2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH air conditioning

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components which
may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
•Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer or qualified
repair center.
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, or air conditioning. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. If a flush is needed because of compo-
nent malfunction, use only the specified fluid for
the flushing procedure.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 279

Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air conditioning
system as the chemicals can damage your air condi-
tioning components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Warranty Information Book, located on the DVD,
for further warranty information.
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced repairman.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 285

Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a air conditioning refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealers or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
sealers, stop leak products, seal conditioners, compressor
oil, or refrigerants.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be lubri-
cated periodically with a lithium-based grease, such as
MOPAR Spray White Lube or equivalent to assure
quiet, easy operation and to protect against rust and
wear. Prior to the application of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be wiped clean to remove dust and
grit; after lubricating excess oil and grease should be
removed. Particular attention should also be given to
hood latching components to ensure proper function.
When performing other underhood services, the hood
latch, release mechanism and safety catch should be
cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as MOPAR
Lock Cylinder Lubricant or equivalent directly into the
lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild, nonabrasive cleaner or use the washer solvent. This
will remove accumulations of salt, waxes or road film
and help reduce streaking and smearing.
286 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% OAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum) and
distilled water for proper corrosion protection of your
engine which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Maxi Fuse Mini Fuse DescriptionF08 30 Amp Green Blower Motor
F09 10 Amp RedPowertrain
F10 10 Amp RedHorn
F11 15 Amp BluePowertrain
F11 10 Amp
Red Powertrain (Multi-
air – If Equipped)
F14 5 Amp Tan High beam (Shut-
ter)
F15 15 Amp
Blue Cigar Lighter
F16 7.5 Amp
Brown TransmissionCavity Maxi Fuse Mini Fuse Description
F17 25 Amp
White Powertrain (Multi-
air – If Equipped)
F17 15 Amp
Blue Powertrain
F18 15 Amp
Blue Powertrain
F18 5 Amp Tan Powertrain (Multi-
air – If Equipped)
F19 7.5 Amp
Brown Air Conditioning
F20 15 Amp
Blue Heated Seats – If
Equipped
F21 15 Amp
Blue Fuel Pump
F23 20 Amp
Yellow Anti-Lock Brake
Valves
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 309

Cavity Maxi Fuse Mini Fuse DescriptionF24 7.5 Amp
Brown Stability Control
System
F30 15 Amp
Blue Fog Lamps
F82 30 Amp Green Sunroof/
Convertible Top
F84 10 Amp
Red Transmission
F85 15 Amp
Blue Rear Defroster,
Heated Mirrors
F87 5 Amp Tan Lights
F90 5 Amp Tan Heated Mirrors
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you are leaving your vehicle dormant for more than
21 days, you may want to take these steps to protect your
battery.
•Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
•Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
REPLACEMENT BULBS
Interior Lights Bulb Type
Overhead Lamp ........................ C5W
Courtesy Lamp ........................ W5W
310 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze).......... 293
Adding Fuel ........................... 243
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 289
Additives, Fuel ......................... 241
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 282
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 285
Air Conditioning ........................ 180
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 180
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............285,286
Air Conditioning System .............180,184,285
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 190
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 224
Airbag .............................. 37,46
Airbag Deployment ....................... 49
Airbag Light ..................... 44,52,66,126
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 51
Airbag, Side ........................ 40,43,46
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........41,43,46
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
.............. 205
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 132
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........292,314,315
Capacities .......................... 314
Disposal ........................... 295
Appearance Care ........................ 300
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 72
Automatic Door Locks ..................... 21
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 184
Automatic Transaxle ...................... 11
B-Pillar Location ........................ 219
Battery ............................... 283
Jump Starting ....................... 266
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 17
Belts, Seat .............................. 66
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 286
Brake Assist System ...................... 207
Brake Fluid ............................ 316
342 INDEX