2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH Starting in cold weather

WARNING!
•Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
Do not use the recirculation mode.
Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
•Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating
positions
•Advanced Front Air Bags for driver and front passen-
ger
•Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag
•Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains
(SABIC) for the driver and passengers seated next to a
window
•Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
•Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
•Front seat belts incorporate pretensioners that may
enhance occupant protection by managing occupant
energy during an impact event
•All seat belt systems (except the driver’s) include
Automatic Locking Retractors (ALRs), which lock the
seat belt webbing into position by extending the belt
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 196
▫ Manual Transmission ................. 196
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 196
▫ Cold Weather Operation ............... 197
▫ Extended Park Starting ................ 197
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 198
▫ After Starting ....................... 198
▫ Turbocharger “Cool Down” ............. 198
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 199
▫ Acceleration ........................ 199
▫ Traction ........................... 199
 Driving Through Water ................. 200
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 200
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 200
 Power Steering ....................... 202
 Parking Brake ........................ 202
 Sport Mode .......................... 204
5

Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized dealer.
The messageplug in engine heater will be displayed in
the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is
below 5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a
reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start.CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-40 synthetic en-
gine oil and adhering to the prescribed oil change
intervals is important to prevent engine damage and
ensure satisfactory starting in cold conditions.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE: Extended Park condition occurs when the ve-
hicle has not been started or driven for at least 35 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery
to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it when the engine starts.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 197

Sport Mode............................ 204
Starting ............................... 196
Cold Weather ....................... 197
Engine Fails to Start .................. 198
Manual Transmission .................. 196
Steering Power ............................ 202
Tilt Column ........................ 100
Wheel, Tilt ......................... 100
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 177
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls .............................. 177
Storage ............................... 310
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 191,310
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 310
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 270
Sun Roof .............................. 109
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 37Tachometer
............................ 135
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 184
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......133,249
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 57
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 100
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 219
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 217
Tire Markings .......................... 214
Tire Safety Information .................... 214
TIREFIT .............................. 249
Tires ............................ 68,223,337
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 229
Air Pressure ........................ 223
Chains ............................ 232
Changing .......................... 259
General Information .................. 223
High Speed ......................... 225
Inflation Pressures .................... 224
Jacking ............................ 259
352 INDEX