2021 Abarth 124 Spider ESP

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The vehicle has the following active
safety systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
TCS (Traction Contol System);
DSC (Dynamic Stability Control);
Active bonnet (active pedestrian
protection).
For the operation of the systems, see
the following pages.
ABS SYSTEM (Antilock
Brake System)
66) 67) 68) 69)
The ABS control unit continuously
monitors the speed of each wheel. If
one wheel is about to lock up, the ABS
responds by automatically releasing
and reapplying that wheel's brake.
The driver will feel a slight vibration in
the brake pedal and may hear a
chattering noise from the brake system.
This is normal ABS system operation.
Continue to depress the brake pedal
without pumping the brakes.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction. Refer to
“Warning lights and messages”
paragraph in “Knowing the instrument
panel” chapter.
NOTE Braking distances may be longer
on loose surfaces (snow or gravel, forexample) which usually have a hard
foundation. A vehicle with a normal
braking system may require less
distance to stop under these conditions
because the tires will build up a wedge
of surface layer when the wheels skid.
NOTE The sound of the ABS operating
may be heard when starting the engine
or immediately after starting the vehicle,
however, it does not indicate a
malfunction.
TCS SYSTEM (Traction
Control System)
70) 71) 72)
The Traction Control System (TCS)
enhances traction and safety by
controlling engine torque and braking.
When the TCS detects driving wheel
slippage, it lowers engine torque and
operates the brakes to prevent loss of
traction.
This means that on a slick surface, the
engine adjusts automatically to provide
optimum power to the drive wheels,
limiting wheel spin and loss of traction.
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction. Refer to
“Warning lights and messages”
paragraph in “Knowing the instrument
panel” chapter.
NOTE To turn off the TSC, press the
DSC OFF switch.
TCS / DSC indicator light
Theindicator light stays on for a few
seconds when the ignition is switched
ON.
If the TCS or DSC is operating, the
indicator light flashes.
If the
light stays on, the TCS, DSC or
the brake assist system may have a
malfunction and they may not operate
correctly. Contact an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT In addition to the warning
light flashing, a slight labouring sound
will come from the engine. This
indicates that the TCS/DSC is
operating properly.
IMPORTANT On slippery surfaces, such
as fresh snow, it will be impossible to
achieve high rpm when the TCS is on.
DSC SYSTEM (Dynamic
Stability Control)
73) 74) 75)
The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
automatically controls braking and
engine torque in conjunction with
systems such as ABS and TCS to help
control side slip when driving on
slippery surfaces, or during sudden or
evasive manoeuvring, enhancing vehicle
safety. Refer to “ABS system (Antilock
Brake System)” and “TCS system
(Traction Control System)”.
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front bumper. In addition, it may
activate depending on the level of
impact from even a light object, small
animal, or other small object;
the system may also activate if the
lower part of the vehicle or the front
bumper receives an impact from one of
the following situations:
– the vehicle hits a curb;
– the vehicle falls into a deep ditch or
hole;
– the vehicle bounces and hits the
ground;
– the front, bottom part of the vehicle
contacts the slope of a parking
garage, the surface of an even,
undulating road, or a protruding or
fallen object on the road.
Situations in which the active
bonnet may not activate
The active bonnet may not active in the
following situations as an impact would
be difficult to detect:
the pedestrian gets hit at an angle or
by the side areas on the left and right of
the front bumper;
the vehicle hits a pedestrian who is
carrying something such as a bag
which can absorb the impact.
Situations in which the system does
not activate
The active bonnet does not activate
under the following conditions:
the front bumper gets hit while the
vehicle is being driven at a speed
insufficient to activate the system;
the vehicle gets hit from the side or
the rear;
the vehicle rolls or turns over (the
active bonnet may operate depending
on the accident conditions).
WARNING
66)Do not rely on ABS as a substitute for
safe driving. The ABS cannot compensate
for unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), driving on ice and snow, and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
67)When the ABS intervenes and you feel
the brake pedal pulsating, do not reduce
the pressure, but hold it down firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will brake in the
shortest distance possible, depending on
the current road conditions.
68)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.69)If the ABS intervenes, this indicates
that the grip of the tyres on the road is
nearing its limit: you must slow down to a
speed compatible with the available grip.
70)Do not rely on the Traction Control
System (TCS) as a substitute for safe
driving. The Traction Control System (TCS)
cannot compensate for unsafe and
reckless driving, excessive speed, tailgating
(following another vehicle too closely), and
hydroplaning (reduced tire friction and road
contact because of water on the road
surface). You can still have an accident.
71)Use snow tires or tire chains and drive
at reduced speeds when roads are
covered with ice and/or snow. Driving
without proper traction devices on snow
and/or ice-covered roads is dangerous.
The Traction Control System (TCS) alone
cannot provide adequate traction and you
could still have an accident.
72)The capability of the TCS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
73)Do not rely on the DSC as a substitute
for safe driving: the Dynamic Stability
Control (DSC) cannot compensate for
unsafe and reckless driving, excessive
speed, tailgating (following another vehicle
too closely), and hydroplaning (reduced tire
friction and road contact because of water
on the road surface). You can still have an
accident.
74)For the correct operation of the DSC
system, the tyres must necessarily be of
the same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and size.
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SAFETY

75)The capability of the DSC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.
76)If the active bonnet has activated,
always contact an Abarth Dealership. If the
bonnet release handle is pulled after the
active bonnet has activated, the bonnet will
rise even further. If the vehicle is driven with
the bonnet raised it will obstruct visibility
and could result in an accident. In addition,
do not attempt to push the bonnet back
down. Otherwise, it could deform the
bonnet or cause injury because the
activated bonnet cannot be lowered
manually. Before driving the vehicle contact
an Abarth Dealership after the active
bonnet has activated, make sure that the
raised bonnet does not obstruct vision and
drive the vehicle at a low speed.AUXILIARY DRIVING
SYSTEMS
TPMS (Tire Pressure
Monitoring System)
(Where provided)
77) 78) 79)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire. If tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires, the system will inform the
driver via the warning light in the
instrument cluster and by the warning
beep sound. Refer to “Warning lights
and messages” paragraph “Knowing
the instrument panel” chapter.
Refer to “Tire inflation pressure warning
beep” in “Warning sound is activated” in
Knowing the instrument panel” chapter.
The tire pressure sensors installed on
each wheel send tire pressure data by
radio signal to the receiver unit in the
vehicle.
NOTE When the ambient temperature is
low due to seasonal changes, tire
temperatures are also lower. When the
tire temperature decreases, the air
pressure decreases as well. The TPMS
warning light may illuminate more
frequently. Visually inspect the tires daily
before driving, and check tire pressures
monthly with a tire pressure gauge.
When checking tire pressures, use of adigital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires regularly.
IMPORTANT Each tire, including the
spare (where provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label (if your
vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires).
IMPORTANT As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a TMPS system that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
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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.
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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.
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Proceed as follows:
open the convertible top;
make sure the ignition is switched
off;
slide the passenger seat as far back
as possible. You may need to move the
seat forward slightly and recline the
back of the seat, in order to assist in
the fittment of some child-restraint
systems;
make sure the seatback is securely
latched by pushing it back until it is fully
locked;
expand the area between the seat
bottom and the seatback slightly to
verify the locations of the ISOFIX
anchor.
IMPORTANT The markings above the
ISOFIX anchors indicate the locations of
the ISOFIX anchors for the attachment
of a child-restraint system.
secure the child-restraint system
using the ISOFIX anchor, following the
child-restraint system manufacturer's
instruction;
switch the ignition ON and make
sure the OFF passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light
fig. 74 illuminates after installing a
child-restraint system on the passenger
seat (see “Passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator lights”
paragraph). If the passenger air bag
OFF deactivation indicator light does
not illuminate, remove the child-restraint
system, switch the ignition to OFF, and
then reinstall the child-restraint system;
if your child-restraint system came
equipped with a tether, that probably
means it is very important to properly
secure the tether for child safety. Please
carefully follow the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions
when installing tethers.
WARNING
94)Use the correct size child-restraint
system. For effective protection in vehicle
accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained using a seat belt or
child-restraint system depending on age
and size. If not, the child could be seriously
injured or even killed in an accident.
95)Follow the manufacturer's instructions
and always keep the child-restraint system
buckled down. An unsecured
child-restraint system is dangerous. In a
sudden stop or a collision it could move
causing serious injury or death to the child
or other occupants. Make sure any
child-restraint system is properly secured in
place according to the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions. When
not in use, remove it from the vehicle or
fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to
BOTH ISOFIX anchors, and attach the
corresponding tether anchor.
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SAFETY

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(where provided)
VARIOUS LOCKOUTS
To shift from P to R you must depress
the brake pedal and hold in the
lock-release button to shift (the ignition
must be switched ON).
To shift from R to N, from N to D (or D
to N), from D to M (or M to D) and from
M to + and - the selector lever can be
shifted freely into any position.
To shift from N to R and from R to P
you must hold in the lock-release
button fig. 89 to shift.
Sport mode
The Sport automatic transmission has
an option that is not included in the
traditional automatic transmission that
gives the driver the option of selecting
each gear instead of leaving it to the
transmission to shift gears. Even if you
intend to use the automatic
transmission functions as a traditional
automatic, you should also be aware
that you can inadvertently shift into
manual shift mode and an inappropriate
gear may be retained as the vehiclespeed increases. If you notice the
engine speed going higher or hear the
engine racing, confirm you have not
accidentally slipped into manual shift
mode.
GEAR LEVER POSITIONS
P (Park)
143) 144)
P locks the transmission and prevents
the rear wheels from rotating. The
selector lever must be in P or N to
operate the starter.
IMPORTANT Shifting into P, N or R
while the vehicle is moving can damage
your transmission.
IMPORTANT Shifting into a driving gear
or reverse when the engine is running
faster than idle can damage the
transmission.
R (Reverse)
In position R, the vehicle moves only
backward. You must be at a complete
stop before shifting to or from R, except
under rare circumstances.
With Parking Sensor system: when
the selector lever is shifted to the R
position with the ignition switched ON,
the parking sensor system is activated
and a beep sound is heard.
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119

SPORT MODE
(where provided)
DRIVE SELECTION
Drive selection is a system to switch the
vehicle's drive mode. When theSPORT
mode is selected, vehicle's response
against accelerator operation is
enhanced.
IMPORTANT Do not use theSPORT
mode when driving on slippery roads
such as wet or snow-covered roads. It
may cause tyre slipping.
Drive selection switch
Press the drive selection switch
fig. 93 to theSPORTmode side
(forward) to select the sport mode.
Pull the drive selection switch to the—
side (backward) to cancel the sport
mode.
NOTE When the ignition is switched off,
the sport mode is cancelled.
NOTE Depending on the driving
conditions when sport mode is
selected, the vehicle may perform
shift-down or slightly accelerate.
CRUISE CONTROL
This is an electronically controlled
driving assistance device that allows the
desired vehicle speed to be maintained,
without having to press the accelerator
pedal.
This device can be used at a speed
above 40 km/h on long stretches of dry,
straight roads with few variations (e.g.
motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this device on extra-urban roads with
traffic. Do not use it in town.
ACTIVATION /
DEACTIVATION
149) 150) 151) 152)
IMPORTANT When the ignition is
switched off, the system status before it
was turned off is maintained. For
example, if the ignition is switched off
while the cruise control is operating, the
system will be operable when the
ignition is switched ON the next time.
Activating the device
With Speed limiter: press the MODE
switch. The
warning light (amber)
turns on.
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