FIAT 500 ABARTH 2013 2.G Owners Manual

Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air using the high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the air conditioning system
is started again.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 219

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................224
▫Manual Transmission...................224
▫Normal Starting.......................224
▫Cold Weather Operation................225
▫Extended Park Starting..................225
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................226
▫After Starting........................226
▫Turbocharger “Cool Down”..............226
!MANUAL TRANSMISSION...............227
▫Five-Speed Manual Transmission...........227
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............228
▫Downshifting........................229
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........229
▫Acceleration.........................229
▫Traction............................230
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............230
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................230
▫Shallow Standing Water.................231
!POWER STEERING.....................232
!PARKING BRAKE......................234
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!SPORT MODE.........................236
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................237
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .237
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .238
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............239
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............239
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............240
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................240
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........241
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................244
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............245
▫Tire Markings........................245
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........249
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........251
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........252
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........256
▫Tire Pressure........................256
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................257
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .258
▫Radial Ply Tires......................259
▫All Season Tires – If Equipped............260
▫Snow Tires..........................260
▫Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped. .260
▫Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel – If Equipped...................261
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Spinning........................261
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................261
▫Life Of Tire.........................262
▫Replacement Tires.....................263
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......265
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....265
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS)..............................266
▫Base System.........................269
▫General Information...................271
!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................272
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................272
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............273
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......273
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................274
▫Materials Added To Fuel................274
▫Fuel System Cautions...................275
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............276
!ADDING FUEL........................277
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............277
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............278
!TRAILER TOWING.....................278
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................279
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .279
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN position.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock-
ing ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START) position and
release it when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized studio.
The message “plug in engine heater” will be displayed in
the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is
below 5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a
reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start.
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-40 synthetic en-
gine oil and adhering to the prescribed oil change
intervals is important to prevent engine damage and
ensure satisfactory starting in cold conditions.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE:Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 35 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery
to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it when the engine starts.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 225

3. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the
ignition switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position,
wait 5 seconds to allow the starter to cool, then repeat
the “Extended Park Starting” procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after 8 attempts, allow the
starter to cool for at least 60 seconds, then repeat the
procedure.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle.
•To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-
ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
Turbocharger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending
on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 227

Use each gear in numerical order; do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transmission is in first gear, not third, when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in third gear.
For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, fifth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal,
and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch
pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear
on the clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:During cold weather, until the transmission lu-
bricant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift
efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transmis-
sion.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel
economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following
table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds
Units In mph (km/h)
Engine
Size
Accel-
era-
tion
Rate
1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
1.4L
Turbo
Accel 14
(23)
23
(37)
29
(47)
38
(61)
Cruise 12
(19)
18
(29)
25
(40)
32
(52)
228 STARTING AND OPERATING