Fiat 124 Spider Abarth (2017 year). Manual — part 9

Side Air Bags
The side air bags are mounted in the
outer sides of the seat backs. When the
air bag crash sensors detect a side
impact of greater than moderate force,
the system inflates the side air bag only
on the side in which the vehicle was hit.

The side air bag inflates quickly to
reduce injury to the driver or
passenger's head and chest caused by
directly hitting interior parts such as a
door or window. For more details about

air bag deployment, refer to "SRS Air
Bag deployment criteria" in this chapter
for further information.

Warning!

Occupants, including children, who are

up against or very close to side air bags
can be seriously injured or killed.
Occupants, including children, should
never lean on or sleep against the door,
side windows, or area where the side air
bags inflate, even if they are in an infant or
child restraint.

Seat belts (and child restraints where

appropriate) are necessary for your
protection in all collisions. They also help
keep you in position, away from an inflating
side air bag. To get the best protection
from the side air bags, occupants must
wear their seat belts properly and sit
upright with their backs against the seats.
Children must be properly restrained in a
child restraint or booster seat that is
appropriate for the size of the child.

With Passenger Occupant
Classification System
In addition, the passenger side bag is
designed to only deploy when the
passenger occupant classification
sensor detects a passenger sitting on
the passenger's seat.

Warning!

If a child restraint system, child, small

teenager or adult in the front passenger
seat is seated improperly, the occupant
may provide an output signal to the OCS
that is different from the occupant’s
properly seated weight input. This may
result in serious injury or death in a
collision.

Always wear your seat belt and sit

properly, with the seatback in an upright
position, your back against the seatback,
sitting upright, facing forward, in the center
of the seat, with your feet comfortably on
or near the floor.

Do not carry or hold any objects (e.g.,

backpacks, boxes, etc.) while seated in the
front passenger seat. Holding an object
may provide an output signal to the OCS
that is different than the occupant’s
properly seated weight input, which may
result in serious injury or death in a
collision.

Placing an object on the floor under the

front passenger seat may prevent the OCS
from working properly, which may result in
serious injury or death in a collision. Do not
place any objects on the floor under the
front passenger seat.

06010205-126-123

Abarth Side Air Bags

137

Warning Light/Beep
A system malfunction or operation
conditions are indicated by a warning.
Refer to “Warning lights and messages”
paragraph in “Knowing your instrument
panel” chapter for further information.
Passenger Side Front Air Bag And
Child Restraint Systems
Rearward-facing child restraint systems
must NEVER be fitted on the front seat
with an active passenger side air bag
since in the event of an impact the air
bag activation may cause fatal injuries
to the transported child.
ALWAYS comply with the instructions
on the label stuck on the passenger
side sun visor : A = Mexico market/ B =
U.S.A. and Canada market.

Warning!

Do not use accessory seat covers or place
objects between you and the Side Air
Bags; the performance could be adversely
affected and/or objects could be pushed
into you, causing serious injury.

Warning!

Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do

not lean against the door or window. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.

Being too close to the Side Air Bags

during deployment could cause you to be
severely injured or killed.

Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could

lead to more severe injuries in a collision.
The Side Air Bags work with your seat belt
to restrain you properly. In some collisions,
Side Air Bags won’t deploy at all. Always
wear your seat belt even though you have
Side Air Bags.

03030101-121-001

Sun Visor Air Bag labels

138

SAFETY

SRS Air Bag Deployment Criteria

This chart indicates the applicable SRS equipment that will deploy depending on the type of collision (the illustrations are the
representative cases of collisions).

SRS equipment

Types of collision

A severe frontal/near frontal

collision

A severe side collision (*)

A rear collision

SRS Equipment

Seat belt pretensioner

X (**) (both sides)

X (**) (impact side only)

No air bag and seat belt

pretensioner will be activated in

a rear collision

Driver air bag

X

Passenger air bag

X (**)

Side air bag

X (**) (impact side only)

X: the SRS air bag equipment is designed to deploy in a collision.
(*) In a side collision, the seat belt pretensioners and the side air bags deploy (only on the side in which the collision occurs).
(**) Passenger Occupant Classification System: the passenger front and side air bags and the seat belt pretensioner are
designed to deploy when the passenger occupant classification sensor detects a passenger sitting on the passenger's seat.
Note: In a frontal offset collision, the equipped air bags and pretensioners may all deploy depending on the direction, angle,
and rate of impact.

139

Warning!

Unapproved modifications or service

procedures to the passenger seat
assembly, its related components, seat
cover, or cushion may inadvertently change
the air bag deployment in case of a frontal
collision. This could result in death or
serious injury to the front passenger if the
vehicle is involved in a collision. A modified
vehicle may not comply with required
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(FMVSS) and/or Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards (CMVSS).

If it is necessary to modify the air bag

system for persons with disabilities, contact
your authorized dealer.

Warning!

Deployed air bags and seat belt
pretensioners cannot protect you in
another collision. Have the air bags, seat
belt pretensioners, and the seat belt
retractor assemblies replaced by an
authorized dealer immediately. Also, have
the Occupant Restraint Controller System
serviced as well.

Warning!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in

your instrument panel could mean you
won’t have the air bags to protect you in a
collision. If the light does not come on as a
bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if
it comes on as you drive, have an
authorized dealer service the air bag
system immediately.

Placing an object on the floor under the

front passenger seat may prevent the
occupant classification sensor from
working properly, which may result in
serious injury or death in a collision. Do not
place any objects on the floor under the
front passenger seat.

If there is a fault present in the occupant

classification sensor, both the Indicator
Light and the Air Bag Warning Light will
illuminate to show that the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated.
Should this occur, the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag will remain
deactivated until the fault is cleared. This
indicates that you should take the vehicle
to an authorized dealer for service
immediately.

Limitations To SRS Air
Bag

In severe collisions such as those
described in "SRS Air Bag Deployment
Criteria" paragraph, the applicable SRS
air bag equipment will deploy.
However, in some accidents, the
equipment may not deploy depending
on the type of collision and its severity.
Limitations To Front / Near Front
Collision Detection
Front/near front collisions may not be
detected as severe enough to deploy
the SRS air bag equipment:

Impacts involving trees or poles A.

Frontal offset impact to the vehicle B.

Rear-ending or running under a

truck's tail gate.

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SAFETY

Limitations To Side Collision
Detection
Side collisions may not be detected as
severe enough to deploy the SRS air
bag equipment:

Side impacts involving trees or poles

A.

Side impacts with two-wheeled

vehicles B.

Roll-over.

A

B

03040600-121-001

Front/Near Front Collision

03040600-122-001

Rear End Collision

A

B

03040600-123-001

Side Collision

03040600-124-002

Roll-Over Collision

141

Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor

Your vehicle is equipped with a
passenger occupant classification
sensor as a part of the supplementary
restraint system. This sensor is
equipped in the passenger's seat
cushion. This sensor measures the
electrostatic capacity of the
passenger's seat.
The SRS unit is designed to prevent the
passenger front and side Air Bags and
seat belt pretensioner system from
deploying if the passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator light turns on.
To reduce the chance of injuries caused
by deployment of the passenger Air
Bag, the system deactivates the
passenger front and side Air Bags and
also the seat belt pretensioner system
when the passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator light turns on.
This system shuts off the passenger
front and side Air Bags and seat belt
pretensioner system, so make sure the
passenger Air Bag deactivation
indicator light turns on.
The air bag/seat belt pretensioner
system warning light flashes and the
passenger Air Bag deactivation
indicator light illuminates if the sensors
have a possible malfunction. If this
happens, the passenger front and side
Air Bags and seat belt pretensioner
system will not deploy.

Note: If a passenger is seated as
shown in the following figure the
passenger occupant classification
sensor cannot detect a passenger
sitting on the passenger's seat correctly
and the deployment/non-deployment of
the Air Bags cannot be controlled as
indicated in the passenger Air Bag
deactivation indicator light on/off
condition chart.

Warning!

If a child restraint system, child, small
teenager or adult in the front passenger
seat is seated improperly, the occupant
may provide an output signal to the
occupant classification sensor that is
different from the occupant’s properly
seated weight input. This may result in
serious injury or death in a collision.

Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Indicator Lights
These indicator lights turn on to remind
you that the passenger front and side
Air Bags and seat belt pretensioner will
or will not deploy during a collision.

03040702-12A-001

Passenger Not Sitting Correct

142

SAFETY

Note:

The system requires about

10 seconds to alternate between
turning the passenger front and side
Air Bags and seat belt pretensioner
system on or off.

The passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light may turn on repeatedly if
luggage or other items are put on the
passenger seat, or if the temperature
of the vehicle's interior changes
suddenly.

The passenger air bag deactivation

indicator light may turn on for
10 seconds if the electrostatic capacity
on the passenger seat changes.

The air bag/seat belt pretensioner

system warning light might turn on if
the passenger seat receives a severe
impact.

If the passenger Air Bag

deactivation indicator light does not
turn on after installing a child restraint
system on the passenger seat, first,
reinstall your child restraint system
according to the procedure in this
Owner Handbook. Then, if the
passenger Air Bag deactivation OFF
indicator light still does not turn on,
and contact an Authorized Dealership
as soon as possible.

If the passenger Air Bag

deactivation indicator light turns on
when an occupant is seated directly in
the passenger seat, have the
passenger readjust their posture by
sitting with their feet on the floor, and
then refastening the seat belt. If the
passenger Air Bag deactivation
indicator light remains turned on, slide
the passenger seat as far back as
possible. Contact an Authorized
Dealership as soon as possible.

Passenger Air Bag Deactivation
Indicator Light On/Off Condition
Chart
If the passenger occupant classification
sensor is normal, the indicator light
turns on when the ignition is switched
ON. The light turns off after a few
seconds. Then, the indicator light turns
on or is off under the following
conditions:

GUID-06070400567567

Passenger Air Bag Deactivated

143

Condition Detected By The

Passenger Occupant

Classification System

Passenger Air Bag

Deactivation Indicator Light

Passenger Front And Side Air

Bags

Passenger Seat Belt

Pretensioner System

Empty (Not occupied)

On

Deactivated

Deactivated

A child is seated in a child

restraint system (*)

On

Deactivated

Deactivated

Adult (**)

Off

Ready

Ready

(*) The occupant classification sensor may not detect a child seated on the seat, in a child restraint system, or a junior seat
depending on the child's physical size and seated posture.
(**) If a smaller adult sits on the passenger seat, the sensors might detect the person as being a child depending on the
person's physique.

If the passenger air bag deactivation
indicator light does not turn on when
the ignition is switched ON and does
not turn on as indicated in the
passenger air bag deactivation indicator
light on/off condition chart, do not allow
an occupant to sit in the passenger
seat and contact an Authorized
Dealership as soon as possible. The
system may not work properly in an
accident.

Warning!

Never place a rear-facing child restraint

in front of an air bag. A deploying
passenger front air bag can cause death or
serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing
child restraint.

Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a

vehicle with a rear seat.

Children 12 years or younger should

always ride buckled up in a vehicle with a
rear seat.

Warning!

No objects should be placed over or

near the air bag on the instrument panel or
steering wheel because any such objects
could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the air
bag to inflate.

Do not put anything on or around the air

bag covers or attempt to open them
manually. You may damage the air bags
and you could be injured because the air
bags may no longer be functional. The
protective covers for the air bag cushions

are designed to open only when the air
bags are inflating.

Relying on the air bags alone could lead

to more severe injuries in a collision. The air
bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, air bags
won’t deploy at all. Always wear your seat
belts even though you have air bags.

144

SAFETY

Maintaining Your Air Bag
System

Warning!

Modifications to any part of the air bag

system could cause it to fail when you
need it. You could be injured if the air bag
system is not there to protect you. Do not
modify the components or wiring, including
adding any kind of badges or stickers to
the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel.
Do not modify the front bumper, vehicle
body structure, or add aftermarket side
steps or running boards.

It is dangerous to try to repair any part

of the air bag system yourself. Be sure to
tell anyone who works on your vehicle that
it has an air bag system.

Do not attempt to modify any part of

your air bag system. The air bag may
inflate accidentally or may not function
properly if modifications are made. Take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat,
including your trim cover and cushion,
needs to be serviced in any way (including
removal or loosening/tightening of seat
attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized dealer. Only manufacturer
approved seat accessories may be used.
If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities,
contact your authorized dealer.

EVENT DATA
RECORDER (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an event
data recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle,
data that will assist in understanding
how a vehicle’s systems performed.
The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety
systems for a short period of time,
typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:

How various systems in your vehicle

were operating.

Whether or not the driver and

passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened.

How far (if at all) the driver was

pushing the accelerator and/or brake
pedal.

How fast the vehicle was traveling.

This data can help provide a better
understanding of the circumstances in
which crashes and injuries occur.

Note:

EDR data are recorded by your

vehicle only if a non-trivial crash or near
crash-like situation occurs; no data are
recorded by the EDR under normal
driving conditions and no personal
data (e.g., name, gender, age, and
crash location) are recorded. However,
other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR
data with the type of personally
identifying data routinely acquired
during a crash investigation.

To read data recorded by an EDR,

special equipment is required, and
access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle
manufacturer, other parties, such as
law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if
they have access to the vehicle or the
EDR.

FCA will not disclose any of the data
recorded in an EDR to a third party
unless:

A written agreement from the

vehicle owner or the lessee is
obtained.

Officially requested by the police or

other law enforcement authorities.

Used as a defense for FCA in a law

suit, claim, or arbitration.

Ordered by a judge or court.

145

However, if necessary, FCA will:

Use the data for research on FCA

vehicle performance, including safety.

Disclose the data or the

summarized data to a third party for
research purposes without disclosing
vehicle or owner identification
information.

Recording Of Vehicle Data

This vehicle is equipped with a
computer which records the following
main vehicle data related to vehicle
controls, operation, and other driving
conditions.

Recorded Data

Vehicle conditions such as engine

speed and vehicle speed.

Driving operation conditions such

as accelerator and brake pedals, and
information related to the
environmental circumstances while the
vehicle is driven.

Malfunction diagnosis information

from each on-vehicle computer.

Information related to controls of

other on-vehicle computers.

The recorded data may vary depending
on the vehicle grade and optional
equipment. Voice and images are not
recorded.

Data Handling

FCA and its subcontracting parties may
obtain and use the recorded data for
vehicle malfunction diagnosis, research
and development, and quality
improvement.

FCA will not disclose or provide any of
the obtained data to a third party
unless:

An agreement from the vehicle

owner (agreements from lessor and
lessee for leased vehicle) is obtained.

Officially requested by the police or

other law enforcement authorities.

For statistical processing by a

research institution, after processing
the data so that identification of the
owner or the vehicle is impossible.

CONSTANT
MONITORING

The following components of the Air
Bag systems are monitored by a
diagnostic system:

Crash Sensors, And Diagnostic

Module (Sas Unit)

Front Air Bag Sensors

Air Bag Modules

Side Crash Sensors

Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner

System Warning Light

Seat Belt Pretensioners

Related Wiring

With Passenger Occupant
Classification System

Passenger Air Bag Deactivation

Indicator Light

Passenger Occupant Classification

Sensor

Passenger Occupant Classification

Module — If Equipped
The diagnostic module continuously
monitors the system's readiness. This
begins when the ignition is switched
ON and continues while the vehicle is
being driven.

146

SAFETY

STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING THE ENGINE . . . . . . .148
BRAKE SYSTEM . . . . . . . . . . . .149
MANUAL TRANSMISSION . . . . . .151
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
ELECTRONIC SPEED
CONTROL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
RADAR SENSORS —
IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
REAR PARK ASSIST —
IF EQUIPPED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
PARKVIEW REAR BACKUP
CAMERA — IF EQUIPPED . . . . . .166
REFUELING THE VEHICLE . . . . . .171
VEHICLE LOADING . . . . . . . . . .175
TOWING TRAILERS . . . . . . . . . .176
DRIVING TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

147

STARTING THE
ENGINE

Starting The Engine

Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.

Warning!

When leaving the vehicle, always

remove the key fob from the vehicle and
lock your vehicle.

Never leave children alone in a vehicle,

or with access to an unlocked vehicle.

Allowing children to be in a vehicle

unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.

Do not leave the key fob in or near the

vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of a
vehicle equipped with Advanced Keyless
Entry in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.

Do not leave children or animals inside

parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat
build-up may cause serious injury or death.

Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.

Models Equipped With A
Manual Transmission

Proceed as follows:

1. Engage the parking brake and place
the gear selector in NEUTRAL.

2. Place the start button in the ACC
mode.

3. Fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator.

4. Place the start button in the ON
mode, push and release it as soon as
the engine starts. If the engine does not
start within 10 seconds, push the start
button to OFF mode and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.

Models Equipped With
An Automatic
Transmission

Proceed as follows:

1. Engage the parking brake and place
the gear selector to P (PARK) or N
(NEUTRAL).

2. Fully depress the brake pedal
without touching the accelerator.

3. Place the start button in the ACC
mode.

4. Place the start button in the ON
mode, push and release it as soon as
the engine starts. If the engine does not
start within 10 seconds, push the start
button to OFF mode and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.

Cold Weather Operation

Regarding Cold Start Disable
When the ambient temperature is
extremely low, the engine may not
crank even when the engine starting
procedure is performed. At this time,
the Cold Start Disable Indicator light in
the instrument cluster flashes. However,
this does not indicate a problem.
Perform the necessary procedures (see
“Warning lights And Messages”
paragraph in “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” chapter).
Regarding Ice Breaker
When the ambient temperature is low,
the start of cranking may be delayed
after engine starting procedure is
performed. At this time, the Cold Start
Disable Indicator light in the instrument
cluster illumintes. However, this does
not indicate a problem.
Refer to your authorized dealer
regarding other related parts which are
to be input such as function name,
operating scenario (condition) of each
function, indicator operation, and user
operation/procedure information.

148

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Extended Park Starting

Note:

Extended Park condition occurs when
the vehicle has not been started or
driven for at least 30 days.

1. Install a battery charger or jumper
cables to the battery to ensure a full
battery charge during the crank cycle.

2. Place the ignition in the START
mode and release it when the engine
starts.

3. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, place the ignition in the
STOP (OFF/LOCK) mode, wait five
seconds to allow the starter to cool,
then repeat the Extended Park Starting
procedure.

4. If the engine fails to start after eight
attempts, allow the starter to cool for at
least 10 minutes, then repeat the
procedure.

Caution!

To prevent damage to the starter, do not
crank continuously for more than
10 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.

After Starting —
Warming Up The Engine

Proceed as follows:

1. Travel slowly, letting the engine run
at a reduced RPM, without accelerating
suddenly.

2. It is recommended to wait until the
digital engine coolant temperature
indicator starts moving before
demanding full performance.

Stopping The Engine

Proceed as follows:

1. Park the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic, if
equipped with manual transmission
place gear selector in FIRST (1st) or
REVERSE (R) gear, if equipped with
automatic transmission place the gear
selector to PARK (P).

2. Push and release the ignition button
to STOP the engine.

BRAKE SYSTEM

This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through
normal use. Should power-assist fail,
you can stop by applying greater force
than normal to the brake pedal. But the
distance required to stop will be greater
than usual.

Note:

Always depress the brake pedal with
the right foot. Applying the brakes with
the unaccustomed left foot could slow
your reaction time to an emergency
situation resulting in insufficient braking
operation.

Do not drive with your foot held on the
clutch pedal or brake pedal, or hold the
clutch pedal depressed halfway
unnecessarily. Doing so could result in
the following:

The clutch and brake parts will wear

out more quickly.

The brakes can overheat and

adversely affect brake performance.

149

Warning!

Riding the brakes can lead to brake

failure and possibly a collision. Driving with
your foot resting or riding on the brake
pedal can result in abnormally high brake
temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not
have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.

Driving a vehicle with the “Brake

Warning Light” on is dangerous. A
significant decrease in braking performance
or vehicle stability during braking may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to
control. You could have a collision. Have
the vehicle checked immediately.

Caution!

Wear shoes appropriate for driving in order
to avoid your shoe contacting the brake
pedal when depressing the accelerator
pedal.

Parking Brake

Note: Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
parts.

Warning!

Never leave children alone in a vehicle,

or with access to an unlocked vehicle.

Allowing children to be in a vehicle

unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.

Do not leave the key fob in or near the

vehicle or in a location accessible to
children. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.

Be sure the park brake is fully

disengaged before driving; failure to do so
can lead to brake failure and a collision.

Always fully apply the park brake when

leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and
cause damage or injury. Also be certain to
leave a manual transmission in REVERSE
(R) or FIRST (1st) gear. Failure to do so
may allow the vehicle to roll and cause
damage or injury.

Setting the Parking Brake

Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully
upwards with sufficient force to hold the
vehicle in a stationary position.

Releasing the Parking Brake

Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then
press the release button. While holding
the button, lower the parking brake
lever all the way down to the released
position.

Warning Light

The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction. Refer to
“Warning Lights And Messages”
paragraph in “Getting to Know Your
Instrument Panel” chapter.

Brake Pad Wear Indicator

When the disc brake pads become
worn, the built-in wear indicators
contact the rotors. This causes a

05050102-12A-001

Parking Brake

1 — Parking Brake Lever
2 — Parking Brake Release Button

150

ST

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screeching noise to warn that the pads
should be replaced. When you hear this
noise contact your Authorized Dealer as
soon as possible.

Brake Assist

During emergency braking situations
when it is necessary to depress the
brake pedal with greater force, the
brake assist system provides braking
assistance, thus enhancing braking
performance. When the brake pedal is
depressed hard or depressed more
quickly, the brakes apply more firmly.

Note:

When the brake pedal is depressed

hard or depressed more quickly, the
pedal will feel softer but the brakes will
apply more firmly. This is a normal
effect of the brake assist operation and
does not indicate a malfunction.

When the brake pedal is depressed

hard or depressed more quickly, a
motor/pump operation noise may be
heard. This is a normal effect of the
brake assist and does not indicate a
malfunction.

The brake assist equipment does

not supersede the functionality of the
vehicle's main braking system.

MANUAL
TRANSMISSION

Manual Transmission

Warning!

You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended without having the
park brake fully applied. The park brake
should always be applied when the driver
is not in the vehicle, especially on an
incline.

Caution!

Never drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, or attempt to hold the vehicle
on a hill with the clutch pedal partially
engaged, as this will cause abnormal wear
on the clutch.

To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear selector
into the required position. The diagram
for gear engagement is shown on the
knob.

Depress the clutch pedal all the way
down while shifting, then release it
slowly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a device
to prevent shifting to REVERSE (R) by
mistake. Push the gear selector
downward and shift to REVERSE (R).
A natural driving posture can be
achieved by lightly gripping the gear
selector from the side without having to
rest your elbow on the center console.
If shifting to REVERSE (R) is difficult,
shift back into neutral, release the
clutch pedal, and try again.

With Parking Sensor System

When the gear selector is shifted to the
REVERSE (R) position with the ignition
placed in the ON mode, the parking
sensor system is activated an audible
sound is heard.

05210101-12A-001

Gear Selector

151

Caution!

Keep your foot off the clutch pedal

except when shifting gears. Also, do not
use the clutch to hold the vehicle on an hill
or grade. Riding the clutch will cause
needless clutch wear and damage.

Do not apply any excessive lateral force

to the gear selector when changing from
fifth to fourth gear. This could lead to the
accidental selection of second gear, which
could result in damage to the transmission.

Make sure the vehicle comes to a

complete stop before shifting to REVERSE
(R). Shifting to REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is still moving may damage the
transmission.

Reverse can only be engaged when the

vehicle is completely stationary. With the
engine running, wait at least two seconds
with the clutch pedal fully pressed before
engaging reverse to prevent damage to the
gears.

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED

Shift Interlock

This vehicle is equipped with an
interlock system that holds the
transmission gear selector in PARK (P)
unless the brakes are applied. To shift
the transmission out of PARK (P), the
ignition must be placed in the ON/RUN
mode (engine running or not) and the
brake pedal must be pressed.

Warning!

It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or

NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and
your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

Unintended movement of a vehicle

could injure those in or near the vehicle. As
with all vehicles, you should never exit a
vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the park
brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
and turn the ignition OFF. When the ignition
is in the OFF mode, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.

When leaving the vehicle, always make

sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.

Never leave children alone in a vehicle,

or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.

Do not leave the key fob in or near the

vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition in
the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.

Caution!

Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not observed:

Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE

only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.

Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,

NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.

Before shifting into any gear, make sure

your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

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