Abarth 500 2008 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.
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2
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CARDASHBOARD ...................................................................... 3
SYMBOLS ............................................................................... 4
THE FIAT CODE SYSTEM.................................................. 4
THE KEYS .............................................................................. 5
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONBOARD
INSTRUMENTS..................................................................... 9
MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY AND
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY 12
TRIP COMPUTER ................................................................ 21
SEATS ...................................................................................... 23
HEAD RESTRAINTS.............................................................24
STEERING WHEEL .............................................................. 25
REARVIEW MIRRORS......................................................... 26
CLIMATE COMFORT.......................................................... 27
HEATING AND VENTILATION...................................... 28
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM .................... 29
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM............. 31
EXTERNAL LIGHTS............................................................. 34
WINDOW WASHING....................................................... 35CEILING LIGHTS ................................................................. 36
CONTROLS........................................................................... 37
INTERIOR FITTINGS........................................................... 39
SUNROOF.............................................................................. 41
DOORS .................................................................................. 43
POWER WINDOWS........................................................... 45
BOOT ......................................................................................46
BONNET................................................................................. 49
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK .................................................... 51
HEADLIGHTS........................................................................ 51
ABS SYSTEM ......................................................................... 53
ESP SYSTEM ........................................................................... 54
EOBD SYSTEM ..................................................................... 57
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM ............................................................. 58
SOUND SYSTEM.................................................................. 59
AT THE FILLING STATION ............................................. 61
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT............................. 62
Y
Y Y Y
O O O O
U U U U
R R R R

C C C C
A A A A
R R R R
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
DASHBOARD
The presence and position of the controls, instruments and gauges may vary depending on the trim level
1. Side vent – 2. Left stalk: external lights control – 3. Turbo pressure gauge – 4. Instrument panel and warning lights – 5. Portable
navigator preparation socket – 6. Right stalk: controls wiper, washer, trip computer – 7. Central air vents – 8. Oddment/Car radio
compartment – 9. Passenger air bag – 10. Oddment compartment/hidden document tray – 11. Heating/ventilation/climate control
– 12. Power windows control – 13. Oddment compartment – 14. Gear lever – 15. Knee bag – 16. Driver air bag.

F0S0001Abfig. 1
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Warning light Ycoming on when
driving
❒If the warning light Yturns on, this
means that the system is running a self-
test (such as following a voltage drop).
❒If the issue persists, contact the Abarth
Dealership .
SYMBOLS
Special coloured labels have been attached
near or actually on some of the compo-
nents of your car. These labels bear sym-
bols that remind you of the precautions
to be taken as regards that particular com-
ponent.
The inner surface of the engine bonnet in-
cludes a label with the different symbols
used.
THE FIAT CODE SYSTEM
This is an electrical engine locking system
which increases protection from attempt-
ed theft of the car. It is automatically acti-
vated when the ignition key is extracted.
Each time the car is started turning the ig-
nition key to MAR, the Fiat CODE system
control unit sends a recognition code to
the engine control unit to deactivate the in-
hibitor.
If, during ignition, the code is not correctly
recognized, the light
Ylights up on the
instrument panel.
In this case, turn the key to the STOPpo-
sition and then to the MARposition; if it
is still locked, try again with the other keys
that come with the vehicle. If you have
still not managed to start the engine, con-
tact an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Each key has its own code
which must be stored by the system ECU.
Contact the Abarth Dealership to have
new keys (up to eight) stored with the
code.The electronic components
inside the key may be dam-
aged if the key is submitted to
sharp knocks.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
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CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
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MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
KEY WITH REMOTE CONTROL
fig. 4
The metal insert Aenables:
❒the ignition switch;
❒the doors;
❒the fuel cap lock/release;
To open/close the metal insert, press but-
ton B.
fig. 2F0S0002Ab
fig. 3F0S0003Ab
All the keys and the CODE
card must be handed over to
the new owner when selling
the car.
THE KEYS
CODE CARD fig. 2
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The car is delivered with two copies of the
ignition key and with the CODE card
which bears the following:
Athe electronic code.
Bthe mechanical key code to be given to
the Abarth Dealership when ordering
duplicate keys.
We recommend to have the electronic
code Aalways available.
IMPORTANT In order to ensure perfect
efficiency of the electronic devices con-
tained inside the keys, they should never
be exposed to direct sunlight.
KEY WITHOUT REMOTE
CONTROL fig. 3
The metal insert Aenables:
❒the ignition switch;
❒the door and tailgate (where provided);
❒the fuel cap lock/release;
fig. 4
AB
F0S0004Ab
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Door and
tailgate lock release
Short pressure on button
Ë: door and tail-
gate lock release, timed turn on of ceiling
lights and double flashing of direction in-
dicators (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided).
Door locks are automatically released in
case of intervention of the fuel cut-off sys-
tem.Lock of doors and
tailgate
Short pressure on button Á: remote lock
of doors and of tailgate with switch off of
ceiling lights and single flashing of direction
indicators (for versions/markets, where
provided).
If one or more doors are open, the lock
is not realized. This is signalled by a quick
flashing of the direction indicators (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided). Door
lock is realized in the event of open boot.
With speed over 20 km/h, the doors are
automatically locked, if this specific func-
tion was set (only with multi-function con-
figurable display in the versions, for ver-
sions/markets, where provided). Remote
tailgate opening
Keep pressed the button Rfor remote
opening of tailgate.
Tailgate opening is indicated by double
flashing of direction indicators.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
REPLACEMENT OF REMOTE
CONTROL COVER fig. 6
To replace the remote control cover, fol-
low the procedure shown in figure. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL
REMOTE CONTROLS
The system may recognise up to 8 remote
controls. Should a new remote control be
necessary, contact a Abarth Dealership,
taking with you the CODE card, a per-
sonal identity document and the car’s
ownership documents.
REPLACING THE BATTERY OF
THE KEY WITH REMOTE
CONTROL fig. 5
Battery replacement:
❒press button Aand open the metal in-
sert B;
❒rotate the screw Cto :using a small
point screwdriver;
❒take out the battery case Dand replace
the battery Erespecting its polarity;
❒refit the battery case Dinside the key
and lock it turning the screw Cto Á.
fig. 5F0S0005Ab
fig. 6F0S0006Ab
Used batteries are harmful to
the environment. They should
be disposed of as specified by
law in the special containers
provided, or take them to the Abarth
Dealership, which will deal with their
disposal.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
IGNITION
SWITCH fig. 7
The key can be turned to 3 different po-
sitions:
❒STOP: engine off, key extractable,
steering locked. Some electrical devices
(e.g. car radio, central door locking sys-
tem, etc.) are enabled
❒MAR: driving position. All electrical de-
vices are enabled
❒AVV: engine start.
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety sys-
tem that, if the engine does not start, forces
to return the ignition key to STOPbefore
repeating the starting operation.
Never extract the key while
the vehicle is moving. The
steering wheel would be locked as
soon as the steering wheel is turned.
This also applies to when the car is
towed.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
whatever after-market operation in-
volving steering system or steering col-
umn modifications (e.g.: installation
of anti-theft device) that could badly
affect performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and also result
in non-compliance of the car with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
fig. 7F0S0007Ab
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
When the key is at STOP, remove the key
and turn the steering wheel until it locks.
Disengaging
Rock the steering wheel slightly as you
turn the ignition key to MAR.
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SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONBOARD INSTRUMENTS
F0S0008Ab
F0S0009Ab
Versions with multifunctional
display
ASpeedometer (speed indicator)
BRev counter
CMultifunctional display with digital fu-
el level indicator and digital indicator
of engine coolant temperature.
Versions with reconfigurable
multifunctional display
ASpeedometer (speed indicator)
BRev counter
CConfigurable multifunctional display
with digital fuel level indicator and dig-
ital indicator of engine coolant tem-
perature.
fig. 8
fig. 9 -
Version with reconfigurable multifunctional display
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