four wheel drive Abarth 124 Spider 2016 Owner handbook (in English)

Warning light What it means
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT
If the tire pressure monitoring system has a malfunction, the tire pressure warning light flashes
for about 1 minute when the ignition is switched ON and then stay on. Contact an Abarth
Dealership as soon as possible. When the warning light illuminates, and the warning beep sound
is heard (about 3 seconds), tire pressure is too low in one or more tires. Inspect the tires and
adjust to the specified inflation pressure.
Perform tire pressure adjustment when the tires are cold. Tire pressure will vary according to the
tire temperature, therefore let the vehicle stand for 1 hour or only drive it 1.6 km or less before
adjusting the tire pressures. When pressure is adjusted on hot tires to the cold inflation pressure,
the warning light/beep may turn on after the tires cool and pressure drops below specification.
Also, an illuminated TPMS warning light, resulting from the tire air pressure dropping due to cold
ambient temperature will remain illuminated even if the ambient temperature rises. In this case, it
will also be necessary to adjust the tire air pressures. If the TPMS warning light illuminates due to
a drop in tire air pressure, make sure to check and adjust the tire air pressures.
Tires lose air naturally over time and the TPMS cannot tell if the tires are getting too soft over
time or you have a flat. However, when you find one low tire in a set of four-that is an indication
of trouble; you should have someone drive the vehicle slowly forward so you can inspect any
low tire for cuts and any metal objects sticking through tread or sidewall. Put a few drops of
water in the valve stem to see if it bubbles indicating a bad valve. Leaks need to be addressed
by more than simply refilling the trouble tire as leaks are dangerous: take it to an Abarth
Dealership which has all the equipment to fix tires, TPMS systems and order the best
replacement tire for your vehicle.
63) 64)
POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT
The light illuminates if the electric power steering has a malfunction. If the light illuminates, stop
the vehicle in a safe place and do not operate the steering wheel. There is no problem if the light
turns off after a while. Contact an Abarth Dealership if the light illuminates continuously.
NOTE If the indicator light illuminates, the power steering will not operate normally. If this
happens, the steering wheel can still be operated, however, the operation may feel heavy
compared to normal, or the steering wheel could vibrate when turning.
NOTE Repeatedly jerking the steering wheel left and right while the vehicle is stopped or moving
extremely slowly will cause the power steering system to go into protective mode which will
make the steering feel heavy, but this does not indicate a problem. If this occurs, park the
vehicle safely and wait several minutes for the system to return to normal.
59

DSC operation is possible at speeds
greater than 20 km/h.
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 The DSC may not operate
correctly unless the following are
observed:
use tires of the correct size specified
for your vehicle on all four wheels;
use tires of the same manufacturer,
brand and tread pattern on all four
wheels;
do not mix worn tires.
IMPORTANT The DSC may not operate
correctly when tire chains are used or a
temporary spare tire is installed
because the tire diameter changes.
TCS / DSC indicator light
The
indicator 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. Take your vehicle to an Abarth
Dealership.DSC OFF indicator light
The
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.
If the light remains illuminated and the
TCS/DSC is not switched off, contact
an Abarth Dealership. The DSC may
have a malfunction.
DSC OFF switch
Press the switch fig. 57 to turn off the
TCS/DSC. The
warning light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.
Press the switch again to turn the TCS/
DSC back on. The DSC OFF indicator
light will turn off.
IMPORTANT When DSC is on and you
attempt to free the vehicle when it is
stuck, or drive it out of freshly fallen
snow, the TCS (part of the DSCsystem) will activate. Depressing the
accelerator will not increase engine
power and freeing the vehicle may be
difficult. When this happens, turn off the
TCS/DSC.
IMPORTANT If the TCS/DSC is off
when the engine is turned off, it
automatically activates when the
ignition is switched ON.
IMPORTANT Leaving the TCS/DSC on
will provide the best traction.
IMPORTANT If the switch is pressed
and held for 10 seconds or more, the
DSC OFF switch malfunction detection
function operates and the DSC system
activates automatically. The DSC OFF
indicator light turns off while the DSC
system is operative.
ACTIVE BONNET
PRECAUTIONS
75)
In the unlikely event that the vehicle
were to hit a pedestrian and a certain
amount of impact is applied to the front
of the vehicle, impact to the head of the
pedestrian if it were to hit the bonnet is
lessened by the rear area of the bonnet
raising instantly to maintain a wide
space between it and the parts in the
engine compartment.
If the sensor 1 fig. 58 installed to the
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69

back of the front bumper detects a
certain amount of impact by a collision
with a pedestrian or other obstruction
while the vehicle is being driven at a
speed sufficient to activate the system,
the system is activated and the bonnet
is raised (3 = active bonnet warning
light/4=electronic control unit).
IMPORTANT Do not touch the actuator
2 fig. 58 directly after the active bonnet
has activated. Otherwise, it could result
in a burn as the actuator is hot directly
after the activation.
Operation and handlingAlways make sure that the bonnet is
closed completely before driving.
Otherwise, the system may not operate
normally.
The system may not operate for
about 8 seconds after the ignition is
switched ON.
Use tires of the same specified size
on all four wheels. If tires with different
sizes are used, the system may not
operate normally.
If something hits the area around the
front bumper, the sensor could be
damaged even if the active bonnet
does not activate. Contact an Abarth
Dealership to have the vehicle
inspected.
Do not remove or repair parts or
wiring for the active bonnet. In addition,
do not test the system’s circuitry using
an electric tester. Otherwise, the active
bonnet may activate mistakenly or not
operate normally. Contact an Abarth
Dealership when repairs or replacement
servicing is required.
Do not replace the front bumper,
bonnet, suspension, aero parts, or
wheels with non-genuine FCA parts.
Otherwise, the system may not operate
normally.
Do not install non-genuine FCA
accessories to the front bumper. In
addition, do not install objects on thebonnet. Otherwise, the system may not
operate normally.
Do not close the bonnet excessively
or apply a load to the actuator.
Otherwise, the actuator could be
damaged and cause the system to not
operate normally.
Do not modify the suspension. If the
vehicle height or the damping force of
the suspensions is changed, the
system may not operate normally.
When equipping parts, contact an
Abarth Dealership. If parts are installed
incorrectly, the active bonnet may not
activate normally due to the inability to
detect an impact.
When disposing of the vehicle,
contact an Abarth Dealership. If the
vehicle is not handled correctly, it could
result in injury.
The active bonnet cannot be reused
if it has been activated. Contact an
Abarth Dealership.
If the active bonnet activates
The active bonnet activates under the
following conditions:
if the front of the vehicle hits a
pedestrian or obstruction while the
vehicle is being driven at a speed
sufficient to activate the system, the
system will activate if a certain amount
of impact is applied in a collision even
though no trace may remain on the
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SAFETY

75)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)
76) 77) 78)
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.
72
SAFETY

the towing eyelet and towing hook or
rope;
do not attach any rope other than to
the towing eyelet and towing hook.
IMPORTANT The towing eyelet should
be used in an emergency (to get the
vehicle out of a ditch or a snow bank,
for example).
IMPORTANT When using the towing
eyelets, always pull the lead or chain in
a straight direction with respect to the
eyelet. Never apply a sideways force.
IMPORTANT When towing with chain
or lead, wrap the chain or lead with a
soft cloth near the bumper to prevent
damage to the bumper.
IMPORTANT
35)Before starting towing operations, put
the ignition switch to OFF position.
36)Before tightening the tow hook, clean
the threaded housing thoroughly. Make
sure that the tow hook is fully fastened in
the housing before towing the vehicle.37)The front and rear tow hooks should be
used only for emergencies on the road. You
are allowed to tow the vehicle for short
distances using an appropriate device in
accordance with the highway code (a rigid
bar), to move the vehicle on the road in
readiness for towing or transport via a
breakdown vehicle. Tow hooks MUST NOT
be used to tow vehicles off the road or
where there are obstacles and/or for
towing operations using ropes or other
non-rigid devices. Respecting the above
conditions, towing must take place with
two vehicles (one towing, the other towed)
aligned as much as possible along the
same center line.
EMERGENCY
TOWING
TOWING DESCRIPTION
Proper lifting and towing are necessary
to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Government and local laws must be
followed.
A towed vehicle usually should have its
drive wheels (rear wheels) off the
ground. If excessive damage or other
conditions prevent this, use wheel
dollies.
When towing with the rear wheels on
the ground, release the parking brake.
IMPORTANT Do not tow the vehicle
pointed backward with driving wheels
on the ground. This may cause internal
damage to the transmission.
IMPORTANT Do not tow with sling-type
equipment. This could damage your
vehicle. Use wheel-lift or flatbed
equipment.
If towing service is not available in an
emergency, the vehicle may be towed
with all four wheels on the ground using
the towing hook at the front of the
vehicle. Only tow the vehicle on paved
surfaces for short distances at low
speeds.
157

Be extremely careful if it is necessary to downshift on slippery surfaces: downshifting into lower gear while driving on slippery
surfaces is dangerous. The sudden change in tyre speed could cause the tyres to skid. This could lead to loss of vehicle
control and an accident.
Make sure the floor mats are secured with the grommets or the retainers to prevent them from bunching up under the foot
pedals (driver's side): using a floor mat that is not secured is dangerous as it will interfere with the accelerator and brake pedal
operation (driver's side), which could result in an accident.
Only use a floor mat which conforms to the shape of the floor on the driver's side and make sure it is oriented correctly.
Secure the floor mat using the grommets or retainers. There are various ways to secure floor mats depending on the type
used, therefore secure the mat according to the type. After installing the floor mat, make sure that it does not slide from side to
side or back and forth, and that there is sufficient clearance with the accelerator and brake pedals on the driver's side.
After removing the floor mat for cleaning or some other reason, always securely reinstall it while paying attention to the
precautions just mentioned.
Do not install two floor mats, one on top of the other, on the driver's side: installing two floor mats, one on top of the other,
on the driver's side is dangerous as the retention pins can only keep one floor mat from sliding forward.
Loose floor mat(s) will interfere with the foot pedals and could result in an accident.
When using a heavy duty floor mat for winter, always remove the original floor mat.
Do not spin the wheels at high speed, and do not allow anyone to stand behind a wheel when pushing the vehicle: when
the vehicle is stuck, spinning the wheels at high speed is dangerous. The spinning tyre could overheat and explode. This could
cause serious injuries.
Use only the same size and type tyres (snow, radial, or non-radial) on all four wheels: using tyres different in size or type is
dangerous. Your vehicle's handling could be greatly affected and result in an accident.
Dry off brakes that have become wet by driving slowly, releasing the accelerator pedal and lightly applying the brakes
several times until the brake performance returns to normal: driving with wet brakes is dangerous. Increased stopping distance
or the vehicle pulling to one side when braking could result in a serious accident. Light braking will indicate whether the brakes
have been affected.