2014 FIAT 500 ABARTH Owners Manual

Operating Tips Chart
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 215

Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases,
turning the air conditioning (pressing the A/C button) on
will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control, air
direction, and blower speed to maintain comfort.
As the temperature gets colder, it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield. Adjust the temperature
control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher
blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
Defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
NOTE:Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
216 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Summer Operation
NOTE:In some cases during high temperature opera-
tion, the air conditioning system performance may be
reduced. This is to help protect the engine from overheat-
ing during the high load condition.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use Recir-
culation A/C mode to provide additional comfort while
in automatic mode.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
Vacation Storage
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 using the high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the air conditioning system
is started again.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 217

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................222
▫Manual Transmission...................222
▫Normal Starting.......................222
▫Cold Weather Operation................223
▫Extended Park Starting..................223
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................224
▫After Starting........................224
▫Turbocharger “Cool Down”..............224
!MANUAL TRANSMISSION...............225
▫Five-Speed Manual Transmission...........225
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............226
▫Downshifting........................227
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........227
▫Acceleration.........................227
▫Traction............................228
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............228
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................228
▫Shallow Standing Water.................229
!POWER STEERING.....................230
!PARKING BRAKE......................232
5

!SPORT MODE.........................234
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................235
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .235
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .236
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............237
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............237
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............238
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................238
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........239
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................242
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............243
▫Tire Markings........................243
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........247
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........249
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........250
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........254
▫Tire Pressure........................254
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................255
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .256
▫Radial Ply Tires......................257
▫All Season Tires — If Equipped............258
▫Snow Tires..........................258
▫Summer Or Three Season Tires — If Equipped . .258
▫Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped..................259
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Spinning........................259
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................260
▫Life Of Tire.........................260
▫Replacement Tires.....................261
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......262
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....263
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS)..............................264
▫Base System.........................267
▫General Information...................269
!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................270
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................270
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............271
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......271
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................272
▫Materials Added To Fuel................272
▫Fuel System Cautions...................273
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............274
!ADDING FUEL........................275
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............275
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............276
!TRAILER TOWING.....................276
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................277
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .277
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 221

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock-
ing ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START) position and
release it when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
222 STARTING AND OPERATING