Get Starting and Operating -> Automatic Transmission Guide for Fiat 124 Spider 2 Door Second Generation (2016-2020)

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.

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.

Caution!

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Parking Brake

1 — Parking Brake Lever

2 — Parking Brake Release Button

Wear shoes appropriate for driving in order

to avoid your shoe contacting the brake

pedal when depressing the accelerator

pedal.

Setting the Parking Brake

Warning Light

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.

The warning light turns on when the

system has a malfunction. Refer to

“Warning Lights And Messages” in

“Getting To Know Your Instrument

Panel” for further information.

Parking Brake

Note: Driving with the parking brake on

will cause excessive wear of the brake

parts.

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.

Brake Pad Wear Indicator

When the disc brake pads become

worn, the built-in wear indicators

contact the rotors. This causes a

screeching noise to warn that the pads

should be replaced. When you hear this

noise contact your authorized dealer as

soon as possible.

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.

156

Brake Assist

MANUAL

TRANSMISSION

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.

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.

Note:

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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.

Gear Selector

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

Caution!

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.

downward and shift to REVERSE (R).

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.

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.

The brake assist equipment does

not supersede the functionality of the

vehicle's main braking system.

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.

Note: A certain amount of noise from the

transmission is normal. This noise can be

most noticeable when the vehicle is idling

in NEUTRAL with the clutch engaged

(clutch pedal released), but it may also be

heard when driving. The noise may also

be more noticeable when the transmission

is warm. This noise is normal and is not

an indication of a problem with your clutch

or transmission.

157

With Parking Sensor System

AUTOMATIC

TRANSMISSION — IF

EQUIPPED

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.

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.

Shift Interlock

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.

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.

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 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.

Warning!

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

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.

transmission.

Caution!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

transmission is locked in PARK, securing

the vehicle against unwanted movement.

158

The gear selector must be in PARK (P)

or NEUTRAL (N) to operate the starter.

Note: Even if you intend to use the

automatic transmission functions as a

traditional automatic, you should also

be aware that you can inadvertently

shift into manual shift mode and an

inappropriate gear may be retained as

the vehicle speed increases. If you

notice the engine speed going higher or

hear the engine racing, confirm you

have not accidentally slipped into

manual shift mode (refer to “Manual

Shift Mode” paragraph in this section).

Gear Selector Positions

PARK (P)

The transmission gear selector has

PARK (P), REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N),

DRIVE (D), and MANUAL (M)(+/–) shift

positions.

PARK (P) locks the transmission and

prevents the driveshaft from rotating.

The transmission may be shifted freely

from REVERSE (R), to NEUTRAL (N), to

DRIVE (D), to MANUAL (M)(+/–).

Warning!

Never use the PARK position as a

substitute for the park brake. Always apply

the park brake fully when parked to guard

against vehicle movement and possible

injury or damage.

Shift Position Indication

The gear selector position (PRNDM) is

illuminated when the ignition is placed

in the ON mode.

Your vehicle could move and injure you

and others if it is not in PARK. Check by

trying to move the gear selector out of

PARK with the brake pedal released. Make

sure the transmission is in PARK before

exiting the vehicle.

Note: If one of the following actions is

performed, the gear selector position is

displayed for five minutes even if the

ignition is placed in a mode other than

ON.

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.

The ignition is placed in the OFF

mode.

The driver's door is opened.

Gear Position Indication

In MANUAL (M) shift mode, the “M” of

the shift position indication illuminates

and the number of the selected gear is

displayed.

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Gear Selector And Pattern

159

NEUTRAL (N)

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 come to a

complete stop, then apply the park brake,

shift the transmission into PARK, turn the

ignition OFF, and remove the key fob.

When the ignition is in the LOCK/OFF (key

removal) position (or, with pushbutton

start, when the ignition is in the OFF

mode), the transmission is locked in PARK,

securing the vehicle against unwanted

movement.

In NEUTRAL (N), the wheels and

transmission are not locked. The vehicle

will roll freely even on the slightest

incline unless the parking brake or

brakes are applied.

Caution!

Before moving the transmission gear

selector out of PARK, you must turn the

ignition to the ON/RUN mode, and also

press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage

to the gear selector could result.

Warning!

DO NOT race the engine when shifting

from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear

range, as this can damage the drivetrain.

Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn

off the ignition to coast down a hill. These

are unsafe practices that limit your

response to changing traffic or road

conditions. You might lose control of the

vehicle and have a collision.

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.

Note:

Shifting into PARK (P), NEUTRAL

(N) or REVERSE (R) while the vehicle is

moving can damage your

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 transmission gear

selector.

Note: Do not shift into NEUTRAL (N)

when driving the vehicle. Doing so will

damage the transmission. Press the

parking brake or depress the brake

pedal before moving the gear selector

from NEUTRAL (N) to prevent the

vehicle from moving unexpectedly.

transmission.

Shifting into DRIVE (D) or REVERSE

(R) when the engine is running faster

than idle can damage the

transmission.

REVERSE (R)

DRIVE (D)

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 a

vehicle equipped with pushbutton start) in

the ON/RUN mode. A child could operate

power windows, other controls, or move

the vehicle.

This range is for moving the vehicle

backward. Shift into REVERSE only

after the vehicle has come to a

complete stop.

DRIVE (D) is the normal driving position.

From a stop, the transmission will

automatically shift through all available

gears.

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 and an

audible sound is heard.

MANUAL (M)

MANUAL (M) is the manual shift mode

position. Gears can be shifted up or

down by operating the gear selector.

(Refer to “Manual Shift Mode”

paragraph in this section).

160

Shift-Lock System

Shift Lock Override

Warning!

The shift-lock system prevents shifting

out of PARK (P) unless the brake pedal

is depressed.

If the gear selector will not move from

PARK (P) using the proper shift

procedure, continue to press the brake

pedal and proceed as follows:

Do not downshift for additional engine

braking on a slippery surface. The drive

wheels could lose their grip and the vehicle

could skid, causing a collision or personal

injury.

To shift from PARK (P):

1. Remove the shift lock override cover

using a cloth wrapped flat head

screwdriver.

1. Depress and hold the brake pedal.

2. Turn the ignition to the ON/RUN

mode.

2. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool

into the Override Access Hole, and

push the override button down.

Active Adaptive Shift

(AAS)

3. Press and hold the lock-release

button on the gear selector.

Active Adaptive Shift (AAS)

4. Move the gear selector.

automatically controls the transmission

shift points to best suit the road

conditions and driver input. This

improves driving feel.

When the ignition is in the ACC or OFF

mode, the gear selector cannot be

shifted from PARK (P).

The ignition cannot be placed in the

OFF mode if the gear selector is not in

PARK (P).

The transmission may switch to AAS

mode when driving up and down

slopes, cornering, driving at high

elevations, or depressing the

accelerator pedal quickly while the gear

selector is in the DRIVE (D) position.

05210206-12A-002

Depending on the road and driving

conditions/vehicle operations, gear

shifting could be delayed or not occur,

however, this does not indicate a

problem because the AAS mode will

maintain the optimum gear position.

Shift Lock Override Access Hole

3. Push and hold the lock release

button on the gear selector and move

the gear selector.

4. Take the vehicle to your authorized

dealer.

161

Starting and Operating -> Automatic Transmission for Your Fiat 124 Spider 2 Door Second Generation (2016-2020)

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