2011 Abarth 500 brake fluid

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.

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
WW W
A A
R R
N N
I I
N N
G G
L L
I I
G G
H H
T T
S S
A A
N N
D D
M M
E E
S S
S S
A A
G G
E E
S S

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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126
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
Thousands of kilometres
Check rear disk brake pad conditions and wear
Replace the air filter cartridge
Top up fluids (engine coolant,
brakes, windscreen washer, battery, etc.)
Check the conditions of the distribution control toothed belt
Replace the distribution control toothed belt (*)
Replace the spark plugs (❍)
Check engine control system operation
(through diagnosis socket)
Check the mechanical gearbox oil level
Change engine oil and replace oil filter (or every 24 months)
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months)
Change the pollen filter (or anyway every year)
Check emissions at the exhaust
(*) Regardless of the km covered, the timing belt shall be replaced every 4 years for particularly demanding use (cold climates,
driving in the city, idling for a long time) or in any case every 5 years
If the car is mainly used for driving in the city, and in any case with an annual mileage of below 10,000 km, change
engine oil and filter every 12 months.
(❍) In order to ensure correct efficiency and avoid damaging the engine, it is necessary to:
- exclusively use certified spark plugs specific for the 1.4 TB BZ Abarth engines. All candles to be fitted must be
of the same type and same manufacturer (see recommendations reported in the “Engine” paragraph);
- strictly respect the candles’ Scheduled Maintenance Plan;
- it is recommended to apply to Abarth Dealership.

127
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
DEMANDING
USE OF THE CAR
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy con-
ditions:
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external tempera-
tures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving or in case of
a long term inactivity;
❒in cities;
perform the following inspections more
frequently than shown on the Service
Schedule:
❒check front/rear disc brake pad con-
dition and wear;
❒check cleanness of bonnet and boot
locks and lever cleanness and lubrica-
tion;
❒visually inspect the conditions of: en-
gine, gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber
parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒inspect the battery charge and fluid
level (electrolyte) (refer to the para-
graph “Battery - Inspection of the bat-
tery charge and of the electrolyte lev-
el” in this chapter);
❒visual check on various drive belt con-
ditions;
❒check and if necessary replace the
pollen filter; in particular it shall be re-
placed if a decrease in the air flow in-
to the passenger comportment is de-
tected;
❒check air cleaner and replace, if re-
quired.
REGULAR
INSPECTIONS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys,
check and top up if required:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions;
❒operation of lights (headlights, direc-
tion indicators, hazard lights, etc.);
❒operation of the windscreen wiper/
washer system, position and wear of
the windscreen and rear window
wiper blades;
Every 3,000 km check the following and
top-up, if required: engine oil level.
You are recommended to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTSproducts, designed and
produced specifically for Abarth cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Technical
specifications”).

128
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
CHECKING FLUID
LEVELS
A.Engine oil filler
B.Engine oil level dispstick
C.Engine coolant
D.Windscreen washer fluid
E.Brake fluid
F.Battery
fig. 1 Never smoke while working
in the engine compartment.
there might be flammable gases and
vapours, with fire hazards.
WARNING
When topping up, pay atten-
tion not to confuse the vari-
ous types of fluids: they are all
reciprocally incompatible and
may severely damage your car.
B
A
D
CE
F
F0S117Ab

131
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
BRAKE FLUID fig. 1
Release cap E:check that the liquid con-
tained in the tank is at the maximum level.
Fluid level in the reservoir must not ex-
ceed the MAXmark.
Use the brake fluid shown in the “Fluids
and lubricants” table (see “Technical Spec-
ifications”).
NOTE Carefully clean the cap of reservoir
Eand the surrounding surface.
When opening the cap, make sure that no
dirt gets into the reservoir.
For topping up always use a funnel with
built-in filter (mesh smaller than or equal
to 0.12 mm).
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is hygroscopic
(i.e. it absorbs moisture). For this reason,
if the car is mainly used in areas with a high
degree of atmospheric humidity, the fluid
should be replaced at more frequent in-
tervals than specified in the “Service
schedule”.Prevent brake fluid which is
highly corrosive from coming
into contact with painted
parts. Should that occur, im-
mediately wash with water.
The brake fluid is poisonous
and highly corrosive. In the
case of accidental contact, wash the
parts with water and mild soap and
rinse with plenty of water. In case of
swallowing immediately call a doctor.
WARNING
The symbol π, on the con-
tainer indicates a synthetic
brake fluid, which is different from a
mineral fluid. Use of a mineral type
fluid will damage the special rubber
seals of the braking system beyond re-
pair.
WARNING

135
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
YOUR CAR
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
RUBBER HOSES
As far as the brake system and fuel rubber
hoses are concerned, carefully follow the
“Service schedule” in this section.
Ozone, high temperatures and prolonged
lack of fluid in the system may cause hard-
ening and cracking of the hoses, with pos-
sible leaks. Careful inspections are there-
fore necessary.
❒a tyre will age even if it is not used
much. Cracks in the tread and on the
sidewalls are a sign of ageing. Have the
tyres checked by specialised personnel
if they have been fitted for longer than
6 years;
❒In the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of dubious
origin;
❒If a tyre is changed, also change the in-
flation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to change
them over every 10-15 thousand kilo-
metres, keeping them on the same side
of the car so as not to reverse the di-
rection of rotation.
Remember that the road
holding qualities of your car
also depends on the correct inflation
pressure of the tyres.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the
tyre will get overheated, with
the risk of serious damages.
WARNING
Avoid moving the tyres from
the right side of the vehicle
to the left side and vice versa.
WARNING
Do not repaint alloy wheel
rims at temperatures higher
than 150°C. The mechanical charac-
teristics of the wheels might be dis-
rupted.
WARNING