FIAT 500 ABARTH CABRIO 2017 2.G Owners Manual

Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves.
Leaves collected in the air intake may reduce airflow,
and if they enter the plenum, they could plug the water
drains. In winter months, make sure the air intake is
clear of ice, slush, and snow.
A/C Air Filter
The climate control system filters out dust and pollen
from the air. Contact your authorized dealer to service
your A/C air filter, and to have it replaced when
needed.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179

Operating Tips Chart
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ...............184
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ......184
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped . . . .184
▫ Normal Starting ..................... .184
▫ Cold Weather Operation ...............185
▫ Extended Park Starting .................185
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................186
▫ After Starting ...................... .186
▫ Turbocharger “Cool Down” .............186

MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .186
▫ Five-Speed Manual Transmission .........186
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds .............188
▫ Downshifting ...................... .188
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED ....................... .189
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ..............190
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . .190
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission ........190
▫ Gear Ranges ....................... .191
 AUTOSTICK ........................ .195
▫ Operation ......................... .195
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ........196
▫ Acceleration ....................... .196
▫ Traction .......................... .197
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ............197
▫ Flowing/Rising Water .................197
▫ Shallow Standing Water ................198
5

POWER STEERING ....................199
 PARKING BRAKE .....................200
 SPORT MODE ....................... .201
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......201
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....202
 BRAKE SYSTEM ..................... .202
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . .203
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . .203
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ..............204
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ...........204
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................205
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .........206
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ...........209
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ............210
▫ Tire Markings ...................... .210
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........213▫
Tire Terminology And Definitions .........214
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ..........215
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .......219
▫ Tire Pressure ...................... .219
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................220
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . .221
▫ Radial Ply Tires .....................221
▫ Tire Types ......................... .222
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ............223
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ..............224
▫ Tire Spinning ...................... .227
▫ T

read Wear Indicators .................227
▫ Life Of Tire ....................... .228
▫ Replacement Tires ....................228
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) ......230
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .230
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES .......230
▫ Treadwear ......................... .231
▫ Traction Grades ..................... .231
▫ Temperature Grades ...................231
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................ .232
▫ TPM System With Comfort Cluster ........234
▫ TPM System With (TFT) Tire Pressure
Display Screen ..................... .236
▫ General Information ..................238
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS .................239
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................239
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends .............239▫
E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ......240
▫ CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications . . . .240
▫ MMT In Gasoline ....................240
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ...............241
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................241
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............242
 ADDING FUEL ...................... .242
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ..............242
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ...........243
 TRAILER TOWING ....................244
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ..................244
▫
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .244
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STARTING AND OPERATING 183

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. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gear selector in
NEUTRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch
interlocking ignition system. It will not start unless the
clutch pedal is pressed to the floor.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:
You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
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/ACC (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.
184 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 equip-
ment or from your authorized dealer.
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
engine 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 ve-
hicle has not been started or driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery to ensure a full battery charge during the
crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition in the START position and release it when the engine starts.
3. If the engine fails to start within 10 to 15 seconds, cycle the ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position,
wait five seconds to allow the starter to cool, then
repeat the Extended Park Starting procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight attempts, allow the starter to cool for at least 10 minutes, then repeat
the procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank
continuously for more than 10 seconds at a time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 185

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 shut off to circulate coolant through the turbo-
charger. Although the pump is rubber-mounted for
quiet operation, it is normal to hear it running during
this time.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
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
always be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
186 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelera-
tor pedal.
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 abnor-
mal wear on the clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
NOTE:
During cold weather, until the transmission
lubricant is warm, you may experience slightly higher
shift efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the
transmission.
Gear Selector
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STARTING AND OPERATING 187

Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel
economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the follow-
ing table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift SpeedsUnits In mph (km/h)
Engine Size Accel-
era-
tion
Rate
1to22to3 3to4 4to5
1.4L
Turbo Accel 14
(23)23
(37) 29
(47) 38
(61)
Cruise 12 (19)18
(29) 25
(40) 32
(52)
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may
cause the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is
selected and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to
the clutch and the transmission can result from
skipping a gear while downshifting or downshift-
ing at too high of a vehicle speed even if the clutch
pedal is held pressed (i.e., not released).
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to second or first gear when descending a steep
grade.
When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur-
dened.
188 STARTING AND OPERATING