-068 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 12:06 Pagina 55
99
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
fig. 97
OPERATING MODES
Engine stopping mode
With the vehicle stationary, the engine stops with the
gearbox in neutral and the clutch pedal released.
Engine restarting mode
Press the clutch pedal to allow the engine to be
restarted.START&STOP SYSTEM
(for versions/markets where provided)
The Start&Stop device automatically stops the engine
each time the vehicle is stationary and starts it again
when the driver wants to move off.
In this way, the vehicle efficiency is increased, by
reducing consumption, dangerous gas emissions and
noise pollution.
fig. 96
069-108 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 12:08 Pagina 99
101
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
fig. 99
SAFETY FUNCTIONS
In engine cut-out conditions through the Start&Stop
system, if the driver unfastens his/her seat belt and
opens the driver’s door or the passenger door, the
engine can be restarted only by using the key.
The driver is notified of this condition both by a buzzer
and through an information message in the display and
by the warning light fig. 98 on the instrument panel
flashing.
ENERGY SAVING FUNCTION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
If, after the engine has been automatically restarted, the
driver does not take any action for a period of about
three minutes, the Start&Stop system will definitively
stop the engine to avoid fuel consumption. In these
cases, the engine can be restarted only by using the key. RESTARTING CONDITIONS
For reasons of comfort, limiting pollutant emissions and
safety purposes, the power unit can restart automatically
without any action on behalf of the driver if certain
conditions are met, including:
❒battery not sufficiently charged;
❒reduced braking system pressure, e.g. following the
brake pedal being pressed repeatedly;
❒car in motion, for example when driving on steep
roads;
❒stopping the engine through the Start&Stop system
for more than about three minutes;
❒automatic climate control system for establishing a
comfortable temperature or enabling the MAX –
DEF function.
With a gear engaged, the engine can be automatically
restarted only by fully depressing the clutch pedal.
The driver is asked to perform this operation through
a message on the instrument panel and, where provided,
by the warning light fig. 97 on the instrument panel
flashing.
Notes
If the clutch is not depressed when three minutes have
elapsed since the engine was stopped, the engine can
only be restarted using the key.
In cases when the engine stops and this is not desired,
due for example to the clutch pedal being released
sharply with a gear engaged, if the Start&Stop system is
activated, the engine can be restarted by fully depressing
the clutch pedal or by putting the gear lever into
neutral.
069-108 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 12:08 Pagina 101
HOW TO WARM UP THE ENGINE AFTER IT
HAS JUST STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn at medium
speed. Do not accelerate abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performance for the first
few kilometres. Wait until the engine coolant gauge
starts moving.
132
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Remember that the brake servo and
power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, so you need
to apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
Never start the engine by pushing, towing
or driving downhill. This could cause a
flow of fuel into the catalytic converter
and damage it beyond repair.
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒fully depress the clutch pedal without moving the
accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon
as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first attempt, return
the ignition key to STOP before repeating the starting
procedure.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, the instrument panel
warning light
Yremains on together with warning light
U, turn the key to STOP and then back to MAR; if the
warning light remains on, try the other keys provided
with the vehicle.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel warning light
Ystays on permanently, contact an Abarth Dealership
immediately.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key to MAR
when the engine is off.
131-140 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 13:20 Pagina 132
134
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
F0U125Abfig. 125
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pedal fully and put
the gear lever into one of the required positions (the
diagram is shown on the knob fig. 125).
To engage 6
thgear, operate the lever by pressing it
towards the right in order to avoid engaging 4thgear by
mistake. The same applies to the shift from 6thto 5th
gear.
IMPORTANT The car can only be put into reverse gear
when it has stopped moving completely.
To engage reverse R from neutral, proceed as follows:
raise sliding ring A-fig. 125 under the knob and at the
same time move the gear lever to the left and then
forwards. HANDBRAKE fig. 124
The handbrake lever is located to the left of the driver’s
seat. Pull the handbrake lever upwards until the car
cannot be moved. Four or five clicks are generally
enough when the car is on level ground while nine or
ten may be required if the car is on a steep slope and
laden.
IMPORTANT If this is not the case, contact an Abarth
Dealership to have the handbrake adjusted.
When the handbrake is engaged and the ignition key is
in
MARposition, the warning light xon the instrument
panel will turn on.
Proceed as follows to release the handbrake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press the release
button
A;
❒keep button Apressed and lower the lever. The
warning light
xon the instrument panel will turn off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out this operation
to prevent the car from moving accidentally.
131-140 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 13:20 Pagina 134
135
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. For this reason, there
must be no obstacles on the floor under the
pedals: ensure that rubber mats (if any) are
lying flat and do not interfere with the pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand resting on
the shifting lever, because this pressure,
even if light, over time can wear out the
gearbox internal components.
MPORTANT Use of the clutch pedal must be limited
solely to gear changes. Do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal, however slightly. For
versions/markets where provided, the electronic clutch
control can intervene if it interprets incorrect driving
style as a fault.CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may help you to keep
the running costs of your vehicle down and lower the
amount of toxic emissions released into the
atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an interval
of no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is too low,
consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is
higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of
the car (especially when driving in town) and the way in
which it is laden greatly affect fuel consumption and
stability.
131-140 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 17-07-2012 13:20 Pagina 135