instrument panel Abarth Grande Punto 2007 Owner handbook (in English)

ESP SYSTEM
(Electronic Stability
Program)
The ESP system is an electronic system
controlling the car stability in the event of
tyre grip loss.
The ESP system is therefore particularly
useful when grip conditions of the road sur-
faces changes.
In addition to the ESP system, ASR system
and Hill Holder, (for versions/markets,
where provided) also the MSR system (ad-
justing the engine braking torque) and the
HBA system (improving the braking force
during emergency braking) are provided.
ABS SYSTEM INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the warn-
ing light
áon the instrument panel, to in-
form the driver that the car is in critical
stability and grip conditions.
78
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
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INDEX
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BRAKE ASSIST
(emergency braking assistance
integral with ESP)
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
The system, which cannot be cut out, rec-
ognizes emergency braking (on the ground
of the brake pedal operation speed) and
considerably increases the pressure in the
brake circuit thus supporting the driver to
obtain prompt and effective braking.
Brake Assist is deactivated on the versions
equipped with ESP, in the event of ESP sys-
tem failure (indicated by warning light
áswitching on together with the message
on the multifunction display, where pro-
vided).
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the brake pedal pul-
sating, do not remove your foot, but
keep it pressed; in doing so you will
stop in the shortest amount of space
possible under the current road con-
ditions.
WARNING

ESP SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESP system is automatically activat-
ed when the car is started and cannot be
de-activated.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
In the event of failure, the ESP system is
automatically disconnected, the warning
light
á, comes on with fixed light on the
instrument panel, together with the mes-
sage on the multifunction display (where
provided) (see section “Warning lights and
messages”) and with the button led ASR
OFF. In this case contact a Abarth Deal-
ership as soon as possible.
Performance of the ESP sys-
tem, in terms of active safe-
ty should not induce the driver to take
pointless and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any case al-
ways be adapted to the conditions of
the road surface, visibility and traffic.
Road safety is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
79
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the ESP
system and it is provided to facilitate start-
ing on slopes.
It will activate automatically with the fol-
lowing conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with
a gradient of more than 5%, engine run-
ning, brake pressed and gearbox in neu-
tral or gear other than reverse engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and reverse gear
engaged.

80
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
FAILURE INDICATIONS
System failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning light *on the instrument
panel with digital display and warning light
áon the instrument panel with multi-
function display (where provided) (see
section “Warning lights and messages”).
IMPORANT 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 the first
speed.
For correct operation of the
ESP and ASR systems, the
tyres must absolutely be of the same
brand and type on all wheels, in per-
fect conditions and, above all, of
type, brand and size specified.
WARNINGAt pickup the ESP system control unit will
keep brake force on wheels until reaching
the torque suitable for starting, or in any
case for max. 2 seconds in order to pass
easily from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal.
After two seconds without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by re-
leasing gradually the brake force.
At releasing, the typical brake disengage-
ment noise indicating that the car is go-
ing to move will be heard.

83
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IIN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
The performance of the sys-
tem, in terms of active safe-
ty should not induce the driver to take
pointless and unnecessary risks. The
style of driving must in any case al-
ways be adapted to the conditions of
the road surface, visibility an traffic.
Road safety is always the driver’s re-
sponsibility.
WARNING
For correct operation of the ASR system,
the tyres must absolutely be of the same
brand and type on all wheels, in perfect
conditions and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
FAILURE INDICATIONS
In the event of malfunctioning, the ASR
system is automatically disconnected and
the warning light
áwill come with fixed
light on the instrument panel together
with the message on the multifunction dis-
play, where provided, (see section “Warn-
ing lights and messages”). In this case con-
tact Abarth Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD system (European On Board
Diagnosis) allows continuous diagnosis of
the components of the car correlated with
emissions.
It also alerts the driver, by turning on the
warning light
Uon the instrument pan-
el (together with relevant message on the
multifunction display, where provided)
(see section “Warning lights and mes-
sages”), when these conditions are no
longer in peak conditions.
The objective is:
❒to keep the system efficiency under con-
trol;
❒warn when a fault causes emissions lev-
els to increase;
❒warn of the need to replace deteriorat-
ed components.
The system also has a diagnostic connec-
tor that can be interfaced with appropriate
tools, which makes it possible to read the
error codes stored in the control unit, to-
gether with a series of specific parameters
for engine operation and diagnosis. This
check can also be carried out by the traf-
fic police.IMPORTANT After eliminating the incon-
venience, to check the system completely,
Abarth Dealerships are obliged to run a
bench test and, if necessary, road tests
which may also call for a long journey.
If turning the ignition key to
MAR, the warning light
Udoes not turn on or if, while
travelling it turns on glowing
steadily or flashing (together with the
message on the multifunction display,
where provided), contact Abarth Deal-
ership as soon as possible. Warning
light
Uoperation can be checked by
means of special equipment by traffic
agents. Always comply with the traffic
regulations in force in the country
where you are travelling.

84
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
TYRE PRESSURE
MONITORING
SYSTEM - T.P.M.S.
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
The car can be equipped with the T.P.M.S.
(Tyre Pressure Monitoring System). This
system consists of a radio-frequency sen-
sor, installed on each wheel (on the rim
inside the tyre) that sends pressure infor-
mation to the control unit.IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT
THE T.P.M.S. SYSTEM
Failure indications will not be stored and
therefore will not be displayed when turn-
ing the engine off and on again. If failure
persists, the control unit will send warn-
ing indications to the instrument panel on-
ly after a few seconds when the car is
moving.
IMPORTANT Strong radio- frequency
noises could inhibit regular operation of
the T.P.M.S. system. This condition is in-
dicated by a dedicated message on the dis-
play that will disappear automatically as
soon as radio-frequency noises will stop
to disturb the system.
Pay the utmost attention
when checking or inflating
tyres. Excessive pressure impairs road
holding, increases suspension and
wheel stress and causes abnormal
tyre wear.
WARNING
Tyre pressure should be
checked with tyres rested
and cold. Should it become necessary
for whatever reason to check pressure
with hot tyres, do not reduce pressure
although it is higher than the pre-
scribed value but repeat the check
when tyres are cold.
WARNING
The T.P.M.S. system helps
the driver to monitor tyre
pressure since the driver is the always
responsible for proper inflation pres-
sure of tyres and spare wheel (see
paragraph “Wheels” in section “Car
Maintenance”).
WARNING
T.P.M.S. system cannot indi-
cate sudden tyre pressure
drops (e.g.: tyre burst). In this event,
brake the car cautiously and avoid
sudden steering.
WARNING

93
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
IMPORTANT Correct backrest fastening
is guaranteed when the “red band” on the
backrest folding levers is no longer visible.
The “red band” actually indicates that the
backrest is not properly secured. Make
sure the backrest is properly repositioned,
you should hear the locking click.
IMPORTANT After putting the seats back
to their travelling position, restore the
seat belt position to make them ready for
use.
S.B.R. SYSTEM
The car is fitted with the S.B.R. system
(Seat Belt Reminder), consisting of a
buzzer which, together with the turning
on of warning light
<on the instrument
panel, warns the driver to fasten the seat
belt.
The buzzer can be deactivated (until the
next engine stop) as follows:
❒ fasten the driver’s and passenger’s seat
belt;
❒turn the ignition key to MAR;
❒wait for over 20 seconds and then re-
lease one of the seat belts.
For permanent deactivation, contact
Abarth Dealership.
With multifunction display, the S.B.R. sys-
tem can also be reset through the set-up
menu.
Remember that in the event
of a violent collision, back
seat passengers not wearing seat belts
also represent a serious danger for
the front seat passengers.
WARNING
Make sure the backrest is
properly secured at both
sides to prevent it moves forward in
the event of sharp braking causing in-
juries to passengers.
WARNINGfig. 3F0M0042m

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CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
MANUAL DEACTIVATION OF
PASSENGER’S FRONT AIR BAG
AND SIDE BAG
(for versions/markets,
where provided)
Should it be absolutely necessary to car-
ry a child on the front seat, the passenger’s
front air bag and the Side Bag (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided) can be de-
activated.
The instrument panel warning light “will
stay on glowing steadily until reactivating
the passenger’s front air bag and the Side
Bag (for versions/markets, where provid-
ed).
SERIOUS DANGER: With
passenger’s air bag active
(ON), never place child’s
seats with the cradle facing
backwards since the air bag
activation could cause to
the child serious injuries, even mortal.
In the case of need, always deactivate
the passenger’s air bag when a child’s
seat is placed on the front seat. The
front passenger’s seat shall be ad-
justed in the most backward position
to prevent any contact between
child’s seat and dashboard. Even if
not compulsory by law, you are rec-
ommended to reactivate the air bag
immediately as soon as child trans-
port is no longer necessary.
WARNING
To deactivate the passen-
ger’s front air bag and the
Side Bag (for versions/markets, where
provided), refer to paragraph “Re-
configurable multifunction display” in
section “Dashboard and controls”.
WARNING

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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
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EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
ENGINE STARTING
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 than usual dur-
ing the first seconds of operation, espe-
cially after it has not been used for a while.
This characteristic feature does not com-
promise functionality or reliability of the
hydraulic tappets: the timing system de-
vised to limit servicing.
We recommend that during
the initial period you do not
drive to full car performance
(e.g.: excessive acceleration,
long journeys at top speed, sharp brak-
ing, etc.).
When the engine is switched
off never leave the key into
the ignition switch to prevent
pointless current absorption
from draining the battery.
Running the engine in con-
fined areas is extremely dan-
gerous. The engine consumes oxygen
and produces carbon monoxide
which is a highly toxic and lethal gas.
WARNING
Remember that the servo-
brake and power steering
are not operational until the engine
has been started, therefore much ef-
fort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
WARNING
Proceed as follows:
❒ensure that the handbrake is up;
❒put the gear lever into neutral;
❒ press the clutch pedal down to the
floor without touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVVand let
it go the moment the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the first at-
tempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating starting.
If, when the ignition key is at MAR, warn-
ing light
Yremains lit together with
warning light Uturn the key to STOP
STOP and then back to MAR; if the warn-
ing light remains on, try with the other
keys provided with the car.
IMPORTANT If the instrument panel
warning light Ystays on glowing steadi-
ly, contact immediately Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Never leave the ignition key
to MARwhen the engine is off.

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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
DASHBOARD
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS
Turning on of warning light is accompa-
nied by specific message and/or by buzzer
sound where provided by instrument pan-
el. These indications are concise and
cautionaryand shall not be considered
as exhaustive and/or as an alternative to
the specifications contained in this Own-
er Handbook which shall always be read
through carefully and thoroughly. In case
of failure indication always refer to the
specifications contained in this sec-
tion.
IMPORTANT Failure indications displayed
are divided into two categories: very se-
riousand less seriousfailures.
Very seriousfailures are indicated by a
repeated and prolonged warning “cycle”.
Less seriousfailures are indicated by a lim-
ited warning “cycle”.
The warning cycle of both failure cate-
gories can be stopped by pressing button
MENU ESC. The instrument panel warn-
ing light will stay on until eliminating the
fault.LOW BRAKE FLUID
(red)
HANDBRAKE ON (red)
Turning the ignition key in the MARpo-
sition the warning light turns on, it has
to turn off after a few seconds.
Insufficient brake fluid
The warning light turns on when the lev-
el of the brake fluid in the reservoir drops
under the minimum level, due to a prob-
able loss of fluid from the circuit.
The display visualizes the specific message.
x
If the warning light xturns
on (together with the mes-
sage on the display) while driving,
stop immediately and refer to the
Abarth technical assistance network.
WARNING
Hand brake engaged
The light turns on when the hand brake
is engaged.
If the car is in motion, on some versions
there also is an associated acoustic warn-
ing signal.
IMPORTANT If the light turns on while
the car is in motion, check that the hand
brake is not engaged.

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IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If while turning the ignition
key in the MAR position, the
Ulight dose not turn on or
if while driving it illuminates
or flashes (on some versions together
with the message on the display), re-
fer to the Abarth Dealership as soon as
possible. The functionality of the
Ulight can be checked with appropriate
equipment by traffic control agents.
Conform to the regulations in force in
the country in which you are circulat-
ing.
In this case you can continue to drive
though try to avoid either putting the en-
gine under stress or high speeds. The pro-
longed use of the vehicle with the warning
light on could cause damages. Reach as
soon as possible the Abarth Dealership.
The light turns off if the problem disap-
pears, but the system memorizes the re-
port.
❒flashing light:indicates the possibility of
damage to the catalyst (see “EOBD
System” in the “Instrument panel and
controls” chapter).
In case of flashing light one must release the
accelerator pedal, in order to reach low
speeds, until the light turns off, continue
at moderate speed trying to avoid driving
conditions that can cause further flashing
of the light. Reach the Abarth Dealership
as soon as possible. ENGINE CONTROL
SYSTEM FAILURE
(EOBD) (amber)
Under normal conditions,
turning the ignition key in the MARpo-
sition, the light turns on, but it should turn
off as soon as the engine is started. The ini-
tial illumination indicates the correct func-
tioning of the light.
If the light does not turn off or if it turns on
while driving:
❒fixed light (no flashing):this indicates
malfunctioning in the supply/ignition
system that could cause high emissions
from the exhaust pipe, possible loss
of performance, bad driveability and
high fuel consumption.
The display visualizes the specific message.
U