2008 Abarth 500 ABS

Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing Abarth and congratulations on your choice of a Abarth.
We prepared this booklet to enable you to know each detail of your Abarth and use it correctly. Please, read it carefully
before driving your car. You will find information, tips and important warnings regarding the driving of your car to help you derive
the maximum from the technological features of your Abarth.
You are recommended to read carefully the warnings and indications, marked with the respective symbols:
personal safety;
the car’s wellbeing;
environmental protection.
The enclosed Warranty Booklet lists the services that Abarth offers to its Customers:
❒the Warranty Certificate with terms and conditions for maintaining its validity
❒the range of additional services available to Abarth Customers.
Best regards and happy motoring!
The special features of the new 500 Abarth make the car captivating through its unmistakeable appearance,
stylish yet traditional and, at the same time, practical in terms of performance and safety thanks to the new
elements that have been introduced. The miniskirts, the rear spoiler and the inclined connector to the underbody
improve the drag coefficient, the geometry and road holding at speed. The twin exhaust pipes are fitted at the
sides of the incline at the specular outlets of a single transversely mounted silencer. The front and rear
symmetrical air intakes are practical and the first ones allow the flow of air for cooling the two specular
intercoolers, while the second ones permit the outlet of the flow at the rear. The introduction of the TTC
system (Torque Transfer Control), which improves the transfer of engine torque to the wheels, makes the
vehicle safer and more pleasant to drive, especially when cornering. Comfort is improved thanks to the introduction
of the anti-roll bar which involves a reduction in shock absorber pressure thereby making the vehicle less rigid.
Every feature of the 500 Abarth passenger compartment, from the turbo analogue pressure gauge, the
steering wheel with three spokes and shaped grips, the aluminium pedal assembly, the gear lever with an
ergonimically designed grip and the seats with head restraints built-into the backrest,
is designed to give the car a sporty appearance.
This Owner Handbook contains descriptions of the various new 500 Abarth trim levels therefore you should find
the information that relates to the version you have purchased.
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2
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CARDASHBOARD ...................................................................... 3
SYMBOLS ............................................................................... 4
THE FIAT CODE SYSTEM.................................................. 4
THE KEYS .............................................................................. 5
INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ONBOARD
INSTRUMENTS..................................................................... 9
MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY AND
RECONFIGURABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISPLAY 12
TRIP COMPUTER ................................................................ 21
SEATS ...................................................................................... 23
HEAD RESTRAINTS.............................................................24
STEERING WHEEL .............................................................. 25
REARVIEW MIRRORS......................................................... 26
CLIMATE COMFORT.......................................................... 27
HEATING AND VENTILATION...................................... 28
MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM .................... 29
AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM............. 31
EXTERNAL LIGHTS............................................................. 34
WINDOW WASHING....................................................... 35CEILING LIGHTS ................................................................. 36
CONTROLS........................................................................... 37
INTERIOR FITTINGS........................................................... 39
SUNROOF.............................................................................. 41
DOORS .................................................................................. 43
POWER WINDOWS........................................................... 45
BOOT ......................................................................................46
BONNET................................................................................. 49
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK .................................................... 51
HEADLIGHTS........................................................................ 51
ABS SYSTEM ......................................................................... 53
ESP SYSTEM ........................................................................... 54
EOBD SYSTEM ..................................................................... 57
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING SYSTEM ............................................................. 58
SOUND SYSTEM.................................................................. 59
AT THE FILLING STATION ............................................. 61
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT............................. 62
Y
Y Y Y
O O O O
U U U U
R R R R

C C C C
A A A A
R R R R
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8
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
IGNITION
SWITCH fig. 7
The key can be turned to 3 different po-
sitions:
❒STOP: engine off, key extractable,
steering locked. Some electrical devices
(e.g. car radio, central door locking sys-
tem, etc.) are enabled
❒MAR: driving position. All electrical de-
vices are enabled
❒AVV: engine start.
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety sys-
tem that, if the engine does not start, forces
to return the ignition key to STOPbefore
repeating the starting operation.
Never extract the key while
the vehicle is moving. The
steering wheel would be locked as
soon as the steering wheel is turned.
This also applies to when the car is
towed.
It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
whatever after-market operation in-
volving steering system or steering col-
umn modifications (e.g.: installation
of anti-theft device) that could badly
affect performance and safety, cause
the lapse of warranty and also result
in non-compliance of the car with ho-
mologation requirements.
WARNING
fig. 7F0S0007Ab
STEERING COLUMN LOCK
Engaging
When the key is at STOP, remove the key
and turn the steering wheel until it locks.
Disengaging
Rock the steering wheel slightly as you
turn the ignition key to MAR.
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46
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Soft touch handle fig. 46
The luggage compartment tailgate (when
unlocked) can only be opened from the
outside of the car using the electric open-
ing handle Blocated under the large han-
dle.
The tailgate can be opened at any time if
car doors are unlocked.To open it, enable the handle, opening one
of the front doors or unlock the doors
with the remote control or using the me-
chanic key.
If the tailgate is not fully closed, the warn-
ing light ´on the instrument panel turns
on (where provided).
BOOT
TAILGATE OPENING
By means of key with remote
control
Press the button
R.
Tailgate opening is indicated by double
flashing of direction indicators.
Tailgate opening is eased by the action of
the side gas shock absorbers.
Opening the tailgate, for some versions,
the boot light turns on: the light auto-
matically turns off after you close the tail-
gate.
The light remains on for about 15 minutes
after rotating the key to STOP: if, dur-
ing this period, a door or the tailgate is
opened, the 15 minutes timing is reset.
fig. 46

F0S046Ab
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53
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
ABS SYSTEM INTERVENTION
Intervention of the ABS is detected by a
slight pulsing of the brake pedal accompa-
nied by noise: such an event indicates that
you need to adjust your speed to the type
of road on which you are travelling.ABS SYSTEM
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The car is fitted with an ABS braking sys-
tem, which prevents the wheels from lock-
ing when braking, makes the most of road
grip and gives the best control when emer-
gency braking under difficulty road condi-
tions.
The system is completed by EBD (Elec-
tronic Braking Force Distribution), which
distributes the braking action between
front and rear wheels.
IMPORTANT To achieve maximum effi-
ciency of the braking system, a settlement
period of about 500 km is required: dur-
ing this time, avoid sudden, repeated and
prolonged braking.
When the ABS cuts in, and
you feel the brake pedal pul-
sating, do not remove your foot, but
keep it pressed; in doing so you will
stop in the shortest amount of space
possible under the current road con-
ditions.
WARNING
When the ABS intervenes, it
means that you are ap-
proaching the grip limit between tyres
and road: it is necessary to slow down
to adjust the speed according to
available grip.
WARNING
The ABS exploits the tyre-
road grip at the best, but it
cannot improve it; you should there-
fore take every care when driving on
slippery surfaces without taking un-
necessary risks.
WARNING
FAILURE INDICATIONS
ABS failure
It is indicated by the turning on of warn-
ing light
>on the instrument panel to-
gether with the dedicated message on the
reconfigurable multifunctional display (for
versions/markets, where provided), see
section “Warning lights and messages”.
In the case, the braking system will work
as normal without the extra potentials of-
fered by the ABS system. Drive carefully
to the nearest Abarth Dealership to have
the system checked.
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54
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
If warning light xonly lights
up on the instrument panel,
(with a message on the multifunc-
tional reconfigurable display, for ver-
sions/markets, where provided), im-
mediately stop the car and contact
the nearest Abarth Dealership. Leak-
age of hydraulic fluid from the brak-
ing system will compromise function-
ality of the braking system, either of
the conventional type or with ABS.
WARNINGESP SYSTEM (Electronic
Stability Program)
The ESP system is an electronic system
controlling the car stability in the event of
tyre grip loss.
The ESP system is therefore particularly
useful when grip conditions of the road sur-
faces change.
With the ESP in addition to the ASR (trac-
tion control with intervention on the
brakes and the engine) and the HILL
HOLDER function (device for setting off
on an incline without using the brakes),
there is also MSR (regulation of the engine
brake torque during downward gear
shifts), HBA (automatic increase in brak-
ing pressure during emergency braking)
and TTC (transfer of engine torque to the
wheels).
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the warn-
ing light
áon the instrument panel, to in-
form the driver that the car is in critical
stability and grip conditions. EBD failure
It is indicated by the turning on of warn-
ing lights
>and xon the instrument
panel together with the dedicated message
on the reconfigurable multifunctional dis-
play (for versions/markets, where provid-
ed); see section “Warning lights and mes-
sages”.
In this case, the rear wheels may sudden-
ly lock and the car may swerve. Drive
carefully to the nearest Abarth Dealership
to have the system checked.
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58
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
FAILURE INDICATIONS
Any failure is indicated by instrument pan-
el warning light
gcoming on together
with the message on the reconfigurable
multifunction display (for versions/mar-
kets, where provided) (see section
“Warning lights and messages”).
In the event of electric power steering sys-
tem failure, the car can be driven with me-
chanical steering.
IMPORTANT In some circumstances, fac-
tors independent from the electric pow-
er steering could cause the illumination of
the warning light
gon the instrument
panel.
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC
POWER STEERING
SYSTEM
The car has an electrically operated pow-
er assisted system, that only works with
the ignition key in the MARposition and
the engine started, known as Dualdrive.
The electric power steering reduces the
effort on the steering wheel making town
driving and parking manoeuvres particu-
larly easy.
IMPORTANT In case of quick rotation of
the ignition switch, full power steering
functionality can be achieved after 1-2 sec-
onds.
When the SPORT function is turned on
(see “Controls” paragraph in this chapter)
the electric power steering assistance is
altered, increasing the sensitivity of the
steering wheel.
It is absolutely forbidden to
carry out whatever after-
market operation involving steering
system or steering column modifica-
tions (e.g.: installation of anti-theft
device) that could badly affect per-
formance and safety, cause the lapse
of warranty and also result in non-
compliance of the car with homolo-
gation requirements.
WARNING
Before servicing the car,
switch off the engine and re-
move the key from the ignition de-
vice, activating the steering lock, es-
pecially when car wheels do not
touch the ground. If this is not possi-
ble (if the key must be on MAR or the
engine must be running), remove the
main fuse which protects the electric
power steering.
WARNING
In this case, immediately stop the car, turn
off the engine for about 20 seconds and
then turn on again the engine. If the warn-
ing light
gis still on, along with the mes-
sage on the reconfigurable multifunction-
al display (for versions/markets, where
provided), contact Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT The steering may become
slightly stiff following parking manoeuvres
including a great deal of steering. This is
normal and caused by a system to prevent
motor overheating. No servicing is re-
quired. The power steering system will re-
turn to normal operation the next time
the car is used.
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59
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
❒a 4x30 W amplifier on right rear side
panel;
❒antenna on car roof;
❒car radio with CD/MP3 player (for spec-
ifications and operation, refer to the sup-
plement “Car radio” annexed to this
Handbook).If a car radio is installed after
car purchase, refer to the
Abarth Dealership for tips to
safeguard battery durability.
Excessive loadless absorption damages
the battery and may void the battery
warranty.
SOUND SYSTEM
For the operation of the radio with
CD/MP3 player (where provided), read
the instructions for use given in the sup-
plement attached to the Owner Hand-
book.
The system consists of:
❒two 165 mm, 40 W mid-woofers on
the front doors;
❒two 38 mm, 30 W tweeters on the
front posts;
❒two full range 165 mm, 40 W speak-
ers on the rear side panels;
❒antenna on car roof;
❒car radio with CD/MP3 player (for spec-
ifications and operation, refer to the sup-
plement “Car radio” annexed to this
Handbook).
HiFi system prearrangement (where re-
quired):
❒two 165 mm, 60 W mid-woofers;
❒two 40 W tweeters on the front posts;
❒two full range, 40 W speakers on the
rear side panels;
❒a 60 W subwoofer under the right
front seat;
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