ESP Abarth 124 Spider 2020 Owner handbook (in English)

75)The capability of the DSC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.
76)If the active bonnet has activated,
always contact an Abarth Dealership. If the
bonnet release handle is pulled after the
active bonnet has activated, the bonnet will
rise even further. If the vehicle is driven with
the bonnet raised it will obstruct visibility
and could result in an accident. In addition,
do not attempt to push the bonnet back
down. Otherwise, it could deform the
bonnet or cause injury because the
activated bonnet cannot be lowered
manually. Before driving the vehicle contact
an Abarth Dealership after the active
bonnet has activated, make sure that the
raised bonnet does not obstruct vision and
drive the vehicle at a low speed.AUXILIARY DRIVING
SYSTEMS
TPMS (Tire Pressure
Monitoring System)
(Where provided)
77) 78) 79)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) monitors the pressure for each
tire. If tire pressure is too low in one or
more tires, the system will inform the
driver via the warning light in the
instrument cluster and by the warning
beep sound. Refer to “Warning lights
and messages” paragraph “Knowing
the instrument panel” chapter.
Refer to “Tire inflation pressure warning
beep” in “Warning sound is activated” in
Knowing the instrument panel” chapter.
The tire pressure sensors installed on
each wheel send tire pressure data by
radio signal to the receiver unit in the
vehicle.
NOTE When the ambient temperature is
low due to seasonal changes, tire
temperatures are also lower. When the
tire temperature decreases, the air
pressure decreases as well. The TPMS
warning light may illuminate more
frequently. Visually inspect the tires daily
before driving, and check tire pressures
monthly with a tire pressure gauge.
When checking tire pressures, use of adigital tire pressure gauge is
recommended.
TPMS does not alleviate your need to
check the pressure and condition of all
four tires regularly.
IMPORTANT Each tire, including the
spare (where provided), should be
checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label (if your
vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire
inflation pressure for those tires).
IMPORTANT As an added safety
feature, your vehicle has been equipped
with a TMPS system that illuminates a
low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the
low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
affect the vehicle's handling and
stopping ability.
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IMPORTANT Please note that the
TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver's
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped
with a TPMS malfunction indicator to
indicate when the system is not
operating properly.
IMPORTANT The TPMS malfunction
indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and
then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as
the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a
variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate
tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one
or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement oralternate tires and wheels allow the
TPMS to continue to function properly.
IMPORTANT To avoid false readings,
the system samples for a little while
before indicating a problem. As a result
it will not instantaneously register a
rapid tire deflation or blow out.
System error activation
When the TPMS warning light flashes,
there may be a system malfunction.
Contact an Abarth Dealership.
A system error activation may occur in
the following cases:
when there is equipment or a device
near the vehicle using the same radio
frequency as that of the tire pressure
sensors;
when a metallic device such as a
non-genuine navigation system is
equipped near the center of the
dashboard, which may block radio
signals from the tire pressure sensor to
the receiver unit;
when using the following devices in
the vehicle that may cause radio
interference with the receiver unit: a
digital device such as a personal
computer or a current converter device
such as a DC-AC converter;
when excess snow or ice adheres to
the vehicle, especially around the
wheels;
when the tire pressure sensor
batteries are exhausted;
when using a wheel with no tire
pressure sensor installed;
when using tires with steel wire
reinforcement in the side walls;
when using tire chains.
Tires and wheels
IMPORTANT When inspecting or
adjusting the tire air pressures, do not
apply excessive force to the stem part
of the wheel unit. The stem part could
be damaged.
Changing tires and wheels
The following procedure allows the
TPMS to recognize a tire pressure
sensor's unique ID signal code
whenever tires or wheels are changed,
such as changing to and from winter
tires.
IMPORTANT Each tire pressure sensor
has a unique ID signal code. The signal
code must be registered with the TPMS
before it can work. The easiest way to
do it is to have an Abarth Dealership
change your tire and complete ID signal
code registration.
When having tires changed at an
Abarth Dealership: when an Abarth
Dealership changes your vehicle's tires,
they will complete the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code registration.
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SAFETY

When changing tires yourself:ifyou
or someone else changes tires, you or
someone else can also undertake the
steps for the TPMS to complete the ID
signal code registration:
after tires have been changed, switch
the ignition ON, then back to ACC or
OFF;
wait for about 15 minutes;
after about 15 minutes, drive the
vehicle at a speed of at least 25 km/h
for 10 minutes and the tire pressure
sensor ID signal code will be registered
automatically.
IMPORTANT If the vehicle is driven
within about 15 minutes of changing
tires, the
warning light will flash
because the sensor ID signal code
would not have been registered. If this
happens, park the vehicle for about
15 minutes, after which the sensor ID
signal code will register upon driving the
vehicle for 10 minutes.
Replacing tires and wheels
IMPORTANT When replacing/repairing
the tires or wheels or both, have the
work done by an Abarth Dealership, or
the tire pressure sensors may be
damaged.
IMPORTANT The wheels equipped on
your vehicle are specially designed for
installation of the tire pressure sensors.Do not use non-genuine wheels,
otherwise it may not be possible to
install the tire pressure sensors.
Be sure to have the tire pressure
sensors installed whenever tires or
wheels are replaced.
When having a tire or wheel or both
replaced, the following types of tire
pressure sensor installations are
possible:
the tire pressure sensor is removed
from the old wheel and installed to the
new one;
the same tire pressure sensor is used
with the same wheel. Only the tire is
replaced;
a new tire pressure sensor is installed
to a new wheel.
IMPORTANT The tire pressure sensor
ID signal code must be registered when
a new tire pressure sensor is
purchased. For purchase of a tire
pressure sensor and registration of the
tire pressure sensor ID signal code,
consult an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT When reinstalling a
previously removed tire pressure sensor
to a wheel, replace the grommet (seal
between valve body/sensor and wheel)
for the tire pressure sensor.
MECHANICAL LIMITED
SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
Your vehicle is equipped with a
mechanical limited slip differential. In
particular this vehicle adopts a
super-LSD which guarantees improved
vehicle traction and handling.
A super-LSD with a low torque bias
ratio (*) has been adopted to improve
performance when starting from a
standstill, driving straight-ahead and
response.
(*)Torque bias ratio: when a wheel
slips due to a low-traction surface, the
LSD provides proportionally more
torque to the opposite wheel. The
torque bias ratio is the ratio of torque
supplied to the right and left wheels in
such cases, and represents the
performance capability of the LSD.
The super-LSD is a torque-sensing type
that provides improved driving stability
due to the following characteristics:
low torque bias ratio provides
improved controllability (torque bias
ratio: 2.0);
creation of initial torque provides
improved starting from a standstill and
acceleration/deceleration response, and
driving straight-ahead (initial torque:
49 Nm);
simplified construction provides
weight reduction.
79

Proceed as follows:
open the convertible top;
make sure the ignition is switched
off;
slide the passenger seat as far back
as possible. You may need to move the
seat forward slightly and recline the
back of the seat, in order to assist in
the fittment of some child-restraint
systems;
make sure the seatback is securely
latched by pushing it back until it is fully
locked;
expand the area between the seat
bottom and the seatback slightly to
verify the locations of the ISOFIX
anchor.
IMPORTANT The markings above the
ISOFIX anchors indicate the locations of
the ISOFIX anchors for the attachment
of a child-restraint system.
secure the child-restraint system
using the ISOFIX anchor, following the
child-restraint system manufacturer's
instruction;
switch the ignition ON and make
sure the OFF passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light
fig. 74 illuminates after installing a
child-restraint system on the passenger
seat (see “Passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator lights”
paragraph). If the passenger air bag
OFF deactivation indicator light does
not illuminate, remove the child-restraint
system, switch the ignition to OFF, and
then reinstall the child-restraint system;
if your child-restraint system came
equipped with a tether, that probably
means it is very important to properly
secure the tether for child safety. Please
carefully follow the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions
when installing tethers.
WARNING
94)Use the correct size child-restraint
system. For effective protection in vehicle
accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained using a seat belt or
child-restraint system depending on age
and size. If not, the child could be seriously
injured or even killed in an accident.
95)Follow the manufacturer's instructions
and always keep the child-restraint system
buckled down. An unsecured
child-restraint system is dangerous. In a
sudden stop or a collision it could move
causing serious injury or death to the child
or other occupants. Make sure any
child-restraint system is properly secured in
place according to the child-restraint
system manufacturer's instructions. When
not in use, remove it from the vehicle or
fasten it with a seat belt, or latch it down to
BOTH ISOFIX anchors, and attach the
corresponding tether anchor.
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SAFETY

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.
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119

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.
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WARNING
155)Do not rely completely on the parking
sensor system and be sure to confirm the
safety around your vehicle visually when
driving. This system can assist the driver in
operating the vehicle in the forward and
backward directions while parking. The
detection ranges of the sensors are limited,
therefore, driving the vehicle while relying
only on the system may cause an accident.
Always confirm the safety around your
vehicle visually when driving.
156)Parking and other potentially
dangerous manoeuvres are, however,
always the driver’s responsibility. When
performing these operations, always make
sure that there are no other people
(especially children) or animals on the route
you want to drive into. The parking sensors
are an aid for the driver, but the driver must
never allow their attention to lapse during
potentially dangerous manoeuvres, even
those executed at low speeds.
IMPORTANT
26)Only have interventions on the bumper
in the area of the sensors carried out by a
Dealership. Interventions on the bumper
that are not carried out properly may
compromise the operation of the parking
sensors.
27)Only have the bumpers repainted or
any retouches to the paintwork in the area
of the sensors carried out by a Dealership.
Incorrect paint application could affect the
operation of the parking sensors.
28)The sensors must be clean of mud,
dirt, snow or ice in order for the system to
operate correctly. Be careful not to scratch
or damage the sensors while cleaning
them. Avoid using dry, rough or hard
cloths. The sensors should be washed
using clean water with the addition of car
shampoo if necessary. When using special
washing equipment such as high pressure
jets or steam cleaning, clean the sensors
very quickly keeping the jet more than
10 cm away.
130
STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING
163)Parking and other potentially
dangerous manoeuvres are, however,
always the driver’s responsibility. While
carrying out these manoeuvres, always
make sure that no people (especially
children) or animals are in the area
concerned. The camera is an aid for the
driver, but the driver must never allow
his/her attention to lapse during potentially
dangerous manoeuvres, even those
executed at low speeds. Always keep a
slow speed, so as to promptly brake in the
case of obstacles.
164)Always adjust the picture quality of
the rear view monitor while the vehicle is
stopped: do not adjust the picture quality
of the rear view monitor while driving the
vehicle. Adjusting the picture quality of the
rear view monitor such as brightness,
contrast, color, and tint while driving the
vehicle is dangerous as it could distract
your attention from the vehicle operation
which could lead to an accident.
IMPORTANT
29)It is vital, for correct operation, that the
camera is always kept clean and free from
mud, dirt, snow or ice. Be careful not to
scratch or damage the camera while
cleaning it. Avoid using dry, rough or hard
cloths. The camera must be washed using
clean water, with the addition of car
shampoo if necessary. In washing stations
which use steam or high-pressure jets,
clean the camera quickly, keeping the
nozzle more than 10 cm away from the
sensors. Do not apply stickers to the
camera.
TOWING TRAILERS
Your car is not designed for towing.
136
STARTING AND OPERATING

REPLACING A BULB
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
165) 166) 167) 168)
30) 31)
Before replacing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
replace blown bulbs with others of
the same type and power;
after replacing a headlight bulb,
always check its alignment;
to replace the bulb, contact an
Abarth Dealership;
use the protective cover and carton
for the replacement bulb to dispose of
the old bulb promptly and out of the
reach of children;
when a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before replacing the bulb. For the
location of fuses, refer to the paragraph
“If a fuse blows” in this chapter.
IMPORTANT When removing the lens
or light unit using a flathead
screwdriver, make sure that the flathead
screwdriver does not contact the
interior terminal. If the flathead
screwdriver contacts the terminal, a
short circuit may occur.IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is a
natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside of
the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from the
center of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges.
139

WARNING
165)Changes or repairs to the electrical
system carried out incorrectly and without
due consideration for the technical
specifications of the system may lead to
malfunctioning and generate a fire hazard.
166)Before replacing the bulb, wait for the
exhaust ducts to cool down: DANGER OF
SCALDING!167)Halogen bulbs contain pressurised
gas, in the case of breakage they may
burst causing glass fragments to be
projected outwards.
168)Only replace bulbs when the engine is
off. Also ensure that the engine is cold, to
prevent the risk of burns.
IMPORTANT
30)Where possible, it is advisable to have
bulbs changed at Abarth Dealership.
Proper operation and direction of the
external lights are essential for driving in
safety and comply with law.
31)Halogen bulbs must be handled
holding the metallic part only. Touching the
transparent part of the bulb with your
fingers may reduce the intensity of the
emitted light and even reduce the lifespan
of the bulb. In the event of accidental
contact, wipe the bulb with a cloth
moistened with alcohol and let the bulb dry
REPLACING FUSES
GENERAL INFORMATION
169) 170) 171) 172) 173)
32) 33)
Fuse location
Fuses are grouped together in two fuse
boxes located on the left side of the
vehicle and under the bonnet.
FUSES ON THE LEFT
SIDE OF THE VEHICLE
Proceed as follows:
make sure the ignition is switched
off, and other switches are off;
open the fuse panel cover
fig. 128 (located near the door);
press retaining clip and remove
protection cover;
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