Abarth 124 Spider 2020 Owner handbook (in English)
Manufacturer: ABARTH, Model Year: 2020, Model line: 124 Spider, Model: Abarth 124 Spider 2020Pages: 224, PDF Size: 3.9 MB
Page 121 of 224

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.
8905210200-LHD12AT-001AB
119
Page 122 of 224

N (Neutral)
145)
In N, the wheels and transmission are
not locked. The vehicle will roll freely
even on the slightest incline unless the
parking brake or brakes are on.
IMPORTANT Do not shift into N when
driving the vehicle. Doing so can cause
transaxle damage. Apply the parking
brake or depress the brake pedal
before moving the selector lever from N
to prevent the vehicle from moving
unexpectedly.
D (Drive)
D is the normal driving position. From a
stop, the transmission will automatically
shift through a 6-gear sequence.
M (Manual)
M is the manual shift mode position.
Gears can be shifted up or down by
operating the selector lever. Refer to
“Manual shift mode”.
SHIFT-LOCK SYSTEM
The shift-lock system prevents shifting
out of P unless the brake pedal is
depressed.
To shift from P:
depress and hold the brake pedal;
start the engine;
press and hold the lock-release
button;
move the selector lever.When the ignition is switched to ACC or
the ignition is switched off, the selector
lever cannot be shifted from P.
The ignition cannot be switched to OFF
if the selector lever is not in P.
SHIFT-LOCK OVERRIDE
If the selector lever will not move from P
using the proper shift procedure,
continue to hold down the brake pedal.
Proceed as follows:
remove the shift-lock override cover
using a cloth-wrapped flat head
screwdriver fig. 90;
insert a screwdriver and push it
down;
press and hold the lock-release
button and move the selector lever;
take the vehicle to an Abarth
Dealership.
For some versions
Proceed as follows:
press the lock-release button with
the button pressed fig. 91;
move the selector lever;
take the vehicle to an Abarth
Dealership.
MANUAL SHIFT MODE
To change to manual shift mode, shift
the lever from D to M. To return to
automatic shift mode, shift the lever
fromMtoD.
IMPORTANT Changing to manual shift
mode while driving will not damage the
transmission.
IMPORTANT If you change to manual
shift mode when the vehicle is stopped,
the gear may shift to M1.
IMPORTANT If you change to manual
shift mode without depressing the
9005210206-12A-002AB
9105210206-122-001AB
120
STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 123 of 224

accelerator pedal when driving in D
range, 5th gear/6th gear, the gear may
shift to M4/M5.
Manually shifting up / down
Using selector lever
To shift upto a higher gear, tap the
selector lever back+once.To shift
downto a lower gear, tap the selector
lever forward–once.
Using steering shift switch
146)
To shift up to a higher gear with the
steering shift switches, pull the UP
switch+/OFFfig. 92 toward you once
with your fingers. To shift down to a
lower gear with the steering shift
switches, pull the DOWN switch–
toward you once with your fingers.
Second gear fixed mode
When the selector lever is moved back
while the vehicle speed is about 2 km/h
or less, the gearbox is set in the second
gear. The gear is set in second while in
this mode for easier acceleration from a
stop and driving on slippery roads such
as snow-covered roads.
SHIFT GEAR (SHIFTING)
SPEED LIMIT
When the selector lever is operated
within the range of the speed limit, the
gear is shifted.
Shift up
The gear does not shift up while the
vehicle speed is lower than the speed
limit.
Shift down
The gear does not shift down while the
vehicle speed exceeds the speed limit.
If the vehicle speed exceeds the speed
limit and the gear does not shift down,
the gear position indication flashes
2 times to notify the driver that the gear
cannot be shifted.
Kickdown
When the accelerator pedal is
depressed fully while driving, the gear
shifts down.
However, the gears do not kickdown
while the DSC is turned off.NOTE The gear also shifts down using
kickdown while in the second gear fixed
mode.
Auto-shift down
The gear shifts down automatically
depending on the vehicle speed during
deceleration.
NOTE If the vehicle comes to a stop
while in the second gear fixed mode,
the gear remains in second.
DIRECT MODE(where provided)
Direct mode can be used for
temporarily switching gears by
operating the steering shift switch while
the vehicle is being driven with the
selector lever in the D range.
Direct mode is cancelled under the
following conditions:
the UP switch (+/OFF) is pulled
rearward for a certain amount of time or
longer;
the vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating);
the vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
IMPORTANT Shifting up and down
while in direct mode may not be
possible depending on the vehicle
speed. In addition, because direct9207040110-124-007AB
121
Page 124 of 224

mode is cancelled (released) depending
on the rate of acceleration or if the
accelerator is fully depressed, use of
the manual shift mode is recommended
if you need to drive the vehicle in a
particular gear for long periods.
DRIVING TIPS
147) 148)
Passing
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades,
depress the accelerator fully. The
transmission will shift to a lower gear,
depending on vehicle speed.
Climbing steep grades from a stop
To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position depress the brake pedal, shift
to D or M1, depending on the load
weight and grade steepness, release
the brake pedal while gradually
accelerating.
Descending steep grades
When descending a steep grade, shift
to lower gears, depending on load
weight and grade steepness.
Descend slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from
overheating.
WARNING
143)Always set the selector lever to P and
set the parking brake. Only setting the
selector lever to the P position without
using the parking brake to hold the vehicle
is dangerous. If P fails to hold, the vehicle
could move and cause an accident.
144)If the engine is running faster than
idle, do not shift from N or P into a driving
gear. It's dangerous to shift from N or P
into a driving gear when the engine is
running faster than idle. If this is done, the
vehicle could move suddenly, causing an
accident or serious injury.
145)Do not shift into N when driving the
vehicle. Shifting into N while driving is
dangerous. Engine braking cannot be
applied when decelerating which could
lead to an accident or serious injury.
146)Keep your hands on the steering
wheel rim when using fingers on the
steering shift switches. Putting your hands
inside the rim of the steering wheel when
using the steering shift switches is
dangerous. If the driver's air bag were to
deploy in a collision, your hands could be
impacted causing injury.
147)Do not use engine braking on slippery
road surfaces or at high speeds. Shifting
down while driving on wet, snowy, or
frozen roads, or while driving at high
speeds causes sudden engine braking,
which is dangerous. The sudden change in
tire speed could cause the tires to skid.
This could lead to loss of vehicle control
and an accident.148)Do not let the vehicle move in a
direction opposite to the direction selected
by the selector lever. Do not let the vehicle
move backward with the selector lever in a
forward position, or do not let the vehicle
move forward with the selector lever in the
reverse position. Otherwise, the engine
may stop, causing the loss of the power
brake and power steering functions, and
make it difficult to control the vehicle which
could result in an accident.
122
STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 125 of 224

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.
9305210101-12A-001AB
123
Page 126 of 224

IMPORTANT When the speed limiter is
operating after pressing the MODE
switch, press the MODE switch again
to switch to the cruise control.
Without Speed limiter: press the ON
switch. The
warning light (amber)
turns on.
Deactivating the device
With Speed limiter: press the
OFF/CANCEL switch. The
warning
light (amber) turns off.
IMPORTANT When the MODE switch is
pressed during cruise control system
operation, the system switches to the
adjustable speed limiter.
Without Speed limiter: press the
OFF/CANCEL switch. The
warning
light (amber) turns off.
When a cruising speed has been set
warning light (green) turns on
Long-press the OFF/CANCEL switch or
press the OFF/CANCEL switch 2 times.
When a cruising speed has not
been set
warning light (amber)
turns on press the OFF/CANCEL
switch.
SETTING A DESIRED
SPEED
Proceed as follows:
With Speed limiter: activate the
cruise control device by pressing the
MODE switch. The cruise warning light
(amber) turns on;
Without Speed limiter: activate the
cruise control device by pressing the
ON switch. The cruise warning light
(amber) turns on;
accelerate to the desired speed,
which must be more than 40 km/h;
set the cruise control by pressing the
SET/- switch at the desired speed. The
cruise control is set at the moment the
SET/- switch is pressed. Release the
accelerator pedal simultaneously. The
warning light (green) turns on.
The cruise control speed setting cannot
be performed under the following
conditions:
Automatic transmission: the
selector lever is in the P or N position;
Manual transmission: the shift
lever is in the neutral position;
The parking brake is applied;
Vehicles with Speed limiter: the
MODE switch for the adjustable speed
limiter is pressed.
Release the SET/- switch at the
desired speed, otherwise the speed will
continue decreasing while the SET/-
switch is pressed and held (except
when the accelerator pedal is
depressed);
On a steep grade, the vehicle may
momentarily slow down while
ascending, or speed up while
descending.
The cruise control will cancel if the
vehicle speed decreases below
30 km/h.
The vehicle speed preset using the
cruise control is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
9405100101-877-877AB
124
STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 127 of 224

INCREASING SPEED
To increase speed using cruise
control switch
Press the RES/+ switch and hold it your
vehicle will accelerate. Release the
switch at the desired speed.
Press the RES/+ switch and release it
immediately to adjust the preset speed.
Multiple operations will increase the
preset speed according to the number
of times it is operated.
Increasing speed with a single
RES/+ switch operation
Meter display for vehicle speed
indicated in km/h: 1 km/h.
To increase speed using
accelerator pedal
Depress the accelerator pedal to
accelerate to the desired speed.
Press the SET/– switch and release it
immediately.
IMPORTANT Accelerate if you want to
speed up temporarily when the cruise
control is on. Greater speed will not
interfere with or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
DECREASING SPEED
Press the SET/– switch and hold it the
vehicle will gradually slow. Release the
switch at the desired speed.
Press the SET/– switch and release it
immediately to adjust the preset speed.
Multiple operations will decrease the
preset speed according to the number
of times it is operated.
Decreasing speed with a single
SET/– switch operation
Meter display for vehicle speed
indicated in km/h: 1 km/h.
INCREASING /
DECREASING SPEED
To increase speed
With cruise control switch: press the
RES/+ switch and hold it your vehicle
will accelerate. Release the switch at
the desired speed. Press the RES/+
switch and release it immediately to
adjust the preset speed. Multiple
operations will increase the preset
speed according to the number of
times it is operated.
Using accelerator pedal: depress the
accelerator pedal to accelerate to the
desired speed. Press the SET/– switch
and release it immediately.
IMPORTANT Accelerate if you want to
speed up temporarily when the cruise
control is on. Greater speed will not
interfere with or change the set speed.
Take your foot off the accelerator to
return to the set speed.
RESUME SPEED
If the cruise control system temporarily
cancelled (such as by applying the
brake pedal) and the system is still
activated, the most recent set speed
will automatically resume when the
RES/+ switch is pressed.
If vehicle speed is below 40 km/h
(25 mph), increase the vehicle speed up
to 40 km/h (25 mph) or more and press
the RES/+ switch.
TEMPORARILY
CANCELLING THE
SYSTEM
To temporarily cancel the system, use
one of these methods: slightly depress
the brake pedal/depress the clutch
pedal (versions with manual
transmission)/press the OFF/CANCEL
switch.
If the RES/+ switch is pressed when the
vehicle speed is 40 km/h or higher, the
system reverts to the previously set
speed.
125
Page 128 of 224

Note
If any of the following conditions occur,
the cruise control system is temporarily
canceled:
the parking brake is applied;
Versions with Speed limiter: the
MODE switch for the adjustable speed
limiter is pressed;
Automatic transmission: the
selector lever is in the P or N position or
on versions withmanual
transmission: the shift lever is in the
neutral position;
Automatic transmission: the cruise
control cannot be cancelled while
driving in manual mode (selector lever
shifted from D to M position). Therefore,
engine braking will not be applied even
if the transaxle is shifted down to a
lower gear. If deceleration is required,
lower the set speed or depress the
brake pedal;
When the cruise control system is
temporarily canceled by even one of the
applicable cancel conditions, the speed
cannot be reset.
WARNING
149)Always turn off the cruise control
system when it is not in use: leaving the
cruise control system in an activation-ready
state while the cruise control is not in use is
dangerous as the cruise control could
unexpectedly activate if the activation
button is accidentally pressed, and result in
loss of vehicle control and an accident.
150)While travelling with the device
activated, do not move the gear lever to
neutral.
151)In the event of device faults or failures,
go to an Abarth Dealership.
152)The cruise control can be dangerous
if the system cannot keep a constant
speed. In specific conditions speed may be
excessive, resulting in the risk of losing
control of the vehicle and causing
accidents. Do not use the device in heavy
traffic or on winding, icy, snowy or slippery
roads.
SPEED LIMITER
(where provided)
153) 154)
The speed limiter can be set between
30 km/h and 200 km/h.
The system consists of the speed
limiter display and the switch on the
steering wheel fig. 95.
9505281500-12A-002AB
126
STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 129 of 224

DISPLAY
The setting status of the speed limiter is
displayed in the display in the
instrument cluster.
Stand-by display
Displays when the speed limiter switch
is operated and the system is turned on
fig. 96. Turns off when the system is
turned off.
Setting display
Displays when the SET/- switch is
operated and the speed is set fig. 97.
Cancel display
Displays when any of the following
operations is done and the system is
temporarily cancelled fig. 98:
OFF/CANCEL switch is operated;
accelerator pedal is strongly
depressed.
WARNING BEEP
If the vehicle speed exceeds the set
speed by about 3 km/h or more, a
warning sound operates continuously
and the adjustable speed limiter display
flashes at the same time.
The warning sound operates and the
display flashes until the vehicle speed
decreases to the set speed or less.
Verify the safety of the surrounding area
and adjust the vehicle speed by
applying the brakes. Additionally, keep
a safer distance from the vehicles
behind you.
When the system is temporarily
cancelled by depressing the accelerator
pedal fully, the adjustable speed limiter
display shows the cancel display. If the
vehicle speed exceeds the set speed
by about 3 km/h or more while the
cancel display is displayed, the set
speed display flashes but the warning
sound is not operated.
IMPORTANT If the set speed is set
lower than the current vehicle speed by
pressing the SET/- or RES/+ switch,
the warning beep is not activated for
about 30 seconds even if the vehicle
speed is faster than the newly set
speed by 3 km/h. Be careful not to
drive over the set speed.
9605281501-12A-001
9705281501-12A-002
9805281501-12A-003
127
Page 130 of 224

ACTIVATION /
DEACTIVATION
Activation
Press the ON switch to operate the
system. The adjustable speed limiter
screen is displayed, and the speed
limiter main indicator light (amber) turns
on.
IMPORTANT When the cruise control is
operating after pressing the ON switch,
press the mode switch again to switch
to the adjustable speed limiter.
Deactivation
To deactivate the system, do the
following operations:
When a cruising speed has been
set(warning light green turns on):
long-press the OFF/CAN switch or
press the OFF/CAN switch 2 times. The
speed limiter screen is no longer
displayed and the speed limiter set
indicator light (green) turns off.
When a cruising speed has not
been set(warning light amber turns
on): press the OFF/CAN switch. The
speed limiter screen is no longer
displayed and the adjustable speed
limiter set indicator light (amber) turns
off.
When the ON switch is pressed during
adjustable speed limiter operation, the
system switches to the cruise control.
SETTING A DESIRED
SPEED
Proceed as follows:
press the ON switch to turn the
system on;
press the SET/- to set the speed.
When the current vehicle speed is
30 km/h (20 mph) or more, the speed is
set to the current vehicle speed. When
the current vehicle speed is less than
30 km/h (20 mph), the speed is set to
30 km/h (20 mph);
to increase the set speed: press
the RES/+ switch continuously. The set
speed can be adjusted in 10 km/h
(5 mph) increments. The set speed can
also be adjusted in about 1 km/h
(1 mph) increments by pressing the
RES/+ switch momentary. For example,
the set speed increases about 4 km/h
(4 mph) by pressing the RES/+ switch
4 times;
to decrease the set speed: press
the SET/- switch continuously. The set
speed can be adjusted in 10 km/h
(5 mph) decrements. The set speed can
also be adjusted in about 1 km/h
(1 mph) increments by pressing the
SET/- switch momentary. For example,
the set speed decreases about 4 km/h
(4 mph) by pressing the SET/- switch
4 times.NOTE When the vehicle set speed is
displayed in the instrument cluster,
press the RES/+ switch to set the
displayed vehicle speed.
NOTE The system is temporarily
cancelled when the vehicle is
accelerated by depressing the
accelerator pedal strongly, however, it
resumes when the vehicle speed
decreases to the set speed or less.
NOTE The vehicle speed may exceed
the set speed on a down slope.
TEMPORARILY
CANCELLING THE
SYSTEM
The system is temporarily cancelled
(stand-by status) when any of the
following operations is done while the
speed limiter is displayed:
OFF/CAN switch is pressed;
accelerator pedal is strongly
depressed.
Press the RES/+ switch to resume the
operation at the previous set speed.
The set speed can be set by pressing
the SET/- switch while the system is in
stand-by status.
128
STARTING AND OPERATING