2015 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

SAVING FUEL
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Checks and adjustments should be
carried out in accordance with the
"Scheduled Servicing Plan" (see
chapter "Maintenance and care").
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once
every four weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as
resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded
luggage compartment. The weight of
the car and its arrangement greatly
affect fuel consumption and stability.
When transporting particularly large
objects, use a trailer if possible.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof after use. These
accessories lower aerodynamic
penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels.Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the
amount of time needed. The heated
rear window, additional headlights,
screen wipers and heater fan require a
considerable amount of energy;
increasing the current uptake increases
fuel consumption (by up to +25% in
an urban cycle).
Climate control system
Using the climate control system will
increase consumption: use the air vents
when the temperature outside permits.
Devices for
aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and consumption levels.
DRIVING STYLE
Cranking
Do not warm up the engine at low or
high revs when the car is stationary;
this causes the engine to warm up
more slowly, thereby increasing fuel
consumption and emissions. It is
therefore advisable to move off
immediately, slowly, avoiding high
speeds: in this way the engine will
warm up more quickly.Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off the
engine. The latter action, as well as
double-declutching, is unnecessary and
causes increased fuel consumption
and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road
conditions allow it. Using a low gear for
faster acceleration will increase
consumption. In the same way
improper use of a high gear increases
consumption, emissions and engine
wear.
Max. speed
Fuel consumption considerably
increases as speed increases. Maintain
a constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and acceleration,
which cost in terms of both fuel
consumption and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects
consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum
torque.
125

CONDITIONS OF USE
Cold starting
Short journeys and frequent cold starts
do not allow the engine to reach
optimum operating temperature. This
results in a significant increase in
consumption levels (from +15 to +30%
on the urban cycle) and emissions.
Traffic and road
conditions
High fuel consumption is caused by
heavy traffic, for instance when
travelling in a queue with frequent use
of low gears or in cities with many traffic
lights. Winding mountain roads and
rough road surfaces also adversely
affect consumption.
Stops in traffic
During prolonged hold-ups (e.g. level
crossings) switch off the engine.TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
For towing caravans or trailers the car
must be fitted with a certified tow hook
and an adequate electrical system.
Installation should be carried out by
specialised personnel who will issue the
required papers for travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional
door mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, braking
distances increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car
tow hook reduces the car's loading
capacity by the same amount. To make
sure that the maximum towable weight
is not exceeded (given in the car
registration document) account should
be taken of the fully laden trailer,
including accessories and luggage.Respect the speed limits specific to
each country for vehicles towing
trailers.
In any case, the top speed must not
exceed 100 km/h.
101) 102)
WARNING
101) The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the
braking system of the trailer.
Particular caution is therefore
required on slippery surfaces.
102) Never modify the braking
system of the car to control the
trailer brake. The trailer braking
system must be fully independent
of the car’s hydraulic system.
126
STARTING AND DRIVING

SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
standard tyres provided with the car.
An Abarth Dealership will be happy to
provide advice concerning the most
suitable type of tyre for the Customer's
requirements.
103)
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of
snow tyres, follow the instructions given
in the "Wheels" paragraph in the
"Technical specifications" chapter.
The winter features of these tyres are
reduced considerably when the tread
depth is below 4 mm. Replace them in
this case.
Due to the specific characteristics of
snow tyres, in normal weather
conditions or on long motorway
journeys, the performance of these
tyres is lower than that of standard
tyres. Their usage should therefore be
restricted in accordance with their
type approval.IMPORTANT When using snow tyres
with a maximum speed index below the
one that can be reached by the car
(increased by 5%), place a notice in the
passenger compartment, plainly in
view, which states the maximum speed
allowed by the snow tyres (as per EC
Directive).
All four tyres should be the same (brand
and track) to ensure greater safety
when driving and braking as well as a
good manoeuvrability.
Remember that you should not change
the rotation direction of the tyres.
WARNING
103) The max. speed for snow tyres
with "Q" marking is 160 km/h. The
Highway Code speed limits must
however be always strictly
observed.
SNOW CHAINS
The use of snow chains should be in
compliance with local regulations of
each country.
Snow chains can be fitted to the tyres
of the front wheels (drive wheels) only.
Check the tension of the snow chains
after the first few metres have been
driven.
22)
IMPORTANT
22) Keep your speed down when
snow chains are fitted; do not
exceed 50 km/h. Avoid potholes,
steps and pavements and avoid
driving for long distances on
roads not covered with snow to
prevent damaging the car and the
roadbed.
127

CAR INACTIVITY
If the car is to be left inactive for longer
than a month, the following precautions
should be noted:
❒park the car in covered, dry and if
possible well-ventilated premises and
slightly open the windows;
❒check that the handbrake is not
engaged;
❒engage a gear;
❒disconnect the negative battery
terminal and check the battery
charge. Repeat this check once
every three months during storage;
❒if the battery is not disconnected
from the electrical system, check
its state of charge every thirty days;
❒clean and protect the painted parts
using protective wax;
❒clean and protect the shiny metal
parts using special compounds
available commercially;
❒sprinkle talcum powder on the
windscreen and rear window wiper
rubber blades and lift them off the
glass;❒cover the car with a cloth or
perforated plastic sheet. Do not use
compact plastic sheets which do
not allow humidity to evaporate from
the surface of the car;
❒inflate tyres to +0.5 bar above the
standard prescribed pressure and
check it periodically;
❒do not drain the engine cooling
system;
128
STARTING AND DRIVING

IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the 00 800
3428 0000 freephone number to
search the nearest Abarth Authorised
Dealership.STARTING THE ENGINE .................130
"FIX&GO AUTOMATIC" KIT .............131
REPLACING A BULB .....................135
REPLACING AN EXTERIOR BULB ..139
REPLACING AN INTERIOR BULB ...142
REPLACING FUSES........................144
BATTERY RECHARGING ................149
LIFTING THE CAR...........................149
TOWING THE CAR .........................150
129

STARTING THE
ENGINE
If thesymbol on the display turns
on constantly, contact an Abarth
Dealership immediately.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be
started using an auxiliary battery fig.
96 with the same capacity or a little
higher than the flat one.
23)
104)
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
❒connect the positive terminals (+
sign near the terminal) of the two
batteries with a jump lead;❒with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to an earth point
on the
engine or the gearbox of the car
to be started;
❒start the engine;
❒when the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the order
above.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not persist but contact
an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two
batteries: sparks could ignite explosive
gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another
car, prevent accidental contact
between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or coasting downhill.
This could cause fuel to flow into the
catalytic converter and damage it
beyond repair.IMPORTANT Remember that the brake
servo and electric power steering are
not active until the engine is started. A
much greater effort will therefore be
required to use the brake pedal or turn
the steering wheel.
IMPORTANT
23) Never use a fast battery charger
to start the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems
and the ignition and engine supply
control units.
WARNING
104) This procedure must be
performed by qualified personnel
as incorrect actions may cause
high-intensity electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery
and do not cause sparks.96AB0A0078
130
IN AN EMERGENCY

"Fix&Go Automatic"
kit
The kit (see fig. 97) in the luggage
compartment consists of:
❒a spray bottle A with the sealant,
equipped with filling pipe B,
separated by the compressor C;
❒compressor C with pressure gauge,
fitting valve to couple the bottle A,
cable with supply socket D and pipe
N to restore pressure (this is inside
the body as shown);
❒adhesive label under the spray bottle
A, with the message "max. 80 km/h"
to be placed where the driver can
easily see it (for example on the
dashboard) after repairing the tyre;
❒instruction booklet fig. 98, for using
the Fix&Go quickly and correctly;
❒a pair of protective gloves.
24)
105) 106) 107)
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
The sealant of the Fix&Go kit is effective
at external temperatures of between
-20°C and +50°C.
The sealant has an expiry date.
108) 109)
2)
INFLATION PROCEDURE
110)
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake;
❒place the Fix&Go kit close to the tyre
to be repaired;
❒locate the fig. 100 filling pipe B
already connected to the spray bottle
A;
❒open the side lid E then connect the
spray bottle A to the fitting, following
the direction of the arrow;
❒undo the cap of the tyre valve F and
connect the filling pipe B, tightening
the relevant ring nut on the tyre valve;
❒make sure that the switch G fig. 101
is in position0(off), then start the
engine;
❒place the electric plug H fig. 102 in
the cigar lighter socket of the car
(12 V);
97AB0A0079
98AB0A0080
ON
OFF
99AB0A0081
131

❒switch on the compressor, bringing
the switch G to position1(on);
❒inflate the tyre to the pressure
specified (see the "Cold tyre inflation
pressure" paragraph in the "Technical
specifications" chapter).IMPORTANT To get a more precise
reading, it is advisable to check the
value with compressor off.
❒if the pressure does not reach at least
1.5 bar in 5 minutes, switch the
compressor off and disconnect the
filling pipe B from the tyre valve, then
remove the plug H;
❒move the car by about 10 m, to
distribute the sealant inside the tyre,
then inflate again.
IMPORTANT If after this operation it is
still impossible after 5 minutes to reach
at least 1.5 bar, do not start driving
since the tyre is excessively damaged
and the Fix&Go kit cannot guarantee
proper seal; contact an Abarth
Dealership.
❒If the tyre was inflated to the
prescribed pressure, start driving
immediately.
111)
❒after having driven for about 10
minutes, stop, apply the handbrake
and recheck the tyre pressure.
112) 113)
100AB0A0083
101AB0A0084
102AB0A0085
132
IN AN EMERGENCY