Fiat Panda Owner's Handbook Manual page 71

HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
(where provided)
This system is an integral part of the ESP
system and it is provided to facilitate start-
ing on slopes. It will activate automatical-
ly with the following conditions:
❒ Uphill: car at a standstill on a road with
a gradient higher than 2%, engine run-
ning, clutch and brake pedal pressed,
gearbox to neutral or engaged gear oth-
er than reverse;
❒ Downhill: car at a standstill on a road
with a gradient higher than 2%, engine
running, clutch and brake pedal pressed
and reverse gear engaged.
At pickup the ESP system control unit will
keep brake force on wheels until reaching
the torque suitable for starting, or in any
case for max. 2 seconds in order to pass
easily from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal.
After two seconds without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by re-
leasing gradually the brake force. At re-
leasing, the typical brake disengagement
noise indicating that the car is going to
move will be heard.
70
FAILURE INDICATIONS
System failure is indicated by the turning
on of warning light * on the instrument
panel, together with the message on the
reconfigurable multifunction
(where provided), 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 hand-
brake, turned the engine off and engaged
the first speed.
WARNING
During the use of the space-
saver spare wheel, the ESP
system carries on working. However,
you must remind that the space-saver
spare wheel has dimensions smaller
than the standard tyre and therefore
its grip is reduced as to the other car
tyres.
WARNING
For correct operation of the
ESP system, the tyres must
absolutely be of the same brand and
type on all wheels, in perfect condi-
tions and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
ASR SYSTEM
(Antislip Regulation)
The ASR function controls car drive and
cuts in automatically every time one or
display
both driving wheels slip.
In slipping conditions, two different con-
trol systems are activated:
❒ if slipping involves both 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 auto-
matically braking the wheel that is slip-
ping.
The action of the ASR is particularly help-
ful in the following circumstances:
❒ slipping of the inner wheel due to the
effect of dynamic load changes or ex-
cessive 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 sur-
face (aquaplaning).