key Abarth 500 2015 Owner handbook (in English)

Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
redLOW BATTERY CHARGE
The symbol comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR-ON, but it should go out as soon
as the engine has started (with the engine running
at idle speed a brief delay before going out is
acceptable).
The display shows the dedicated message.If the symbol on the display stays on when
driving, contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as
possible.
amberHILL HOLDER FAILURE
The symbol is shown on the display when a fault
in the Hill Holder system is detected.Contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as
possible.
amberFIAT CODE SYSTEM FAILURE
(for versions/markets, where provided)
If, with the ignition key at MAR-ON, the symbol
on the display stays on constantly, this indicates a
possible failure (see the "Fiat CODE system"
paragraph in the "Knowing your car" chapter).
If, with the engine running, the symbol in the
displayis flashing, this means that the vehicle
is not protected by the engine immobilizer device
(see "Fiat CODE system" in the "Knowing your
car" chapter).
The display shows the dedicated message.Contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as
possible.
95

Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
amberFUEL RESERVE/LIMITED RANGE
This symbol comes on when the ignition key is
turned to MAR-ON, but it should switch off after a
few seconds.
The symbol switches on in the display when
about 5 litres of fuel are left in the tank.
The triangle on the right side of thesymbol
indicates the side of the car with the fuel filler.IMPORTANT If the symbol flashes or is constantly
on, depending on the version, there is a fault in
the system. If this is the case, go to an Abarth
Dealership to have the system checked.
amberFUEL CUT-OFF
The display will show the symbol and a dedicated
message if the fuel cut-off system intervenes.For the fuel cut-off system reactivation procedure,
refer to the "Fuel cut-off system" section of the
"Controls" paragraph, in the "Knowing your car"
chapter. If it is still not possible to restore the fuel
supply, contact an Abarth Dealership.
amberFUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM FAILURE
The display will show the symbol and a dedicated
message if the fuel cut-off system is faulty.See the "Fuel cut-off system" paragraph, in the
"Knowing your car" chapter.
red
red
redINCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING
The symbol on the display switches on, together
with a dedicated message, when one or more
doors, the tailgate or the bonnet (for versions/
markets where provided) are not properly closed.
An acoustic signal is activated with the doors
open and the car moving.
96
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
amberiTPMS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
When the key is turned to MAR-ON, the warning
light switches on but it should switch off after a
few seconds.IMPORTANT Do not continue driving with one or
more flat tyres as handling may be compromised.
Stop the vehicle, avoiding sharp braking and
steering.
Low tyre pressure
The warning light switches to indicate that the
pressure of one or more tyres is lower than the
recommended value, in order to guarantee long
tyre life and low fuel consumption, or to indicate a
slow loss of pressure.
In this way the iTPMS warns the driver that one or
more tyres may be flat and probably punctured.In this case it is advisable to restore the correct
pressure value (see the "Wheels" paragraph in the
"Technical specifications" section).
Once the normal operating conditions of the
vehicle are restored, carry out the Reset
procedure.
iTPMS failure/iTPMS temporarily deactivated
The warning light flashes for about 75 seconds
and then stays on constantly (together with a
message on the display) (see “Operating
conditions” paragraph) to indicate that the system
is temporarily deactivated or faulty.
The system goes back to normal operation when
the operating conditions allow it. If this is not the
case, carry out the Reset procedure after
restoring the normal operating conditions.If the malfunction warning persists, contact an
Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
98
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
amberSERVICE (SCHEDULED SERVICING)
The symbol is shown on the display together with
a dedicated message, with key at MAR-ON,
2,000 km (or equivalent value in miles) before the
following scheduled servicing interval and is
activated again every 200 km (or equivalent value
in miles).Go to an Abarth Dealership, where the operations
of the "Scheduled Servicing Plan" will be
performed and the message will be reset.
whiteSPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED
(for versions/markets, where provided)
When the car exceeds the speed limit set in the
Setup menu (e.g. 120 km/h), a message and a
dedicated symbol are shown on the display.
ENGAGEMENT OF SPORT FUNCTION
The SPORT indication is shown on the analogue
pressure gauge and the instrument panel shows
a dedicated screen when the "SPORT" function is
engaged by pressing the relevant button on the
dashboard (see the "Controls" paragraph in the
"Knowing your car" chapter). The indication
SPORT will switch off when the button is pressed
again.
99

PRETENSIONERS
The car is equipped with front seat
belts pretensioners, that reduce slack in
the belts in the event of a severe frontal
impact. This guarantees the perfect
adherence of the seat belts to the
occupants' bodies before the
restraining action begins.
The retractors lock to indicate that the
pretensioner has intervened.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of the
pretensioner which is not harmful and
does not indicate any fire hazard.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt
tight to the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will
invalidate its efficiency. If, due to
unusual natural events (floods, sea
storms, etc.), the device has been
affected by water and mud, it must be
replaced.
67)
15)
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger safety, the front
seat belt retractors contain a load
limiter which allows the force acting on
the chest and shoulders to be
modulated during the belt restraining
action in the event of a frontal impact.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The driver must comply with (and have
all car passengers follow) any local
regulations in force concerning the use
of seat belts. Always fasten the seat
belts before setting off.
68) 69) 70)
Seat belts are also to be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the case of accident is greatly reduced
for them and the unborn child if they
are wearing a seat belt.Pregnant women must position the
lower part of the belt very low down so
that it passes over the pelvis and under
the abdomen (see fig. 76 ). The best
way to protect the unborn child is
to protect the mother. When a seat belt
is worn properly, it is more likely that
the unborn child will not be hurt in
a crash. For pregnant women, as for
anyone, the key to making seat belts
effective is wearing them properly.76AB0A0060
103

IMPORTANT The front airbags and/or
side bags may be deployed if the car is
subject to heavy knocks or accidents
involving the underbody area, such
as for example violent shocks against
steps, pavements or low obstacles, the
car falling in big holes or dips in the
road.
IMPORTANT A small amount of dust
will be released when the airbags
are deployed. The dust is not harmful
and does not indicate the beginning of
a fire. Furthermore, the surface of the
deployed bag and the interior of the car
may be covered by a dusty residue:
this may irritate skin and eyes. Wash
with mild soap and water in the event of
exposure.IMPORTANT Should an accident occur
in which any of the safety devices are
activated, take the vehicle to an Abarth
Dealership to have the activated
devices replaced and to have the whole
system checked.
Every control, repair and replacement
operation concerning the airbags must
only be carried out at an Abarth
Dealership. If the car is scrapped, have
the system deactivated at an Abarth
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Pretensioners, front
airbags and side bags are deployed
according to different logics on the
basis of the type of collision. Failure to
deploy of one of the devices does
not necessarily indicate a system
malfunction.
84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89) 90) 91) 92) 93) 94) 95)
WARNING
84) Do not rest your head, arms or
elbows on the door, windows or
in the window bag area to prevent
injury during deployment.
85) Never lean your head, arms and
elbows out of the window.
86) If, when turning the key to
MAR-ON, the
warning light
does not turn on or if it stays on
when travelling, there could be
a fault in the restraint systems; in
this event airbags or
pretensioners may not be
deployed in the event of impact
or, in a lower number of cases,
they may deploy accidentally.
Before driving off, contact
an Abarth Dealership to have the
system checked immediately.
87) Do not cover the front seat
backrests with extra covers if they
are equipped with side bags.
119

88) Always drive keeping your hands
on the steering wheel rim so that
the airbag can inflate freely if
necessary. Do not drive with your
body bent forward. Keep your
back straight against the
backrest.
89) If the car has been subject to
theft, attempted theft, vandalism,
or flooding, have the airbag
system inspected at an Abarth
Dealership.90) Airbags may be deployed if
another vehicle crashes into the
car, if the key is inserted and
at MAR-ON even if the engine is
not running and the car is
stationary. Therefore, even if the
car is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted,
DO NOT install rear facing child
restraint systems on the front
passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag following an impact
could cause fatal injuries to the
child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger airbag
when a rear facing child restraint
system is installed on the front
passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be
positioned back as far as possible
in order to prevent the child
restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the
child restraint system has been
removed. Also remember that,
if the key is turned to STOP, none
of the safety devices (airbags or
pretensioners) will be deployed in
the event of collision. Non-
deployment in such cases does
not indicate a system malfunction.91) When the ignition key is turned
to MAR-ON, the
warning light
turns on and flashes for a few
seconds to remind you that the
passenger's airbag will be
deployed in a crash, after which it
should switch off.
92) Do not wash the seats with
water or pressurised steam (wash
by hand or at automatic car seat
washing stations).
93) The front airbag deployment
threshold is higher than that of
the pretensioners. For collisions in
the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only
the pretensioners to be activated.
94) Do not affix rigid objects to the
coat hooks or support handles.
95) The airbag does not replace seat
belts but increases their
effectiveness. Furthermore, since
front airbags are not deployed
in low-speed frontal impacts, side
impacts, rear shunts or roll-overs,
the passengers are protected
only by the seat belts which must
therefore be fastened at all times.
120
SAFETY

STARTING THE
ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic
engine lock device: if the engine fails to
start, see the paragraph "Fiat CODE
system" in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
The engine may be noisier during the
first few seconds of operation,
especially after a long period of
inactivity. This characteristic feature of
the hydraulic tappet system does
not compromise functionality or
reliability: the system chosen for your
car was designed to limit maintenance
interventions.
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
❒fully press the clutch pedal without
touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating the starting procedure.If, with key at MAR-ON, the
symbol
on the display stays on together with
the
warning light on the instrument
panel, it is advisable to turn the key
to STOP and then back to MAR-ON. If
the warning light remains on, try with
the other keys provided with the car.
Contact an Abarth Dealership if you still
cannot start the engine.
17) 18)
96) 97)
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to wait until the
engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
19)
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine 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
engine compartment to fall.
20)
IMPORTANT
17) It is advisable not to demand
maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively
intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.
18) When the engine is off, do not
leave the key turned to MAR-ON
to prevent unnecessary electrical
consumption from draining the
battery.
19) Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or coasting
downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter
and damage it beyond repair.
122
STARTING AND DRIVING

20) A quick burst on the accelerator
before turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
WARNING
96) It is dangerous to run the engine
in enclosed areas. The engine
takes in oxygen and releases
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
and other toxic gases.
97) Remember that the brake servo
and electric power steering are
not active until the engine is
started. A much greater effort will
therefore be required to use the
brake pedal or turn the steering
wheel.
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
❒engage a gear (first gear if parked
uphill or reverse if facing downhill)
and leave the wheels turned.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
Do not leave the ignition key on
MAR-ON to avoid draining the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car.
98)
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever fig. 94 is located
between the two front seats.To use the handbrake pull the lever
upwards until the car cannot be moved.
99)
When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
will
come on.
Proceed as follows to release the
handbrake:
❒slightly lift the lever and press release
button A fig. 94;
❒keep button A pressed and lower the
lever. The
warning light in the
instrument panel will switch off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying
out this operation to prevent the car
from moving accidentally.
WARNING
98) Never leave children unattended
in the car. Always remove the
ignition key when leaving the car
and take it out with you.
99) The car should be braked after a
few clicks of the lever. If it is not,
contact an Abarth Dealership
to have it adjusted.
94AB0A0076
123

WARNING
117) If the fuse blows again, contact an Abarth Dealership.
118) Never replace a blown fuse with metal wires or other material.
119) Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF FIRE.
120) If a general protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-FUSE, MAXI-FUSE) blows, contact an Abarth Dealership.
121) Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition key has been removed and that all the other devices are
switched off and/or deactivated.
122) If a general protection fuse for the safety systems (airbag system, braking system), power unit systems (engine
system, gearbox system) or driving system blows, contact an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT
27) If you need to wash the engine compartment, take care not to directly hit the engine compartment fuse box with the
water jet.
148
IN AN EMERGENCY