tow Abarth 124 Spider 2018 Owner handbook (in English)

DOORS
LOCK / UNLOCK WITH
AUXILIARY KEY
7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14)
Both doors and the boot lid, fuel filler
flap lock automatically when the driver's
door is locked using the auxiliary key.
They both unlock when the driver's
door is unlocked using the auxiliary key.
Turn the auxiliary key toward the front to
lock, toward the back to unlock.
MANUAL LOCK / UNLOCK
Operation from inside
Both doors and the boot lid, fuel filler
flap lock automatically when the driver's
door-lock knob is pressed. They both
unlock when the driver's door-lock
knob 1 fig. 7 is pulled out.
IMPORTANT The red indication 2 can
be seen when the door-lock knob is
unlocked.
Operation from outside
To lock the passenger door with the
door-lock knob from the outside, press
the door-lock knob to the lock position
and close the door (holding the door
handle in the open position is not
required). This does not operate the
other door locks.
IMPORTANT When locking the door
this way: be careful not to leave the key
inside the vehicle.The driver's door lock
knob cannot be used while the driver's
door is open.
DEAD LOCK DEVICE
(where provided)
System activation
Proceed as follows:
close both the windows and the
convertible top;
switch the ignition off and take the
key with you;
close both doors and boot lid;
insert the auxiliary key in the driver's
door, turn the auxiliary key to the lock
position fig. 8, and return it to the
centre position. Then turn it to the lock
position again within 3 seconds;
theindicator light illuminates for
about 3 seconds to indicate that the
system has been activated.
You can also activate the system by
pressing the lock button on the
transmitter twice within 3 seconds.
With the advanced keyless function:
you can also activate the system by
pressing the “lock” button twice within
3 seconds.
NOTE The system cannot be activated
when any door is open.
System deactivation
Unlock the driver's door or switch the
ignition ON. If the power supply is
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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With auto-light control
When the headlight switch is in the
AUTOposition, the rear fog light will
turn on once the headlights, the exterior
lights and instrument panel illumination
are on.
Versions without front fog lights
The headlights must be turned on to
turn on the rear fog light.
Activation
To turn on the rear fog light on, rotate
the fog light switch 2 to the
position
(the fog light switch returns to its
original position automatically).
The rear fog light indicator light in the
instrument cluster illuminates while the
rear fog light is on.
Deactivation
To turn the rear fog light off, do any of
the following:
rotate the fog light switch 2 to the
position again (the fog light switch
automatically returns to the
position);
rotate the fog light switch 2 to the
OFF position;
turn the headlight switch 1 to the
OFF position.
TURN SIGNALS
The ignition must be switched ON to
use the turn and lane-change signals.
Move the signal lever down (for a left
turn) or up (for a right turn) to the stop
position. The signal will self-cancel after
the turn is completed.
If the indicator light continues to flash
after a turn, manually return the lever to
its original position.
The turn signal indicators (green)
in the instrument cluster flash
according to the operation of the turn
signal lever to show which signal is
working.
If an indicator light stays on without
flashing or if it flashes abnormally, one
of the turn signal bulbs may be burned
out.LANE CHANGE SIGNALS
Move the lever halfway toward the
direction of the lane change (until the
indicator flashes) and hold it there. It will
return to the off position when released.
Three-flash turn signal
After releasing the turn signal lever, the
turn signal indicator flashes three times.
The operation can be cancelled by
moving the lever in the direction
opposite to which it was operated.
Adaptive Front Lighting
System (AFS)
(where provided)
The adaptive front lighting system (AFS)
automatically adjusts the headlight
beams to the left or right in conjunction
with the operation of the steering wheel
after the headlights have been turned
on.
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to “Warning lights on instrument
panel” paragraph in “Knowing the
instrument panel” chapter.
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inside the vehicle.
Switching the auto-wiper lever from the
OFFto theAUTOposition while driving
activates the windshield wipers once,
after which they operate according to
the rainfall amount.
The auto-wiper control may not operate
when the rain sensor temperature is
about –10°C or lower, or about 85°C or
higher.
If the windshield is coated with water
repellent, the rain sensor may not be
able to sense the amount of rainfall
correctly and auto-wiper control may
not operate properly.
If dirt or foreign matter (such as ice or
matter containing salt water) adheres to
the windshield above the rain sensor or
if the windshield is iced, it could cause
the wipers to move automatically.
However, if the wipers cannot remove
this ice, dirt or foreign matter, the
auto-wiper control will stop operation.
In this case, set the wiper lever to the
low speed position or high speed
position for manual operation, or
remove the ice, dirt or foreign matter by
hand to restore the auto-wiper
operation.
Because heavy ice and snow can jam
the wiper blades, the wiper motor is
protected from motor breakdown,overheating and possible fire by a
circuit breaker. This mechanism will
automatically stop operation of the
blades, but only for about 5 minutes. If
this happens, turn off the wiper switch
and park off the right-of-way, and
remove the snow and ice. After
5 minutes, turn on the switch and the
blades should operate normally. If they
do not resume functioning, contact an
Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
Drive to the side of the road and park
off the right-of-way. Wait until the
weather clears before trying to drive
with the wipers inoperative.
WINDSCREEN WASHER
Pull the lever toward you and hold it to
spray washer fluid.
With the wiper lever in theOFFor
intermittent position/AUTOposition,
the wipers will operate continuously
until the lever is released.
If the washer does not work, inspect
the fluid level. If the fluid level is normal,
contact an Abarth Dealership.With headlight washers
When the headlights are on, the
headlight washers operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates.HEADLIGHT WASHER(where provided)
The ignition must be switched ON and
the headlights must be turned on.
The headlight washers fig. 22 operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windshield washer operates. If you
want to operate headlight washers,
double flick the wiper lever.
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CONVERTIBLE TOP
(SOFT TOP)
LOWERING THE
CONVERTIBLE TOP
IMPORTANT Do not sit on the folded
convertible top. Otherwise, the
convertible top could be damaged or
you may fall off and be injured.
Proceed as follows:
make sure the parking brake is
applied. If the engine is running, turn it
off;
make sure there are no objects
which have been placed in the area
where the convertible top is to be
retracted;
with the lock release button 1
fig. 40 depressed forward (red mark
2 visible), pull back the top latch lever 3
fig.41tounlockit;
remove the striker 4 from the anchor
5 fig. 42;
IMPORTANT If the power windows do
not go down automatically, fully open
the windows.
standing outside of the vehicle, hold
the convertible top along the front edge
6 fig. 43 and pull it toward the vehicle
rear;
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

IMPORTANT To lower the convertible
top from inside the vehicle, use the
convertible top's handles 6 fig. 43.
move the convertible top rearward
and fold it while pressing the rear glass
lightly with your hand;
with the back end of the convertible
top pressed, press the front end until a
latch sound is heard fig. 44. Lightly rock
the retracted convertible top to make
sure it is securely locked.
RAISING THE
CONVERTIBLE TOP
Proceed as follows:
make sure the parking brake is
applied. If the engine is running, turn it
off;
pull up the unlock lever 1 to
disengage the lock 1 fig. 45;
standing outside of the vehicle, hold
the convertible top along the front edge
and pull it towards the vehicle front;
IMPORTANT If the power windows do
not go down automatically, fully open
the windows.
IMPORTANT To raise the convertible
top from inside the vehicle, use the
convertible top's handles 2 fig. 46.
sitting in a seat, grasp the convertible
top's handles 3 fig. 47, and press the
convertible top against the windscreen.
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operates for about two seconds and
therefore, relying only on the system,
when accelerating from a stop is
dangerous because the vehicle may
move (roll) unexpectedly and cause an
accident. The vehicle could roll
depending on the vehicle's load or if it
is towing something. In addition, for
vehicles with a manual transmission,
the vehicle could still roll depending on
how the clutch pedal or the accelerator
pedal is operated. Always confirm the
safety around the vehicle before starting
to drive the vehicle.
WARNING
76)The presence of the TPMS does not
permit the driver to neglect regular checks
of the tire pressure, including for the spare
wheel, and correct maintenance: the
system is not used to signal a possible fault
to a tire. Tire pressure must be checked
with tires rested and cold. Should it
become necessary for whatever reason to
check pressure with warm tires, do not
reduce pressure even though it is higher
than the prescribed value. Repeat the
check when the tires are cold.
77)Replacing the normal tires with winter
tires and vice versa requires an inspection
of the TPMS, which should be carried out
only by an Abarth Dealership.
78)Changes in outside temperature may
cause tire pressures to vary. The system
may temporarily indicate insufficient
pressure. In this case check the tire
inflation pressure with the tires cold and, if
necessary top up the inflation pressure.
OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
The most important safety equipment
of the vehicle comprise the following
protection systems:
seat belts;
SBA (Seat Belt Alert) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
front air bags and side air bags.
Read the information given the following
pages with the utmost care.
It is of fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
76
SAFETY

STARTING AND OPERATING
Let’s get to the "heart" of the vehicle:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and our
wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE.......110
PARKING.................110
PARKING BRAKE............111
MANUAL TRANSMISSION......112
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. . . .113
SPORTMODE..............116
CRUISE CONTROL...........117
SPEED LIMITER.............120
PARKING SENSOR SYSTEM.....123
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE.....125
REAR CAMERA (PARKVIEW REAR
BACKUP CAMERA)...........127
TOWING TRAILERS..........130
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STARTING THE
ENGINE
130) 131) 132)
24)
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
For starting procedure see “Starting the
engine” in “Getting to know your
vehicle” chapter.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Proceed as follows:
park the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic; engage
a gear (versions with manual
transmission) or position the gear lever
to P (Parking) (versions with automatic
transmission);
turn the ignition device to STOP with
the engine idling.
WARNING
130)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
131)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
132)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
IMPORTANT
24)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
damaging for the engine.
PARKING
Keep away the key when leaving the
vehicle and take it with you.
When parking and leaving the vehicle,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (first gear if facing
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions equipped with automatic
transmission, before releasing the brake
pedal, wait for letter P to be displayed.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the vehicle
with the gearbox in neutral (or, on
versions equipped with automatic
transmission, before placing the gear
lever at P).
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STARTING AND OPERATING

PARKING BRAKE
133) 134) 135)
IMPORTANT Driving with the parking
brake on will cause excessive wear of
the brake parts.
Setting the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully
upwards with sufficient force to hold the
vehicle in a stationary position.
Releasing the parking brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever 1 upwards fig. 84,
then press the release button 2. While
holding the button, lower the parking
brake lever all the way down to the
released position.Brake Assist
During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal with greater force, the
brake assist system provides braking
assistance, thus enhancing braking
performance.
When the brake pedal is depressed
hard or depressed more quickly, the
brakes apply more firmly.
NOTE When the brake pedal is
depressed hard or depressed more
quickly, the pedal will feel softer but the
brakes will apply more firmly. This is a
normal effect of the brake assist
operation and does not indicate a
malfunction.
NOTE When the brake pedal is
depressed hard or depressed more
quickly, a motor/pump operation noise
may be heard. This is a normal effect of
the brake assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.
NOTE The brake assist equipment does
not supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.
WARNING
133)In the case of parking manoeuvres on
roads on a gradient, the front wheels must
be steered towards the pavement (when
parking downhill), or in the opposite
direction if the vehicle is parked uphill. If the
vehicle is parked on a steep slope, it is
advisable to block the wheels with a wedge
or stone.
134)Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle. Keep away the key when
leaving the vehicle and take it with you.
135)Do not drive with worn disc pads.
Driving with worn disc pads is dangerous.
The brakes could fail and cause a serious
accident. As soon as you hear a
screeching noise contact an Abarth
Dealership.
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