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.
READ THIS CAREFULLY
REFUELLINGOnly refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95 in compliance with the European specification EN228. Do not use
petrol containing methanol or ethanol E85. Using these mixtures may cause misfiring and handling issues, as well as damage fundamental
components of the supply system.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Versions with manual transmission: make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gear lever to neutral, fully depress the clutch pedal
without pressing the accelerator, then press the ignition device button.
Versions with automatic transmission: make sure that the handbrake is engaged and that the gear lever is in P (Park) or N (Neutral),
depress the brake pedal, then press the ignition device button.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures during operation. Do not park the vehicle on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or other
flammable material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The vehicle is fitted with a system that carries out a continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components in order to help protect the
environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
Contact a Fiat Dealership if you decide to add electrical accessories (with the risk of gradually draining the battery) after buying the vehicle.
They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the vehicle's electric system can support the required load.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the vehicle is essential for ensuring that it maintains its performance and its safety features, its environmental
friendliness and low running costs unchanged over time.
IGNITION SWITCH
PUSH BUTTON START
POSITIONS
The system operates only when the key
is within operational range.
Each time the push button start fig. 3 is
pressed, the ignition switches in the
order of OFF, ACC, and ON. Pressing
the push button start again from ON
switches the ignition off.
Note
The engine starts by pressing the
push button start while depressing the
clutch pedal (manual transmission) or
the brake pedal (automatic
transmission). To switch the ignition
position, press the push button start
without depressing the pedal.
Do not leave the ignition switched
ON while the engine is not running.Doing so could result in the battery
going dead. If the ignition is left in ACC
(for automatic transmission, the selector
lever is in the P position, and the
ignition is in ACC), the ignition switches
off automatically after about
25 minutes.
OFF
3)
The power supply to electrical devices
turns off and the push button start
indicator light (amber) also turns off. In
this position the steering wheel is
locked.
Locked steering wheel
If the push button start indicator light
(green) is flashing and the beep sound
is heard, this indicates that the steering
wheel is not unlocked. To unlock the
steering wheel, press the push button
start while moving the steering wheel
left and right.
ACC (Accessory)
Some electrical accessories will operate
and the indicator light (amber)
illuminates. In this position the steering
wheel is unlocked. The keyless entry
system does not function while the
push button start has been pressed to
ACC, and the doors will not lock/unlock
even if they have been locked manually.ON
This is the normal running position after
the engine is started. The indicator light
(amber) turns off (the indicator light
amber illuminates when the ignition is
switched ON and the engine is not
running).
STARTING THE ENGINE
4)
Proceed as follows:
make sure you are carrying the key;
occupants should fasten their seat
belts;
make sure the parking brake is on.
Continue to press the brake pedal firmly
until the engine has completely started;
manual transmission: continue to
press the clutch pedal firmly until the
engine has completely started.
Automatic transmission: put the
vehicle in park (P). If you must restart
the engine while the vehicle is moving,
shift into neutral (N);
verify that theindicator light
(green) in the instrument cluster
fig. 4 and the push button start
indicator light (green) illuminate;
press the push button start after both
the
indicator light (green) in the
instrument cluster and the push button
start indicator light (green) illuminate;
after starting the engine, let it idle for
about 10 seconds.
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Manual transmission: the starter will
not operate if the clutch pedal is not
depressed sufficiently.
Automatic transmission: the starter
will not operate if the selector lever is
not in P or N and the brake pedal is not
depressed sufficiently.
IMPORTANT If thewarning light
(red) illuminates, or the push button
start indicator light (amber) flashes, this
could indicate a problem with the
engine starting system and the inability
to start the engine or switch the ignition
to ACC or ON. Contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
Under the following conditions, the
warning light (red) flashes after the
push button start is pressed to inform
the driver that the push button start will
not switch to ACC even if it is pressed
from off:
the key battery is dead;
the key is out of operational range;
the key is placed in areas where it is
difficult for the system to detect the
signal;
a key from another manufacturer
similar to the key is in the operational
range;
forced engine starting method:if
the
warning light (red) illuminates,
or the push button start indicator light
(amber) flashes, this could indicate that
the engine may not start using the usual
starting method. Contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible. If this
occurs, the engine can be
force-started. Press and hold the push
button start until the engine starts.
Other procedures necessary for starting
the engine such as having the key in
the cabin, and depressing the clutch
pedal (manual transmission) or the
brake pedal (automatic transmission)
are required;
when the engine is force-started, the
warning light (red) remains
illuminated and the push button start
indicator light (amber) remains flashing;
automatic transmission: when the
selector lever is in the neutral (N)
position, the
indicator light (green)
and the push button start indicator light
(green) do not illuminate.
NOTE Whether the engine is cold orwarm, it should be started without the
use of the accelerator.
NOTE If the engine does not start the
first time, refer to “Starting a flooded
engine under emergency starting”
paragraph. If the engine still does not
start, contact a Fiat Dealership.
Engine start function when key
battery is dead
IMPORTANT When starting the engine
by holding the transmitter over the push
button start due to a dead key battery
or a malfunctioning key, be careful not
to allow the following, otherwise the
signal from the key will not be received
correctly and the engine may not start:
metal parts of other keys or metal
objects touch the key/spare keys or
keys for other vehicles equipped with
an immobilizer system touch or come
near the key/devices for electronic
purchases, or security passage touch
or come near the key.
If the engine cannot be started due to a
dead key battery, the engine can be
started using the following procedure:
continue to depress the brake pedal
firmly until the engine has completely
started;
manual transmission: continue to
depress the clutch pedal firmly until the
engine has completely started;
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
verify that the push button start
indication light (green) flashes;
touch the push button start using the
backside of the key (as shown in fig. 5 )
while the push button start indicator
light (green) flashes;
verify that the push button start
indicator light (green) turns on;
press the push button start to start
the engine.
When touching the push button start
using the backside of the key as shown
in the illustration, touch the push button
start with the lock switch side of the key
facing up.
The engine cannot be started unless
the clutch pedal is fully depressed
(manual transmission) or the brake
pedal is fully depressed (automatic
transmission).
If there is a malfunction with the pushbutton start function, the push button
start indicator light (amber) flashes. In
this case, the engine may start,
however contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
If the push button start indicator light
(green) does not illuminate, perform the
operation from the beginning again. If it
does not illuminate contact a Fiat
Dealership.
To switch the ignition position without
starting the engine, perform the
following operations after the push
button start indicator light (green) turns
on:
release the clutch pedal (manual
transmission) or brake pedal (automatic
transmission);
press the push button start to switch
the ignition position. The ignition
switches in the order of ACC, ON, and
OFF each time the push button start is
pressed. To switch the ignition position
again, perform the operation from the
beginning.
TURNING THE ENGINE
OFF
5) 6)
Proceed as follows:
stop the vehicle completely;
manual transmission: shift into
neutral and set the parking brake.
Automatic transmission: shift theselector lever to the P position and set
the parking brake.
press the push button start to turn
off the engine. The ignition position is
OFF.
IMPORTANT When leaving the vehicle,
make sure the push button start is off.
Emergency engine stop
Continuously pressing the push button
start or quickly pressing it any number
of times while the engine is running or
the vehicle is being driven will turn the
engine off immediately. The ignition
switches to ACC.
WARNING
3)Before leaving the driver's seat, always
switch the ignition off, set the parking
brake, and make sure the selector lever is
in P (automatic transmission) or in 1
stgear
or R (manual transmission). Leaving the
driver's seat without switching the ignition
off, setting the parking brake, and shifting
the selector lever to P (automatic
transmission) or to 1
stgear or R (manual
transmission) is dangerous. Unexpected
vehicle movement could occur which could
result in an accident. In addition, if your
intention is to leave the vehicle for even a
short period, it is important to switch the
ignition off, as leaving it in another position
will disable some of the vehicle's security
systems and run the battery down.
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4)Radio waves from the key may affect
medical devices such as pacemakers.
Before using the key near people who use
medical devices, ask the medical device
manufacturer or your physician if radio
waves from the key will affect the device.
5)Do not stop the engine while the vehicle
is moving. Stopping the engine while the
vehicle is moving for any reason other than
in an emergency is dangerous. Stopping
the engine while the vehicle is moving will
result in reduced braking ability due to the
loss of power braking, which could cause
an accident and serious injury.
6)Always take the key with you when you
leave your vehicle to prevent someone
from accidentally operating the controls.
Remember to engage the parking brake.
Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.ADVANCED
KEYLESS ENTRY
SYSTEM
(where provided)
6)
The advanced keyless function allows
you to lock/unlock the door and the
boot lid, fuel filler flap, or open the boot
lid while carrying the key.
IMPORTANT Radio waves from the key
may affect medical devices such as
pacemakers: before using the key near
people who use medical devices, ask
the medical device manufacturer or
your physician if radio waves from the
key will affect the device.
IMPORTANT The advanced keyless
entry system functions can be
deactivated to prevent any possible
adverse effect on a user wearing a
pacemaker or other medical device. If
the system is deactivated, you will be
unable to start the engine by carrying
the key. Contact a Fiat Dealership for
details. If the advanced keyless entry
system has been deactivated, you can
start the engine by following the
procedure indicated when the key
battery goes dead.IMPORTANT If the key is left in the
following areas and you leave the
vehicle, the doors may be locked
depending on the radio wave
conditions even if the key is left in the
vehicle:
Around the instrument panel.In the storage compartments such as the
console box.
Next to a communication device such as
a mobile phone.
IMPORTANT
6)The operation of the recognition system
depends on various factors, such as, for
example, any electromagnetic wave
interference from external sources (e.g.
mobile phones), the charge of the battery in
the electronic key and the presence of
metal objects near the key or the vehicle. In
these cases it is still possible to unlock the
doors by using the metal insert in the
electronic key (see description on the
following pages).
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
STEERING WHEEL
STEERING WHEEL
ADJUSTMENT
35) 36) 37)
To change the angle of the steering
wheel:
stop the vehicle, and then pull down
the lock release lever 1 under the
steering column fig. 12;
tilt the steering wheel to the desired
positions, then push the lever up to lock
the column;
attempt to push the steering wheel
up and down to make sure it's locked
before driving.
WARNING
35)Any adjustment of the steering wheel
position must be carried out only with the
vehicle stationary and the engine turned
off. Adjusting the steering wheel while the
vehicle is moving is dangerous. Moving it
can very easily cause the driver to abruptly
turn to the left or right. This can lead to loss
of control or an accident.
36)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
any aftermarket operation involving steering
system or steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of antitheft device) that
could adversely affect performance and
safety, invalidate the warranty and also
result in the vehicle not meeting
type-approval requirements.
37)Before exiting the vehicle, ALWAYS
engage the parking brake, steer the
wheels, engage the first gear if uphill and
the reverse if downhill. If the vehicle is
parked on a steep slope, chock the wheels
with wedges or stones. When leaving the
vehicle, always lock all the doors by
pressing the button on the key.
MIRRORS
OUTSIDE MIRRORS
38)
Driver's side wide angle mirror
The wide angle mirror has two
curvatures on its surface separated by
a region line 1 fig. 13 into outer and
inner regions.
The inner region is a standard convex
mirror whereas the outer region allows
for a wider range of visibility within the
same sweep. This combination allows
for better assurance when making lane
changes.
Objects appearing in the outer region
are actually further away than they are
in the inner region.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
DAYTIME RUNNING
LIGHTS (DRL)
41) 42)
Some countries require moving vehicles
to have their lights on (running lights)
during the daytime.
The running lights turn on automatically
when the vehicle starts moving.
They turn off when the parking brake is
operated or the selector lever is shifted
to the P position (versions with
automatic transmission).
HIGH BEAMS
The headlights switch between high
and low beams by moving the lever
forward or backward.
When the headlight high-beams are on,
the
warning light is turned on.
FLASH TO PASS
Can be used when the ignition is
switched ON.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever
fully towards you (the headlight switch
does not need to be on).
The
warning light in the instrument
cluster illuminates simultaneously.
The lever will return to the normal
position when released.
AUTOMATIC LIGHTING(where provided)
Light sensor
When the headlight switch is in the
AUTOposition and the ignition is
switched ON, the light sensor senses
the surrounding lightness or darkness
and automatically turns the headlights,
other exterior lights and dashboard
illumination on or off.
IMPORTANT The light sensor also
works as a rain sensor for the
auto-wiper control. Keep hands and
scrapers clear of the windshield when
the wiper lever is in the AUTO position
and the ignition is switched ON as
fingers could be pinched or the wipers
and wiper blades damaged when the
wipers activate automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be sure
the wipers are turned off completely
(this is particularly important when
clearing ice and snow) when it is
particularly tempting to leave the engine
running.
COMING HOME LIGHT
SYSTEM
The coming me home light system
turns on the headlights (low beams)
when the lever is operated.System activation
When the lever is pulled with the ignition
switched to ACC or OFF, the low beam
headlights turn on.
The headlights turn off after a certain
period of time has elapsed after the
doors are closed.
The time until the headlights turn off
after all of the doors are closed can be
changed. If no operations are done for
3 minutes after the lever is pulled, the
headlights turn off.
The headlights turn off if the lever is
pulled again while the headlights are on.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS(where provided)
The front fog lights can be used when
the ignition is switched ON.
Use this switch to turn on the front fog
lights. The front fog lights will improve
visibility at night and during foggy
conditions.
Activation
Turn the headlight switch 1 fig. 19 in
orposition before activate
front fog lights.
Rotate the fog light switch 2 fig. 19 to
orposition (switch automatically
turns in
position).
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