2012 FIAT 500 ABARTH Tire pressure

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts
and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the tires for
proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Failure Indications
A malfunction of the Rear Park Assist sensors or system
is indicated, during REVERSE gear engagement, by the
instrument panel warning icon.The warning icon is illuminated and a message
is displayed on the multifunction display (if
equipped). Refer to “Instrument Cluster De-
scriptions” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
The sensors and wiring are tested continuously when the
ignition is in the ON/RUN position. Failures are indi-
cated immediately if they occur when the system is ON.
Even if the system is able to identify that a specific sensor
is in failure condition, the instrument cluster display
shall indicate that the Rear Park Assist system is unavail-
able, without reference to the sensor in failure condition.
If even a single sensor fails, the entire system must be
disabled. The system is turned off automatically.
Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System
Clean the Rear Park Assist sensors with water, car wash
soap and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths. In
washing stations, clean sensors quickly keeping the va-
por jet/high pressure washing nozzles at least 4 in
(10 cm) from the sensors. Do not scratch or poke the
sensors. Otherwise, you could damage the sensors.
Park Assist System Usage Precautions
NOTE:
•Ensure that the outer surface and the underside of the
rear bumper is clean and clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt
or other obstruction to keep the Rear Park Assist
system operating properly.
•Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations could
affect the performance of Rear Park Assist.
•Clean the Rear Park Assist sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system light remains on, it means that the
vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See an autho-
rized dealer.
If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump Starting
Procedures” in “What To Do In Emergencies”.
13. Power Steering System WarningThis light is used to manage the electrical
warning of the EPS (Power Steering System).
Refer to “Power Steering” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
14. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected, the light will come on
while the engine is running. Cycle the ignition
key when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is placed in the NEUTRAL position. The light
should turn off. If the light remains lit with the engine
running, your vehicle will usually be drivable; however,
see an authorized dealer for service as soon as possible. If
the light is flashing when the engine is running, imme-
diate service is required and you may experience reduced
performance, an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and
your vehicle may require towing. The light will come on
when the ignition is first turned to ON/RUN and remain
on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not come on
during starting, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
15. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 127

vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
128 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
16. Automatic Gearbox Failure This light will illuminate when there is an
automatic transmission fault. 17. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the engine
is started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
chime will sound for four minutes when this light turns
on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not indicate how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
18. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBDII, that
monitors engine and automatic transmission con-
trol systems. The light will illuminate when the key is in
the ON/RUN position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the key from OFF/LOCK
to ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129

Values Displayed
Range
This indicates the distance which may be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank, assuming that driving
conditions will not change. The message “----” will
appear on the display in the following cases:
•Distance less than 30 miles (or 50 km).
•The vehicle is parked for a long time with the engine
running.
NOTE: The range depends on several factors: driving
style, type of route (freeway, residential, mountain roads,
etc.), conditions of use of the car (load, tire pressure, etc.).
Trip planning must take into account the above notes.
Distance Travelled
This value shows the distance covered since the last reset.
Average Consumption
This value shows the approximate average consumption
since the last reset.
Instant Consumption
This indicates the fuel consumption. The value is con-
stantly updated. The message “----” will appear on the
display if the car is parked with the engine running.
Average Speed
This value shows the vehicle’s average speed as a func-
tion of the overall time elapsed since the last reset.
Travel Time
This value shows the time elapsed since the last reset.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141

Brake System ........................ 205
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . 205
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 207
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 207
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 207
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 208
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 209
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 210
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 212
 Tire Safety Information ................. 214
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 214
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 217▫
Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 218
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 219
 Tires — General Information ............. 223
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 223
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 224
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 225
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 226
▫ All Season Tires — If Equipped .......... 226
▫ Snow Tires ......................... 226
▫ Summer Or Three Season Tires — If
Equipped .......................... 227
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel — If Equipped ............. 227
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 228
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▫Tread Wear Indicators ................. 229
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 229
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 230
 Tire Chains .......................... 232
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 232
 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..... 233
▫ Base System ........................ 236
▫ General Information .................. 238
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 238
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 239
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 239
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 240▫
MMT In Gasoline .................... 240
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 241
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 241
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 242
 Adding Fuel ......................... 243
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 243
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 245
 Trailer Towing ........................ 245
 Recreational Towing (Behind
Motorhome, Etc.) ...................... 245
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind
Another Vehicle ..................... 245
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