2003-2012 Fiat Panda SUV SAFETY -> ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS User Manual
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SAFETY -> ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS for Your Fiat Panda SUV Second Generation (2003-2012)

44) 45) 46) 47) 48) 49) 50) 51) 52)  
uphill: vehicle stationary on a road  
with a gradient higher than 5%, engine  
running, brake pressed and  
ACTIVE SAFETY  
SYSTEMS  
ESC SYSTEM (Electronic  
Stability Control)  
(for versions/markets, where provided)  
transmission in neutral or gear other  
than reverse engaged;  
ABS (Anti-lock Braking  
System)  
This is an electronic system that  
controls vehicle stability in the event of  
tyre grip loss, helping maintain  
directional control. The system is  
capable of recognising potentially  
dangerous situations in terms of the  
stability and intervenes automatically on  
the brakes in a differentiated manner  
for the four wheels in order to provide a  
stabilising torque.  
downhill: vehicle stationary on a  
road with a gradient higher than 5%,  
engine running, brake pressed and  
reverse gear engaged.  
This system, which is an integral part of  
the braking system, prevents one or  
more wheels from locking and slipping  
in all road surface conditions,  
When setting off, the ESC system  
control unit maintains the braking  
pressure on the wheels until the torque  
necessary for starting is reached, or  
in any case for a maximum of 2  
seconds, allowing your right foot to be  
moved easily from the brake pedal to  
the accelerator.  
irrespective of the intensity of the  
braking action, ensuring that the vehicle  
can be controlled even during  
emergency braking.  
The ESC system switches on  
automatically when the engine is  
started and cannot be switched off.  
IMPORTANT To obtain the maximum  
efficiency of the braking system, a  
bedding-in period of about 500 km is  
needed: during this period it is better to  
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged  
braking.  
When two seconds have elapsed,  
without starting, the system is  
automatically deactivated, gradually  
releasing the braking pressure. During  
this release stage, the typical  
System intervention  
The intervention of the system is  
indicated by the flashing of the ESC  
warning light on the instrument panel,  
to inform the driver that the vehicle is in  
critical stability and grip conditions.  
The ABS also includes the following  
systems: EBD (Electronic Braking Force  
Distribution), MSR (Motor  
mechanical brake release noise can be  
heard, indicating that the vehicle is  
about to move.  
Schleppmoment Regelung) and MBA  
(Mechanical Brake Assist) (for  
versions/markets, where provided).  
53) 54) 55) 56) 57) 58)  
NOTE: the Hill Holder system is not  
active with parking brake engaged.  
HH (Hill Holder) SYSTEM  
This system is an integral part of the  
ESC system and facilitates starting on  
slopes.  
System intervention  
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is  
not a parking brake, therefore do not  
leave the vehicle without activating the  
handbrake, switching off the engine,  
and engaging first gear, with the vehicle  
parked in safe conditions.  
The driver can feel that the ABS system  
has come into action because the  
brake pedal pulsates slightly and the  
system gets noisier: this is entirely  
normal with the system operating.  
It is automatically activated in the  
following conditions:  
60  
ASR (AntiSlip  
Regulation) SYSTEM  
HBA (Hydraulic Brake  
Assist) SYSTEM  
It is an integral part of the ESC system.  
It is automatically activated in the case  
of drive wheels slipping, loss of grip  
on wet roads (aquaplaning) and  
acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy  
roads, etc.  
The HBA system is designed to  
improve the vehicle's braking capacity  
during emergency braking. The system  
detects an emergency braking by  
monitoring the speed and strength with  
which the brake pedal is pressed,  
thereby applying the optimal brake  
pressure.  
Depending on the slipping conditions,  
two different control systems are  
activated:  
F1D0038  
47  
This can reduce the braking distance:  
the HBA system therefore completes  
the ABS.  
On some versions, the intervention of  
the system is indicated by a dedicated  
message shown on the display. When  
the system is not active, the LED on the  
button ASR OFF turns on and, on  
some versions, a message appears on  
the display.  
if the slipping involves both drive  
wheels, the ASR intervenes reducing  
the power transmitted by the engine;  
Maximum assistance from the HBA  
system is obtained by pressing the  
brake pedal very quickly. In addition,  
the brake pedal must be pressed  
continuously during braking, avoiding  
intermittent presses, to benefit from the  
system.  
if the slipping only involves one  
of the drive wheels, it intervenes  
automatically braking the wheel that is  
slipping.  
When the ASR is deactivated whilst  
driving, the next time the vehicle is  
started the ASR is automatically  
activated.  
Engagement/disengagement of the  
ASR system  
Do not reduce pressure on the brake  
pedal until braking is not necessary  
anymore.  
The ASR system switches on  
automatically each time the engine is  
started.  
When travelling on snowy roads with  
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn  
the ASR off: in fact, in these conditions,  
the driving wheels skidding when  
setting off gives you better traction.  
The HBA system is deactivated when  
the brake pedal is released.  
Whilst driving, the ASR can be switched  
off and subsequently switched on  
again by pressing the ASR OFF button  
fig. 47.  
64) 65) 66)  
59) 60) 61) 62) 63)  
61  
ELD (Electronic Locking  
Differential) SYSTEM  
(Panda Cross and Panda 4x4 versions)  
If the space-saver wheel is used  
If the space-saver wheel is used, the  
control unit for 4x4 drive detects its  
presence (via the wheel speed signals)  
and reduces the intervention of the  
four-wheel drive mode to a minimum,  
while guaranteeing the agility of the  
vehicle. No fault/alarm signal is  
displayed on the instrument panel or on  
the display.  
The ELD system allows the drive force  
to be evenly distributed over the same  
axle when one or both wheels are  
slipping. The ELD acts by braking the  
wheels with poor grip (or those slipping  
more than the others), thereby  
transferring the drive force to those  
which have greater grip on the ground.  
The system operates at speeds below  
50 km/h. Above this speed, it is  
automatically deactivated and it is  
reactivated when the speed falls below  
50 km/h.  
F1D0122  
48  
Disabling the system  
To disable the system, press button A  
fig. 48 (4x4 versions) or turn the ring nut  
fig. 49 to the left (Cross versions) and  
keep it in this position until LED 1  
on the selector lights up.  
The activation of the ELD system  
involves the following functions being  
switched on:  
HDC (Hill Descent  
Control) SYSTEM  
(Panda Cross versions)  
inhibition of the ASR function, in  
order to fully exploit the engine torque;  
F1D0116  
49  
It is an integral part of the ESC system  
and is aimed at keeping the vehicle at a  
constant speed during a descent,  
operating autonomously on the brakes  
in various ways at the same time. In this  
way the HDC function helps the driver  
when facing steep gradient roads in  
low-grip and/or rough ground  
differential lock effect on the front  
and rear axles, via the braking system,  
to improve drive on uneven surfaces.  
System intervention  
The  
warning light on the instrument  
panel flashes to signal that the system  
has intervened.  
Enabling the system  
To arrange operation of the ELD system  
press button A fig. 48 (4x4 versions)  
or turn the ring nut fig. 49 to the right  
(Cross versions) and keep it in this  
position until LED 2 on the selector  
lights up.  
conditions.  
Noise and vibrations coming from the  
wheel sides (brakes) when the HDC  
system is activated are normal.  
62  
IMPORTANT The system does not  
relieve the driver of the responsibility of  
controlling the vehicle and does not  
replace attention while driving. The  
driver of the vehicle takes the complete  
responsibility for the consequences of  
their actions and of an incorrect and not  
responsible use of the vehicle.  
System intervention  
IMPORTANT On level ground in urban  
areas it is advisable to deactivate the  
HDC system intervention set-up, since  
for speeds below 25 km/h in some  
usage conditions, such as when setting  
off, gearshifting and driving over road  
humps without using the accelerator  
pedal, the system might activate.  
To activate the system reach a speed  
slower than 25 km/h. After reaching the  
desired speed, release the accelerator  
and brake pedals completely. If you  
want to increase/decrease the speed,  
press the accelerator/brake pedals  
again.  
Enabling the system  
Disabling the system  
IMPORTANT The system is also  
available for very low speeds between 5  
km/h and 9 km/h, but in this interval  
the gearbox must be set to neutral to  
prevent engine stalling.  
To arrange operation of the HDC  
system, turn ring nut fig. 50, with LED 2  
on, to the right, and keep it in this  
position until LED 3 on the selector  
To deactivate the system, turn the ring  
nut fig. 50 to the left, keeping it in  
this position until LED 3 on the selector  
switches off.  
lights up. The  
warning light comes  
IMPORTANT If the braking system  
overheats the system will deactivate  
through a gradual release of the braking  
pressure, leaving vehicle control to the  
driver. Deactivation of the HDC system  
is accompanied by flashing of the  
warning light, by a dedicated  
on in the instrument panel and the  
dedicated message is displayed.  
IMPORTANT For speeds above 9 km/h,  
the HDC system must be used with a  
gear that is suitable for the set speed,  
in order to prevent possible engine  
stalling. While the HDC system is  
operating it is also possible to take  
control of the vehicle again by pressing  
the brake and accelerator pedals. If  
the HDC is not available when system  
intervention set-up is engaged, this  
could be due to brake overheating. In  
this case, wait for a few minutes.  
message on the display and an  
acoustic warning. To reactivate the  
system intervention set-up wait for the  
system to cool down and turn the  
ring nut again.  
F1D0116  
50  
IMPORTANT The system is available for  
speeds between 5 km/h and 25 km/h.  
It is advisable to use the system with  
low gears (first, second and third).  
IMPORTANT System intervention  
set-up can be engaged only with "Off  
Road" mode activated.  
63  
47) For maximum efficiency of the braking  
system, a bedding-in period of about  
500 km is required: during this period it is  
advisable to avoid sharp, repeated and  
prolonged braking.  
55) Do not take unnecessary risks, even if  
your vehicle is fitted with an ESC system.  
Your driving style must always be suited to  
the road conditions, visibility and traffic.  
The driver is always responsible for road  
safety.  
IMPORTANT If the speed exceeds 25  
km/h and is below 50 km/h, the HDC  
system intervention set-up is  
deactivated but is ready for being  
reactivated when the speed drops back  
below 25 km/h. In this case the  
indication on the instrument panel turns  
off and the LED on the ring nut stays  
on. If vehicle speed exceeds 50 km/h,  
the HDC system completely  
48) The ABS cannot alter the natural laws  
of physics, and cannot increase grip which  
depends on the condition of the road.  
56) The ESC system cannot alter the  
natural laws of physics, and cannot  
increase grip which depends on the  
condition of the road.  
49) The ABS cannot prevent accidents,  
including those due to excessive speed on  
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or  
aquaplaning.  
57) The ESC system cannot prevent  
accidents, including those due to excessive  
speed on corners, driving on low-grip  
surfaces or aquaplaning.  
deactivates and each individual action  
made by the system on the brakes  
is blocked. To reactivate it, turn the ring  
nut again when the speed is again  
below 25 km/h.  
50) The capability of the ABS must never  
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in  
such a way as to compromise personal  
safety and the safety of others.  
58) The capability of the ESC system must  
never be tested irresponsibly and  
dangerously, in such a way as to  
compromise personal safety and the safety  
of others.  
51) For the correct operation of the ABS,  
the tyres must of necessity be the same  
make and type on all wheels, in perfect  
condition and, above all, of the prescribed  
type and dimensions.  
59) For the correct operation of the ASR  
system, the tyres must of necessity be the  
same make and type on all wheels, in  
perfect condition and, above all, of the  
prescribed type and size.  
WARNING  
52) When the Mechanical Brake Assist  
intervenes, noises may be heard from the  
system. This is normal. In any case, keep  
the brake pedal firmly depressed while  
braking.  
44) The ABS exploits the grip available to  
the full, but it cannot improve it. Therefore,  
you should take great care when driving  
on slippery surfaces, without taking  
unnecessary risks.  
60) Do not take unnecessary risks, even if  
your vehicle is fitted with an ASR system.  
Your driving style must always be suited to  
the road conditions, visibility and traffic.  
The driver is ultimately responsible for road  
safety.  
53) For the correct operation of the ESC  
system, the tyres must of necessity be the  
same make and type on all wheels, in  
perfect condition and, above all, of the  
prescribed type and size.  
45) When the ABS cuts in and you feel the  
brake pedal pulsating, do not raise your  
foot, but keep it pressed; in doing so you  
will stop in the shortest amount of space  
possible depending on the current road  
conditions.  
61) The ASR system cannot alter the  
natural laws of physics, and cannot  
increase grip which depends on the  
condition of the road.  
54) The ESC functions even when the  
space-saver wheel is being used. Always  
remember that the space-saver wheel,  
being smaller than the original wheel,  
provides less grip.  
46) If the ABS intervenes, this indicates  
that the grip of the tyres on the road is  
nearing its limit. You must slow down to a  
speed compatible with the available grip.  
62) The ASR system cannot prevent  
accidents, including those due to excessive  
speed on corners, driving on low-grip  
surfaces or aquaplaning.  
64  

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