maintenance FIAT SPIDER ABARTH 2017 Owner's Guide
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EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95 = Load
Index
– A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry
H = Speed Symbol
– A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index under
certain operating conditions
– The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified operating
conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits)
Load Identification:
Absence of the following load identification symbols on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) tire:
XL = Extra load (or reinforced) tire, or
LL = Light load tire or
C, D, E, F, G = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load – Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry
Maximum Pressure – Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire
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Tire Terminology And Definitions Term Definition
B-Pillar The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body located behind the front
door.
Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has not
been driven for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting
for a minimum of three hours. Inflation pressure is measured in units of PSI (pounds
per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals).
Maximum Inflation Pressure The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permissible cold tire inflation
pressure for this tire. The maximum inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall.
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation Pressure Vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold tire inflation pressure as shown on the
tire placard.
Tire Placard A label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the vehicle’s loading
capacity, the original equipment tire sizes and the recommended cold tire inflation
pressures.
Tire Loading And Tire Pressure Note: The proper cold tire inflation
pressure is listed on the driver’s side
B-Pillar or the rear edge of the driver's
side door. 0806092796US
Example Tire Placard Location
(Door) 0806092795US
Example Tire Placard Location
(B-Pillar)
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(5) Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your
vehicle. Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals
635 kg and there will be five 68 kg
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load
capacity is 295 kg (635-340 (5x68) =
295 kg) as shown in step 4.
Note:
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. The following table
shows examples on how to calculate
total load, cargo/luggage, and towing
capacities of your vehicle with varying
seating configurations and number and
size of occupants. This table is for
illustration purposes only and may not
be accurate for the seating and load
carry capacity of your vehicle.
For the following example, the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
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Tires — General
Information
Tire Pressure Proper tire inflation pressure is essential
to the safe and satisfactory operation of
your vehicle. Four primary areas are
affected by improper tire pressure:
Safety and Vehicle Stability
Economy
Tread Wear
Ride Comfort
Safety
Warning!Improperly inflated tires are dangerous
and can cause collisions.
Underinflation increases tire flexing and
can result in overheating and tire failure.
Overinflation reduces a tire's ability to
cushion shock. Objects on the road and
chuckholes can cause damage that result
in tire failure.
Overinflated or underinflated tires can
affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle
control.
Unequal tire pressures can cause
steering problems. You could lose control
of your vehicle. Unequal tire pressures from one side of
the vehicle to the other can cause the
vehicle to drift to the right or left.
Always drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure.
Both under-inflation and over-inflation
affect the stability of the vehicle and can
produce a feeling of sluggish response
or over responsiveness in the steering.
Note:
Unequal tire pressures from side to
side may cause erratic and
unpredictable steering response.
Unequal tire pressure from side to
side may cause the vehicle to drift left
or right.
Fuel Economy
Underinflated tires will increase tire
rolling resistance resulting in higher fuel
consumption.
Tread Wear
Improper cold tire inflation pressures
can cause abnormal wear patterns and
reduced tread life, resulting in the need
for earlier tire replacement.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a
comfortable ride. Over-inflation
produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. Tire Inflation Pressures The proper cold tire inflation pressure is
listed on the driver's side B-Pillar or rear
edge of the driver's side door.
At least once a month:
Check and adjust tire pressure with a
good quality pocket-type pressure
gauge. Do not make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Tires
may look properly inflated even when
they are under-inflated.
Inspect tires for signs of tire wear or
visible damage.
Caution!After inspecting or adjusting the tire
pressure, always reinstall the valve stem
cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt
from entering the valve stem, which could
damage the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the
placard are always “cold tire inflation
pressure”. Cold tire inflation pressure is
defined as the tire pressure after the
vehicle has not been driven for at least
three hours, or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km) after sitting for a minimum of
three hours. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the
maximum inflation pressure molded into
the tire sidewall.
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Warning!Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause tire damage or failure. A
tire could explode and injure someone. Do
not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than
30 mph (48 km/h) for more than
30 seconds continuously when you are
stuck, and do not let anyone near a
spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
Tread Wear Indicators Tread wear indicators are in the original
equipment tires to help you in
determining when your tires should be
replaced.
These indicators are molded into the
bottom of the tread grooves. They will
appear as bands when the tread depth becomes a 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm).
When the tread is worn to the tread
wear indicators, the tire should be
replaced. Refer to “Replacement Tires”
in this section for further information.
Life Of Tire The service life of a tire is dependent
upon varying factors including, but not
limited to:
Driving style.
Tire pressure - Improper cold tire
inflation pressures can cause uneven
wear patterns to develop across the tire
tread. These abnormal wear patterns
will reduce tread life, resulting in the
need for earlier tire replacement.
Distance driven.
Performance tires, tires with a speed
rating of V or higher, and Summer tires
typically have a reduced tread life.
Rotation of these tires per the vehicle
maintenance schedule is highly
recommended.
Warning!Tires and the spare tire should be replaced
after six years, regardless of the remaining
tread. Failure to follow this warning can
result in sudden tire failure. You could lose
control and have a collision resulting in
serious injury or death. Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact with
oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires The tires on your new vehicle provide a
balance of many characteristics. They
should be inspected regularly for wear
and correct cold tire inflation pressures.
The manufacturer strongly recommends
that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is
needed. Refer to the paragraph on
“Tread Wear Indicators” in this section.
Refer to the Tire and Loading
Information placard or the Vehicle
Certification Label for the size
designation of your tire. The Load Index
and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire
sidewall.
See the Tire Sizing Chart example
found in the “Tire Safety Information”
section of this manual for more
information relating to the Load Index
and Speed Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two
front tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
affect your vehicle’s handling. If you
ever replace a wheel, make sure that
the wheel’s specifications match those
of the original wheels.0806104865NA
Tire Tread
1—WornTire
2—NewTire
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original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer for recommended safe operating
speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve
performance on ice, skid and traction
capability on wet or dry surfaces may
be poorer than that of non-studded
tires. Some states prohibit studded
tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If
Equipped
Note: For vehicles equipped with Tire
Service Kit instead of a spare tire,
please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In
Case Of Emergency” for further
information.
Caution!Because of the reduced ground clearance,
do not take your vehicle through an
automatic car wash with a compact or
limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original
Equipped Tire And Wheel — If
Equipped Your vehicle may be equipped with a
spare tire and wheel equivalent in look
and function to the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your vehicle. This spare tire may
be used in the tire rotation for your
vehicle. If your vehicle has this option,
refer to an authorized tire dealer for the
recommended tire rotation pattern.
Compact Spare Tire — If
Equipped The compact spare is for temporary
emergency use only. You can identify if
your vehicle is equipped with a
compact spare by looking at the spare
tire description on the Tire and Loading
Information Placard located on the
driver’s side door opening or on the
sidewall of the tire. Compact spare tire
descriptions begin with the letter “T” or
“S” preceding the size designation.
Example: T145/80D18 103M.
T,S=Te mporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original equipment tire should be
repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt
to mount a conventional tire on the
compact spare wheel, since the wheel
is designed specifically for the compact
spare tire. Do not install more than one
compact spare tire and wheel on the
vehicle at any given time. Warning!Compact and collapsible spares are for
temporary emergency use only. With these
spares, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary use spares have
limited tread life. When the tread is worn to
the tread wear indicators, the temporary
use spare tire needs to be replaced. Be
sure to follow the warnings, which apply to
your spare. Failure to do so could result in
spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Collapsible Spare Tire — If
Equipped The collapsible spare is for temporary
emergency use only. You can identify if
your vehicle is equipped with a
collapsible spare by looking at the
spare tire description on the Tire and
Loading Information Placard located on
the driver’s side door opening or on the
sidewall of the tire.
Collapsible spare tire description
example: 165/80-17 101P.
Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original equipment tire should be
repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Inflate collapsible tire only after the
wheel is properly installed to the
vehicle. Inflate the collapsible tire using
the electric air pump before lowering
the vehicle.
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Caution!Avoid products or automatic car washes
that use acidic solutions or strong alkaline
additives or harsh brushes. These products
and automatic car washes may damage
the wheel's protective finish. Such damage
is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Only car wash soap, Mopar
Wheel Cleaner or equivalent is
recommended.
When cleaning extremely dirty wheels
including excessive brake dust, care
must be taken in the selection of tire
and wheel cleaning chemicals and
equipment to prevent damage to the
wheels. Mopar Wheel Treatment or
Mopar Chrome Cleaner or their
equivalent is recommended or select a
non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner for
aluminum or chrome wheels. Do not
use any products on Dark Vapor or
Black Satin Chrome Wheels. They will
permanently damage this finish and
such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Caution!Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a
bristle brush, metal polishes or oven
cleaner. These products may damage the
wheel's protective finish. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Only car wash soap, Mopar
Wheel Cleaner or equivalent is
recommended.
Note: If you intend parking or storing
your vehicle for an extended period
after cleaning the wheels with wheel
cleaner, drive your vehicle for a few
minutes before doing so. Driving the
vehicle and applying the brakes when
stopping will reduce the risk of brake
rotor corrosion.
Dark Vapor Or Black Satin Chrome
Wheels
Caution!If your vehicle is equipped with Dark Vapor
or Black Satin Chrome wheels DO NOT
USE wheel cleaners, abrasives or polishing
compounds. They will permanently damage
this finish and such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. USE
ONLY MILD SOAP AND WATER WITH A
SOFT CLOTH. Used on a regular basis; this
is all that is required to maintain this finish. Snow Chains
The use of snow chains should be in
compliance with local regulations of
each country. In certain countries, tires
marked with code M+S (Mud and
Snow) are considered as winter
equipment; therefore their use is
equivalent to that of the snow chains.
The snow chains may be applied only
to the front wheel tires. Check the
tension of the snow chains after the first
few feet have been driven.
Warning!Using tires of different size and type (M+S,
Snow) between front and rear axles can
cause unpredictable handling. You could
lose control and have a collision.
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Because your vehicle is not
equipped with a spare tire, you cannot
do a tire rotation safely with the jack
that may come with your vehicle if so
equipped. Contact an authorized
dealer for tire rotation.
Also, inspect them for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually
caused by one or a combination of the
following:
Incorrect tire pressure
Improper wheel alignment
Out-of-balance wheel
Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification and inspect the wheel nuts
for tightness.
With Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS)
The TPM system must be initialized
after adjusting the tire pressure, to
make the system operate normally.
Refer to “Tire Pressure Monitoring
System” in “Safety” for further
information.
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial
tires that have an asymmetrical tread
pattern only from front to rear, not from
side to side. Tire performance will be
reduced if rotated from side to side. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE
QUALITY GRADES The following tire grading
categories were established by the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. The specific grade
rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is
shown on the sidewall of the tires
on your vehicle.
All passenger vehicle tires must
conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these
grades. Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a
comparative rating, based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The
relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual
conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and
differences in road characteristics
and climate. Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest
to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
These grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement, as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance. Warning!
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics. Temperature Grades
The Temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat,
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BODYWORK Protection From
Atmospheric Agents
The vehicle is equipped with the best
available technological solutions to
protect the bodywork against corrosion.
These include:
Painting products and systems
which give the vehicle resistance to
corrosion and abrasion.
Use of galvanized (or pre-treated)
steel sheets, with high resistance to
corrosion.
Spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more exposed
points: underdoor, inner fender, edges,
etc.
Use of “open” boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture which could favor the
formation of rust inside.
Use of special films to protect
against abrasion in exposed areas (e.g.
rear fender, doors, etc.).
Corrosion Warranty
Your vehicle is covered by Corrosion
Warranty against perforation due to rust
of any original element of the structure
or bodywork. For the general terms of
this Corrosion Warranty, refer to the
Warranty Booklet. Preserving The
Paintwork
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent the formation of
rust.
Maintenance of paintwork consists of
washing the vehicle: the frequency
depends on the conditions and
environment in which the vehicle is
used.
For example, it is advisable to wash the
vehicle more often in areas with high
levels of atmospheric pollution or salted
roads.
To correctly wash the vehicle, follow
these instructions:
If high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the vehicle, keep a
distance of at least 1.3 ft (40 cm) from
the bodywork to avoid damage or
alteration. Build up of water could
cause damage to the vehicle in the long
term.
Wash the vehicle using a low
pressure jet of water if possible.
Wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork, frequently
rinsing the sponge.
Rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or a chamois leather.
Dry the less visible parts (e.g. door
frames, hood, headlight frames, etc.)
with special care, as water may
stagnate more easily in these areas. Do not wash the vehicle after it has been
left in the sun or with the hood hot: this
may alter the shine of the paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned
in the same way as the rest of the
vehicle.
Note:
Avoid parking under trees; the sap
dropped by trees makes the paint
work go dull and increases the
possibility of corrosion.
Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
Etching caused by acid rain or
industrial fallout
Cause:
Industrial pollutants and vehicle
emissions drift into the air and mix with
rain or dew to form acids. These acids
can settle on a vehicle's finish. As the
water evaporates, the acid becomes
concentrated and can damage the
finish.
The longer the acid remains on the
surface, the greater the chance is for
damage.
Prevention:
It is necessary to wash and wax your
vehicle to preserve its finish according
to the instructions in this section. These
steps should be taken immediately after
you suspect that acid rain has settled
on your vehicle's finish.
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The vehicle is washed with a rough,
dry, or dirty cloth.
The vehicle is washed at a car wash
that uses brushes that are dirty or too
stiff.
Cleansers or wax containing
abrasives are used.
Note: FCA is not responsible for
scratches caused by automatic car
washes or improper washing.
Scratches are more noticeable on
vehicles with darker paint finishes.
When the wiper lever is in the AUTO
position and the ignition is placed in the
ON mode, the wipers may move
automatically in the following cases:
If the windshield above the rain
sensor is touched or wiped with a cloth.
If the windshield is struck with a hand
or other object from either outside or
inside the vehicle.
Note:
Keep hands and scrapers clear of
the windshield when the wiper lever is
in the AUTO position and the ignition is
placed in the ON mode as fingers
could be pinched or the wipers and
wiper blades damaged when the
wipers activate automatically. If you are
going to clean the windshield, be sure
the wipers are turned off completely
(when it is most likely that the engine is
left running) this is particularly
important when clearing ice and snow. Do not spray water in the engine
compartment. Otherwise, it could
result in engine-starting problems or
damage to electrical parts.
When washing and waxing the
vehicle, be careful not to apply
excessive force to any single area of
the vehicle hood. Otherwise, you could
dent the vehicle.
Do not use automatic car washing
machines and car washing devices
using high water pressure.
Make sure that the fuel door is
closed and lock the doors. Otherwise,
the fuel door may be forcefully opened
by water pressure causing damage to
the vehicle or fuel door.
To minimize scratches on the vehicle's
paint finish:
Rinse off any dirt or other foreign
matter using lukewarm or cold water
before washing.
Use plenty of lukewarm or cold water
and a soft cloth when washing the
vehicle. Do not use a nylon cloth.
Rub gently when washing or drying
the vehicle.
Take your vehicle only to a car wash
that keeps its brushes well maintained.
Do not use abrasive cleansers or
wax that contain abrasives. Caution!Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or
strong detergents containing highly alkaline
or caustic agents on chrome plated or
anodized aluminium parts. This may
damage the protective coating; also,
cleaners and detergents may discolor or
deteriorate the paint.
Pay special attention to removing salt,
dirt, mud, and other foreign material
from the underside of the fenders, and
make sure the drain holes in the lower
edges of the doors and rocker panels
are clean.
Insects, tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
industrial fallout, and similar deposits
can damage the finish if not removed
immediately. When prompt washing
with plain water is ineffective, use a mild
soap made for use on vehicles.
Thoroughly rinse off all soap with
lukewarm or cold water. Do not allow
soap to dry on the finish.
After washing the vehicle, dry it with a
clean chamois to prevent water spots
from forming.
Waxing
Your vehicle needs to be waxed when
water no longer beads on the finish.
Always wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing it. In addition to the vehicle
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