2011 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

48
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
EXTENDING THE BOOT
Partial extension (50/50) fig. 49-50
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The separate rear seats allow partial or
total boot extension.
Proceed as follows:
❒Lift out rear seat head restraints (for
versions/markets, where provided)
with backrest released and tilted to-
ward the passenger compartment or
with the tailgate open.
❒check that the seat belt is not twisted;
❒operate levers Aor B-fig. 49 to re-
lease respectively the left or right part
of the backrest and guide the backrest
onto the cushion.IMPORTANT To return the backrest to
its correct position, we recommend to
operate from the external doors.
Maximum extension fig. 51
Tilt the rear seat completely to obtain
maximum boot extension.
fig. 49F0S049Abfig. 50F0S050Ab
fig. 51F0S051Ab
Proceed as follows:
❒remove the rear seat head restraints
(for versions/markets, where provid-
ed);
❒check that the seat belt is not twisted;
❒operate levers Aand B-fig. 49to re-
lease the backrests and guide them on-
to the cushion.
IMPORTANT To return the backrest to
its correct position, we recommend to
operate from the external doors.

49
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
BONNET
To open fig. 52-53-54
Proceed as follows:
❒pull lever Ain the direction of the ar-
row;
❒move to the right the lever Bas shown
in figure;
❒lift the bonnet and at the same time re-
lease the support rod Cfrom its lock-
ing device D, then insert the end of the
rod in the seat Eof the engine hood
(bigger hole) and push to safety posi-
tion (smaller hole), as shown in figure. Rear seat repositioning
Raise the seat backrests and push them
back until hearing the locking click of both
retainers.
Position seat belt buckles upwards and set
the cushion in the normal position of use.
IMPORTANT When returning the back-
rest to the position of use, make sure it
is correctly fastened and you hear the lock
click.
Make sure the backrest is properly se-
cured at both sides to prevent it moving
forward in the event of sharp braking caus-
ing injuries to passengers.
REMOVING THE REAR
PARCEL SHELF
To remove the rear shelf, release it from
its two side pins and pull it out.
fig. 52
A
F0S052Ab
If the supporting rod is not
positioned correctly the bon-
net may fall violently. Perform these
operations when the car is stationary
only.
WARNING
fig. 53F0S053Ab

50
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Before lifting the bonnet, en-
sure that the wiper arm is
not lifted from the windscreen.
WARNING
fig. 54
C
D
E
F0S054Ab
To close fig. 54
Proceed as follows:
❒hold the bonnet up with one hand and
with the other remove rod Cfrom seat
Eand fit it back into its catch D;
❒lower the bonnet to approximately 20
centimetres from the engine compart-
ment and let it drop. Make sure that the
bonnet is completely closed and not on-
ly fastened by the safety catch by trying
to open it. If it is not perfectly closed,
open the bonnet and repeat the proce-
dure. Do not simply press it.
The bonnet must always be
perfectly closed while trav-
elling for safety reasons. Make sure
that the bonnet is perfectly closed
and that the lock is engaged. If you
discover that the bonnet is not per-
fectly closed while travelling, stop im-
mediately and close the bonnet in the
correct manner.
WARNING
With hot engine, operate
with caution inside the en-
gine compartment to avoid burns.
Keep your hands away from the fan:
it may turn on even with key removed
from the switch. Wait for engine cool-
ing.
WARNING
Pay attention to scarves, ties
and other loose fitting gar-
ments. If they accidentally touch
moving parts, they may get dragged
with serious risks for those who wear
them.
WARNING

51
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
HEADLIGHTS
BEAM DIRECTION
The correct orientation of the headlights
is important for drivers comfort and safe-
ty. Besides, it is a specific rule of the high-
way code.
The headlights must be correctly directed
to ensure the best visibility conditions for
all drivers.
Contact Abarth Dealership to have the
headlights properly adjusted.
Check beam aiming every time the load or
its distribution changes.
IMPORTANT When turning on (Xenon)
gas discharge headlight lamps (for ver-
sions/markets, where provided), it is nor-
mal that there should be a vertical move-
ment of reflectors, and consequently the
same will also happen to the light beam,
for the time required to achieve the cor-
rect headlight trim stabilisation, equal to
approx. 2 seconds.
ROOF RACK/SKI RACK
FASTENERS
The fasteners are located in the area in-
dicated in fig. 55.
To use the front fasteners, remove the cap
A, accessible with the door open. To lo-
cate rear fasteners B, refer to fig. 56.
Lineaccessori provides a specific rack/ski
rack on tailgate.
IMPORTANT Follow the instructions
contained in the assembly kit to the letter.
Assembly must be performed by qualified
personnel.
fig. 55
A
F0S055Ab
After travelling for a few
kilometres, check again that
fastening screws are properly tight-
ened.
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum
allowed load (see “Technical
Specifications”).
Evenly distribute the load and
take into account, when dri-
ving, the increased respon-
siveness of the car to side
wind.
Comply with applicable laws
concerning maximum over-
all dimensions.
WARNING
fig. 56
30 mm
130 mm

F0S056Ab

52
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
BEAM ADJUSTMENT fig. 57
The car is provided with electric adjust-
ment of the beams, operating with ignition
key on MARand low beams on.
The car will slant backwards when it is
loaded, raising the light beam.
In that case, it is necessary to perform
beams adjustment with buttons +and –.
The display provides a visual indication of
the positions during adjustment.
Gas discharge headlights (Xenon head-
lights) are automatically adjusted. The
headlight position is electronic and there-
fore cannot be manually adjusted using the
+and –buttons.AIMING THE FRONT FOG
LIGHTS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Contact Abarth Dealership to have the
headlights properly adjusted.
BEAMS ADJUSTMENT ABROAD
Low beams factory adjustment depends
on the country where the car is pur-
chased. When you travel in countries with
different driving direction, to avoid blind-
ing the drivers who travel in the opposite
direction, it is necessary to cover the ar-
eas of the beam according to the provi-
sions of the Highway Code of the country
where you travel.
fig. 57
M E N UE S C
F0S057Ab
Correct positions depending
on load
Position 0- one or two passengers on
front seats.
Position 1- 4 passengers.
Position 2- 4 passengers + load in the
boot.
Position 3- driver + maximum admitted
load in the boot.

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.

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.

55
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE
CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
Do not take unnecessary
risks, even if your cars fits an
ESP system. Your driving style must
always be suited to the conditions of
the road, visibility and traffic. The dri-
ver is always responsible for road
safety.
WARNING
System intervention
The ESP system is automatically activat-
ed when the car is started and cannot be
de-activated.
Failure indications
In the event of a failure, the ESP system
will be automatically switched off and
warning light
áwill appear on the instru-
ment panel along with a message on the
reconfigurable multifunctional display (for
versions/markets, where provided). Con-
tact Abarth Dealership.HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
It is an integral part of the ESP system and
is automatically activated in the following
conditions:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with
a gradient of more than 2%, engine run-
ning, brake pressed and gearbox in neu-
tral or gear other than reverse engaged;
❒downhill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 2%, engine
running, brake pressed and reverse gear
engaged.
At pickup the ESP system control unit will
keep brake force on wheels until reaching
the torque suitable for starting, or in any
case for max. 2 seconds in order to pass
easily from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator pedal.
After two seconds without starting, the
system will deactivate automatically by re-
leasing gradually the brake force. At re-
leasing, the typical brake disengagement
noise indicating that the car is going to
move will be heard.Failure indications
A failure of the system is indicated by the
turning on warning light áon the instru-
ment panel together with the dedicated
message on the reconfigurable multifunc-
tional display (for versions/markets, where
provided); see section “Warning lights and
messages”.
IMPORTANT The Hill Holder system is
not a parking brake; therefore, never leave
the car without having engaged the hand-
brake, turned the engine off and engaged
the first speed.
If the spare wheel is used,
the ESP system keeps oper-
ating. The spare wheel, being smaller
than the original wheel provides less
grip.
For correct operation of the ESP and
ASR systems, the tyres must ab-
solutely be of the same brand and
type on all wheels, in perfect condi-
tions and, above all, of type, brand
and size specified.
WARNING