stop start Abarth 500 2015 Owner handbook (in English)

CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts
do not allow the engine to reach
optimum operating temperature. This
results in a significant increase in
consumption levels (from +15 to +30%
on the urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road
conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in cities with many traffic
lights. Winding mountain roads and
rough road surfaces also adversely
affect consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level
crossings) switch off the engine.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
For towing caravans or trailers the car
must be fitted with a certified 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 car
tow hook reduces the car's loading
capacity by the same amount. To make
sure that the maximum towable weight
is not exceeded (given in the car
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.
101) 102)
WARNING
101) The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the
braking system of the trailer.
Particular caution is therefore
required on slippery surfaces.
102) Never modify the braking
system of the car to control the
trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
of the car’s hydraulic system.
126
STARTING AND DRIVING

❒switch on the compressor, bringing
the switch G to position1(on);
❒inflate the tyre to the pressure
specified (see the "Cold tyre inflation
pressure" paragraph in the "Technical
specifications" chapter).IMPORTANT To get a more precise
reading, it is advisable to check the
value with compressor off.
❒if the pressure does not reach at least
1.5 bar in 5 minutes, switch the
compressor off and disconnect the
filling pipe B from the tyre valve, then
remove the plug H;
❒move the car by about 10 m, to
distribute the sealant inside the tyre,
then inflate again.
IMPORTANT If after this operation it is
still impossible after 5 minutes to reach
at least 1.5 bar, do not start driving
since the tyre is excessively damaged
and the Fix&Go kit cannot guarantee
proper seal; contact an Abarth
Dealership.
❒If the tyre was inflated to the
prescribed pressure, start driving
immediately.
111)
❒after having driven for about 10
minutes, stop, apply the handbrake
and recheck the tyre pressure.
112) 113)
100AB0A0083
101AB0A0084
102AB0A0085
132
IN AN EMERGENCY

TOWING THE CAR
The tow hook, which is supplied with
the vehicle, is housed in the tool box,
under the carpet in the luggage
compartment.
125) 126) 127) 128) 129)
ATTACHING THE TOW
HOOK
Proceed as follows:
FrontRear
❒release the cap A fig. 127
❒take the tow hook B fig. 127 from its
housing in the tool box;
❒fully tighten it on the threaded pin.
WARNING
125) Before starting towing
operations, turn the ignition key to
MAR-ON and then to STOP,
without extracting it. The steering
column will automatically lock
when the key is removed and the
wheels cannot be steered.
126) Before tightening the ring clean
the threaded housing thoroughly.
Make sure that the ring is fully
fastened in the housing before
towing the car.
126AB0A0108
127AB0A0109
150
IN AN EMERGENCY
❒release the cap A fig. 126
❒take the tow hook B fig. 126 from its
housing in the tool box;
❒fully tighten it on the threaded pin.

WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre,
including the space-saver wheel,
approximately every two weeks and
before long journeys: the pressure
should be checked with the tyre rested
and cold.
140) 141) 142) 143)
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is used; for the correct
tyre inflation pressure, see "Wheels" in
the "Technical specifications" chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal
tyre wear fig. 129:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.The tyres must be replaced when the
tread is less than 1.6 mm thick. In
any case, follow the laws in force in the
country you are in.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
❒As far as possible, avoid sharp
braking, screech starts and violent
shocks against pavements, potholes
or other hard obstacles. Driving for
long stretches over uneven roads can
damage the tyres;
❒periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tread wear.
Contact an Abarth Dealership
if required.
❒avoid overloading the car when
travelling: this may cause serious
damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop
immediately and change it to avoid
damage to the tyre, the rim,
suspensions and steering system;
❒tyres age even if they are not used a
great deal. Cracks in the tread and
on the side walls are a sign of ageing.
In any event, have the tyres checked
by specialised personnel if they
have been fitted for longer than 6
years. Also remember to check the
space-saver wheel with particular
care;❒in the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of
unknown origin;
❒if a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to
change them over every 10–15
thousand kilometres, keeping them
on the same side of the car to avoid
inverting the direction of rotation.
WARNING
140) Remember that the road
holding qualities of your car also
depend on correct tyre pressures.
141) If tyre pressure is too low, it
may overheat and be severely
damaged as a result.
142) Do not exchange the tyres from
the left to the right of the car and
vice versa.
143) Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments requiring
the use of temperatures
exceeding 150°C. The mechanical
properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
129AB0A0111
164
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Fault Possible solution
... THE ENGINE DOES NOT START, THE
STARTER DOES NOT TURN.-Contact an Abarth
Dealership.
... THE ENGINE DOES NOT START OR
STOPS WHEN DRIVING.Check that there is sufficient fuel in the tank;
refuel if necessary.See FILLING THE TANK
page 64
... THE ENGINE DOES NOT START
FOLLOWING AN IMPACT.Fuel supply might be interrupted following
activation of the fuel cut off inertia switch.
Check the system re-activation procedure.See page 35
... ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE TOO
HIGH INDICATION.Check the engine coolant level.See page 160 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ENGAGE THE
GEARS.Have the gearbox/transmission checked.Contact an Abarth
Dealership.
... LOSS OF ENGINE PERFORMANCE,
POOR DRIVEABILITY, HIGH EXHAUST
EMISSIONS AND CONSUMPTION.Have the EOBD/injection system checked.See page 59 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... THE ABS DOES NOT WORK. Have the ABS checked.See page 53 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
196
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS