Theair bag warning light monitors
the internal circuits and
interconnecting wiring associated with
air bag system electrical components.
WARNING!
Ignoring the
air bag warning light
and message in your instrument
cluster could mean you won't have
the air bags to protect you in a
collision. If the light does not come on
as a bulb check when the ignition is
first turned on, stays on after you
start the engine, or if it comes on as
you drive, have an authorized Service
Centre service the air bag system
immediately.
General Warnings
WARNING!
•When the key in the ignition switch
is turned to the MAR (ON) position,
the
warning light illuminates, but
it must turn off after approx. 5
seconds. If this warning light does
not illuminate, if it remains
permanently on or if it illuminates
while driving, contact an Authorized
Maserati Dealer immediately.
•Always drive keeping your hands on
the steering wheel rim so that, in
the case of activation, the air bag
can deploy without encountering
obstacles which may cause serious
injuries.
•Do not drive with your body bent
forward but keep the seatback in
the upright position and fully
resting your back against it.
•Do not apply stickers or other
objects to the steering wheel or the
passenger’s air bag compartment.
•Do not travel with objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or
especially with a pipe, pencil or
other object held in your mouth; In
the event of a collision with air bagdeployment these objects may cause
serious injuries.
•Do not cover the front seat backs
with clothes or covers.
•Note that with the key in the
ignition switch turned to MAR (ON)
position, even with the engine off,
the air bags may activate even if the
vehicle is stationary, if it is run into
by another vehicle. Therefore, even
with the vehicle stationary, children
must be secured by the specific child
restraint systems installed on the
passenger seat. In addition, the air
bags will not activate in the event of
a collision with the vehicle
stationary and the key removed
from the ignition switch; failure of
the air bags to deploy in these
circumstances is not indicative of a
system malfunction.
•If the vehicle was stolen or its theft
attempted, if it was vandalized or
involved in flooding, contact an
Authorized Maserati Dealer to have
the air bag system checked.
•If incorrect operations are
performed on the electrical system,
the air bag may activate and cause
injuries to anyone in the vicinity.
•The air bags are not a substitute of
(Continued)
Before Starting
2
51
•Mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the
factory. Failure to properly follow
floor mat installation or mounting
can cause interference with the
brake pedal and accelerator pedal
operation causing loss of control of
the vehicle.
Tires
• Examine tires for excessive tread
wear and uneven wear patterns.
• Check for stones, nails, glass, or
other objects lodged in the tread or
sidewall.
• Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks.
• Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and
bulges.
• Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
• Check the tires (see “Tire Inflation
Pressure” chapter in section
“Features and Specifications”) for
proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights and Indicator Lights
• Have someone observe the
operation of exterior lights while
you operate the controls (see
“Lights” chapter in section
“Understanding the Vehicle”).
• Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrumentcluster (see “Instrument Cluster”
chapter in section “Dashboard
Instruments and Controls”).
Door Latches
• Check for positive closing, latching,
and locking of doors and trunk lid
(see chapter “Doors” and “Open and
Close the Trunk Lid” in this section).
Fluid Leaks
• Check area under vehicle after
overnight parking for recent fluid
leaks (oil, fuel, etc.).
• If gasoline fumes are detected or
fluid leaks are suspected, contact an
Authorized Maserati Dealer.
WARNING!
California Proposition 65
Operating, servicing and maintaining
a passenger vehicle or off-road vehicle
can expose you to chemicals including
such as, engine exhaust, carbon
monoxide, phthalates and lead, that
which are know to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm. To
minimize exposure, avoid breathing
exhaust, do not idle the engine except
as necessary, service your vehicle in a
well-ventilated area and wear glovesor wash your hands frequently when
servicing your vehicle. For more
information go to:
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/passenger-
vehicle
Before Starting
2
67
Soft Top
NOTE:
By soft top “opening” we
mean folding the soft top
into the rear luggage
compartment.
By soft top “closing” we
mean the opposite.
Precautions
Before and during the soft top
operation observe the following
precautions.
WARNING!
•Before opening or closing the soft
top, always check that no one is in
the way, as impact with the soft top
may cause injury. Also check that no
objects stand in the way of the soft
top, as impact may cause damage to
both the soft top and the object.
•The movement of the soft top with
the engine running must be
performed outdoor. Exhaust gases
contain carbon monoxide which is
strongly toxic and potentially lethal.•In case of hazard, release the soft
top button, which stops its
movement.
•Keep your hands away from the soft
top levers, the soft top compartment
and the upper edge of the
windshield.
•Before operating the soft top, make
sure that no passengers are sitting in
the rear seats.
•Never operate or act on a soft top
that is performing an automatic
movement cycle.
CAUTION!
• Do not open the soft top when it is
wet, as the damp that would form in
the soft top housing might cause
permanent damage to the structure
or stains or mold in the canvas.
Should it need to be opened, do not
leave it sitting in the housing for
more than a day.
• Open the soft top when it is dirty, as
both the canvas and the rear window
might be damaged when it is folded.
• Do not open the soft top if there is
ice or snow on it. Should it need to
be opened, remove the snow or iceand do not use sharp or pointed
objects.
• Do not place objects on the soft top
as they might fall and cause damage
and injury when it is moved.
• Do not place any objects in the soft
top housing.
• Do not fasten roof-racks or similar on
the soft top.
• When closing the soft top, never
start driving before the soft top has
completed the closing cycle and has
locked on the windshield frame.
• Only open or close the soft top when
the vehicle is stationary, otherwise it
might not fully open or close. For
example, if you start moving the soft
top when you are standing at a
traffic light and you start driving
before the soft top has completed its
opening or closing cycle, you can
complete the operation by driving
slowly (do not exceed 19 mph -
30 km/h) and holding the soft top
movement switch pushed until the
process has been completed.
• If you are driving at high speeds,
vacuum might be created in the
passenger compartment and the soft
top might start “wobbling”; to solve
Understanding the Vehicle
3
92
• Raise the upper section until it is in a
vertical position.
CAUTION!
• Do not fasten any object to the
Windstop.
• Never place any object on the
Windstop.
• When the Windstop is fitted, if you
tilt the backrest or move the seatbackward you must take the greatest
care to avoid that the two parts
touch each other and so cause
damages.
• Never place pointed or sharp objects
on the rear seats, under the
Windstop when fitted.
Windstop Removal
Perform the operations opposite to
those outlined above and in reverse
order.
NOTE:
To be able to fold up the upper part of
the windbreaker, unlock the pin by
pushing the small lever indicated in
the picture.
Interior Features
Electric Power Outlets
The vehicle is equipped with two 12
Volt (13 Amp) electric power outlets.
One in passenger compartment on the
central console, under the cover with
armrest function, using the socket of
the cigarette lighter as power outlet
and one fitted in the trunk.
All power outlets are supplied only
when the engine is started or the key
in the ignition switch is turned inACC
orMAR (ON)position.
Power outlets are protected by a fuse.
Insert a cigarette lighter or accessory
plug into the power outlets to ensure
proper operation. Otherwise, check
the matching fuse integrity, see “Fuse
Replacement” in section “Maintenance
and Care” for further information.
CAUTION!
• Do not plug in accessories that
exceed the maximum power of 160
Watts (13 Amps) at 12 Volts.
• Power outlets are designed for
accessory plugs only. Do not insert
any other object in the power outlets
as this will damage the outlet and
Understanding the Vehicle
3
102
Sport Skyhook Suspension
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
The electronic system controlling the
vehicle suspension uses the
sophisticated on board sensors and is
aimed at optimizing vehicle
performance.
The system is capable of constantly
monitoring suspension damping by
means of the actuator fitted on each
shock absorber (Skyhook type). This
way, the shock absorber setting is
suited to the road surface conditions
and vehicle dynamics, thus improving
passenger comfort and road-holding.
By pressing button “SPORT” on the
central console the driver can choose,
even while driving, a normal or
dynamic-type setting for the
suspension, depending on their own
driving style.This way, the system operates with a
shock absorber “softer” setting in
NORMAL drive mode, and a “harder”
setting if SPORT drive mode is selected
(see “Drive Mode” in section
“Driving”).
The strategy used by the system
controlling suspension damping is
aimed at reducing the vertical
oscillations of the vehicle (rolling and
pitching) to a minimum.
The activation of SPORT drive mode
sets the suspension for sports-style
driving and acts on the ASR and
gearbox systems as well, modifying
their setting for dynamic-style driving.
System Components
The system is controlled by an ECU
which manages the solenoid valves on
each shock absorber in response to the
sensor signals, thus adjusting
suspension damping and setting.The sensors which enable the ECU to
calculate the vehicle speed, vertical
and side acceleration, as well as the
instantaneous braking system pressure,
thereby controlling suspension
damping, are the following:
• front left-hand vertical acceleration
sensor;
• front right-hand vertical acceleration
sensor;
• rear vertical acceleration sensor;
• front left-hand wheel acceleration
sensor;
• front right-hand wheel acceleration
sensor;
• lateral acceleration sensor;
• driving speed sensor;
• brake pedal switch.
Self-diagnostics
Whenever the engine is started, the
system performs a self-diagnostic cycle.
If a malfunction is found, the
amber
warning light is displayed
accompanied by the message “Check
suspensions” (see paragraph
"Malfunction Indicators" in this
chapter).
Understanding the Vehicle
3
114
Calibration Selection
The driver can select, in relation to
road surface conditions, vehicle speed,
driving style and comfort, one of the
two calibration levels provided by the
system: normal or sports-style.
•Normal calibration, active when
SPORT drive mode is disabled
("SPORT" button not pressed), favors
comfort and higher driving stability
with low and average grip
conditions.
•Sport-style calibration, active when
SPORT drive mode is enabled
("SPORT" button pressed) , favors
wheel drive and permits a
dynamic-style driving with optimal
road holding.
Whenever the engine is started, the
system automatically activates
NORMAL drive mode, even if SPORT
drive mode was selected before the
engine was last turned off.
The sport-style calibration can be
selected only with the key in the
ignition switch inMAR (ON)position
and it is enabled by pressing button
"SPORT", even while driving.
When SPORT drive mode is activated,
the word “SPORT” on the instrument
cluster display and the LED on the
button illuminate.WARNING!
SPORT drive mode should not be
activated if the road surface is rough
or slippery.
The electronic suspension control
system works in combination with the
ESC system.
When the suspension is set to normal
calibration, stability is increased under
medium and low grip conditions,
while when it is set to sport-style
calibration, the ESC system optimizes a
sportier driving.
WARNING!
In low- and medium-grip conditions
(e.g., rain, snow, ice, sand, etc.) it is
advisable not to use SPORT drive
mode, even with the ESC system
enabled.
Malfunction Indicators
If one or more electric components in
the system prove to be malfunctioning
while driving, the ECU illuminates the
amber warning light accompanied
by the message “Check suspensions”
on the display. In addition, the ECU
calibrates the shock absorbers to apreset value, thus ensuring a safe
vehicle set up.
Should the malfunction involve one
shock absorber only, this will no
longer be controlled by the ECU and
will therefore remain set as it was
when the fault occurred. It is
therefore possible for one of the four
shock absorbers to work with a fixed
calibration, different from that of the
other ones.
In any case, safe and secure vehicle
driving is always ensured at low
speeds.
CAUTION!
In the event of a malfunction in the
suspension control electronic system,
which will be indicated by the
illumination of the amber warning
light on the display while driving,
keep a moderate speed and have the
vehicle checked as soon as possible by
anAuthorized Maserati Dealer.
If a malfunction occurs while driving,
and this is signaled by the illumination
of the
amber warning light on the
display, it is advisable to stop the
vehicle as soon as possible, turn the
key in the ignition switch toSTOP
(OFF)position and then restart the
engine.
Understanding the Vehicle
3
115
Warning and Indicator Lights
on Analog Instruments
Low Fuel Indicator on Fuel Gage
The illumination of the red indicator
inside the gage indicates that there
are approx. 4.7 Gallons (18 liters) of
fuel in the tank.
If the pointer positions on "0"
(beginning of scale) and the fuel
reserve indicator flashes, it means that
there is a system malfunction.
In this case, contact anAuthorized
Maserati Dealerto have the system
checked.
Telltales on Speedometer
Following telltales are displayed on
the fuel level gage and speedometer,
and related messages are visible for 10
seconds on the central sector of the
display, unless otherwise indicated.The telltales indicated with (*) are also
displayed on the TFT display (see “TFT
Display” paragraph in this chapter).
Charging System Warning Light
This warning light shows the
status of the electrical
charging system. If the light
stays on or comes on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle's
non-essential electrical devices or
increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system warning light
remains on, it means that the vehicle
is experiencing a problem with the
charging system. Require IMMEDIATE
service at anAuthorized Maserati
Dealer.
If jump starting is required, refer to
“Jump Start Procedures” in section “In
an Emergency”.Malfunction Indicator Light (*)
The Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) is part of an
onboard diagnostic system
that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control
systems.
Under normal conditions, this
indicator light should switch on when
the key in the ignition switch is in
MAR (ON)position and switch off
soon after the engine is started.
This is a sign of the indicator light
working properly. If the indicator
remains lighted up or switches on
while driving, there is a failure in the
fuel supply/ignition and emission
control systems.
The failure could cause high exhaust
emissions, loss of performance, poor
vehicle handling and high
consumption levels.
Under these conditions you can
proceed slowly without forcing the
engine or driving at high speeds.
The indicator light will switch off if
the problem is solved.
The error will be registered by the
system in any case.
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119
CAUTION!
• When the key on the key in the
ignition switch is in theMAR (ON)
position and if the indicator light
does not switch on or if it switches
on while driving, contact an
Authorized Maserati Dealeras soon
as possible.
• Prolonged driving with the MIL on
could cause damage to the engine
control system. It also could affect
fuel economy and drivability. If the
MIL is flashing, severe catalytic
converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
Parking Lights Indicator
With the key removed from
the ignition switch, it indicates
that the parking lights are on.
Transmission Failure Warning Light (*)
Depending on the message
displayed it signals:
• a transmission failure. If the
failure permits, slowly drive
to the nearestAuthorized
Maserati Dealer;• a too high temperature of the
transmission oil. In this case, slow
down until the temperature goes
down to the normal values for use
(the warning light goes off).
For further information see chapter
“Automatic Transmission” in section
“Driving”.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the
transmission temperature warning
light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or failure.
WARNING!
If the transmission temperature
warning light is illuminated and you
continue operating the vehicle, in
some circumstances you could cause
the fluid to boil over, come in contact
with hot engine or exhaust
components and cause a fire.
High Beam Indicator
This indicator lights up when
the high beams are switched
on or when blinking.Low Oil Pressure Warning Light (*)
Under normal conditions, the
warning light illuminates
when the key in the ignition
switch is turned toMAR (ON)
position and goes off as soon as the
engine is started.
If the warning light stays or turns on
while driving, the engine oil pressure is
too low. The warning light is combined
with a displayed message. In this case,
turn the engine off immediately and
carry out the necessary checks.
Do not operate the vehicle until the
problem has been solved. This light
does not indicate the oil level. The
engine oil level must be checked with
the dipstick located under the hood
(see “Maintenance Procedures” in
section “Maintenance and Care”).
If the problem persists, contact an
Authorized Maserati Dealer.
Headlight On Indicator
This indicator will illuminate
when the position lights or
headlights are turned on.
For further details, see
“Lights” in section “Understanding the
Vehicle”.
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