Abarth Grande Punto 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

169
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Do not travel with the wind-
screen washer reservoir emp-
ty: the windscreen washer is funda-
mental for improving visibility.
WARNING
Certain commercial addi-
tives for windscreen washers
are inflammable. The engine com-
partment contains hot components
which may set it on fire.
WARNING
BRAKE FLUID fig. 5
Unscrew cap A: check that the fluid level
in the reservoir is at maximum.
Fluid level in the reservoir shall not exceed
the MAXmark.
If fluid has to be added, it is suggested to
use the brake fluid in table “Fluids and lu-
bricants” (see chapter “Technical charac-
teristics”).
fig. 5F0M0155m
NOTE Clean accurately the tank cap A
and the surrounding surface.
At plug opening, pay maximum attention
in order to prevent any impurities from
entering the tank.
For topping up, always use a funnel with
integrated filter with mesh equal to or
lower than 0.12 mm.
IMPORTANT Brake fluid absorbs mois-
ture, for this reason, if the vehicle is main-
ly used in areas with a high degree of at-
mospheric humidity, the fluid should be
replaced at more frequent intervals than
specified in the “Service schedule”.

170
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
AIR FILTER
Air cleaner replacement shall be carried
out at Abarth Dealership. Make sure that the highly
corrosive brake fluid does not
drip onto the paintwork; if it
does, wash it off immediate-
ly with water.
Brake fluid is poisonous and
highly corrosive. In the event
of accidental contact, wash the parts
involved immediately with neutral
soap and water, then rinse thor-
oughly. Call the doctor immediately
if the fluid is swallowed.
WARNING
The symbol πon the con-
tainer indicates synthetic
brake fluid, distinguishing it from the
mineral kind. Using mineral fluids ir-
reversibly damages the special brak-
ing system rubber seals.
WARNING
POLLEN FILTER
Pollen filter replacement shall be carried
out at Abarth Dealership.

171
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BATTERY
The car fits a low-maintenance battery: no
top-ups with distilled water are needed in
normal conditions of use.
INSPECTING THE CHARGE
AND THE ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
Inspection operations must be carried out
by specialised personnel, following the
prescriptions contained in the Use and
maintenance booklet. Any top-up opera-
tions must be carried out by specialised
personnel and by Abarth Dealership.Running the battery with an
excessively low liquid level
will damage the battery beyond re-
pair and even cause an explosion.
WARNINGIncorrect assembly of electric
and electronic devices may
cause severe damage to your
car. Go to a Abarth Dealer-
ship if you want to install accessories
(alarms, mobile phone, etc.): they will
suggest the most suitable devices and
advise you if a higher capacity battery
needs to be installed.
Batteries contain substances
that can be very dangerous
for the environment. t is ad-
visable to have the battery
changed by a Abarth Dealership where
it will be disposed of according to the
law.

172
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
for a long time under 50%, the battery is
damaged by sulphation, reducing its ca-
pacity and starting attitude.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (e.g. already at -10°C). Refer to
the paragraph “Car inactivity” in “Starting
and driving” if the car is left parked for a
long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install
electric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm, etc.) con-
tact Abarth Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is capa-
ble of withstanding the load required, or
whether it should be integrated with a
more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing en-
ergy even when the ignition key is off, they
gradually run down the battery. USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and length-
en its life, observe the following indica-
tions:
❒when you park the car, ensure the
doors, tailgate and bonnet are closed
properly;
❒switch off all lights inside the car: the
car is however equipped with a system
which switches all internal lights off au-
tomatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. sound sys-
tem, hazard lights, etc.) switched on for
a long time when the engine is not run-
ning;
❒before performing any operation on the
electrical system, disconnect the bat-
tery negative cable;
❒battery terminals shall always be per-
fectly tightened.
If the vehicle must remain
unused for a long time at
very low temperature, remove the
battery and carry it to a warm place,
to avoid freezing.
WARNING
When you must perform any
operation on the battery or
near it, always protect your eyes with
the special goggles.
WARNING

173
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, includ-
ing the spare, every two weeks and before
long journeys. The pressure should be
checked with the tyre rested and cold.
For the correct tyre inflation pressure, see
“Wheels” in “Technical specifications”
section.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre
wearfig. 6:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.
Tyres must be replaced when the tread
wears down to 1.6 mm. In any case, com-
ply with the laws in the country where the
car is being driven.
fig. 6F0M0160m
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒As far as possible, avoid sharp braking
and screech starts etc. Be careful not
to hit the kerb, potholes or other ob-
stacles hard. Driving for long stretch-
es over bumpy roads can damage the
tyres;
❒periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tyre wear. If any of
these occur, have the car seen to at a
Abarth Dealership;
❒avoid overloading the car when travel-
ling: this may cause serious damage to
the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop immediate-
ly and charge it to avoid damage to the
tyre, the rim, suspensions and steering
system;
❒tyres age even if they are not used
much. Cracks in the tread rubber are
a sign of ageing. In any case, if the tyres
have been on the car for over 6 years,
they should be checked by specialised
personnel, to see if they can still be
used. Also remember to check the
spare wheel;
❒ in the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of dubious
origin;
❒ if a tyre is changed, also change the in-
flation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to change
them over every 10-15 thousand kilo-
metres, keeping them on the same side
of the car so as not to reverse the di-
rection of rotation.
Remember that road holding
depends also on the correct
tyre inflating pressure.
WARNING

174
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WIPERS
BLADES
Periodically clean the rubber part using
special products; TUTELA PROFES-
SIONAL SC 35is recommended.
If the rubber blades are bent or worn they
should be replaced. In any case they
should be changed once a year.
A few simple notions can reduce the pos-
sibility of damage to the blades:
❒ if the temperature fall below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen the
rubber against glass. If necessary, thaw
using an antifreeze product;
❒ remove any snow from the glass: in ad-
dition to protecting the blades, this pre-
vents effort on the motor and over-
heating;
❒do not operate the windscreen wipers
on dry glass.
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber
hoses are concerned, carefully follow the
“Service schedule” in this section.
Indeed ozone, high temperatures and pro-
longed lack of fluid in the system may
cause hardening and cracking of the hoses,
with possible leaks. Careful control is
therefore necessary.If the pressure is too low the
tyre overheats and this can
cause it serious damage.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the
tyres, moving them from the
right of the car to the left and vice
versa.
WARNING
Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments re-
quiring to use temperatures exceed-
ing 150°C. The mechanical properties
of the wheels could be impaired.
WARNING
Driving with worn wiper
blades is a serious hazard,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
WARNING

175
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Changing the windscreen wiper
blades fig. 7
To remove the blade:
❒raise the windscreen wiper arm A;
❒turn blade B90° around pin C, locat-
ed at the end of the wiper arm;
❒remove the blade from the pin C.
To refit the blade:
❒fit pin Cinto the hole loacted in the
middle of the blade B;
❒refit the arm with the blade on the
windscreen.Changing the rear window
blade fig. 8
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the cover Aand remove the arm
from the car, slackening the nut Bthat
fastens it to the pivot pin;
❒ fit the new arm, positioning it correct-
ly, and fully tighten the nut;
❒ lower the cover.SPRAY NOZZLES
Windscreen wiper fig. 9
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly check
that there is fluid in the reservoir: see
“Checking fluid levels” in this section).
Then check that the nozzle holes are not
clogged, if necessary use a needle.
fig. 7F0M0161mfig. 8F0M0162mfig. 9F0M0163m

176
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
These include:
❒Painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to cor-
rosion and abrasion;
❒Use of galvanised (or pretreated) steel
sheets, with high resistance to corro-
sion;
❒ Spraying the underbody, engine com-
partment, wheelhouse internal parts
and other parts with highly protective
wax products;
❒ Spraying of plastic parts, with a pro-
tective function, in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender parts,
edges, etc.;
❒ Use of “open” boxed sections to pre-
vent condensation and pockets of mois-
ture from triggering rust inside.
BODYWORK
PROTECTION FROM
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the fol-
lowing:
❒ atmospheric pollution;
❒ salty air and humidity (coastal areas, or
hot humid climates);
❒seasonal environment conditions.
Not to be underestimated is also the abra-
sive action of wind-borne atmospheric
dust and sand and mud and gravel raised
by other cars.
On your car, Abarth implemented the
best manufacturing technologies to effec-
tively protect the bodywork against cor-
rosion. Rear window wiper fig. 10
Rear window washer jets are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window.
fig. 10F0M046Ab

177
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original el-
ement of the structure or body.
For the general terms of this warranty, re-
fer to Abarth Warranty Booklet.ADVICE FOR PRESERVING
THE BODYWORK
Paint
Paintwork does not only serve an aesteth-
ic purpose, but also protects the under-
lying sheet metal.
In the case of deep scrapes or scores, you
are advised to have the necessary touching
up carried out immediately to avoid the for-
mation of rust. For touching up use only
original products (see “Bodywork paint
identification plate” in section “Technical
specifications”).
Normal paint maintenance consists in
washing at intervals depending on the con-
ditions and environment of use. For exam-
ple, in highly polluted areas, or if the roads
are sprayed with salt, it is wise to wash the
car more frequently.To correctly wash the car:
❒ remove the aerial from the roof to pre-
vent damage to it if the car is washed in
an automatic system;
❒ wash the body using a low pressure jet
of water;
❒ wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy so-
lution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing with the sponge;
❒ rinse well with water and dry with a jet
of air or a chamois leather.
When drying, take particular care with the
less visible parts like door surrounds, bon-
net and around the headlights where wa-
ter may stagnate. The car should not be
taken to a closed area immediately, but left
in the open so that residual water can
evaporate.

178
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Detergents cause water pollu-
tion. Therefore the engine
compartment should be
washed in areas equipped for
collecting and purifying the liquid used
in the washing process.Do not wash the car after it has been left
in the sun or with the bonnet hot: this may
alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned in
the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under trees;
the resinous substance many species re-
lease give the paint a dull appearance and
increase the possibility of triggering rust
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly as
the acid they contain is particularly ag-
gressive.Windows
Use specific window cleaner products.
Use also clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or damaging the transparency.
IMPORTANT The inside of the
rearscreen should be wiped gently with a
cloth in the direction of the filaments to
avoid damaging the heating device.
Engine compartment
At the end of the winter the engine com-
partment should be carefully washed,
without directing the jet against electron-
ic control units. Contact a specialised
workshop to have this done.IMPORTANT The car should be washed
with the engine cold and the ignition key
at STOP. After washing make sure that
the various protections (e.g. rubber caps
and various covers) have not been dam-
aged or removed.
Front headlights
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic sub-
stances (e.g.: petrol) or ketones (e.g.: ace-
tone) for cleaning front headlight plastic
lens.