traction control FIAT 500 ABARTH 2012 2.G Owners Manual

Brake System ........................ 205
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . 205
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 207
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 207
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 207
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 208
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 209
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 210
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 212
 Tire Safety Information ................. 214
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 214
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 217▫
Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 218
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 219
 Tires — General Information ............. 223
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 223
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 224
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 225
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 226
▫ All Season Tires — If Equipped .......... 226
▫ Snow Tires ......................... 226
▫ Summer Or Three Season Tires — If
Equipped .......................... 227
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel — If Equipped ............. 227
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 228
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 199

WARNING! (Continued)
•The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving the
use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as
the vehicle comes to a stop. This is the result of the
system reverting to the base brake system.
Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal and indicate that the
system is functioning properly.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with a advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Con-
trol System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Electronic
Stability Control (ESC). All systems work together to
enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving
conditions and are commonly referred to as ESC.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Start-
ing and Operating” for further information.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 207

reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must applycontinuousbrak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence (do not
“pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.
WARNING!
•The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplan-
ing.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited-slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent col-
lisions, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent collisions
resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappro-
priate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety
of others.
ESC Operating Modes
The ESC system has three available operating modes.Full On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in On mode.
This mode should be used for most driving situations.
ESC should only be turned to Partial Off for specific
reasons as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pressing the ESC
Off switch. This mode is intended for times when a more
spirited driving experience is desired. It is also intended
for driving in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions,
when more wheel spin than ESC would normally allow is
required to gain traction.
To turn ESC on again, momentarily press the switch
again. This will restore the normal ESC On mode of
operation.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 211

has been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains
on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than
30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as
possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light (located
in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light also
flashes when TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during accel-
eration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.NOTE:
•The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and
the ESC OFF Indicator Light come on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
The ESC OFF Indicator Light indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 213

Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
338 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Brake Assist System................... 207
Traction Control System ................ 208
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 100
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 210
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 135
Emergency, In Case of Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 248
Jacking ............................ 259
Jump Starting ....................... 266
Towing ............................ 271
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 276
Engine Break-In Recommendations .............. 63
Checking Oil Level ................... 280
Compartment ....................... 275
Cooling ........................... 292
Exhaust Gas Caution ................65,242
Fails to Start ........................ 198
Flooded, Starting ..................... 198 Fuel Requirements
.................... 238
Oil ......................... 280,314,315
Oil Change Interval ................... 280
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 281
Oil Filter ........................... 315
Oil Selection ........................ 281
Overheating ........................ 248
Starting ........................... 196
Temperature Gauge ................... 133
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 47
Event Data Recorder ...................... 52
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 24,65,242
Exhaust System ....................... 65,289
Exterior Lights .......................... 68
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 135
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 282
Engine Oil ....................... 282,315
10
INDEX 345

Lane Change Assist....................... 94
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 27
Latches ................................ 68
Hood .............................. 89
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 238
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 68
Life of Tires ............................ 229
Liftgate (Sedan) .......................... 23
Light Bulbs ............................. 68
Lights ............................. 68,91,92
Airbag ...................... 44,52,66,126
Anti-Lock .......................... 132
Brake Assist Warning .................. 212
Brake Warning ...................... 131
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 130
Exterior ............................ 68
Fog .............................. 125
High Beam .......................... 92
High Beam Indicator .................. 125 Low Fuel
.......................... 125
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 129
Oil Pressure ........................ 129
Park .............................. 92
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 126
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction
Indicator) .......................... 129
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ......... 127
Traction Control ..................... 212
Turn Signal ..................... 68,93,125
Voltage ............................ 126
Wait to Start ........................ 124
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 124
Loading Vehicle Tires .............................. 219
Locks Automatic Door ...................... 21
Door .............................. 19
Power Door ......................... 20
348 INDEX