ESP Abarth Punto 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

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WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
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FAILURE INDICATIONS
In the event of a failure, the ESP system will be
automatically switched off and warning light áwill
appear on the instrument panel along with a message on
the reconfigurable multifunction display (see “Warning
lights and messages”). Contact an Abarth Dealership as
soon as possible.ESP SYSTEM
(Electronic Stability Program)
This is an electronic system controlling car stability in
the event of tyre grip loss, helping to maintain
directional control.
The ESP system is therefore particularly useful when
grip conditions of road surfaces change.
The MSR system (adjustment of the engine braking
torque during gear changes), the HBA system
(automatic increase in the braking pressure during
emergency braking) and the TTC system (with self-
locking differential effect) are present with ESP, ASR and
Hill Holder systems.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
This is signalled by the blinking of the warning light áon
the instrument panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESP system comes on automatically when the
vehicle is started and cannot be turned off.
Do not take unnecessary risks, even if
your vehicle is fitted with an ESP system.
Your driving style must always be suited to the
road conditions, visibility and traffic. The driver
is ultimately responsible for road safety.
WARNING
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HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESP system and it is
provided to facilitate starting on slopes.
It is automatically activated in the following conditions:
❒ uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pedal
depressed and gearbox in neutral or gear other than
reverse;
❒ downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pedal pressed
and reverse gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESP system control unit maintains
the braking pressure at the wheels until the engine
torque required for departure is reached, or for a
maximum of 1 second, allowing your right foot to be
moved easily from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
If the vehicle has not departed after this time, the
system will deactivate automatically, gradually releasing
the brake force.
At release, the typical brake disengagement noise
indicating that the car is going to move will be heard. Failure indications
A system fault is indicated by the switching on of the
warning light
áand by the dedicated message on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is not a parking
brake; therefore, never leave the car without having
engaged the handbrake, turned the engine off and
engaged first gear.
For the correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the type, make and
size specified.
WARNING
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For the correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the type, make and
size specified.
WARNINGASR SYSTEM (Antislip Regulator)
This function controls car drive and intervenes
automatically every time one or both driving wheels slip.
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
❒ if both drive wheels are slipping, the ASR function
intervenes by reducing the power transmitted by the
engine;
❒ if the slipping only involves only one drive wheel, the
ASR system intervenes automatically braking the
wheel that is slipping.
The action of the ASR system is particularly helpful in
the following circumstances:
❒ slipping of the inner wheel when cornering due to
the effect of dynamic load changes or excessive
acceleration;
❒ too much power transmitted to the wheels in
relation to the conditions of the road surface;
❒ acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy surfaces;
❒ loss of grip on a wet surface (aquaplaning). Failure indications
In the event of a failure, the ASR will be automatically
switched off and the warning light
áwill appear on the
instrument panel along with a message on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see “Warning lights
and messages”). In this case, contact an Abarth
Dealership as soon as possible.
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MSR system (engine drive regulation)
This is an integral part of the ASR system that, in the
event of sudden gear shifting on hills, cuts in to provide
torque to the engine, thus preventing excessive driving
wheel drag that, especially in poor grip conditions, can
lead to loss of stability.
TTC system (self-locking differential effect)
The TTC system uses the braking system to produce a behaviour similar to a limited slip differential.
The front braking system, during acceleration while
cornering, acts on the inner wheel, increasing the drive
of the outer wheel (with more load) and distributing the
torque between the front drive wheels dynamically and
continuously according to the driving conditions and the
road surface.
In this way, the system allows particularly effective and
sporty driving to be achieved.
The TTC system intervenes activating the Sport driving
mode of the “Manettino Abarth” system (see the
“Manettino Abarth car dynamic control system (DSS
– Driving Sport Switch)” paragraph in this section).
When the TTC system is active, the ASR system
calibration is changed and made less intrusive.
Do not take unnecessary risks, even if
your vehicle is fitted with this system.
Your driving style must always be suited to the
road conditions, visibility and traffic.
The driver is always responsible for road safety.
WARNING
When travelling on snowy roads with snow chains, it
may be helpful to have the ASR system less intrusive
(activating the Sport driving mode): in these conditions,
the slipping of the drive wheels when setting off makes it
possible to have better traction.
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F0U189Abfig. 91
DRIVING MODES
The activation of “Sport” driving mode is indicated by
the switching on of the “S” symbol on the lower right
area of the reconfigurable multifunction display, as
shown in fig. 92-93.
When “Normal” mode is selected, no messages or
symbols are shown on the display, fig. 94-95.“MANETTINO ABARTH” CAR
DYNAMIC CONTROL SYSTEM
(DSS - Driving Sport Switch)
This device allows, using switch A-fig. 91, two response
modes to be selected according to driving style and
road conditions.
S = Sport (mode for sports driving)
N = Normal (mode for driving in normal conditions)
After being operated, the lever A always returns to the
central position.
The device also acts on the car dynamic control systems
(instrument panel, steering, engine, TTC and ASR
systems).
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Logic for car dynamic control system
management with “Normal” mode
When the “Normal” driving mode is activated, the car
dynamic control systems intervene with the following
logic:
❒ASR system: calibration for normal driving conditions.
❒ TTC system: disabled.
❒ Steering: calibration for comfort in normal driving
conditions.
❒ Engine: standard adjustment for normal driving
conditions.
TURNING “Sport” MODE ON/OFF
Engagement
To turn the “Sport” driving mode on, move the lever A-
fig. 91 forward to letter “S”. Keep the lever in this
position for at least half a second and in any case until
the symbol “S” or the word “SPORT” appears on the
reconfigurable multifunction display (see fig. 92-93).
After release, the lever A will return to the central
position.
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Logic for car dynamic control system
management with “Sport” mode
When the “Sport” driving mode is activated, the car
dynamic control systems intervene with the following
logic:
❒ASR system: less intrusive calibration with
intervention thresholds that allow freer and sportier
drive.
❒ TTC system: enabled for particularly effective and
sporty driving of the car.
❒ Steering: calibration for sports driving.
❒ Engine: sports adjustment with quicker response of
the accelerator pedal.
Disengagement
To turn the “Sport” driving mode off and return to
“Normal” mode, move the lever A-fig. 91 backwards to
letter “N”. Keep the lever in this position for at least
half a second and in any case until the symbol “S” or the
word “SPORT” disappears from the reconfigurable
multifunction display (see fig. 94-95).
After release, lever A returns to the central position.
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123
Front airbags may not be activated in the following
situations:
❒in collisions against highly deformable objects that do
not affect the front surface of the car (e.g. bumper
collision against guard rail, piles of gravel etc.);
❒ jamming of the car underneath other vehicles or
protective barriers (e.g. underneath a truck or a
guard rail); in this case, the bags would offer no
additional protection with respect to the seat belt
and their deployment is unnecessary. Therefore,
failure to activate in the above circumstances does
not mean that the system is not working properly.FRONT AIR BAGS
The car is fitted with front air bags for the driver and
the passenger, and with a knee bag on the driver’s side.
The front driver / passenger airbags and the driver’s
knee bag have been designed to protect the occupants
in the event of head-on crashes of medium/high severity,
by placing a cushion between the occupant and the
steering wheel or dashboard.
Non-activation in other types of crash (side-on
collisions, rear shunts, roll-overs, etc.) is therefore not a
sign of system malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the bag inflate in
the event of a frontal impact. The bag will inflate
instantaneously placing itself between the front
occupants body and the structures which could cause
injury. It will deflate immediately afterwards.
The front driver/passenger airbags and the driver’s knee
bag are not a replacement for, but rather complement,
the use of belts, which should always be worn, as
specified by law in Europe and most non-European
countries.
The volume of the front airbags at maximum inflation
fills most of the space between the steering wheel and
the driver and between the dashboard and the
passenger.
In the event of an impact, someone not wearing a seat
belt could move forward and come into contact with a
bag which is still in the opening phase. The protection
offered by the cushion is reduced in such a case.
KNOWING
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Do not apply stickers or other objects on
the steering wheel, passenger side airbag
cover or upper side upholstery. Do not place
objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger
side dashboard because these could interfere
with the correct opening of the airbag and
cause severe injury to occupants.
WARNING
The airbags are not deployed in the event of minor
collisions (for which the withholding action of the seat
belts is sufficient). For this reason, the seat belt must be
worn at all times. In the case of side collisions, the seat
belts hold occupants in the correct position and prevent
them being thrown out of the car by a very violent
collision.
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STARTING THE ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic engine lock device: if
the engine fails to start, see the paragraph “The Fiat
CODE system” in section “Dashboard and controls”.
The engine may be noisier during the first few seconds
of operation, especially after a long period of inactivity.
This is a feature of hydraulic tappets, the timing system
chosen to reduce the number of servicing interventions,
and effects neither functionality nor reliability.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
It is dangerous to let the engine run in
enclosed spaces. The engine consumes
oxygen and produces carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and other toxic gases.
WARNING
In the first period of use, we recommend
that you do not demand maximum
performance from the car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, extended travel at maximum revs,
heavy braking etc.).
With the engine off, do not leave the key
in the ignition to prevent draining the
battery.
Remember that the brake booster and
power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore you need
to apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
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STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you should allow the
engine to “catch its breath” before turning it off by
letting it idle to allow the temperature in the engine
compartment to fall.
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A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely
no practical purpose, it wastes fuel and is
damaging especially to turbocharged engines.
F0U124Abfig. 124
PARKING THE VEHICLE
Proceed as follows:
❒Stop the engine and engage the handbrake;
❒Engage a gear (on a slope, engage first gear if the
vehicle is faced uphill or reverse if it is facing
downhill) and leave the wheels steered.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if the car is
parked on a steep slope. Do not leave the key in the
ignition switch to prevent draining the battery. Always
remove the key when you leave the vehicle.
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key
when leaving the car and take it with you.
WARNING
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Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. For this reason, there
must be no obstacles on the floor under the
pedals: ensure that rubber mats (if any) are
lying flat and do not interfere with the pedals.
WARNING
Do not drive with your hand resting on
the shifting lever, because this pressure,
even if light, over time can wear out the
gearbox internal components.
MPORTANT Use of the clutch pedal must be limited
solely to gear changes. Do not drive with your foot
resting on the clutch pedal, however slightly. For
versions/markets where provided, the electronic clutch
control can intervene if it interprets incorrect driving
style as a fault.CONTAINING RUNNING COSTS
Here are some suggestions which may help you to keep
the running costs of your vehicle down and lower the
amount of toxic emissions released into the
atmosphere.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out in accordance
with the “Scheduled Servicing Plan”.
Tyres
Check the pressure of the tyres routinely at an interval
of no more than 4 weeks: if the pressure is too low,
consumption levels increase as resistance to rolling is
higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot. The weight of
the car (especially when driving in town) and the way in
which it is laden greatly affect fuel consumption and
stability.
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