2008 Abarth 500 technical specifications

82
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CONTAINING
RUNNING COSTS
Here are some useful tips to save fuel and
minimize polluting emissions of CO
2and
other pollutants (nitric oxide, unburnt hy-
drocarbons, fine dusts etc…).
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Have checks and adjustments carried out
in accordance with the “Service schedule”.
Tyres
Check tyre pressure regularly at least on-
ce every four weeks: excessively low pres-
sure will increase consumption because
rolling resistance will be higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded boot.
Do not travel with too much luggage
stowed in the boot. The weight of the car
(especially when driving in town) and its
trim greatly affect consumption and stabi-
lity.
USING THE MANUAL
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch pe-
dal fully and shift the gear lever into one
of the required positions (the diagram is
shown on the knob fig. 2).
IMPORTANT Reverse may only be enga-
ged when the car is at a standstill. With
the engine running, wait for at least 2 se-
conds with the clutch pedal fully pressed
before engaging reverse to prevent da-
mage to the gears and grating.
In addition, to assist the transmission of the
drive torque, a limit on the engine revs du-
ring take off at 2700 rpm can be noticed.
When the clutch pedal is released and the
vehicle is being driven, the engine revs re-
striction is disabled.
To engage reverse gear Rfrom neutral,
move the lever to the right and then
backwards.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal must be
used for gear shift only. Never drive with
the foot resting, even if slightly, on the
clutch pedal. For versions/markets, whe-
re provided, the clutch pedal control elec-
tronics can intervene interpreting the
wrong drive style as a faultPress the clutch pedal fully to
change gears correctly. For
this reason, there must be no
obstacles on the floor under
the pedals: ensure that rubber mats (if
any) are correctly positioned, not in-
terfering with the pedals.
Do not drive with the hand
resting on the gear lever, be-
cause this pressure, even if light, over
time can wear gear inner compo-
nents.
WARNING
fig. 2
1
23
45
R
24R351
A
F0S077Ab
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83
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
Accessories fitted on
longitudinal bars
If not used, remove from the roof acces-
sories such as: longitudinal bars, ski rack,
luggage rack, etc. These accessories de-
crease aerodynamic penetration of the car
and have a negative effect on consumption.
It is better to use a trailer to transport
particularly bulky objects.
Electric devices
Use electric devices only for the amount
of time needed. Rear heated window, ad-
ditional headlights, windscreen wipers and
heater fan need a considerable amount of
energy, therefore increasing the require-
ment of current increases fuel consump-
tion (up to +25% in the urban cycle).Climate control
The climate control system leads to higher
fuel consumption (up to +20% on avera-
ge): use air vents only when the external
temperature allows to.
Spoilers
The use of non-certified aerodynamic
items may adversely affect air drag and
consumption levels.DRIVING STYLE
Starting
Do not warm the engine up with the car
standing: the engine warms up very slowly
in these conditions, increasing consump-
tion and emissions. It is advisable to start
off immediately and slowly keeping the en-
gine speed down: the engine will warm up
much faster this way.
Unnecessary actions
Avoid revving up when starting at traffic
lights or before stopping the engine. The
latter action, like doubling the clutch, is un-
necessary and causes increase of con-
sumption and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a higher gear as soon as traffic and
road conditions allow. Using a low gear
for faster acceleration will increase con-
sumption.
In the same way improper use of a high
gear increases consumption, emissions an
engine wear.
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84
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short distances and frequent cold start-ups
will prevent the engine from reaching op-
timal running temperature. Consequently,
both consumption (from +15 to +30% on
urban cycle ) and emissions will increase.
Traffic and road conditions
Rather high consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when travelling
in a queue with frequent use of low gears
or in cities with many traffic lights. Moun-
tain and rough roads also have a negative
effect on consumption.
Traffic hold-ups
During prolonged hold-ups (level crossings)
the engine should be switched off.SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
normal tyres provided with the car.
Abarth Dealership will be happy to pro-
vide advice concerning the most suitable
type of tyre for the customer’s require-
ments.
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of snow
tyres, follow the instructions given in pa-
ragraph “Wheels” in section “Technical
specifications”.
The performance of these tyres is consi-
derably reduced when the tread thickness
is less than 4 mm. Replace them in this ca-
se.
Due to their specific features, the perfor-
mance of snow tyres is much lower than
that of normal types in normal conditions
or long motorway stretches. Limit perfor-
mance according to the use for which they
were approved. Top speed
Fuel consumption considerably increases
as speed increases. Keep your speed as
even as possible, avoiding unnecessary
braking and acceleration which cause ex-
cessive fuel consumption and increase
emissions.
Acceleration
Sudden acceleration has a very negative
effect on consumptions and emissions: ac-
celerate gradually.
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85
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains should be in com-
pliance with local regulations.
The snow chains may be applied only on-
to the front wheel tyres (drive wheels).
Check the tension of the chains after the
first few metres have been driven. IMPORTANT When snow tyres are used
with a max speed index below the one
that can be reached by the car (increased
by 5%), place a notice in the passenger’s
compartment, plainly in the driver’s view
which states the max permissible speed of
the snow tyres (as per EC Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety when
driving and braking and better driveability.
Remember that it is inappropriate to chan-
ge the direction of rotation of tyres.
EXTENDED
CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if pos-
sible well-ventilated premises;
❒engage a gear;
❒check that the handbrake is not enga-
ged;
❒disconnect battery negative terminal
and check charge (see paragraph “Bat-
tery - Charge and electrolyte level
check” in chapter “Maintenance and ca-
re”)
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
Snow tyre maximum speed
with “Q” mark must not ex-
ceed 160 km/h, respecting however
the applicable rules of the Highway
Code.
WARNINGKeep your speed down when
snow chains are fitted. Do
not exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes,
steps and pavements and avoid also
to drive for long distances on roads
not covered with snow to prevent da-
maging the car and the roadbed.
WARNING
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86
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the nor-
mal specified pressure and check it at
intervals;
❒do not drain the engine cooling system.
❒clean and protect the shiny metal parts
using special compounds readily avai-
lable;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the rubber
windscreen and rear window wiper bla-
des and lift them off the glass;
❒slightly open the windows;
❒cover the car with a fabric or perfora-
ted plastic sheet. Do not use compact
plastic sheets which do not allow hu-
midity to evaporate from the surface of
the car.
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87
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS ..................................................... 88
LOW BRAKE FLUID............................................................ 88
HANDBRAKE ON................................................................ 88
AIR BAG FAILURE................................................................ 88
FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATED........... 89
HOT ENGINE COOLANT................................................ 89
LOW BATTERY CHARGE................................................. 90
ABS SYSTEM FAILURE......................................................... 90
EBD SYSTEM FAILURE........................................................ 90
LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE.......................................... 90
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING FAILURE ............................................................ 91
INCOMPLETE DOOR LOCKING.................................... 91
ENGINE EOBD / INJECTION
CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE ......................................... 91
FUEL RESERVE....................................................................... 92
FIAT CODE PROTECTION
SYSTEM FAILURE.................................................................. 92
REAR FOG LIGHTS.............................................................. 92
GENERIC FAILURE INDICATION ................................. 93
ENGINE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR FAILURE.................. 93
FUEL CUT-OFF INERTIAL SWITCH
INTERVENTION................................................................... 93
EXTERNAL LIGHTS FAILURE .......................................... 93ESP SYSTEM FAILURE ........................................................ 93
HILL HOLDER FAILURE .................................................... 93
SIDELIGHTS AND LOW BEAMS..................................... 93
FOLLOW ME HOME........................................................... 93
FRONT FOG LIGHTS ........................................................ 94
LEFT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR........................ 94
RIGHT-HAND DIRECTION INDICATOR.................... 94
SPORT FUNCTION ACTIVATION................................. 94
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS............................................... 94
POSSIBLE ICE ON THE ROAD.........................................94
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED .................................................. 94
LIMITED RANGE ................................................................. 94
BRAKE PAD WEAR ............................................................ 94
SEAT BELTS NOT FASTENED.......................................... 94
W
W W W
A A A A
R R R R
N N N N
I I I I
N N N N
G G G G

L L L L
I I I I
G G G G
H H H H
T T T T
S S S S

A A A A
N N N N
D D D D

M M M M
E E E E
S S S S
S S S S
A A A A
G G G G
E EE
E
S S S S
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88
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
WARNING LIGHTS
AND MESSAGES
GENERAL WARNINGS
Lighting of a warning light is associated to
a specific message and/or buzzer when ap-
plicable. These indications are brief and
precautionary and as such must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or alterna-
tive to the information contained in the
Owner’s Handbook, which you are rec-
ommended to read carefully in all cases.
Refer to the information in this chap-
ter in the event of a failure indication.
IMPORTANT Failure indications on the
display fall into either of two categories:
seriousfaults and less seriousfaults.
Seriousfailures are indicated by a re-
peated and prolonged warning “cycle”.
Less seriousfailures are indicated by a
limited warning “cycle”.
Press MENU ESCto stop the warning
cycle in both cases. The warning light on
the instrument panel will stay on until the
cause of the fault is eliminated.LOW BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL (red)
HANDBRAKE ON (red)
Turning the ignition key to MARthe
warning light turns on, but it should go off
after a few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on when the lev-
el of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls
below the minimum level, due to possi-
ble leak in the circuit.
On certain versions the dedicated mes-
sage is displayed.
x
If the warning light xturns
on when travelling (on cer-
tain versions together with the mes-
sage on the display) stop the car im-
mediately and contact Abarth Deal-
ership.
WARNING
Handbrake on
The warning light turns on when the hand-
brake is on.
IMPORTANT If the warning light turns on
when travelling, check that the handbrake
is not engaged.
AIR BAG FAILURE
(red)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light stays on glowing steadi-
ly if there is a failure in the air bag system.
On certain versions the dedicated mes-
sage is displayed.
¬
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89
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
If when turning the key to
MAR the warning light ¬does not turn on or if it stays on when
travelling (together with the message
on the multifunctional display, where
provided) there could be a failure in
safety systems; in this event air bags
or pretensioners may not be deployed
in case of impact or, in a minor num-
ber of cases, they may be deployed
accidentally. Contact Abarth Dealer-
ship immediately to have the system
checked before driving off.
WARNING
The failure of the warning
light
¬(warning light off) is
indicated by intermittent blinking of
the warning light
“that signals front
passenger airbag deactivated.
WARNING
FRONT PASSENGER
AIRBAG
DEACTIVATED
(amber)
Warning light
“comes on when front
passenger’s airbag is deactivated.
With front passenger’s airbag on, turning
the ignition key to MAR, warning light
“comes on steadily for about 4 seconds, it
flashes for other 4 seconds and then it
shall go off.
“
Warning light “indicates
failure of warning light ¬.
This condition is indicated by inter-
mittent blinking of warning light
“for longer than 4 seconds. In this case,
warning light ¬may not indicate
fault to the system. Contact Abarth
Dealership immediately to have the
system checked before driving off.
WARNING
HOT ENGINE
COOLANT (red)
Turning the ignition key to
MARthe warning light turns on, but it
should go off after a few seconds.
The warning light turns on when the en-
gine is overheated.
If the warning light comes on, proceed as
follows:
❒during normal travel: stop the car,
stop the engine and check that the wa-
ter level in the vessel is not under the
MIN line. In this case, wait for a few
minutes for the engine to cool down,
then slowly and carefully open the cap,
top-up with coolant and check that the
level is between the MIN and MAX
references on the vessel itself. Also
check for leakages. Should the warn-
ing light turn on again at the next start-
up, contact Abarth Dealership.
u
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