ESP Abarth 500 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

55
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Do not take unnecessary
risks, even if your cars fits an
ESP system. Your driving style must
always be suited to the conditions of
the road, visibility and traffic. The dri-
ver is always responsible for road
safety.
WARNING
System intervention
The ESP system is automatically activat-
ed when the car is started and cannot be
de-activated.
Failure indications
In the event of a failure, the ESP system
will be automatically switched off and
warning light
áwill appear on the instru-
ment panel along with a message on the
reconfigurable multifunctional display (for
versions/markets, where provided). Con-
tact Abarth Dealership.HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
It is an integral part of the ESP system and
is automatically activated in the following
conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with
a gradient of more than 2%, engine run-
ning, brake pressed and gearbox in neu-
tral or gear other than reverse engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 2%, engine
running, brake 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.Failure indications
A failure of the system is indicated by the
turning on warning light áon the instru-
ment panel together with the dedicated
message on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tional display (for versions/markets, 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.
If the spare wheel is used,
the ESP system keeps oper-
ating. The spare wheel, being smaller
than the original wheel provides less
grip.
For correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must ab-
solutely be of the same brand and
type on all wheels, in perfect condi-
tions and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING

56
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
MSR system
(engine braking torque control)
It is an integral part of the ASR system that
in case of sudden gear downshifting, cuts
in providing torque to the engine thus pre-
venting excessive driving wheel drive that,
specially in poor grip conditions, can lead
to loss of stability.TTC SYSTEM
(Torque Transfer Control)
It is an integral part of the ESP system.
This system improves the transfer of dri-
ve torque to the wheels, guaranteeing
safer and more sporty driving, especially
when cornering, far more able to prevent
understeer.
The system is turned on by pressing the
button in the dashboard C-Fig. 58. The
LED in the TTC button is lit up when it
is on.
It is turned off by pressing the button again
or when the vehicle is switched off (igni-
tion key in STOP position). ASR SYSTEM
(Antislip Regulation)
It’s integral to the ESP system and auto-
matically intervenes in case of slip of one
or both drive wheels, helping the driver
to control the car.
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 (acquaplaning).
fig. 58
TTC
C
F0S058Ab

60
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC
DEVICE INSTALLATION
Electrical and electronic devices installed
after buying the car by after-market ser-
vice must carry the following label:
Fiat Auto S.p.A. authorises the installation
of transceiving devices provided that they
are installed according to rules of good en-
gineering practice respecting the manu-
facturer’s indications by a specialised cen-
tre.
IMPORTANT Traffic police may not allow
the car on the road in the event of as-
sembly of devices which imply modifica-
tions to the features of the car. This may
also cause lapse of warranty in relation to
faults caused by the change or either di-
rectly or indirectly related to it.
Fiat Auto S.p.A. shall not be liable for dam-
age caused by the installation of acces-
sories either not supplied or recom-
mended by Fiat Auto S.p.A. and/or not in-
stalled in compliance with the provided in-
structions.RADIO TRANSMITTERS
AND CELLULAR PHONES
Radio transceiver equipment (vehicle mo-
bile phones, CB radios, amateur radio and
similar equipment) shall not be used inside
the car unless a separate aerial is mount-
ed on the roof.
IMPORTANT The use of these devices in-
side the passenger compartment (without
a separate aerial) may cause the vehicle
electrical systems to malfunction. This
could compromise safety in addition to
constituting a potential hazard for pas-
sengers.
In addition, transmission and reception of
these devices may be affected by the
shielding effect of the car body. With re-
gards to the use of EC-approved mobile
phones (GSM, GPRS, UMTS), adhere
strictly to the instructions for use provid-
ed by the mobile phone manufacturer.ACCESSORIES
PURCHASED
BY THE OWNER
If after buying the car, you decide to install
electrical accessories that require a per-
manent electric supply (alarm, satellite an-
titheft system, etc.) or accessories that in
any case burden the electric supply, con-
tact Abarth Dealership, whose qualified
personnel, besides suggesting the most
suitable devices belonging to Lineaccessori
Abarth, will also evaluate the overall elec-
tric absorption, checking whether the car’s
electric system is able to withstand the
load required, or whether it needs to be
integrated with a more powerful battery.

65
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
PRETENSIONERS
To increase the efficiency of the seat belts,
the car is fitted with front pretensioners.
These devices, in the event of a violent
crash, rewind the seat belts a few cen-
timetres. In this way they ensure that the
seat belt adheres perfectly to the wearer
before the restraining action begins. The
seat belt locks to indicate that the device
has intervened; the seat belt cannot be
drawn back up even when guiding it man-
ually.
This car is provided with a second pre-
tensioner (in the sill board area). Its acti-
vation is signalled by the shortening of the
metallic cable.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest de-
gree of protection from the action of the
pretensioning device, wear the seat belt
keeping it firmly close to the chest and
pelvis.
A small amount of smoke may be pro-
duced. This smoke is in no way toxic and
presents no fire hazard. The pretension-
er does not require any maintenance or
greasing. Anything that modifies its origi-
nal conditions invalidates its efficiency. If
due to unusual natural events (floods, seas
storm, etc.) the device has been affected
by water and mud, it must necessarily be
replaced.LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger’s safety, the reels
contain a load limiter which allows con-
trolled sag in such a way as to dose the
force acting on the chest and shoulders
during the belt restraining action in case
of front crash.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
FOR USING THE SEAT BELTS
The driver is responsible for respecting
and ensuring that all the other occupants
of the car also respect the local laws in
force in relation to the use of seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before start-
ing off.
Seat belts must also be used by pregnant
women: risk will be significantly reduced
for both the expectant mother and the
child in the event of an accident. Pregnant
women must position the lower part of
the belt very low down so that it passes
under the abdomen (see fig. 2). The pretensioner can only
be used once. Go to a Abarth
Dealership to have it replaced after
is has been deployed. The expiration
date is shown on the label on the
door edge: refer to the Abarth Deal-
ership when it’s time to replace the
device.
WARNING
Operations which lead to
knocks, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a
maximum of 6 hours) in the
area around the pretensioners may
cause damage or trigger them. These
devices are not affected by vibrations
caused by irregularities of the road sur-
face or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc.
Contact a Abarth Dealership for any
assistance.

69
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
GROUP 3
For children from 22 kg to 36 kg the size
of the child’s chest no longer requires a
support to space the child’s back from the
seat back.
Fig. 8shows proper child seat position-
ing on the rear seat.
Children taller than 1.50 m can wear seat
belts like adults.
fig. 8F0S067Ab
The figures are indicative for
assembly purposes only. Re-
fer to the instructions supplied with
the child restraint.
WARNING
GROUP 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the car
seat belts directly fig. 7.
The child seat is only needed to position
the child correctly with respect to the
belts so that the diagonal section crosses
the child’s chest and never the neck and is
snug on the hips not the abdomen.
fig. 7F0S066Ab
The figures are indicative for
assembly purposes only. Re-
fer to the instructions supplied with
the child restraint.
WARNING

81
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever is located between
the two front seats.
Pull the lever upwards to operate the
handbrake.
PARKING THE CAR
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the hand-
brake;
❒engage a gear (on a slope, engage first
gear if the car is faced uphill or rever-
se if it is faced downhill) and leave the
wheels steered.
If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is
further advisable to block the wheels with
a wedge or stone.
Do not leave the ignition key on MARto
prevent draining the battery. Always re-
move the key when you leave the car.
Never leave children unattended in the
car. Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car and take it out with you. HOW TO WARM UP THE
ENGINE AFTER IT HAS JUST
STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium speed. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand maximum performan-
ce for the first few kilometres. Wait un-
til the engine coolant temperature gau-
ge starts moving.
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to STOPwhile the en-
gine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to “catch its
breath” before turning it off by letting it
idle to allow the temperature in the engi-
ne compartment to fall.
A quick burst on the accele-
rator before turning off the
engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose, it wastes
fuel and is damaging especially to tur-
bocharged engines.The car must be braked after
a few snaps of the lever,
otherwise, contact the Abarth Dea-
lership for regulation.
WARNING
When the handbrake lever is pulled up
and the ignition key is on MAR, the in-
strument panel warning light
xwill turn
on.
Proceed as follows to release the hand-
brake:
❒slightly lift the handbrake and press re-
lease button A-fig. 1;
❒hold button Apressed and lower the
lever. Warning light xon the instru-
ment panel will go out.
Press the brake pedal when carrying out
this operation to prevent the car from
moving accidentally.
fig. 1
A
F0S076Ab

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

85
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in com-
pliance with local regulations.
The snow chains may be applied only on-
to the front wheel tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven. IMPORTANT When snow tyres are used
with a max speed index below the one
that can be reached by the car (increased
by 5%), place a notice in the passenger’s
compartment, plainly in the driver’s view
which states the max permissible speed of
the snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to chan-
ge the direction of rotation of tyres.
EXTENDED
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if pos-
sible well-ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not enga-
ged;
❒disconnect battery negative terminal
and check charge (see paragraph “Bat-
tery - Charge and electrolyte level
check” in chapter “Maintenance and ca-
re”)
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
Snow tyre maximum speed
with “Q” mark must not ex-
ceed 160 km/h, respecting however
the applicable rules of the Highway
Code.
WARNINGKeep your speed down when
snow chains are fitted. Do
not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes,
steps and pavements and avoid also
to drive for long distances on roads
not covered with snow to prevent da-
maging the car and the roadbed.
WARNING

87
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS ..................................................... 88
LOW BRAKE FLUID............................................................ 88
HANDBRAKE ON................................................................ 88
AIR BAG FAILURE................................................................ 88
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED........... 89
HOT ENGINE COOLANT................................................ 89
LOW BATTERY CHARGE................................................. 90
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE......................................................... 90
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE........................................................ 90
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE.......................................... 90
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING FAILURE ............................................................ 91
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING.................................... 91
ENGINE EOBD / INJECTION
CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE ......................................... 91
FUEL RESERVE....................................................................... 92
FIAT CODE PROTECTION
SYSTEM FAILURE.................................................................. 92
REAR FOG LIGHTS.............................................................. 92
GENERIC FAILURE INDICATION ................................. 93
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR FAILURE.................. 93
FUEL CUT-OFF INERTIAL SWITCH
INTERVENTION................................................................... 93
EXTERNAL LIGHTS FAILURE .......................................... 93ESP SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................................ 93
HILL HOLDER FAILURE .................................................... 93
SIDELIGHTS AND LOW BEAMS..................................... 93
FOLLOW ME HOME........................................................... 93
FRONT FOG LIGHTS ........................................................ 94
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR........................ 94
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR.................... 94
SPORT FUNCTION ACTIVATION................................. 94
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS............................................... 94
POSSIBLE ICE ON THE ROAD.........................................94
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED .................................................. 94
LIMITED RANGE ................................................................. 94
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................................ 94
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED.......................................... 94
WW W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S

SIDE/TAILLIGHTS
AND LOW BEAMS
(green)
FOLLOW ME HOME
(green)
Side/taillights and low beams
The warning light turns on when side/tail-
lights or low beams are turned on.
Follow me home
The warning light will turn on when this
device is active (see “Follow me home”
in section “Your car”).
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
93
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
Fuel cut-off inertial switch
intervention/fuel cut-off not
available
The warning light turns on when the fu-
el cut-off inertial switch intervenes or
when the fuel cut-off system is not avail-
able.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
External lights failure
The warning light comes on when an ex-
ternal light failure is detected.ESP SYSTEM FAILURE/
HILL HOLDER FAILURE
(amber)
ESP system failure
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after a few seconds.
If the warning light does not go out or re-
mains on whilst driving, go to an Abarth
Dealership.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
NoteWarning light flashing when driving
indicates that the ESP system is active.
Hill Holder failure
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on to indicate a
Hill holder system failure. In this case, con-
tact Abarth Dealership as soon as possi-
ble.
The display will show the dedicated mes-
sage.
3á