engine Abarth 500 2015 Owner handbook (in English)

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

127) The front and rear tow hooks
should be used only for
emergencies on the road. You are
allowed to tow the vehicle for
short distances using an
appropriate device in accordance
with the highway code (a rigid
bar), to move the vehicle on the
road in readiness for towing or
transport via a breakdown vehicle.
Tow hooks MUST NOT be used
to tow vehicles off the road or
where there are obstacles and/or
for towing operations using cables
or other non-rigid devices.
Respecting the above conditions,
towing must take place with two
vehicles (one towing, the other
towed) aligned as much as
possible along the same centre
line.128) Whilst towing, remember that
as the assistance of the brake
servo and the electric power
steering is not available, greater
force needs to be exerted on
the brake pedal and more effort is
required on the steering wheel.
Do not use flexible cables when
towing and avoid jerky
movements. While towing, make
sure that the trailer hitch does not
damage any components it is
touching. When towing the car,
you must comply with all specific
traffic regulations, both in terms
of the towing device and
behaviour on the road. Do not
start the engine while towing the
car.
129) Because of its conformation,
the car cannot be loaded onto
railway carriages and transported.
151

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 miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years12345678910
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary; check “Fix&Go Automatic” kit recharge expiry
date (for versions/markets, where provided)●●●●●●●●●●
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, luggage compartment,
passenger compartment, glove compartment, instrument
panel warning lights, etc.)●●●●●●●●●●
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (engine
coolant, hydraulic clutch/brakes, screen washer, battery,
etc.)●●●●●●●●●●
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness●●●●●●●●●●
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine
management systems operation, emissions and, for
versions/markets, where provided, engine oil degradation●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect condition of: exterior bodywork,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel
system, brakes), rubber elements (gaiters, sleeves,
bushes, etc.)●●●●●
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear●●●●●
155

Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years12345678910
Check operation of the wiper/washer system and adjust
jets, if necessary●●●●●
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment
locks, as well as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages●●●●●
Check soft top operation while closing and opening; check
sealing gaskets and lubrication of canvas sliding side
guides (cabrio versions only)●●●●●●●●●●
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if necessary●●●●●
Visually inspect condition and wear of rear and front disc
brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator (for
versions/markets where provided)●●●●●●●●●●
Visually inspect conditions of the accessory drive belt(s)●
Check tensioning of accessory drive belt(s) and adjust if
necessary●●
Visually inspect condition of toothed timing drive belt●
Change engine oil and replace oil filter●●●●●●●●●●
Replace spark plugs (1)●●●●●
(1) The following are essential to ensure correct operation and prevent serious damage to the engine: only use spark plugs of the same make and type specially
certified for 1.4 Turbo petrol Abarth engines (see the information in the "Engine" paragraph); strictly comply with the spark plug replacement interval given in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan; for spark plug replacement it is advisable to contact an Abarth Dealership.
156
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
❒engine coolant level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒operation of screen washer/wiper
system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper
blades.
Every 3,000 km check and, if
necessary, top up: engine oil level.
You are advised to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS products, which have
been designed and produced
specifically for Abarth cars (see table
"Capacities" in the "Technical
specifications" chapter).
HEAVY-DUTY USE OF
THE CAR
If the car is used mainly under one of
the following conditions:
❒towing a trailer or caravan;
❒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 condition of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel system -
brakes) and rubber elements (boots -
sleeves - bushes - etc.);
❒check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
❒visually inspect condition 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.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

CHECKING LEVELS
29)
130) 131).
A. Engine oil filler – B. Engine oil dipstick – C. Engine coolant – D. Windscreen washer fluid – E. Brake fluid – F. Battery
128AB0A0110
159

ENGINE OIL
30)
3)
Check the oil level a few minutes (about
five) after the engine has stopped,
with the car parked on level ground.
Take out the engine oil dipstick B, clean
it with a lint-free cloth and reinsert it.
Extract the engine oil dipstick again and
check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
The range between the MIN and MAX
marks corresponds to about 1 litre
of oil.
If the oil level is near or under the MIN
mark, add oil through the filler A until
it reaches the MAX mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption
is usually 400 grams every 1,000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to be run in; therefore the engine oil
consumption can only be considered
stabilised after the first 5,000 -
6,000 km.IMPORTANT The oil consumption
depends on driving style and the
conditions under which the car is used.
IMPORTANT After adding or changing
the oil, let the engine run for a few
seconds and wait a few minutes after
switching it off before checking the
level.
ENGINE COOLANT
The coolant level must be checked
when the engine is cold and must
range between the MIN and MAX
marks on the reservoir.
If the level is too low, unscrew reservoir
cap C fig. 128 and add the fluid
described in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
31)
132)
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
Check fluid level through the reservoir.
If the level is too low, lift reservoir cap D
fig. 128 and add the fluid described in
the "Technical specifications" chapter.
After topping up, close cap D, making
sure it is correctly locked.BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid is at the maximum
level (the fluid level in the reservoir
must not exceed the MAX mark).
If the fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, undo reservoir cap E fig. 128 and
add the fluid described in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
134) 135)
32)
IMPORTANT Carefully clean the cap of
the reservoir E and the surrounding
surface.
Take great care to ensure that
impurities do not enter the reservoir
when the cap is opened.
For topping-up, always use a funnel
with integrated filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 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 must be replaced at
more frequent intervals than specified in
the "Scheduled Servicing Plan".
160
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT
29) When topping up, take care not
to mix up the various types of
fluids: they are not compatible
with each other and could
seriously damage the car.
30) Do not add oil with specifications
other than those of the oil already
in the engine.
31) PARAFLU
UPanti-freeze is used
in the engine cooling system. Use
the same fluid as in the cooling
system when topping up.
PARAFLU
UPcannot be mixed with
any other type of fluid. If this
happens, do not start the engine
under any circumstances and
contact an Abarth Dealership.
32) Avoid allowing brake fluid, which
is extremely corrosive, to come
into contact with painted areas.
Should it happen, wash
immediately with water.
IMPORTANT
3) Used engine oil and oil filters
contain substances which are
harmful to the environment. You
are advised to go to an Abarth
Dealership to have the oil and
filters changed.
WARNING
130) Never smoke while working in
the engine compartment: gas
and flammable vapours may be
present, with the risk of fire.
131) Be very careful when working in
the engine compartment when
the engine is hot: you may get
burned. Remember that the fan
may start up if the engine is hot:
this could injure you. Scarves, ties
and other loose clothing may be
pulled by moving parts.132) The cooling system is
pressurised. 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.
133) Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reservoir
empty: the windscreen washer is
essential for improving visibility.
Some commercial windscreen
washer additives are flammable.
The engine compartment contains
hot components which may set it
on fire.
134) 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.
135) The
symbol on the reservoir
identifies synthetic brake fluids,
distinguishing them from the
mineral type. Use of a mineral
type fluid will damage the special
rubber seals of the braking
system beyond repair.
161

AIR CLEANER/
POLLEN FILTER
For filter replacement, contact an
Abarth Dealership.
BATTERY
The car is fitted with a low-maintenance
battery: no electrolyte top-ups with
distilled water are needed in standard
conditions of use.
INSPECTING THE
CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
The operations must be carried out as
described in this Owner Handbook only
by specialised personnel. Any top-up
operations must be carried out by
skilled personnel and by an Abarth
Dealership.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
136) 137) 138) 139)
33)
4)
If required, replace the battery with an
original spare part with the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the "Scheduled Servicing Plan" will no
longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer's
instructions for maintenance.USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that
the doors, tailgate and bonnet are
closed properly, to prevent any lights
from remaining on inside the
passenger compartment;
❒switch off all roof lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all interior
lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard warning lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect
the negative battery pole;
❒completely tighten the battery
terminals.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
162
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (this can happen as early as
-10°C). Refer to the paragraph "Car
inactivity" in "Starting and driving" if the
car is left parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to
install electrical accessories that require
permanent electrical supply (alarm,
etc.) or accessories that in any case
burden the electrical supply, contact an
Abarth Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices available in
Lineaccessori Abarth, will evaluate the
overall electric consumption, checking
whether the car’s electrical system is
capable of withstanding the load
required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices continue
to consume electricity even when
the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
WARNING
136) Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
skin and eyes. Keep naked flames
and sources of sparks away from
the battery: risk of explosion and
fire.
137) Running the battery with an
excessively low fluid level will
damage the battery beyond repair
and could even cause its
explosion.
138) 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.
139) When performing any operation
on the battery or near it, always
protect your eyes with special
goggles.
IMPORTANT
33) Incorrect assembly of electrical
and electronic accessories may
cause severe damage to your car.
Go to an Abarth Dealership if
you want to install accessories
(anti-theft system,
radiotelephone, etc.): they will
suggest the most suitable devices
and advise you whether a higher
capacity battery needs to be
installed.
IMPORTANT
4) Batteries contain substances
which are very dangerous for the
environment. It is advisable to
contact an Abarth Dealership for
battery replacement.
163