FIAT 500 ABARTH 2012 2.G Owners Manual

WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative (-)jumper cable from the
engine ground (-)of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable
from the negative (-)post of the booster battery. 8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive
(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle,
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 269

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between 1st gear
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of clutch or transmission failure during
prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.NOTE:
Turn the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) sys-
tem OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween 1st gear and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission or clutch overheating
and failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not
spin the wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in
gear (no transmission shifting occurring).
270 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Manual Transmission
•
Vehicle can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
•Vehicle can be towed with the front wheels elevated.
•Vehicle can be towed on a flatbed truck (all wheels off
the ground).
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON/
RUN position. Make certain the transmission remains in
NEUTRAL.
CAUTION!
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position.
•Do not attempt to use sling-type equipment when
towing. When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 271

Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the OFF/LOCK position. A dolly
should be used under the front wheels if the rear wheels
are raised. Proper towing equipment is necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these towing methods can cause
severe transmission damage. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
272 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 1.4L Turbo ........ 275
 Onboard Diagnostic System – OBD II ....... 276
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 276
 Replacement Parts ..................... 278
 Dealer Service ........................ 278
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 279
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 280
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 282 ▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 282
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 283
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 285
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 286
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 286
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 289
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 289
▫ Cooling System ..................... 292
▫ Brake System ....................... 297
7

▫Manual Transmission ................. 300
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 300
 Fuses .............................. 306
▫ Interior Fuses ....................... 306
▫ Underhood Fuses .................... 308
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 310
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 310
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 311
▫ Headlamps ........................ 311
▫ Front Turn Signal, Parking And Daytime
Running Lamps ..................... 312 ▫
Front Fog Lamps .................... 312
▫ Front/Rear Side Marker Lamps .......... 312
▫ Rear Tail, Stop, Backup And Turn Signal
Lamps ............................ 313
▫ Center High Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL) .......................... 314
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 314
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 315
▫ Engine ............................ 315
▫ Chassis ........................... 316
274 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.4L TURBO
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Battery
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 6 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Front Distribution Unit (Fuses)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 275

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM – OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and transmis-
sion control systems. When these systems are operating
properly, your vehicle will provide excellent performance
and fuel economy, as well as engine emissions well
within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
276 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine. 2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system is not readyand you should
not proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
is ready and you can proceed to the I/M station.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 277

If your OBD II system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine parts for normal/scheduled maintenance
and repairs is highly recommended to ensure the de-
signed performance. Damage or failures caused by the use of parts which are
not quality-equivalent to genuine parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer ’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, special tools, and equipment to perform all service
operations in an expert manner. Service Manuals are
available which include detailed service information for
your vehicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before
attempting any procedure yourself.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.
278 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE