2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH Owners Manual

WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain, or emit, chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects, or other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain
products of component wear contain, or emit, chemi-
cals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
See the Warranty Information Booklet, located on the
DVD, for the terms and provisions of FIAT Group
Automobiles warranties applicable to this vehicle and
market.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS
In the 50 United States and Washington, D.C.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could
cause a crash or cause injury or death, you should
immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying the
manufacturer.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in
a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your authorized
dealer, and the manufacturer.
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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 335

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll free at 1–888–327–4236 (TTY: 1–800–424–
9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
West Building, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also
obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
In Canada
If you believe that your vehicle has a safety defect, you
should contact the Customer Service Department imme-
diately. Canadian customers who wish to report a safety
defect to the Canadian government should contact Trans-
port Canada, Motor Vehicle Defect Investigations and
Recalls at 1-800-333-0510 or go to
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS
To order the following manuals, you may use either the
website or the phone numbers listed below. Visa, Mas-
tercard, American Express, and Discover orders are ac-
cepted. If you prefer mailing your payment, please call
for an order form.
NOTE:A street address is required when ordering
manuals (no P.O. Boxes).
•Service Manuals
These comprehensive Service Manuals provide the
information that students and professional technicians
need in diagnosing/troubleshooting, problem solving,
maintaining, servicing, and repairing FIAT Group
Automobiles vehicles. A complete working knowledge
of the vehicle, system, and/or components is written
in straightforward language with illustrations, dia-
grams, and charts.
336 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

•Diagnostic Procedure Manuals
Diagnostic Procedure Manuals are filled with dia-
grams, charts and detailed illustrations. These practi-
cal manuals make it easy for students and technicians
to find and fix problems on computer-controlled ve-
hicle systems and features. They show exactly how to
find and correct problems the first time, using step-by-
step troubleshooting and drivability procedures,
proven diagnostic tests and a complete list of all tools
and equipment.
•Owner’s Manuals
These Owner’s Manuals have been prepared with the
assistance of service and engineering specialists to
acquaint you with specific FIAT Group Automobiles
vehicles. Included are starting, operating, emergency
and maintenance procedures as well as specifications,
capabilities and safety tips.Call toll free at:
•1–800–890–4038 (U.S.)
•1–800–387–1143 (Canada)
Or
Visit us on the Worldwide Web at:
•www.techauthority.com
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 337

Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat, when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance, which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
338 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 339

INDEX
10

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