2015 Abarth 500 ESP

Warning lights on
displayWhat it means What to do
amberSERVICE (SCHEDULED SERVICING)
The symbol is shown on the display together with
a dedicated message, with key at MAR-ON,
2,000 km (or equivalent value in miles) before the
following scheduled servicing interval and is
activated again every 200 km (or equivalent value
in miles).Go to an Abarth Dealership, where the operations
of the "Scheduled Servicing Plan" will be
performed and the message will be reset.
whiteSPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED
(for versions/markets, where provided)
When the car exceeds the speed limit set in the
Setup menu (e.g. 120 km/h), a message and a
dedicated symbol are shown on the display.
ENGAGEMENT OF SPORT FUNCTION
The SPORT indication is shown on the analogue
pressure gauge and the instrument panel shows
a dedicated screen when the "SPORT" function is
engaged by pressing the relevant button on the
dashboard (see the "Controls" paragraph in the
"Knowing your car" chapter). The indication
SPORT will switch off when the button is pressed
again.
99

FITTING
"UNIVERSAL" CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(with seat belts)
GROUP 0 and 0+
75)
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
with a rear facing child restraint system
of a type as shown in fig. 79 which,
supporting the head, does not induce
stress on the neck in the event of
sudden decelerations.
The child restraint system is secured by
the car seat belts, as shown in fig. 79
and it must restrain the child in turn
with its own belts.GROUP 1
74) 75)
Children of weight from 9 to 18 kg may
be carried in forward facing child
restraint systems fig. 80.GROUP 2
75)
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the
car seat belts directly fig. 81.
In this case, the child restraint system is
used to position the child correctly
with respect to the seat belts so that
the diagonal belt section crosses the
child’s chest and not the neck, and the
lower part is snug on the pelvis not
the abdomen.
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FRONT AIRBAGS
The front driver/passenger airbags and
the driver's knee bag (for versions/
markets, where provided) protect the
front seat occupants in the event of
frontal impacts of medium/high severity,
by placing the bag between the
occupant and the steering wheel or
dashboard.
Therefore non-activation in other types
of collisions (side impacts, rear shunts,
roll-overs, etc.) does not indicate a
system malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the
bag inflate in the event of a frontal
impact.
The bag will inflate instantaneously
placing itself between the front
occupants body and the structures
which could cause injury. It will deflate
immediately afterwards.
Front airbags are not a replacement of
but complementary to the seat belts,
which you are recommended to always
wear, as specified by law in Europe
and most non-European countries.In the event of an impact, someone not
wearing a seat belt will move forward
and come into contact with the bag
which is still in the opening stage. The
protection offered by the bag is
compromised in these circumstances.
Front airbags may not be activated
in the following situations:
❒frontal impacts against highly
deformable objects not involving the
front surface of the car (e.g. wing
collision against guard rail);
❒jamming of the car underneath other
vehicles or protective barriers (e.g.
underneath a truck or a guard rail)
since the bags would offer no
additional protection with respect to
the seat belt and their deployment
would be inappropriate. In these
cases, non-deployment does not
indicate a system malfunction.
80)
The front airbags (driver, passenger,
driver's knee bags) are designed and
calibrated to protect front seat
passengers wearing seat belts.Their volume at the moment of
maximum inflation fills most of the
space between the steering wheel and
the driver, between the lower steering
column guard and the knees on driver
side and between the dashboard and
the passenger.
The airbags are not deployed in the
event of minor frontal impacts (for
which the restraining action of the seat
belts is sufficient). Seat belts must
always be worn. In the event of frontal
impacts they guarantee correct
positioning of the passenger.
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment in the centre of the
steering wheel fig. 86.
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114
SAFETY

STARTING THE
ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic
engine lock device: if the engine fails to
start, see the paragraph "Fiat CODE
system" in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
The engine may be noisier during the
first few seconds of operation,
especially after a long period of
inactivity. This characteristic feature of
the hydraulic tappet system does
not compromise functionality or
reliability: the system chosen for your
car was designed to limit maintenance
interventions.
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
❒fully press the clutch pedal without
touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating the starting procedure.If, with key at MAR-ON, the
symbol
on the display stays on together with
the
warning light on the instrument
panel, it is advisable to turn the key
to STOP and then back to MAR-ON. If
the warning light remains on, try with
the other keys provided with the car.
Contact an Abarth Dealership if you still
cannot start the engine.
17) 18)
96) 97)
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to wait until the
engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
19)
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to "catch
its breath" before turning it off by letting
it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
20)
IMPORTANT
17) It is advisable not to demand
maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively
intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.
18) When the engine is off, do not
leave the key turned to MAR-ON
to prevent unnecessary electrical
consumption from draining the
battery.
19) 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.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

20) A quick burst on the accelerator
before turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
WARNING
96) It is dangerous to run the engine
in enclosed areas. The engine
takes in oxygen and releases
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
and other toxic gases.
97) 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.
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
❒engage a gear (first gear if parked
uphill or reverse if facing downhill)
and leave the wheels turned.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
Do not leave the ignition key on
MAR-ON to avoid draining the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car.
98)
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever fig. 94 is located
between the two front seats.To use the handbrake pull the lever
upwards until the car cannot be moved.
99)
When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
will
come on.
Proceed as follows to release the
handbrake:
❒slightly lift the lever and press release
button A fig. 94;
❒keep button A pressed and lower the
lever. The
warning light in the
instrument panel will switch off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying
out this operation to prevent the car
from moving accidentally.
WARNING
98) Never leave children unattended
in the car. Always remove the
ignition key when leaving the car
and take it out with you.
99) The car should be braked after a
few clicks of the lever. If it is not,
contact an Abarth Dealership
to have it adjusted.
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123

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

REPLACING A BULB
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
❒Before replacing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
❒burnt bulbs must be replaced by
others of the same type and power;
❒always check the headlight beam
alignment after replacing a bulb;
❒when a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before replacing a bulb. For the
location of fuses, refer to the
paragraph "Replacing fuses" in this
chapter.
114) 115)
25) 26)
IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is
a natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside
of the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges.
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WARNING
114) Changes or repairs to the electrical system carried out incorrectly and without due consideration for the technical
specifications of the system may lead to malfunctioning and generate a fire hazard.
115) Halogen bulbs contain pressurised gas. If they break, glass fragments could fly everywhere.
IMPORTANT
25) Halogen bulbs must be handled by holding the metallic part only. Touching the transparent part of the bulb with
your fingers may reduce the intensity of the emitted light and even reduce the lifespan of the bulb. In the event of
accidental contact, wipe the bulb with a cloth moistened with alcohol and let the bulb dry.
26) Where possible, it is advisable to have bulbs changed at an Abarth Dealership. The correct operation and alignment
of the external lights are absolutely essential for the safety of the car and of compliance with the law.
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IN AN EMERGENCY