traction control FIAT SEDICI 2009 2.G Owners Manual

158
– Reduce your speed and
downshift to a lower gear
before going down a long or steep hill.
A lower gear will allow the engine to
provide braking.
– Avoid riding the brakes or they may
overheat, resulting in brake failure.
_ When driving on slippery roads, be
sure to slow down before downshift-
ing. Excessive and or sudden changes
in engine speed may cause loss of
traction, which could cause you to
lose control.
– Make sure that the vehicle is com-
pletely stationary before you shift in-
to reverse.
WARNING
79J217
To change gears properly
you must push the clutch
pedal fully down. It is therefore es-
sential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of the
pedals.
WARNING
For vehicle with tachometer
Keep the engine speed so it does not get
into the red zone of tachometer. Downshifting maximum allowable
speeds
For 1.6 L engine
DownshiftingKm/h (mph)
2nd to 1st50 (31)
3rd to 2nd90 (56)
4th to 3rd135 (84)
5th to 4th180 (113)*
Downshifting Km/h (mph)
2nd to 1st40 (25)
3rd to 2nd70 (43)
4th to 3rd120 (74)
5th to 4th160 (99)
6th to 5th200 (124)*
For 2.0 L Diesel engine
(*) NOTE You may not accelerate to the
maximum allowable speed because of the
driving situation and/or the vehicle con-
dition.
IMPORTANT When downshifting to a
lower gear, make sure not to operate with
the speed faster than the maximum al-
lowable speeds for the next lower gear,
or severe engine damage can result.IMPORTANT
 To help avoid clutch damage, do not
use the clutch pedal as a footrest while
driving or use the clutch to keep the ve-
hicle stationary on a slope. Depress the
clutch fully when shifting.
 When shifting or starting off, do not
race the engine. Racing the engine can
shorten engine life and affect smooth
shifting.
6-speed manual transaxle (for Diesel engine)
Reverse engagement for 6-speed
Manual Transaxle model (For
Diesel Engine Model)
Reverse gear: with lifting up ring, shift the
gearshift lever to the right, engage gear.
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159
USING THE 2WD/4WD
SWITCH
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This 4WD system enables you to select the
driving mode according to the driving con-
ditions by operating the 2WD/4WD
switch. With this feature, you can select 3
mode positions, “2WD”, “4WD AUTO”
and “4WD LOCK” by operating the 2WD/
4WD switch even when the vehicle is mov-
ing, provided the front wheels are in the
straight ahead position.
DESCRIPTION OF 3 MODE 4 X 4
SYSTEM POSITIONS
2WD
In this position, engine power is supplied
to the front axle only. Use this position
for normal driving (on dry, hard surfaces).
4WD AUTO
In this position, engine power is supplied
to the front and rear axles at normal
speed, providing greater traction than 2-
wheel drive. Use this position for driving
on paved roads or on slippery roads (icy,
snow-covered, muddy, etc.).In the AUTO mode, the 4WD controller
judges the driving conditions using signals
from sensors.
When slipping of the front wheels is de-
tected, the electronically controlled cou-
pling supplies optimum driving force to the
rear wheels. This function improves dri-
ving stability and running through perfor-
mance on rough roads and stabilizes dri-
ving performance even on a snow covered
up- hill road or the like.
Also, during normal driving on paved
roads, torque distribution to the rear
wheels is reduced to achieve the nearly
front wheel drive condition, thereby fuel
consumption is improved.
80J009
4WD LOCK
In this position, engine power is supplied
to the front and rear axles at reduced
speed. Use this position when it is hard to
start off in the “4WD AUTO” mode such
as in mud, sand or on snow.
NOTE
Avoid operating your vehicle in the
“4WD LOCK” on wet pavement as
much as possible. Operating your vehi-
cle in the “4WD LOCK” on wet pave-
ment may cause severe damage to the
drive train.
As the vehicle speed increases, the
“4WD LOCK” mode is automatically
canceled and the “4WD AUTO” mode
is selected.
When the ignition switch is turned to
the “OFF” position, the “4WD LOCK”
mode is canceled.
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164
HOW THE ABS WORKS
A computer continuously monitors wheel
speed. The computer compares the
changes in wheel speed when braking. If
the wheels slow suddenly, indicating a
skidding situation, the computer will
change braking pressure several times
each second to prevent the wheels from
locking. When you start your vehicle or
when you accelerate after a hard stop, you
may hear a momentary motor or clicking
noise as the system resets or checks itself.
The ABS may not work
properly if tires or wheels
other than those specified in the own-
er’s manual are used. This is because
the ABS works by comparing changes
in wheel speed. When replacing tires
or wheels, use only the size and type
specified in this owner’s manual.
WARNING
ELECTRONIC STABILITY
PROGRAM (ESP®)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
ESP
®is a registered trademark of Daimler
AG.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®)
helps to control the vehicle during cor-
nering if the vehicle is understeering or
oversteering. It also assists you in main-
taining traction while accelerating on loose
or slippery road surfaces. It does this by
regulating the engine’s output, and by se-
lectively applying the brakes. In addition,
ESP
®helps to avoid skidding by controlling
braking pressure.
The ESP®cannot enhance
the vehicle’s driving stabili-
ty in all situations and does not con-
trol your vehicle’s entire braking sys-
tem. The ESP
®cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, or hy-
droplaning. Only a safe and attentive
driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
®- equipped ve-
hicle must never be used as a substi-
tute for careful driving.
WARNING
The ESP®has the following three systems:
STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM
The vehicle stability control system helps
provide integrated control of systems such
as anti- lock brakes, traction control, en-
gine control, etc. This system automati-
cally controls the brakes and engine to
help prevent the vehicle from skidding
when cornering on a slippery road surface
or when turning the steering wheel
abruptly.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
The traction control system automatical-
ly helps prevent the spinning of wheels
when the vehicle is started or accelerated
on slippery road surfaces. The system op-
erates only if it senses that some of the
wheels are spinning or beginning to lose
traction. When this happens, the system
operates the front or rear brakes and re-
duces engine power to limit wheel spin.
NOTE You may hear a clicking sound in
the engine compartment for a few seconds
when you start the engine or just after the
vehicle begins to move. This means that
the above systems are in the self-check
mode. This sound does not indicate a mal-
function.
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171
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY
ROADS
Under wet road conditions you should
drive at a lower speed than on dry roads
due to possible slippage of tires during
braking. When driving on icy, snow-cov-
ered, or muddy roads, reduce your speed
and avoid sudden acceleration, abrupt
braking, or sharp steering movements.
FOR 4-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
MODELS
Your 4WD is designed to get better trac-
tion on slippery roads than 2-wheel drive
models. However, your 4WD will not
have as much traction in deep snow, mud
or sand as multipurpose 4WD vehicles.
You should not attempt to drive your
4WD in deep snow, mud or sand. 4WD
models are not sport/utility vehicles, and
are not designed for off-road use.
SNOW CHAINS
Snow chains should only be used if they
are needed to increase traction or are re-
quired by law. Make sure that the chains
you use are the correct size for your ve-
hicle’s tires. Also make sure that there is
enough clearance between the fenders
and the chains as installed on the tires.Install the chains on the front tires tight-
ly, according to the chain manufacturer’s
instructions. Retighten the chains after dri-
ving about 1. 0 km (1/ 2 mile) if necessary.
With the chains installed, drive slowly.
IMPORTANT
❒If you hear the chains hitting against the
vehicle body while driving, stop and
tighten them.
❒If you vehicle is equipped with full wheel
caps, remove the wheel caps before in-
stalling the chains or the wheel caps can
be damaged by the chain bands. IMPORTANT When descending a down
hill, NEVER turn the ignition key to the
“OFF” position. Emission control system
damage may result.
79J02960G089S
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