Abarth 124 Spider 2017 Owner handbook (in English)
Manufacturer: ABARTH, Model Year: 2017, Model line: 124 Spider, Model: Abarth 124 Spider 2017Pages: 220, PDF Size: 2.9 MB
Page 61 of 220

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.
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Page 62 of 220

Warning light What it means
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT (where provided)
The light illuminates when the transmission has a problem.
IMPORTANT If the automatic transmission warning light illuminates, the transmission has an
electrical problem. Continuing to drive your vehicle in this condition could cause damage to your
transmission. Contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
MASTER WARNING LIGHT
The warning light turns on when the system has a malfunction. Operate the center display and
verify the content. Refer to “Vehicles with Radio 7” paragraph in this chapter.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 63 of 220

Warning lights What it means
LED HEADLIGHT WARNING LIGHT (where provided)
This light illuminates if there is a malfunction in the LED headlight. Contact an Abarth Dealership
as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT
The light turns on when the remaining fuel is about 9.0 litres.
The light illumination timing may vary because fuel inside the fuel tank moves around according
to the driving conditions and the vehicle posture. Add fuel.
LOW WASHER FLUID LEVEL WARNING LIGHT (where provided)
This warning light indicates that little washer fluid remains. Add washer fluid
CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION
The warning light illuminates when the cruise control system is activated.
SELECT MODE INDICATION
When the SPORT mode is selected, the select mode indication turns on in the instrument
cluster.
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Page 64 of 220

Warning light What it means
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
The warning light turns on when the ESC system is deactivated.
REAR FOG LIGHT INDICATOR LIGHT
The warning light switches on when the rear fog light is turned on.
ADJUSTABLE SPEED LIMITER MAIN INDICATOR LIGHT
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 is illuminated when the preset maintenance period arrives. Verify the
content and perform maintenance. Refer to “Maintenance monitor” paragraph in this chapter.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 65 of 220

Green warning lights
Warning light What it means
LEFT DIRECTION INDICATOR
The warning light turns on when the direction indicator control stalk is moved downwards or,
together with the right direction indicator, when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
RIGHT DIRECTION INDICATOR
The warning light turns on when the direction indicator control stalk is moved upwards or,
together with the left direction indicator, when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
SIDE LIGHTS AND DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS
The warning light turns on when side lights or dipped beam headlights are turned on.
FOG LIGHTS
The warning light turns on when the fog lights are turned on.
CRUISE CONTROL (SET INDICATOR LIGHT)
The warning light turns on when a cruising speed has been set.
ADJUSTABLE SPEED LIMITER SET INDICATOR
The indicator light illuminates green when a speed has been set (see “Speed limiter” paragraph
in “Starting and driving” chapter).
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Page 66 of 220

Warning light What it means
KEY INDICATOR LIGHT
Warning light flashing
When the push button start is pressed from ON to ACC or OFF, the warning light may flash for
approximately 30 seconds indicating that the remaining battery power of the key is low. Replace
with a new battery before the key becomes unusable.
Blue warning light
Warning light What it means
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
The warning light switches on when the main beam headlights are turned on.
LOW ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATOR LIGHT
(for versions/markets where provided)
The light illuminates continuously when the engine coolant temperature is low and turns off after
the engine is warm.
If the low engine coolant temperature indicator light remains illuminated after the engine has
been sufficiently warmed up, the temperature sensor could have a malfunction. Contact a
Dealership.
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Page 67 of 220

Warning light (red color) on dashboard trim
Warning light What it means
SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT
The seat belt warning light turns on if the driver or passenger's seat is occupied and the seat
belt is not fastened with the ignition switched ON.
If the driver or passenger's seat belt is unfastened (only when the passenger seat is occupied)
and the vehicle is driven at a speed faster than about 20 km/h, the warning light flashes. After a
short time, the LED stops flashing, but remains illuminated.
If a seat belt remains unfastened, the LED flashes again for a given period of time.
If the driver or passenger's seat belt is unfastened after the LED turns on, and the vehicle speed
exceeds 20 km/h, the LED flashes again.
Passenger occupant classification system: to allow the passenger occupant classification
sensor to function properly, do not place and sit on an additional seat cushion on the
passenger's seat. The sensor may not function properly because the additional seat cushion
could cause sensor interference.
Warning light (amber color) on dashboard trim
Warning light What it means
PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR LIGHT
The light turns on when the ignition is switched on for an operation check, and turns off a few
seconds later or when the engine is started. If the light does not turn on or remains turned on,
contact an Abarth Dealership.
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Page 68 of 220

MESSAGE INDICATED ON
DISPLAY
If a message is displayed in the center
display, take appropriate action (in a
calm manner) according to the
displayed message.
If the following messages are displayed
in the centre display, a vehicle system
may be malfunctioning:
Engine Coolant Temperature
High: displays if the engine coolant
temperature has increased excessively.
Changing System Malfunction:
displays if the charging system has a
malfunction.
Temperature Warning:the
following message is displayed when
the temperature around the centre
display is high. Lowering the
temperature in the cabin or the
temperature around the centre display
by avoiding direct sunlight is
recommended.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and
contact an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING SOUND IS
ACTIVATED
A warning sound is activated in
following cases:
Lights-on reminder;
Air Bag/seat belt pretensioner
system;
Active bonnet (where provided);
Ignition not switched off (STOP);
Key removed from vehicle;
"Door locking" switch inoperable
(versions with advanced keyless
function);
Key left-in-boot compartment
(versions with advanced keyless
function);
Key left-in-vehicle (versions with
advanced keyless function);
Vehicle speed alarm (where
provided);
Tire inflation pressure warning beep
(where provided);
Outside temperature (where
provided);
Electronic steering lock;
Speed limiter (where provided);
120 km/h warning (where provided).
WARNING
61)Never tamper with the air
bag/pretensioner systems and always
contact an Abarth Dealership perform all
servicing and repairs. Self-servicing or
tampering with the systems is dangerous.
An air bag/pretensioner could accidentally
activate or become disabled causing
serious injury or death.62)Do not drive the vehicle with the active
bonnet warning light turned on or flashing.
Driving the vehicle with the active hood
warning light turned on or flashing is
dangerous as the active hood mechanism
may not activate normally and function as
intended in the event the vehicle were to
contact a pedestrian.
63)If the TPMS warning light illuminates or
flashes, or the tire pressure warning beep
sound is heard, decrease vehicle speed
immediately and avoid sudden
maneuvering and braking. If the warning
light illuminates or flashes, or the tire
pressure warning beep sound is heard, it is
dangerous to drive the vehicle at high
speeds, or perform sudden maneuvering
or braking. Vehicle drivability could worsen
andresultinanaccident.Todetermineif
you have a slow leak or a flat, pull over to a
safe position where you can check the
visual condition of the tire and determine if
you have enough air to proceed to a place
where air may be added and the system
monitored again by Abarth Dealership or a
tire repair station.
64)Do not ignore the TPMS warning light.
Ignoring the TPMS warning light is
dangerous, even if you know why it is
illuminated. Have the problem taken care of
as soon as possible before it develops into
a more serious situation that could lead to
tire failure and a dangerous accident.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 69 of 220

SAFETY
The chapter that you are about to read
is very important: it describes the safety
systems with which the vehicle is
equipped and provides instructions on
how to use them correctly.ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS......68
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS....72
OCCUPANT PROTECTION
SYSTEMS.................76
SEATBELTS................77
SBA SYSTEM (Seat Belt Alert).....79
SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER AND
LOAD LIMITING SYSTEMS.......80
CHILD-RESTRAINT PRECAUTIONS .81
SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT
SYSTEM SRS - AIR BAG........94
RECORDING OF VEHICLE DATA . .107
CONSTANT MONITORING......108
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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)
65) 66) 67) 68)
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)
69) 70) 71)
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.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. 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)
72) 73) 74)
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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SAFETY