Fiat Punto: ESP system

Fiat Punto Owners Manual

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 surfaces changes.

ABS INTERVENTION

It is signalled by the blinking of the warning light on
the instrument panel, to inform the driver that the car is in critical stability and grip conditions.

EPS SYSTEM OPERATION

The ESP system is automatically inserted when the car is started and cannot be de-activated.

FAILURE WARNINGS

In the event of failure, the ESP system is automatically disconnected and the instrument panel warning light
will come on with fixed light together with the message on the reconfigurable multifunction display (where provided) (see section “Warning lights and messages”) and with the ASR OFF button led. In this case contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.

HILL HOLDER SYSTEM (where provided)

It is an integral part of the ESP system and facilitates starting on an uphill slope. It is automatically activated in the following conditions:

• Uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with gradient above 2%, engine running, clutch and brake pedals pressed and gearbox in neutral position or gear engaged (reverse excluded);
• Downhill: stationary on a road with gradient above 2%, engine running, clutch and brake pedals pressed and reverse engaged.

The performance of the ESP system, in terms of active safety should not induce the driver to take pointless and unnecessary risks. The style of driving must in any case always be adapted to the conditions of the road surface, visibility and traffic. Road safety is always the driver’s responsibility.

At pickup, the ESP system control unit keeps braking power against wheels until reaching the engine torque required for starting (in any case for max. 2 seconds), thus enabling to move the right foot friendly from the brake pedal to the accelerator.

Passing 2 seconds without starting, the system will deactivate automatically and braking power will be gradually released. At release stage, typical mechanical brake release sound (indicating that the car is going to move) can be heard.

Failure warnings

System failure is indicated by warning light and
relevant message on the reconfigurable multifunction display (where required) (see section “Warning lights and messages”).

IMPORTANT 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.

During the use of the spare wheel, the ESP system carries on working. However, you must remind that the spare wheel presents dimensions smaller than the standard tyre and therefore its grip is reduced as to the other car tyres.

For correct operation of ESP and ASR systems, 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.

ASR SYSTEM (Antislip Regulation)

It’s a function of ESP system and controls the vehicle drive and cuts in automatically every time one or both driving wheels slip.

In slipping conditions, two different control systems are activated:

• if the slipping involves both the driving wheels, the ASR function intervenes reducing the power transmitted by the engine;
• if the slipping involves only one driving wheel, the ASR system cuts in automatically braking the wheel that is slipping.

The action of the ASR is particularly helpful in the following circumstances:

• slipping of the inner wheel due to the effect of dynamic load changes or excessive acceleration;
• too much power transmitted to the wheels also in relation to the conditions of the road surface;
• acceleration on slippery, snowy or frozen surfaces;
• in the case of loss of grip on a wet surface (aquaplaning).

SWITCHING ON/OFF OF THE ASR SYSTEM

The ASR function switches on automatically each time the engine is started.

When travelling the device can be switched off and on again pressing switch ASR OFF on the centre console.

Switching on is indicated by the relevant message on the reconfigurable multifunction display (where provided) (see section “Warning lights and messages”).

When the device is switched off this is shown by the lighting up of the led on the ASR OFF button and by the message on the reconfigurable multifunction display (see section “Warning lights and messages”).

If the ASR function is switched off when travelling, it will turn on again automatically the next time the engine is started When travelling on snow with snow chains, it may be helpful to turn the ASR device off: in fact, in these conditions, slipping of the driving wheels when moving off makes it possible to obtain better drive.

The performance of the system, in terms of active safety should not induce the driver to take pointless and unnecessary risks. The style of driving must in any case always be adapted to the conditions of the road surface, visibility an traffic. Road safety is always the driver’s responsibility.