seats Abarth 500 2008 Owner handbook (in English)

Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing Abarth and congratulations on your choice of a Abarth.
We prepared this booklet to enable you to know each detail of your Abarth and use it correctly. Please, read it carefully
before driving your car. You will find information, tips and important warnings regarding the driving of your car to help you derive
the maximum from the technological features of your Abarth.
You are recommended to read carefully the warnings and indications, marked with the respective symbols:
personal safety;
the car’s wellbeing;
environmental protection.
The enclosed Warranty Booklet lists the services that Abarth offers to its Customers:
❒the Warranty Certificate with terms and conditions for maintaining its validity
❒the range of additional services available to Abarth Customers.
Best regards and happy motoring!
The special features of the new 500 Abarth make the car captivating through its unmistakeable appearance,
stylish yet traditional and, at the same time, practical in terms of performance and safety thanks to the new
elements that have been introduced. The miniskirts, the rear spoiler and the inclined connector to the underbody
improve the drag coefficient, the geometry and road holding at speed. The twin exhaust pipes are fitted at the
sides of the incline at the specular outlets of a single transversely mounted silencer. The front and rear
symmetrical air intakes are practical and the first ones allow the flow of air for cooling the two specular
intercoolers, while the second ones permit the outlet of the flow at the rear. The introduction of the TTC
system (Torque Transfer Control), which improves the transfer of engine torque to the wheels, makes the
vehicle safer and more pleasant to drive, especially when cornering. Comfort is improved thanks to the introduction
of the anti-roll bar which involves a reduction in shock absorber pressure thereby making the vehicle less rigid.
Every feature of the 500 Abarth passenger compartment, from the turbo analogue pressure gauge, the
steering wheel with three spokes and shaped grips, the aluminium pedal assembly, the gear lever with an
ergonimically designed grip and the seats with head restraints built-into the backrest,
is designed to give the car a sporty appearance.
This Owner Handbook contains descriptions of the various new 500 Abarth trim levels therefore you should find
the information that relates to the version you have purchased.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CARDASHBOARD ...................................................................... 3
SYMBOLS ............................................................................... 4
THE FIAT CODE SYSTEM.................................................. 4
THE KEYS .............................................................................. 5
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONBOARD
INSTRUMENTS..................................................................... 9
MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY AND
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY 12
TRIP COMPUTER ................................................................ 21
SEATS ...................................................................................... 23
HEAD RESTRAINTS.............................................................24
STEERING WHEEL .............................................................. 25
REARVIEW MIRRORS......................................................... 26
CLIMATE COMFORT.......................................................... 27
HEATING AND VENTILATION...................................... 28
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM .................... 29
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM............. 31
EXTERNAL LIGHTS............................................................. 34
WINDOW WASHING....................................................... 35CEILING LIGHTS ................................................................. 36
CONTROLS........................................................................... 37
INTERIOR FITTINGS........................................................... 39
SUNROOF.............................................................................. 41
DOORS .................................................................................. 43
POWER WINDOWS........................................................... 45
BOOT ......................................................................................46
BONNET................................................................................. 49
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK .................................................... 51
HEADLIGHTS........................................................................ 51
ABS SYSTEM ......................................................................... 53
ESP SYSTEM ........................................................................... 54
EOBD SYSTEM ..................................................................... 57
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM ............................................................. 58
SOUND SYSTEM.................................................................. 59
AT THE FILLING STATION ............................................. 61
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT............................. 62
Y
Y Y Y
O O O O
U U U U
R R R R

C C C C
A A A A
R R R R
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23
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Seat height adjustment
fig. 18
Operating lever Cit is possible to lift or
lower the rear area of the cushion to
achieve the most comfortable driving po-
sition.Backrest tilting fig. 19
To tilt the backrest, operate the lever D
(movement a) and push the backrest for-
ward until it locks (movement b); release
the lever Dand, pushing the backrest,
slide the seat forward (movement c).
SEATS
FRONT SEATS
fig. 16F0S0013m
fig. 17F0S0014m
Fore/aft adjustment fig. 16
Lift lever Aand push the seat forwards and
backwards: your arms should rest on the
steering wheel rim while you are driving.
All adjustments must be
made with the car station-
ary.
WARNING
After releasing the lever, al-
ways check that the seat is
locked on the guides by trying to
move it backwards and forth. If it is
not locked, the seat may move unex-
pectedly and make you lose control
of the car.
WARNING
fig. 18F0S0015m
fig. 19
2
34
6
5
1
DD
F0S0154m
Back rest angle adjustment fig. 17
Turn knob B.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
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MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Driver side and passenger side where
position memory is provided
To return the seat to its initial position,
slide the seat backward pushing the back-
rest until the seat locks (movement d)
operate the lever D(movement e) and
lift the backrest (movement f) until you
hear it snapping in position.
WARNING Using the lever Dbefore
locking the seat in the initial position caus-
es the loss of the seat initial position. In
that case, it is necessary to adjust the seat
position by means of the longitudinal ad-
justment fig. 16.
Passenger side where position
memory is not provided
To return the seat to its initial position,
slide the seat backward pushing the back-
rest to the desired position (movement
d); operate the lever D(movement e)
and lift the backrest (movement f) until
you hear it snapping in position.
All adjustments must be
made with the car stationary.
WARNING
fig. 20F0S020Ab
The type of reattachment manoeuvre has
been chosen to guarantee the safety of the
occupant. In effect, if the mechanism de-
tects an obstacle (e.g. a bag) and cannot
restore the seat to its original position, it
allows the reattachment of the actual seat,
positioning the backrest only, ensuring
that the guides are attached.
REAR SEATS fig. 20
Backrest release
❒For versions with joint seat, lift handles A
and Band guide the backrest onto the
cushion.
❒For versions with separate seats, lift han-
dle Aor Bto release respectively the left
or right part of the backrest and guide the
backrest onto the cushion.
HEAD RESTRAINTS
REAR fig. 21
(for versions/markets, where provided)
To lift out rear head restraints: press at
the same time buttons Be Cset on both
sides and take them out. Rear head re-
straints must be lifted out with backrest
released and tilted toward the passenger
compartment or with the tailgate open.
To bring the head restraint in correct po-
sition, lift it until you hear it click.
To lower the head restraint, press button
B. The specific shape of the head restraint
interferes with the correct rest of the
back of the rear passenger on the back-
rest; the shape is useful to force the pas-
senger to lift the headrest for its correct
use.
IMPORTANT Rear seat passengers shall
always set the head restraints in “fully
drawn out” position.
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SAFETY
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INDEX
YOUR CAR
∂to the vents in the feet area (front
seats). The natural tendency of hot
air to spread upwards, allows to
warm the passenger compartment
up as quickly as possible, providing
an immediate feeling of warmth.
∂+μdistribution between feet area
vents (warmer air) and dashboard
vents (cooler air).
∂+´distribution between feet area
vents and windscreen and front
side window vents). This distribu-
tion allows an adequate warming of
the passenger compartment and
prevents the windows from mist-
ing up.
The set distribution is shown by the LEDs
on the selected buttons.
To restore automatic air distribution con-
trol, press button AUTO.
Button
-- L
Front window fast
demisting/defrosting button
Pressing the button
-the system acti-
vates all the functions required for fast
demisting/defrosting:
❒compressor switch on (if climatic con-
ditions are suitable);
❒air recycle off;
❒air temperature set to maximum (HI);
❒fan speed selection depending on
coolant temperature;
❒air flow toward the windshield and the
front side windows;
❒heated rear window on.
IMPORTANT The function remains active
for about 3 minutes since the engine
coolant temperature exceeds 50°C (for
petrol versions) or 35°C (for Diesel ver-
sions).
LOOKING AFTER THE SYSTEM
Run the climate control system for at least
10 minutes every month during the win-
ter.
Have the system inspected at a Abarth
Dealership before the summer.The system uses R134a
coolant which, in the event of
accidental leaks, is not dan-
gerous for the environment.
Do not use R12 coolant, not suitable
for the components of the system.
HEATED REAR WINDOW
DEMISTER/DEFROSTER
Press the button Mto activate this func-
tion; its activation is shown by a warning
light on the instrument panel.
The function is automatically deactivated
after about 20 minutes. To turn off the
function beforehand, press again the but-
ton
(.
IMPORTANT Do not apply stickers on
the internal side of the rear window over
the filaments of the heated rear window,
to avoid damaging it.
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SAFETY
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TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
fig. 39F0S039Ab
ODDMENT COMPARTMENT
UNDER THE SEAT fig. 38
(for versions/markets, where provided)
In some versions, under the passenger
seat there is an oddment compartment.
To access the oddment compartment, lift
the front area of the cushion 1to enable
its release, then lift the rear area 2(back-
seat side).
To close the oddment compartment, low-
er and insert under the backrest the rear
of the cushion without forcing, then press
on the front of the cushion until it snaps
in position.GLASS/BOTTLE HOLDER
On the central tunnel there are two
glass/can holders for the front seats and
two for the rear seats.
fig. 38F0S038Ab
COMPARTMENT IN CENTRAL
CONSOLE fig. 37
To open the compartment, operate slot
Band pull outward as shown in figure.
fig. 37F0S037Ab
Do not travel with the odd-
ment compartments open:
they could hurt the passenger in case
of crash.
WARNING
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SAFETY
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CORRECT USE
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WARNING
LIGHTS AND
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IN AN
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CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
EXTENDING THE BOOT
Partial extension (50/50) fig. 49-50
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The separate rear seats allow partial or
total boot extension.
Proceed as follows:
❒Lift out rear seat head restraints (for
versions/markets, where provided)
with backrest released and tilted to-
ward the passenger compartment or
with the tailgate open.
❒check that the seat belt is not twisted;
❒operate levers Aor B-fig. 49 to re-
lease respectively the left or right part
of the backrest and guide the backrest
onto the cushion.IMPORTANT To return the backrest to
its correct position, we recommend to
operate from the external doors.
Maximum extension fig. 51
Tilt the rear seat completely to obtain
maximum boot extension.
fig. 49F0S049Abfig. 50F0S050Ab
fig. 51F0S051Ab
Proceed as follows:
❒remove the rear seat head restraints
(for versions/markets, where provid-
ed);
❒check that the seat belt is not twisted;
❒operate levers Aand B-fig. 49to re-
lease the backrests and guide them on-
to the cushion.
IMPORTANT To return the backrest to
its correct position, we recommend to
operate from the external doors.
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SAFETY
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TECHNICAL
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INDEX
YOUR CAR
BEAM ADJUSTMENT fig. 57
The car is provided with electric adjust-
ment of the beams, operating with ignition
key on MARand low beams on.
The car will slant backwards when it is
loaded, raising the light beam.
In that case, it is necessary to perform
beams adjustment with buttons +and –.
The display provides a visual indication of
the positions during adjustment.AIMING THE FRONT FOG
LIGHTS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Contact Abarth Dealership to have the
headlights properly adjusted.
BEAMS ADJUSTMENT ABROAD
Low beams factory adjustment depends
on the country where the car is pur-
chased. When you travel in countries with
different driving direction, to avoid blind-
ing the drivers who travel in the opposite
direction, it is necessary to cover the ar-
eas of the beam according to the provi-
sions of the Highway Code of the country
where you travel.
fig. 57
M E N UE S C
F0S057Ab
Correct positions depending
on load
Position 0- one or two passengers on
front seats.
Position 1- 4 passengers.
Position 2- 4 passengers + load in the
boot.
Position 3- driver + maximum admitted
load in the boot.
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CORRECT USE
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WARNING
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INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
The reel may lock when the car is parked
on a steep slope: this is perfectly normal.
Furthermore, the reel mechanism locks
the belt if it is pulled and in the event of
sudden braking, collisions and on high
speed bends.
The rear seat is fitted with inertial seat
belts with three anchor points and reel.
S.B.R. SYSTEM
The car is provided with the S.B.R. (Seat
Belt Reminder) system, which warns the
driver and the front passenger if the seat
belt is not buckled, as follows:
❒warning light continuous activation of the beeper for
the first 6 seconds;
❒warning light activation of the beeper for the next 96
seconds;
For permanent deactivation, contact
Abarth Dealership.
the S.B.R. system CAN also be reset
through the set-up menu.
SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS fig. 1
Wear the belt keeping the chest straight
and rested against the backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold the tongue
Aand insert it into the buckle B, until
hearing the locking click. At removal, if it
jams, let it rewind for a short stretch, then
pull it out again without jerking.
Press button Cto release the belt. Ac-
company the belt while it is being re-
wound to prevent twisting. Through the
reel, the belt automatically adapts to the
body of the passenger wearing it, allowing
freedom of movement.
fig. 1F0S060Ab
Never press button C when
travelling.
WARNING
Remember that, in the event
of a violent collision, the
passengers of the rear seats who do
wear seat belts, besides exposing
themselves to a significant danger,
represent a danger for the passengers
of the front seats.
WARNING
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CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
fig. 2F0S061Ab
For maximum safety, keep
the back of your seat up-
right, lean back into it and make sure
the seat belt fits closely across your
chest and hips. Always fasten the seat
belts on both the front and the rear
seats. Travelling without seat belts
will increase the risk of severe injury
and even death in the event of an ac-
cident.
Never disassemble or tamper with the
seat belt or pretensioner components.
All interventions must be performed
by qualified and authorised person-
nel only. Always go to a Abarth Deal-
ership.
WARNINGIMPORTANT Each seat belt may only be
used by a single person: do not carry chil-
dren on your lap with one seat belt pro-
tecting both fig. 4. In general, do not place
any objects between the person and belt. IMPORTANT The belt must not be twist-
ed. The upper part must cross the shoul-
der and the chest diagonally. The lower
part must fit the hips (as shown in fig. 3)
rather than the abdomen of the passen-
ger. Do not use devices (clips, etc.) to hold
the seat belt away from your body.
fig. 3F0S062Abfig. 4F0S063Ab
If the belt has been subject-
ed to heavy stress, for ex-
ample after an accident, it should be
changed completely together with
the anchors, anchor fastening screws
and the pretensioners. In fact, even if
the belt has no visible defects, it could
have lost its resilience.
WARNING
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