tow Abarth 500 2017 Owner handbook (in English)

STARTING AND DRIVING
Let’s get to the core of the vehicle:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and
our wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE ................ 82
PARKING THE VEHICLE ................. 83
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX .... 84
USING THE ROBOTISED
SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION ....... 84
SPORT FUNCTION ......................... 87
PARKING SENSORS....................... 88
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE ........... 89
TOWING TRAILERS ........................ 90
81

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.
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place
the gearbox lever in neutral;
fully depress 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, 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. 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.
15) 16)
110) 111)
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.
17)
SWITCHING OFF 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.
18)
WARNING
15)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.16)When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR-ON to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
17)Never, under any circumstances, jump
start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
18)A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
WARNING
110)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.
111)Remember that the brake servo
and power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore
much effort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
82
STARTING AND DRIVING

When necessary, it is possible to
engage 1st gear, reverse (R) or neutral
(N) with the engine off, the key at
MAR-ON and the brake pressed. In this
case, it is advisable to change allowing
at least 5 seconds to elapse between
one gear change and the next to
safeguard the operation of the hydraulic
system and the pump in particular.
Fully and quickly depressing the
accelerator pedal activates a function
that allows a "lively" departure.
For departures on a hill, accelerating
gradually but fully immediately after
having released the handbrake or the
brake pedal allows the engine to greatly
increase the rpm and tackle the
steepest gradients with more torque to
the wheels.
WARNING
20)Using the levers incorrectly (levers
pushed towards the dashboard) could
break them.
SPORT FUNCTION
When the SPORT button 1 fig. 77 is
pressed, the sports driving setting
is turned on giving greater
responsiveness during acceleration, an
increase in drive torque and more
precise steering with greater effort
required on the steering wheel.
When this function is on, the word
SPORT 1 fig. 78 is lit up in the display
and the instrument panel shows a
dedicated screen.
Press the button again to turn the
function off and restore the normal
driving setting.
IMPORTANT When the SPORT button
is pressed, the function is activated
about 5 seconds later.IMPORTANT During acceleration using
the SPORT function the steering may
shudder, which is typical of a sports
setting.
77AB0A0351C
1
78AB0A0360C
87

TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the
vehicle must be fitted with an approved
tow hook and an adequate electrical
system. Installation should be carried
out by specialised personnel who
will issue the required papers for
travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional
door mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that, when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, braking
distances increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the
vehicle tow hook reduces the vehicle's
loading capacity by the same amount.
To make sure that the maximum
towable weight is not exceeded (given
in the vehicle registration document)
account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and
luggage.
Respect the speed limits specific to
each country for vehicles towing
trailers.In any case, the top speed must not
exceed 100 km/h.117) 118)
WARNING
117)The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
required on slippery roads.
118)Never modify the braking system of
the vehicle to control the trailer brake. The
trailer braking system must be fully
independent of the car’s hydraulic system.
90
STARTING AND DRIVING

IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the 00 800
3428 0000 freephone number to
search the nearest Abarth Authorised
Dealership.HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS........... 92
REPLACING A BULB ..................... 92
REPLACING AN EXTERIOR BULB .. 96
REPLACING FUSES........................ 99
“FIX&GO” KIT ..................................104
JUMP STARTING ............................108
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM ................109
TOWING THE VEHICLE ..................110
91

HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
These lights are switched on by
pressing button 1 fig. 81, regardless of
the position of the ignition key.
With the device on, warning lights
andlight up in the instrument
panel.
Press the button 1 again to switch the
lights off.
IMPORTANT The use of hazard warning
lights is governed by the highway
code of the country you are driving in:
comply with legal requirements.
Emergency braking
In the event of an emergency braking,
the hazard warning lights switch on
automatically together with warning
lights
andon the instrument
panel.The lights switch off automatically when
emergency braking ceases.
REPLACING A BULB
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
Before replacing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
burnt bulbs must be replaced by
others of the same type and power;
always check the headlight beam
direction after changing a bulb;
when a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before replacing a bulb. For the location
of fuses, refer to the paragraph
"Replacing fuses" in this chapter.
119) 120)
23) 24)
IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is
a natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside
of the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges
81AB0A0350C
92
IN AN EMERGENCY

WARNING
26)Show the package and the label to the
personnel charged with handling the tyre
treated with the tyre repair kit.
27)Fix&Go provides a temporary repair,
therefore the tyre must be examined and
repaired by a specialist as soon as
possible. The sealing fluid is effective at
temperatures between -40°C and +50°C. It
is possible to repair tyres which have
been damaged on tread up to a diameter
of 4mm; however, tyres damaged on
their side cannot be repaired. Before using
Fix&Go kit, ensure that the tyre isn't
excessively damaged and that the rim is in
good condition, otherwise do not use it
and call roadside assistance. Do not
remove foreign bodies from the tyre. Do
not let the compressor turned on for more
than 20 consecutive minutes - overheating
hazard.
JUMP STARTING
If thesymbol on the display turns
on constantly, contact an Abarth
Dealership immediately.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be
started using an auxiliary battery fig.
106, with the same capacity or a little
higher than the flat one.
28)
129)
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
connect the positive terminals (+
mark near the terminal) of the two
batteries using a suitable lead;
with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to an earth point
on the
engine or the gearbox of the car to be
started;
start the engine;
when the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the order
above.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not persist but contact
an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two
batteries: sparks could ignite explosive
gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another
car, prevent accidental contact
between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving downhill.
This could cause fuel to flow into the
catalytic converter and damage it
beyond repair.
IMPORTANT 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.
106AB0A0078C
108
IN AN EMERGENCY

TOWING THE
VEHICLE
The tow hook, which is supplied with
the vehicle, is housed in the tool box,
under the carpet in the luggage
compartment.
131) 132) 133) 134) 135)
ATTACHING THE TOW
RING
Proceed as follows:
Front
release cap 1 fig. 107
take the tow hook 2 fig. 107 out of
its housing in the tool support;
fully tighten it on the threaded pin.Rear
release cap 1 fig. 108
take the tow hook 2 fig. 108 out of
its housing in the tool support;
fully tighten it on the threaded pin.
Towing with robotised
sequential transmission
Make sure that the gearbox is in neutral
(N) (checking that the vehicle moves
when pushed) and proceed in the same
way as for towing a normal vehicle
with a manual gearbox. If the gearbox
cannot be put in neutral, do not tow the
car and contact an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
131)Before towing, turn the ignition key to
MAR-ON and then to STOP without
removing it. The steering column
will automatically lock when the key is
removed and the wheels cannot be
steered.
132)Before tightening the ring clean the
threaded housing thoroughly. Make sure
that the ring is fully fastened in the housing
before towing the car.
133)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
transporting via a breakdown vehicle. Tow
rings 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. In compliance
with the above conditions, towing must
take place with the two vehicles (one
towing, the other towed) aligned as much
as possible along the same centre line.
107AB0A0398C
108AB0A0109C
110
IN AN EMERGENCY

134)Whilst towing, remember that as the
assistance of the brake servo and the
electric power assisted 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. During towing, make
sure that the trailer hitch does not damage
any components it is touching. When
towing the vehicle, 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.
135)Because of its conformation, the car
cannot be loaded onto railway carriages
and transported.
111

SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct servicing is crucial for
guaranteeing a long life for the vehicle
under the best conditions.
For this reason, Abarth has planned a
series of checks and services at fixed
distance intervals or fixed time intervals,
as described in the Scheduled
Servicing Plan.
Before each service, it is always
necessary to carefully follow the
instructions in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan (e.g. periodically check level of
fluids, tyre pressure, etc.).
Scheduled Servicing is offered by all
Abarth Dealerships according to a set
time schedule. If, during each
operation, in addition to the ones
scheduled, the need arises for further
replacements or repairs, these may
be carried out only with the explicit
agreement of the Customer. If your car
is used frequently for towing, the
interval between one service operation
and the next should be reduced.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Scheduled Servicing interventions are
set out by the Manufacturer. Failure
to have them carried out may invalidate
the warranty.It is advisable to inform an Abarth
Dealership of any small operating
irregularities without waiting for the next
service.
For versions fitted with specific
equipment, in addition to what is
described in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan, refer to the relevant additional
items in the dedicated supplements.
113