Driving Tips; Climbing Steep Grades From A Stop; Descending Steep Grades; Electronic Speed Control - Fiat 124 SPIDER 2017 Owner's Manual

Direct mode is cancelled (released)
under the following conditions:
The vehicle is driven for a certain
amount of time or longer (time differs
depending on the driving conditions
while operating).
The vehicle is stopped or moving at a
slow speed.
Note: Shifting up and down while in
direct mode may not be possible
depending on the vehicle speed. In
addition, because direct mode is
cancelled (released) depending on the
rate of acceleration or if the accelerator
is fully depressed, use of the manual
shift mode is recommended if you need
to drive the vehicle in a particular gear
for long periods.

Driving Tips

Overtaking
For extra power when passing another
vehicle or climbing steep grades, press
the accelerator fully. The transmission
will shift to a lower gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
Note:
The accelerator pedal may initially
feel heavy as it is being pressed, then
feel lighter as it is pressed further. This
change in pedal force aids the engine
control system in determining how
much the accelerator pedal has been
158
pressed for performing kickdown, and
functions to control whether or not
kickdown should be performed.
While the gear selector is in the
MANUAL (M) position and the Dynamic
Stability Control (DSC) is turned off,
manual shift mode does not switch to
automatic shift mode even if the
accelerator pedal is completely
pressed. Operate the gear selector.

Climbing steep grades from a stop

To climb a steep grade from a stopped
position:
1. Press the brake pedal.
2. Shift to DRIVE (D) or M1, depending
on the load weight and grade
steepness.
3. Release the brake pedal while
gradually accelerating.

Descending steep grades

When descending a steep grade, shift
to lower gears, depending on load
weight and grade steepness.
Descend slowly, using the brakes only
occasionally to prevent them from
overheating.
ELECTRONIC SPEED
CONTROL
Electronic 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 the cruise 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 cruise control under the following
conditions is dangerous and could result in
loss of vehicle control.