brake fluid Abarth 124 Spider 2021 Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
IMPORTANT The indication of the
warning light in the instrument panel is
indicative and precautionary and as
such must not be considered as
exhaustive and/or alternative to the
information contained in the Owner
Handbook, which you are advised to
read carefully in all cases. Always refer
to the information in this chapter in the
event of a failure indication.
IMPORTANT The instrument panel
warning light will stay on until the cause
of the failure is eliminated.
Versions with Radio 7”
The details for some warnings can be
viewed on the centre display.
Proceed as follows:
if the warning light is turned on,
select
icon on the home screen to
display the application screen;
select “Vehicle Status Monitor”;
select “Warning Guidance”to
display the current warnings;
select the applicable warning to view
the warning details.
WARNING LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
For the following warning/indicator
lights:
Master warning light;
Brake system warning light;
ABS warning light;
Charging system warning light;
Engine oil warning light;
Check engine light;
High engine coolant temperature
warning light;
Automatic transmission warning light;
Power steering malfunction indicator
light;
Air Bag/Seat Belt pretensioner
system warning light;
Active bonnet warning light;
Low fuel warning light;
Seat belt warning light;
Seat belt warning light;
Door-ajar warning light;
Low washer fluid level warning light;
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
warning light;
KEY warning light;
LED headlight KEY warning light;
Wrench indicator light;
TCS/DSC indicator light;
DSC OFF indicator light;
Security indicator light;
Passenger Air Bag deactivation
indicator light (where provided).
The light turns on when the ignition is
switched on for an operation check,
and turns off a few seconds later or
when the engine is started. If the light
does not turn on or remains turned on,
contact an Abarth Dealership.
Only for “Brake system warning
light”: the light turns on continuously
when the parking brake is applied.
54
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING LIGHTS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL
Red warning lights
Warning light What it means what to do
PARKING BRAKE WARNING - WARNING
LIGHT INSPECTION / LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL WARNING
Parking brake warning / Warning light
inspection
The light illuminates when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switched to START or
ON. It turns off when the parking brake is fully
released.
Low brake fluid level warning
If the brake warning light remains illuminated
even though the parking brake is released, the
brake fluid may be low or there could be a
problem with the brake system. Park the
vehicle in a safe place immediately and
contact an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not drive with the brake
system warning light illuminated. Contact an
Abarth Dealership to have the brakes
inspected as soon as possible. Driving with
the brake system warning light illuminated is
dangerous. It indicates that your brakes may
not work at all or that they could completely
fail at any time. If this light remains illuminated,
after checking that the parking brake is fully
released, have the brakes inspected
immediately.
IMPORTANT In addition, the effectiveness of
the braking may diminish so you may need to
depress the brake pedal more strongly than
normal to stop the vehicle.
Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately
and contact an Abarth Dealership.Stop the vehicle in a safe place immediately
and contact an Abarth Dealership.
55

SCHEDULED
SERVICING
INTRODUCTION
Be careful not to hurt yourself when
inspecting your vehicle, replacing a tyre,
or doing some kind of maintenance
such as car washing. In particular, wear
thick work gloves such as cotton gloves
when touching areas that are difficult to
see while inspecting or working on your
vehicle. Doing inspections or
procedures with your bare hands could
cause injury.
If you are unsure about any procedure it
describes, we strongly urge you to have
a reliable and qualified service shop
perform the work, preferably at Abarth
Dealership.
Factory-trained FCA technicians and
genuine FCA parts are best for your
vehicle. Without this expertise and the
parts that have been designed and
made especially for your vehicle,
inadequate, incomplete, and insufficient
servicing may result in problems. This
could lead to vehicle damage or an
accident and injuries.
For expert advice and quality service,
contact an Abarth Dealership.
The owner should retain evidence that
proper maintenance has been
performed as prescribed.A claim against a warranty will not
qualify if it results from lack of
maintenance and not from defective
material or authorised workmanship.
Claims against the warranty resulting
from lack of maintenance, as opposed
to defective materials or authorized FCA
workmanship, will not be honored.
The malfunction diagnosis connector is
designed exclusively for connecting the
specially designed device to perform
on-board diagnosis. Do not connect
any devices other than the specially
designed malfunction diagnosis devices
for servicing. If any device other than
the malfunction diagnosis device is
connected, it may affect the vehicle's
electrical devices or lead to damage
such as battery depletion
Scheduled maintenance
NOTE After the prescribed period,
continue to follow the described
maintenance at the recommended
intervals.
Emission control and related
systems
The ignition and fuel systems are highly
important to the emission control
system and to efficient engine
operation. Do not tamper with them.
All inspections and adjustments must
be made by Abarth Dealership.
OWNER MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
191) 192) 193)
38)
Routine service
We highly recommend that these items
be inspected daily, or at least every
week:
Engine oil level
Engine coolant level
Brake and clutch fluid Level
Washer fluid level
Battery maintenance
Tire inflation pressure
Improper or incomplete service may
result in problems. This section gives
instructions only for items that are easy
to perform.
As explained in the “Introduction”
paragraph, several procedures can be
done only by a qualified service
technician with special tools.
Improper do-it yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect
warranty coverage. For details, read the
separate Warranty statement provided
with the vehicle. If you are unsure about
any servicing or maintenance
procedure, have it done by Abarth
Dealership.
There are strict environmental laws
regarding the disposal of waste oil and
165

fluids. Please dispose of your waste
properly and with due regard to the
environment.
We recommend that you entrust the oil
and fluid changes of your vehicle to an
Abarth Dealership.
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every1,000 kmor before long trips
check and, if necessary, top up:
engine coolant level;
brake fluid level;
windscreen washer fluid level;
tire inflation pressure and condition;
operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
operation of windscreen
washer/wiper system and
positioning/wear of windscreen window
wiper blades.
Every 3,000 km, check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
HEAVY-DUTY USE OF THE
VEHICLE
If the vehicle is used under one of the
following conditions:
dusty roads;
short, repeated journeys (less than
7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long periods
of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
check front disc brake pad condition
and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage;
visually inspect conditions of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes and hoses
(exhaust/fuel system/brakes) and
rubber elements (gaiters/sleeves/
bushes, etc.);
check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
visually inspect conditions of the
accessory drive belts;
check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter;
check and, if necessary, replace air
cleaner.
166
MAINTENANCE AND CARE

SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
The checks listed in the Scheduled Servicing Plan, after reaching 120,000 km/8 years, must be cyclically repeated starting from
the first interval, thus following the same intervals as before.
Thousands of miles9 182736455463728190
Thousands of kilometers15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years12345678910
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary. Check quick tire repair kit recharge
condition and expiry date (where provided)
●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights,
direction indicators, hazard warning lights, boot,
passenger compartment, glove compartment,
instrumental panel warning lights, etc.)
●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (1)●●●●●●●●●●
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness●●●●●●●●●●
Use the diagnosis socket to check engine
management system operation, emissions and,
for versions/markets where provided, engine oil
degradation
●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust,
fuel system, brakes), rubber elements (gaiters,
sleeves, bushes, etc.) and fasteners in sight
●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of steering elements
and check their operation●●●●●
(1) Always only use the liquids shown in the handbook for topping up after having checked that the system is not damaged.
167

Thousands of miles9 182736455463728190
Thousands of kilometers15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years12345678910
Replace spark plugs (2)●●●
Replace accessory drive belt(s)(3)
Replace toothed timing drive belt(3)
Replace air filter cartridge (4)
●●●
Change the brake fluid(5)
(2) For 1.4 Turbo Multiair versions, to guarantee correct operation and prevent serious damage to the engine, it is essential to proceed as follows: only use spark
plugs specifically certified for these engines; all spark plugs should be of the same type and brand (see the "Engine" paragraph in the "Technical specifications"
chapter); stricltly comply with the replacement intervals in the Scheduled Servicing Plan. It is advisable to contact an Abarth Dealership for sparkplug
replacement.
(3) Areas that are not dusty: recommended maximum mileage 120.000 km. Regardless of the mileage, the belt must be replaced every 6 years. Dusty areas and/or
demanding use (cold climates, town use, long periods of idling): recommended maximum mileage 60.000 km. Regardless of the mileage, the belt must be
replaced every 4 years.
(4) If the vehicle is used in dusty areas, this cleaner must be replaced every 15.000 km.
(5) The brake fluid replacement has to be done every two years, irrespective of the mileage.
169

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CHECKING LEVELS
194) 195)
39)
1. Window and headlight washer fluid 2. Engine oil dipstick 3. Engine oil cap 4. Engine coolant fluid 5. Brake/clutch
fluid 6. Battery
15107030300-472-472AB
171

IMPORTANT Use only soft
(demineralised) water in the coolant
mixture. Water that contains minerals
will cut down on the coolant's
effectiveness.
IMPORTANT Do not add only water.
Always add a proper coolant mixture.
IMPORTANT The engine has aluminium
parts and must be protected by an
ethylene-glycol-based coolant to
prevent corrosion and freezing.
IMPORTANT DO NOT USE coolants
Containing Alcohol, methanol, Borate
or Silicate. These coolants could
damage the cooling system.
IMPORTANT DO NOT MIX alcohol or
methanol with the coolant. This could
damage the cooling system.
IMPORTANT Do not use a solution that
contains more than 60% antifreeze.
This would reduce effectiveness.
IMPORTANT If the “FL22” mark is
shown on or near the cooling system
cap, use of FL-22 is recommended
when replacing engine coolant. Using
engine coolant other than FL-22 may
cause serious damage to the engine
and cooling system.BRAKE / CLUTCH FLUID
202) 207)
41)
It should be kept between the MAX and
MIN lines fig. 154.
The level normally drops with
accumulated distance, a condition
associated with wear of brake and
clutch linings. If it is excessively low,
have the brake/clutch system contact
an Abarth Dealership.
NOTE On right-hand drive versions the
reservoir is located on the left side of
the engine compartment.
WINDOW AND
HEADLIGHT WASHER
FLUID
200) 201) 208)
Inspect fluid level in the washer fluid
reservoir fig. 155; open the cap and
add fluid if necessary.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
CONTROL UNIT
5)
The transmission control oil level should
only be checked at Abarth Dealership.
BATTERY MAINTENANCE
203) 204) 205) 206)
6)
To get the best service from a battery:
keep it securely mounted;
keep the top clean and dry;
15407030601-121-002AB
15507030901-121-001AB
173

198)Do not remove either cooling system
cap when the engine and radiator are hot.
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot out
under pressure and cause serious injury.
199)The cooling system is pressurized. If
necessary, only replace the cap with
another original one or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir cap when the engine
is hot: risk of burns.
200)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the washer
operation is essential for improving visibility.
Repeated operation of the system without
fluid could damage or cause rapid
deterioration of some system components.
201)Certain commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluids are inflammable.
The engine compartment contains hot
components which may set it on fire.
202)Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental
contact, immediately wash the affected
parts with water and mild soap. Then rinse
thoroughly. Call a doctor immediately if
swallowed.
203)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep open flames away from the
battery and do not use objects that might
create sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
204)Using the battery with insufficient fluid
irreparably damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
205)If the vehicle must remain unused for
a long time at a very low temperature,
remove the battery and take it to a warm
place, to avoid freezing.206)When performing any operation on
the battery or near it, always protect your
eyes with special goggles.
207)If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes inspected. A low
brake/clutch fluid level is dangerous. A low
level could indicate brake lining wear or a
brake system leak which could cause the
brakes to fail and lead to an accident.
208)Use only windscreen washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir. Using radiator
antifreeze as washer fluid is dangerous. If
sprayed on the windscreen, it will dirty the
windscreen, affect your visibility, and could
result in an accident.
IMPORTANT
39)Be careful not to confuse the various
types of fluids while topping up: they are
not compatible with each other! Topping up
with an unsuitable fluid could severly
damage your vehicle.
40)The oil level should never exceed the
MAX mark.
41)Avoid allowing brake fluid, which is
extremely corrosive, to come into contact
with painted areas. Should it happen, wash
immediately with water.
IMPORTANT
4)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to contact an
Abarth Dealership to have the oil and filters
changed.
5)Used transmission fluid contains
substances that are harmful to the
environment. It is advisable to contact an
Abarth Dealership to have the fluid
changed.
6)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact an Abarth
Dealership.
175

IMPORTANT Do not use steel wool,
abrasive cleaners, or strong detergents
containing highly alkaline or caustic
agents on chromeplated or anodised
aluminium parts. This may damage the
protective coating; also, cleaners and
detergents may discolour or deteriorate
the paint.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the finish.
218)
WARNING
218)Dry off brakes that have become wet
by driving slowly, releasing the accelerator
pedal and lightly applying the brakes
several times until the brake performance
returns to normal. Driving with wet brakes
is dangerous. Increased stopping distance
or the vehicle pulling to one side when
braking could result in a serious accident.
Light braking will indicate whether the
brakes have been affected.
IMPORTANT
45)In order to preserve the appearance of
the paint abrasive products and/or polishes
should not be used for cleaning the vehicle.46)Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Wash the
vehicle only by hand using neutral pH
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois
leather. Abrasive products and/or polishes
should not be used for cleaning the car.
Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
Avoid (if at all possible) parking the vehicle
under trees; remove vegetable resins
immediately as, when dried, it may only be
possible to remove them with abrasive
products and/or polishes, which is highly
inadvisable as they could alter the typical
opaqueness of the paint. Do not use pure
windscreen washer fluid for cleaning the
front windscreen and rear window; dilute it
min. 50% with water. Only use pure screen
washer fluid when strictly necessary due to
outside temperature conditions.
IMPORTANT
7)Detergents cause water pollution. Only
wash your vehicle in areas equipped to
collect and treat wastewater from this type
of activity.
INTERIORS
INTERIOR CARE
222) 223) 224)
If the vehicle interior becomes soiled by
any of the following, wipe it off
immediately using a soft cloth.
Leaving it uncleaned could cause
discolouration, stains, cracks, or
peeling of the coating, and it will make it
hard to wipe off later.
Beverage or fragrance
Grease or oil
Soiling
NOTE Do not wipe the interior using
alcohol, chlorine bleach, or organic
solvents such as thinner, benzene, and
petrol. Otherwise, it may cause
discolouration or stains.
NOTE Rubbing hard with a stiff brush or
cloth may cause damage.
180
MAINTENANCE AND CARE