Dear Customer,
We would like to congratulate and thank you for choosing a Fiat 124 Spider.
We have written this handbook to help you get to know all the features of your vehicle and use it in the best possible way.
Here you will find information, advice and important warnings regarding use of your vehicle and how to achieve the best
performance from the technical features of your vehicle.
You are advised to read it right through before taking to the road for the first time, to become familiar with the controls and
above all with those concerning brakes, steering and gearbox.
This document also provides a description of special features and tips, as well as essential information for the safe driving, care
and maintenance of your vehicle over time.
After reading it, you are advised to keep the handbook inside the vehicle, for an easy reference and for making sure it remains
on board the vehicle should it be sold.
In the attached Warranty Booklet you will also find a description of the Services that FCA offers to its customers, the Warranty
Certificate and the detail of the terms and conditions for maintaining its validity.
We are sure that these will help you to get in touch with and appreciate your new vehicle and the service provided by the
people at FCA.
Enjoy reading. Happy motoring!
IMPORTANT This Owner Handbook describes all versions of the vehicle; please consider only the information
relevant to your vehicle’s trim level, engine and version. All data contained in this publication are purely indicative.
FCA Italy S.p.A. can modify the vehicle model described in this publication at any time, for technical or commercial
purposes. For further information, contact a Fiat Dealership.
ODOMETER / TRIP METER
The display mode can be changed from
odometer to “Trip meter A” to “Trip
meter B” and then back to odometer by
pressing the selector 1 fig. 52 while one
of them is displayed. The selected
mode will be displayed.
Trip meter
The trip meter can record the total
distance of two trips. One is recorded in
“Trip A”, and the other is recorded in
“Trip B”.
For instance, “Trip A” can record the
distance from the point of origin, and
“Trip B” can record the distance from
where the fuel tank is filled.
Use this meter to measure trip
distances and to compute fuel
consumption.Versions with Radio 7”: if the fuel
economy data is reset using the fuel
economy monitor, or Trip A is reset
using the trip meter when the function
which synchronizes the fuel economy
monitor and the trip meter is on, the
fuel economy data and Trip A are reset
simultaneously.
NOTE Only the trip meters record
tenths of kilometers (miles).
Trip meter reset
The trip meter will be erased when the
power supply is interrupted (blown fuse
or the battery is disconnected) or when
the vehicle is driven over 9999.9 km
(mile).
INSTRUMENT PANEL
ILLUMINATION
Brightness adjustment
The brightness of the instrument cluster
and dashboard illuminations can be
adjusted by rotating the knob 1 fig. 53:
the brightness decreasesby
rotating the knob to the left. A beep
sound will be heard when the knob has
been rotated to the maximum dim
position;
the brightness increasesby
rotating the knob to the right.Cancelling illumination dimmer
Rotate the knob to the right until a beep
sound is heard while the instrument
cluster is dimmed with the ignition
switched ON. If the instrument cluster's
visibility is reduced due to glare from
surrounding brightness, cancel the
illumination dimmer.
When the illumination dimmer is
canceled, the instrument cluster cannot
be dimmed even if the position lights
are turned on. When the illumination
dimmer is canceled, the screen in the
center display switches to constant
display of the daytime screen.
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TRIP COMPUTER AND
INFO SWITCH
The following information can be
selected by pressing the INFO switch
fig. 54 with the ignition switched ON:
Distance-to-empty (approximate
distance you can travel on the available
fuel);
Average fuel economy;
Current fuel economy;
Average vehicle speed;
Vehicle speed alarm (where
provided).
If you have any problems with your trip
computer, contact a Fiat Dealership.Vehicle speed alarm mode
(where provided)
In this mode, the current setting for the
vehicle speed alarm is displayed. You
can change the vehicle speed setting at
which the warning is triggered.
IMPORTANT The vehicle speed alarm
display is activated at the same time
the beep sound is heard. The set
vehicle speed flashes several times.
The vehicle speed alarm can be set
using the INFO switch.
The vehicle speed alarm function can
be set between 30 and 250 km/h.
IMPORTANT Always set the vehicle
speed according to the laws and
regulations of the country/city in which
the vehicle is driven. In addition, always
verify the speed of the vehicle using the
speedometer.
The vehicle speed alarm can be set
using the following procedure:
press the INFO switch to display the
vehicle speed alarm mode;
press the INFO switch continuously
until a beep sound is heard. The set
vehicle speed display flashes the third
digit (hundredths place) fig. 55;
press the INFO switch and set the
third digit (hundredths place) to the
desired vehicle speed. The numerical
value changes each time the INFO
switch is pressed;
press the INFO switch continuously
until a beep sound is heard. The set
vehicle speed display flashes the lower
two digits (tenths and ones place)
fig. 56;
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
press the INFO switch and set the
two lower digits (tenths and ones place)
to the desired vehicle speed. The
numerical value changes each time the
INFO switch is pressed;
press the INFO switch continuously
until a beep sound is heard. The set
vehicle speed is displayed on the
vehicle speed alarm screen.
GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR(where provided)
The gear shift indicator supports you to
obtain optimum fuel economy and
smooth driving.
It displays the selected gear position 1
fig. 57 in the instrument cluster as well
as notifies the driver to change to the
most suitable gear position
2 corresponding to the actual driving
condition.
Indication Condition
NumeralThe selected gear
position is displayed
and numeralShift up or down to
the indicated gear
position is
recommended
IMPORTANT Do not rely solely on the
shift-up/shift-down recommendations
by indications. The actual driving
situation might require shift operations
different from indication. To avoid the
risk of accidents, the road and traffic
conditions have to be judged correctly
by the driver before shifting.
Versions with manual transmission
The gear shift indicator turns off when
the following operations are performed:
the vehicle is stopped;
the vehicle is put in neutral;
the vehicle is driven in reverse;
the clutch is not fully engaged when
accelerating from a stop;
the clutch pedal remains depressed
for 2 seconds or longer while driving.
Versions with automatic
transmission
The gear shift indicator turns off when
the following operations are performed:
the vehicle is stopped;
manual shift mode is cancelled.
Manually shifting up
(versions with automatic transmission)
Using selector lever: to shift up to a
higher gear, tap the selector lever back
+ once.
53
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Warning light What it means What to do
TCS / DSC SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light turns on when the in case of
intervention of TCS/DSC systems. This means
that the vehicle is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
DSC OFF INDICATOR LIGHT
This indicator light stays on for a few seconds
when the ignition is switched ON. It also
illuminates when the DSC OFF switch is
pressed and TCS/DSC is switched off. Refer
to “DSC OFF switch” in “Active safety
systems” paragraph (“Safety” chapter).If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, take your
vehicle to a Fiat Dealership. The DSC may
have a malfunction.
REAR FOG LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light switches on when the rear
fog light is turned on.
ADJUSTABLE SPEED LIMITER MAIN
INDICATOR LIGHT (where provided)
The warning light switches on when the
MODE switch on steering wheel is pressed
and the adjustable speed limiter is activated
(see “Speed limiter” paragraph in “Starting and
driving” chapter).
WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT (where
provided)
When the ignition is switched ON, the wrench
indicator light is illuminated and then turns off
after a few seconds.The wrench indicator light turns on when the
preset maintenance period arrives. Verify the
content and perform maintenance. Refer to
“Maintenance monitor” paragraph in this
chapter.
65
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.
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT
PRECAUTIONS
83) 84)
Seat belts help to decrease the
possibility of severe injury during
accidents and sudden stops. FCA
recommends that the driver and
passengers always wear seat belts.
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts.
These belts have retractors with inertia
locks that keep them out of the way
when not in use.
The locks allow the belts to remain
comfortable on users, but they will lock
in position during a collision.
Belt retraction may become difficult if
the belts and seat belt guides
fig. 61 are soiled, so try to keep them
clean.Pregnant women and persons with
serious medical conditions
Pregnant women should always wear
seat belts. Ask your doctor for specific
recommendations.
The lap belt should be worn SNUGLY
AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE OVER
THE HIPS. The shoulder belt should be
worn across your shoulder properly, but
never across the stomach area fig. 62.
Persons with serious medical
conditions also should wear seat belts.
Check with your doctor for any special
instructions regarding specific medical
conditions.
Emergency locking mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking
mode.
In the emergency locking mode, the
belt remains comfortable on the
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SAFETY
LOAD LIMITER
The load limiting system releases belt
webbing in a controlled manner to
reduce belt force on the occupant's
chest.
While the most severe load on a seat
belt occurs in frontal collisions, the load
limiter has an automatic mechanical
function and can activate in any
accident mode with sufficient occupant
movement.
Even if the pretensioners have not fired,
the load limiting function must be
checked by Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
92)Wear seat belts only as recommended
in this Owner Handbook. Incorrect
positioning of the driver and passenger
seat belts is dangerous. Without proper
positioning, the pretensioner and load
limiting systems cannot provide adequate
protection in an accident and this could
result in serious injury. For more details
about wearing seat belts, refer to
"Fastening the seat belts".93)Have your seat belts changed
immediately if the pretensioner or load
limiter has been expended. Always have an
expert repairer: contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately for seat belt pretensioners and
air bags inspections after any collision. Like
the air bags, the seat belt pretensioners
and load limiters will only function once and
must be replaced after any collision that
caused them to deploy. If the seat belt
pretensioners and load limiters are not
replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will
increase.
94)Do not modify the components or
wiring, or use electronic testing devices on
the pretensioner system. Modifying the
components or wiring of the pretensioner
system, including the use of electronic
testing devices is dangerous. You could
accidentally activate it or make it inoperable
which would prevent it from activating in an
accident. The occupants or repairers could
be seriously injured.
95)Properly dispose of the pretensioner
system. Improper disposal of the
pretensioner system or a vehicle with non
deactivated pretensioners is dangerous.
Unless all safety procedures are followed,
injury could result. Contact a Fiat
Dealership for safely dispose of the
pretensioner system or scrap a
pretensioner system equipped vehicle.
CHILD-RESTRAINT
PRECAUTIONS
96) 98) 99) 100) 101) 102) 103) 104) 105) 106)
FCA strongly urges the use of
child-restraint systems for children small
enough to use them.
FCA recommends use of a genuine
child-restraint system or one that
complies with the UNECE 44 (*)
regulation. If you would like to purchase
a FCA genuine child-restraint system,
please contact a Fiat Dealership.
Check your local and state or provincial
laws for specific requirements regarding
the safety of children riding in your
vehicle.
(*) UNECE stands for United Nations
Economic Commission for Europe.
Whatever child-restraint system you
consider, please pick the appropriate
one for the age and size of the child,
obey the law and follow the instructions
that come with the individual
child-restraint system.
86
SAFETY
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the selector lever. Refer to
“Manual shift mode”.
SHIFT-LOCK SYSTEM
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
depress and hold the brake pedal;
start the engine;
press and hold the lock-release
button;
move the selector lever.
When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
SHIFT-LOCK OVERRIDE
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure,
continue to hold down the brake pedal.
Proceed as follows:
remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver fig. 89;
insert a screwdriver and push it
down;
press and hold the lock-release
button and move the selector lever;
take the vehicle to a Fiat Dealership.
For some versions
Proceed as follows:
press the lock-release button with
the button pressed fig. 90;
move the selector lever;
take the vehicle to a Fiat Dealership.
MANUAL SHIFT MODE
To change to manual shift mode, shift
the lever from D to M. To return to
automatic shift mode, shift the lever
fromMtoD.
IMPORTANT Changing to manual shift
mode while driving will not damage the
transmission.
IMPORTANT If you change to manual
shift mode when the vehicle is stopped,
the gear may shift to M1.
IMPORTANT If you change to manual
shift mode without depressing the
accelerator pedal when driving in D
range, 5th gear/6th gear, the gear may
shift to M4/M5.
Manually shifting up / down
To shift upto a higher gear, tap the
selector lever back+once.To shift
downto a lower gear, tap the selector
lever forward–once.
Second gear fixed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about
10 km/h or less, the gearbox is set in
the second gear. The gear is set in
second while in this mode for easier
acceleration from a stop and driving on
slippery roads such as snow-covered
roads.
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STARTING AND OPERATING