suspension Abarth Punto 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

We really know your car because we invented, designed and built it: we r\
eally know every single detail. At Abarth Service authorised workshops you can find technicians directly trained by us,
offering quality and professionalism for all service operations.
Abarth workshops are always close to you for the regular servicing opera\
tions, season checks and practical recommendations by our experts.
With Abarth Genuine Parts you keep the reliability, comfort and performa\
nce features of your new car unchanged in time: that's why you bought it for.
Always ask for Genuine Parts for the components used on our cars; we rec\
ommend them because
they come from our steady commitment in research and development of high\
ly innovative technologies. For all these reasons: rely on Genuine Parts, because they are the only ones designed
by Abarth for your car.
SAFETY:
BRAKING SYSTEMENVIRONMENT: PARTICULATE FILTERS, CLIMATE CONTROL MAINTENANCECOMFORT: SUSPENSION
AND WINDSCREEN WIPERS PERFORMANCE: SPARK PLUGS, INJECTORS AND BATTERIESLINEACCESSORI
ROOF RACK BARS, WHEEL RIMS
WHY CHOOSING GENUINE PARTS
COP LUM ABARTH PUNTO GB 7-02-2012 14:27 Pagina 2

93
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
ST

ARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
TYRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
(for versions/markets where provided)
The car may be equipped with a tyre pressure
monitoring system (T.P.M.S.). This system comprises a
radio frequency transmitter fitted to each wheel (on the
rim inside the tyre), which is able to send information
on the pressure of each tyre to the control unit.
Take the greatest of care when checking
or restoring the tyre pressures. If the
pressure is too high, road hold is compromised,
there is more demand on the suspension and
wheels, and the tyres wear abnormally.
WARNING
Tyre pressure should be checked when
the tyres are cold; if, for whatever
reason, you check the pressure when the tyres
are hot, do not reduce the pressure even if it is
higher than the recommended value, but check
again when the tyres are cold.
WARNING
IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THE TPMS
SYSTEM
The fault indications are not stored and will therefore
not be displayed after the engine has been switched off
and then on again. If the fault conditions persist, the
control unit will send the relative indications to the
instrument panel only after the vehicle has been in
motion for a short time.
The presence of the TPMS does not
exonerate the driver from regularly
checking the pressure of the tyres and the spare
wheel (see “Wheels” in the “Maintenance and
care” section).
WARNING
The TPMS is not able to warn you of
sudden tyre pressure losses (for example
when a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the car,
braking with care and avoiding sharp steering
actions.
WARNING
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196
F0U175Abfig. 171
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTSRemember that road holding also
depends on the correct tyre inflation.
WARNING
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.
Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of temperatures
exceeding 150°C.
The mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
WARNING
❒check the tyres regularly for cuts on the sides, swelling
or irregular tread wear;. Contact an Abarth Dealership
if required;
❒avoid overloading the car when travelling: this may
cause serious damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop the vehicle immediately and
change it to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim, the
suspensions and the steering system;
❒a tyre will age even if it is not used much. Cracks in the
tread and on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing. Have
the tyres checked by skilled personnel if they have
been fitted for longer than six years. Also remember
to check the space-saver wheel very carefully;
❒in case of replacement, always fit new tyres, avoiding
those with an unknown origin;
❒if a tyre is replaced, also change the inflation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front and rear tyres,
it is advisable to change them over every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on the same side
of the car so as not to reverse the direction of
rotation.
183-204 PUNTO Abarth GB 1ed 8-02-2012 13:25 Pagina 196

Rack and pinion with electric power steering11
self-ventilated discsdiscs
Controlled by hand lever, acting on the rear brakes
209
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Torsion beam with interconnected wheels
Independent wheel MacPherson-type with anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Service brakes: front
rear
Parking brake
IMPORTANT Water, ice and antifreeze salt sprinkled on the roads may depo\
sit on the brake discs reducing braking efficiency
the first time the brakes are applied.
SUSPENSION
Front
Rear
STEERING
Type
Turning circle (kerb to kerb) m
205-220 GPUNTO EVO Abarth GB 2ed 8-11-2010 14:44 Pagina 209

265
KNOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
MAINTENANCE
AND CARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Start&Stop system ......................... 99
Starting and driving ....................... 131
Steering lock and ignition switch ....................................... 11-12
Steering wh eel ............................... 34
– adjustment ................................ 34
– turning circle ............................ 209
Steering wheel lock ...................... 12
Steering – steering wheel
adjustment lever ......................... 34
– technical specifications .......... 209
Storage compart ments ...... 61-62-67
Storing the car ............................... 140
Sun roof (Sk y-dome) .................... 68
– emergency operation ............. 70
Sun visors ....................................... 66
Suspensions (technical specifications) ........... 209
Symbols ........................................... 4
Tailgate
– closing th e tailgate .................. 77
– opening th e tailgate ................ 76
– opening the tailgate in
an emer gency .............................. 77 Taillights
– front bulb repla cement .......... 161
– switching on ............................. 49
Technical data ................................ 205
Technical specifications ............... 205
Third brake light – bulb replace ment .................... 166
Towing the car .............................. 179
TPMS (Tyre Inflation Pressure Control System) ......................... 93
Transmission (technical specifications) ........... 208
Trip compu ter ............................... 29
TTC (system) ................................ 91
Turning circle ................................ 209
Tyre Inflation Pressure Control System (TPMS) ........... 93
Tyre press ure ................................ 213
Tyres (wheels) – Fix&Go Automatic rapid tyre
repair kit ...................................... 152
– in the event of a puncture .... 176
– reading rim markings ............. 212
– reading tyre markings ............ 210
– Rim Protector tyr es ...............212
– rims and tyres .......................... 210
– snow cha ins .............................. 139 – snow t
yres ................................ 138
– tyre pr essure ........................... 213
– wheel trim ................................ 210
– winter t yres ............................. 138
Vehicle Ident ification .................. 207
Vehicle identification number pl ate ................................ 205
Vehicle lifting points ..................... 178
Vehicle weig hts ............................. 215
Warning lights and messages .... 141
Washer fluid for windscreen/ rear window
– checking levels and
topping up .................................... 190
– specifications ............................ 218
Washing the car – engine compa rtment .............. 202
– inside ......................................... 202
– outside ...................................... 201
Wheel geom etry ........................... 210
Wheel rims ............................. 210-212
Wheels and tyres ......................... 195 – reading rim markings ............. 212
– reading tyre markings ............ 210
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