service Abarth 500 2009 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.
001-022 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:40 Pagina 1

13
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
CONTROL BUTTONS fig. 15
+To scroll the displayed menu and the
related options upwards or to in-
crease the displayed value.
MENU ESCPress briefly to access the
menu and/or go to next
screen or to confirm the
required menu option.
Press longer to return to
the standard screen
–To scroll the displayed menu and the
related options downwards or to de-
crease the value displayed.NoteButtons
+and –activate different
functions according to the following situ-
ations:
– to scroll the menu options upwards and
downwards;
– to increase or decrease values during
settings.
NoteWhen opening one of the front
doors, the display will turn on and show
for a few seconds the clock and the km or
mi covered (for versions/markets, where
provided).
fig. 14
M E N UE S C
F0S014Ab
SETUP MENU
The menu comprises a series of functions
arranged in a cycle which can be selected
through buttons
+and –to access the dif-
ferent select operations and settings (set-
up) given in the following paragraphs. A sub-
menu is provided for some items (Clock
and Unit setting). The setup menu can be
activated by pressing briefly button MENU
ESC. Single presses on buttons +or –will
scroll the setup menu options. Handling
modes differ with each other according to
the characteristic of the option selected.
The menu includes the following functions:
– MENU
– DIMMER
– SPEED BEEP
– TRIP B DATA/TRIP B ACTIVATION
– SET TIME
– SET DATE
– SEE RADIO
– AUTOCLOSE
– UNIT
– LANGUAGE
– BUZZER VOLUME
– BUTTON VOL.
– SEAT BELT BUZZER/SEAT BELT BEEPING
– SERVICE
– PASSENGER BAG
– DAYLIGHTS
– EXIT MENU
001-022 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:40 Pagina 13

19
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Buzzer volume
(Adjusting the failure/warning
buzzer volume)
With this function the volume of the
buzzer accompanying any failure/warning
indication can be adjusted according to 8
levels.
To adjust the volume proceed as follows:
– briefly press button : MENU
ESC; the
previously set volume “level” will flash on
the display;
– press button
+or –for setting;
– briefly press button MENU
ESCto go
back to the menu screen or press the but-
ton for long to go back to the standard
screen without storing settings.Button volume
(Button volume adjustment)
This function may be used to adjust the
volume of the beep accompanying the ac-
tivation of buttons MENU
ESC, +and–can be adjusted according to 8 levels.
To adjust the volume proceed as follows:
– briefly press button : MENU
ESC; the
previously set volume “level” will flash on
the display;
– press button
+or –for setting;
– briefly press button MENU
ESCto go
back to the menu screen or press the but-
ton for long to go back to the standard
screen without storing settings.Belt buzzer (Buzzer activation for
S.B.R. indication)
This function can be only displayed after
Abarth Dealership has deactivated the
S.B.R. system (see paragraph “S.B.R. sys-
tem” in section “Safety devices”).
Service
(Scheduled servicing)
Through this function it is possible to dis-
play information connected to proper car
servicing.
Proceed as follows:
– briefly press button MENU
ESC: ser-
vice in km or mi, according to previous
setting, will be displayed (see paragraph
“Units”);
– briefly press button MENU
ESCto go
back to the menu screen or press the but-
ton for long to go back to the standard
screen.
001-022 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:40 Pagina 19

20
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
NoteThe “Service Schedule” requires the
car to be serviced every 30,000 km (or
18,000 mi); this indication will appear au-
tomatically with the key on MARwhen
there are 2,000 km left (or equivalent dis-
tance in miles) and will be presented au-
tomatically every 200 km (or equivalent
distance in miles). The indications will ap-
pear more frequently where there are 200
km left. The indication will appear in kilo-
metres or miles according to the settings.
When the next scheduled service opera-
tion is approaching, the message “Service”
will appear on the display followed by the
number of kilometres or miles left when
the key is turned to MAR. Go to the
Abarth Dealership where the “Scheduled
Service” operations will be performed and
the message will be reset.Passenger bag
Front passenger’s airbag and
side bag activation/deactivation
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This function enables to activate/deacti-
vate the front passenger’s air bag.
Proceed as follows:
– press button MENU
ESCand, after dis-
playing the message (Bag pass: Off) (to dis-
able) or (Bag pass: On) (to enable) press-
ing buttons
+and –, press again button
MENU ESC;
- the confirmation request message will be
displayed;
- press buttons
+or –to select (Yes)
(confirming activation/deactivation) or
(No) (to abort);
- briefly press MENU
ESCto confirm set-
ting and go back to the menu screen or
press the button for long to go back to the
standard screen without storing settings.Daylights (D.R.L.)
This function enables to activate/deacti-
vate the daylight light.
Proceed as follows to switch this function
on or off:
– briefly press button MENU
ESCto dis-
play the three sub-menus;
– briefly press button MENU
ESC: (On)
or (Off) will flash on the display (accord-
ing to previous setting);
– press button
+or –for setting;
– briefly press button MENU
ESCto go
back to the menu screen or press the but-
ton for long to go back to the standard
screen without storing settings;
– hold MENU
ESCpressed to go back to
the standard screen or main menu accord-
ing to the points of the menu where you are
at.
Exit Menu
This is the last function that closes the cir-
cular setting cycle listed in the initial menu
screen.
Briefly press button MENU
ESCto go
back to the standard screen without stor-
ing settings.
Press button
–to return to the first menu
option (Speed Beep).
001-022 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:40 Pagina 20

82
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some useful tips to save fuel and
minimize polluting emissions of CO
2and
other pollutants (nitric oxide, unburnt hy-
drocarbons, fine dusts etc…).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service schedule”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly at least on-
ce every four weeks: excessively low pres-
sure will increase consumption because
rolling resistance will be higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot.
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the car
(especially when driving in town) and its
trim greatly affect consumption and stabi-
lity.
USING THE MANUAL
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pe-
dal fully and shift the gear lever into one
of the required positions (the diagram is
shown on the knob fig. 2).
IMPORTANT Reverse may only be enga-
ged when the car is at a standstill. With
the engine running, wait for at least 2 se-
conds with the clutch pedal fully pressed
before engaging reverse to prevent da-
mage to the gears and grating.
In addition, to assist the transmission of the
drive torque, a limit on the engine revs du-
ring take off at 2700 rpm can be noticed.
When the clutch pedal is released and the
vehicle is being driven, the engine revs re-
striction is disabled.
To engage reverse gear Rfrom neutral,
move the lever to the right and then
backwards.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal must be
used for gear shift only. Never drive with
the foot resting, even if slightly, on the
clutch pedal. For versions/markets, whe-
re provided, the clutch pedal control elec-
tronics can intervene interpreting the
wrong drive style as a faultPress the clutch pedal fully to
change gears correctly. For
this reason, there must be no
obstacles on the floor under
the pedals: ensure that rubber mats (if
any) are correctly positioned, not in-
terfering with the pedals.
Do not drive with the hand
resting on the gear lever, be-
cause this pressure, even if light, over
time can wear gear inner compo-
nents.
WARNING
fig. 2
1
23
45
R
24R351
A
F0S077Ab
079-086 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:42 Pagina 82

123
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULED SERVICING ................................................ 124
SERVICE SCHEDULE........................................................... 125
REGULAR INSPECTIONS ................................................. 127
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR ...................................127
CHECKING FLUID LEVELS................................................ 128
AIR CLEANER ...................................................................... 132
POLLEN FILTER ................................................................... 132
BATTERY................................................................................ 132
WHEELS AND TYRES......................................................... 134
RUBBER HOSES ....................................................................135
WINDSCREEN/REAR WINDOW WIPERS................... 136
BODYWORK........................................................................ 137
INTERIORS ............................................................................ 139
C C C C
A A A A
R R R R

M M M M
A A A A
I I I I
N N N N
T T T T
E E E E
N N N N
A A A A
N N N N
C C C C
E E E E
123-140 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:44 Pagina 123

124
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT Scheduled service coupons
are required by the manufacturer. Default
may invalidate the warranty.
Scheduled Servicing is performed by all
Abarth Dealerships, at pre-established
times.
If during each operation, in addition to the
ones programmed, the need arises for fur-
ther replacements or repairs, these may
be carried out only with the explicit agree-
ment of the Customer.IMPORTANT You are advised to contact
Abarth Dealership in the event of any mi-
nor operating faults, without waiting for
the next service coupon.
If your car is used frequently for towing,
the interval between one service coupon
and the other must be reduced.SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance is essential for en-
suring long car life under the best condi-
tions.
This is why Abarth has planned a series of
checks and maintenance operations every
30,000 km.
Scheduled servicing will not however ful-
ly cover all of the needs of your car: It is
however important to remember that
scheduled servicing does not completely
cover all the car’s requirements: also in
the initial period before 30,000 km service
coupon and later, between one coupon
and another, ordinary care is still required
such as for example routine check and
topping up the level of fluids, tyre pressure
check, etc.
123-140 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:44 Pagina 124

125
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
SERVICE SCHEDULE
Service coupons shall be performed every 30,000 km
Thousands of kilometres
Check tyre conditions/wear and adjust pressure
if required
Check light system operation (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard lights, passenger compartment lights, boot lights,
instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check the operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system,
adjust the sprayers
Check the position and wear of the windscreen and
rear window wiper blades
Check front disc brake pad condition and wear and
operation of pad wear signalling
visually inspect the conditions of: bodywork, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses
(exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check cleanness of locks, bonnet and boot and lever
cleanness and lubrication
Check tension and if necessary adjust the accessory
drive belts
Visually inspect the accessory drive belt conditions
Replace accessory drive belts
Check and adjust handbrake lever stroke30 60 90 120 150 180
●●●●● ●
●●●●● ●
●●●●● ●
●●●●● ●
●●●●● ●
●●●●● ●
●●●●● ●
●●
●●
●
●●●●● ●
123-140 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:44 Pagina 125

127
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DEMANDING
USE OF THE CAR
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy con-
ditions:
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external tempera-
tures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving or in case of
a long term inactivity;
❒in cities;
perform the following inspections more
frequently than shown on the Service
Schedule:
❒check front/rear disc brake pad con-
dition and wear;
❒check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubrica-
tion;
❒visually inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber
parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒inspect the battery charge and fluid
level (electrolyte) (refer to the para-
graph “Battery - Inspection of the bat-
tery charge and of the electrolyte lev-
el” in this chapter);
❒visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒check and if necessary replace the
pollen filter; in particular it shall be re-
placed if a decrease in the air flow in-
to the passenger comportment is de-
tected;
❒check air cleaner and replace, if re-
quired.
REGULAR
INSPECTIONS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys,
check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions;
❒operation of lights (headlights, direc-
tion indicators, hazard lights, etc.);
❒operation of the windscreen wiper/
washer system, position and wear of
the windscreen and rear window
wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check the following and
top-up, if required: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use FL
Seleniaproducts, designed and produced
specifically for Abarth cars (see table “Ca-
pacities” in section “Technical specifica-
tions”).
123-140 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:44 Pagina 127

131
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BRAKE FLUID fig. 1
Release cap E:check that the liquid con-
tained in the tank is at the maximum level.
Fluid level in the reservoir must not ex-
ceed the MAXmark.
Use the brake fluid shown in the “Fluids
and lubricants” table (see “Technical Spec-
ifications”).
NOTE Carefully clean the cap of reservoir
Eand the surrounding surface.
When opening the cap, make sure that no
dirt gets into the reservoir.
For topping up always use a funnel with
built-in filter (mesh smaller than or equal
to 0.12 mm).
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is hygroscopic
(i.e. it absorbs moisture). For this reason,
if the car is mainly used in areas with a high
degree of atmospheric humidity, the fluid
should be replaced at more frequent in-
tervals than specified in the “Service
schedule”.Prevent brake fluid which is
highly corrosive from coming
into contact with painted
parts. Should that occur, im-
mediately wash with water.
The brake fluid is poisonous
and highly corrosive. In the
case of accidental contact, wash the
parts with water and mild soap and
rinse with plenty of water. In case of
swallowing immediately call a doctor.
WARNING
The symbol π, on the con-
tainer indicates a synthetic
brake fluid, which is different from a
mineral fluid. Use of a mineral type
fluid will damage the special rubber
seals of the braking system beyond re-
pair.
WARNING
123-140 ABARTH 500 GB 29-04-2009 9:44 Pagina 131