tow FIAT SPIDER ABARTH 2017 User Guide

STARTING AND OPERATINGSTARTINGTHEENGINE ...... .149
BRAKE SYSTEM ........... .150
MANUAL TRANSMISSION ..... .152
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED ............... .153
SPORT MODE ............ .158
SPEED CONTROL .......... .159
RADAR SENSORS — IF
EQUIPPED ............... .162
REAR PARK ASSIST — IF
EQUIPPED ............... .163
PARKVIEW REAR BACKUP CAMERA
— IF EQUIPPED ........... .167
REFUELING THE VEHICLE ..... .173
VEHICLELOADING ......... .176
TOWING TRAILERS ......... .178
DRIVING TIPS ............. .178
148
STARTING AND OPERATING

SPEED CONTROL Speed Control
This is an electronically controlled
driving assistance feature that allows
the desired vehicle speed to be
maintained, without having to press the
accelerator pedal.
This feature can be used at a speed
above 25 mph (40 km/h) on long
stretches of dry, straight roads with few
variations (e.g. motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this feature on city roads with traffic. Do
not use it in town.
Warning!Do not use Speed Control under the
following conditions:
hilly terrain
steep inclines
heavy or unsteady traffic
slippery or winding roads
similar restrictions that require
inconsistent speed
Using the Speed Control under the
following conditions is dangerous and
could result in loss of vehicle control. Activation / Deactivation
Note: When the ignition is placed in
the OFF position, the system status
before it was turned off is stored. For
example, if the ignition is placed in the
OFF position while the Speed Control is
operating, the system will be operable
when the ignition is placed in the ON
position the next time.
Activating Speed Control
Push the ON button located on the
right side of the steering wheel with the
other Speed Control buttons. The
warning light (amber) in the instrument
cluster will illuminate.
Warning!Leaving the Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could
accidentally set the system or cause it to
go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave
the system off when you are not using it. 05100101-877-877AB
Speed Control Buttons
159

The vehicle is moving towards a tall
or square curbstone.
An obstruction is too close to the
sensor.
The following types of obstructions
may not be detected:
Thin objects such as wire or rope.
Things which absorb sonic waves
easily such as rain or snow.
Angular shaped objects.
Very tall objects, and those which
arewideatthetop.
Small, short objects.
Obstructions under the bumper
may not be detected. Obstructions
that are lower than the bumper or thin
which may have been initially detected
but are no longer detected as the
vehicle approaches more closely.
Always have the system inspected
by an authorized dealer if any force is
applied to the bumpers, even in a
minor accident. If the sensors have
been repositioned in any way, they
cannot detect obstructions. The system may have a malfunction
if the audible signal does not operate.
Contact an authorized dealer.
The beeper which indicates a
system malfunction may not be heard
if the ambient temperature is extremely
cold, or mud, ice, or snow adheres to
the sensor area. Remove any foreign
material from the sensor area.
When installing a trailer hitch,
contact an authorized dealer.
Caution!Only have repairs on the bumper in the
area of the sensors carried out by a
authorized dealer. Repairs on the bumper
that are not carried out properly may
compromise the operation of the parking
sensors.
Only have the bumpers repainted or any
retouches to the paint work in the area of
the sensors carried out by a authorized
dealer. Incorrect paint application could
affect the operation of the parking sensors. Sensor Detection Range
The sensors detect obstructions within
the following range:
Lateral Detection Range:
19 inches (50 cm)
Rear Detection Range: 59 inches
(150 cm)
System Operation
The system is operational when the
ignition is in the ON position and the
gear selector is shifted to REVERSE.
When an audible signal sounds, the
system is enabled for use.
164
STARTING AND OPERATING

Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) The GAWR is the maximum permissible
load on the front and rear axles. The
load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is
not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the
components in the system with the
lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles
or suspension components sometimes
specified by purchasers for increased
durability does not necessarily increase
the vehicle's GVWR.
Tire Size The tire size on the Vehicle Certification
Label represents the actual tire size on
your vehicle. Replacement tires must be
equal to the load capacity of this tire
size.
Rim Size This is the rim size that is appropriate
for the tire size listed. Inflation Pressure This is the cold tire inflation pressure for
your vehicle for all loading conditions up
to full GAWR.
Curb Weight The curb weight of a vehicle is defined
as the total weight of the vehicle with all
fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no
occupants or cargo loaded into the
vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your
vehicle on a commercial scale before
any occupants or cargo are added.
Loading The actual total weight and the weight
of the front and rear of your vehicle at
the ground can best be determined by
weighing it when it is loaded and ready
for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be
weighed on a commercial scale to
insure that the GVWR has not been
exceeded. The weight on the front and
rear of the vehicle should then be
determined separately to be sure that
the load is properly distributed over the
front and rear axle. Weighing the vehicle
may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded
but the total load is within the specified
GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as
appropriate until the specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the
weight is distributed equally. Stow all
loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have
an adverse effect on the way your
vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
Caution!Do not load your vehicle any heavier than
the GVWR or the maximum front and rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, or it can change the way your
vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also overloading can shorten
the life of your vehicle.
177

TOWING TRAILERS Trailer Towing
Your car is not designed for towing.
Recreational Towing
An example of "recreational towing" is
towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome.
The transmission is not designed for
towing this vehicle on all four wheels.
Caution!DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to
the drivetrain will result. If this vehicle
requires towing, make sure the drive
wheels are OFF the ground.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. DRIVING TIPS Engine Break-In
Recommendation
No special break-in is necessary, but a
few precautions in the first 620 miles
(1000 km) may add to the performance,
economy, and life of the vehicle:
Do not race the engine.
Do not maintain one constant speed,
either slow or fast, for a long period of
time.
Do not drive constantly at full-throttle
or high engine rpm for extended
periods of time.
Avoid unnecessary hard stops.
Avoid full-throttle starts.
Saving Fuel And
Protection Of The
Environment
How you operate your vehicle
determines how far it will travel on a
tank of fuel.
Use these suggestions to help save fuel
andreduceCO 2
:
Avoid long warm-ups. Once the
engine runs smoothly, begin driving.
Avoid fast starts.
Drive at lower speeds.
Anticipate when to apply the brakes
(avoid sudden braking). Follow the maintenance schedule
and contact your authorized dealer.
Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
Slow down on rough roads.
Keep the tires properly inflated.
Do not carry unnecessary weight.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving.
Keep the wheels in correct
alignment.
Keep windows closed at high
speeds.
Slow down when driving in
crosswinds and headwinds.
Hazardous Driving
When driving on ice or in water, snow,
mud, sand, or similar hazards:
Be cautious and allow extra distance
for braking.
Avoid sudden braking and sudden
maneuvering.
Do not pump the brakes. Continue to
press down on the brake pedal.
If you get stuck, select a lower gear
and accelerate slowly. Do not spin the
rear wheels.
178
STARTING AND OPERATING

For more traction in starting on
slippery surfaces such as ice or packed
snow, use sand, rock salt, chains,
carpeting, or other nonslip material
under the rear wheels.
Note: Use snow chains only on the
rear wheels.
Floor Mat Safety
Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit
the footwell of your vehicle. Use only
floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly
secured so that they cannot slip out of
position and interfere with the pedals or
impair safe operation of your vehicle in
other ways. Warning!An improperly attached, damaged, folded,
or stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat
fasteners may cause your floor mat to
interfere with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle
control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:
ALWAYS securely attach your floor
mat using the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT
install your floor mat upside down or turn
your floor mat over. Lightly pull to confirm
mat is secured using the floor mat
fasteners on a regular basis.
ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING
FLOOR MAT FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any other floor mat.
NEVER install or stack an additional floor
mat on top of an existing floor mat.
ONLY install floor mats designed to fit
your vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that
cannot be properly attached and secured
to your vehicle. If a floor mat needs to be
replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year
of your vehicle.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on
the driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly
parked with the engine off, fully depress the
accelerator, the brake, and the clutch pedal
(if present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of
any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and
place the floor mat in your trunk. ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat
on the passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall
or slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals and could cause a loss of
vehicle control.
NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects
could change the position of the floor mat
and may cause interference with the
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
carpet to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for
interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat has
been properly installed and is secured to
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
Rocking The Vehicle
Note: Too much rocking may cause
engine overheating, transmission failure,
and tire damage.
If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from snow, sand or mud, depress the
accelerator slightly and slowly move the
gear selector from 1 (D) to R.04090400-USA-001
Floor Mat Retention Post Location
179

IN CASE OF EMERGENCYHAZARD WARNING LIGHTS . . . .184
REPLACING A BULB ......... .184
REPLACING FUSES ......... .194
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING . .203
TIRE SERVICE KIT .......... .208
JUMPSTARTING........... .217
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS . . .219
TOWINGTHEVEHICLE....... .220
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) . .222
183

HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS Control
The Hazard Warning Lights should
always be used when you stop on or
near a roadway in an emergency.
The Hazard Warning Light switch is
located on the center instrument panel
below the radio. Push the switch to turn
theHazardWarningLightsonoroff.
Note: The Hazard Warning Lights warn
other drivers that your vehicle is a traffic
hazard and that they must take extreme
caution when near it. When the switch is pushed, the Hazard
Warning Lights are active and all
directional turn signals will flash on and
off to warn oncoming traffic of an
emergency. Push the switch a second
time to turn off the Hazard Warning
Lights. The hazard warning indicator
lights in the instrument cluster will flash
simultaneously.
Note:
The turn signals do not work while
the Hazard Warning Lights are
activated.
Check local regulations about the
use of Hazard Warning Lights while the
vehicle is being towed to verify that it is
not in violation of the law.
If the brake pedal is pressed while
driving on slippery roads, the
emergency stop signal system could
operate causing all of the directional
turn signals to flash.
While the emergency stop signal
system is operating, all of the
directional turn signals automatically
flash rapidly to caution the driver of a
vehicle following behind of a sudden
braking situation. REPLACING A BULB General Instructions
Warning! Before proceeding with the replacement
of the lamp wait for the exhaust pipes are
cool: DANGER OF BURNS!
Modifications or repair of the electrical
system performed incorrectly and without
taking into account the technical
characteristics can cause malfunctions with
the risk of fire.
Halogen lamps contain gas under
pressure, in the event of breakage be
careful of the projection of fragments of
glass.
Halogen lamps must be handled by
touching only the metallic part. If the
transparent bulb is in contact with the
fingers, reduces the intensity of the emitted
light and you can also affect the life of the
lamp. In case of accidental contact, rub the
bulb with a cloth dampened with alcohol
and allow to dry.05031100-L12-001AB
Hazard Warning Light Switch
184
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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 your
authorized dealer.
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 section on
“Replacing Fuses” in this chapter.
Caution!Use the protective cover and carton for the
replacement bulb to dispose of the old bulb
promptly and out of the reach of children. Note:
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.
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.
185

JACKING AND TIRE
CHANGING Warning!Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving traffic.
Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack
or changing the wheel.
Being under a jacked-up vehicle is
dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the
jack and fall on you. You could be crushed.
Never put any part of your body under a
vehicle that is on a jack. If you need to get
under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
The jack is designed to be used as a
tool for changing tires only. The jack should
not be used to lift the vehicle for service
purposes. The vehicle should be jacked on
a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas. Tools Location
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
spare tire, jack, lug wrench and tow
eyes. For details, contact an authorized
dealer.
Tools are stored in the trunk.
Preparations For
Jacking
To Remove The Jack
Proceed as follows:
1. In the right side of the trunk, pull the
cover tab to remove cover. 2. Turn the wing bolt and jack screw
counterclockwise. 08020100-122-002
Jack Tools
1 — Jack Lever
2 — Lug Wrench (If Equipped)
3 — Tow Eyes (If Equipped) 08020101-124-001
Jack Location
1 — Cover Tab
2 — Jack And Tools Cover 08020101-122-001
Jack Components
3 — Wing Bolt
4 — Jack Screw
203