2015 Abarth 500 warning light

SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The belt should be worn keeping the
torso straight and rested against the
backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold the
tongue A fig. 75 and insert it into the
buckle B fig. 75, until it clicks into
place.
On removal, if the seat belt jams, let it
rewind for a short stretch, then pull
it out again without jerking.
Press button C fig. 75 to release the
belt.
Guide the belt while it is rewinding to
prevent it from twisting. Through the
retractor, the belt automatically adapts
to the body of the passenger wearing it,
allowing freedom of movement.The retractor may lock when the car is
parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the
retractor mechanism locks the belt if it
is pulled sharply or in the event of
sudden braking, collisions or
high-speed bends.
65) 66)
The rear seat is fitted with inertia seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
WARNING
65) Do not press button C when
travelling.
66) Remember that in the event of
an accident, the rear seat
passengers not wearing seat belts
are exposed to a very serious
risk and also represent a serious
danger for the front seat
occupants.
SBR (Seat Belt
Reminder) SYSTEM
IN BRIEF
This system comprises an acoustic
warning which, in conjunction with
the
warning light flashing on the
instrument panel, advises the driver if
their seat belt has not been fastened.
For long-term deactivation of the
SBR system, contact an Abarth
Dealership.
The acoustic warning can be
reactivated at any time through the
Setup menu (see "Menu items"
paragraph in "Knowing the
instrument panel" chapter).
The system warns the driver and the
front passenger if their seat belt is
not fastened, as follows:
❒warning light
switched on
constantly and continuous acoustic
signal for the first 6 seconds;
❒warning light
flashing and
intermittent acoustic signal for the
first next 96 seconds.
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SAFETY

All restraint devices must bear the
certification data, together with the
control mark, on a label solidly fixed to
the child restraint system which must
never be removed.
Lineaccessori Abarth offers child
restraint systems for each weight
group. These devices are
recommended having been specifically
designed for Abarth cars.
WARNING
71) SEVERE DANGER. When an
active passenger airbag is fitted,
DO NOT install rear facing child
restraint systems on the front
seat. Deployment of the airbag in
an accident could cause fatal
injuries to the child regardless of
the severity of the impact. It is
advisable to always carry children
in a child restraint system on the
rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of
an impact.72) On the sun visor there is a label
with suitable symbols reminding
the user that it is compulsory
to deactivate the airbag if a rear
facing child restraint system is
fitted. Always comply with the
instructions on the passenger side
sun visor (see the "Front airbags"
paragraph).
73) On the sun visor there is a label
with suitable symbols
remembering that it is compulsory
to deactivate the airbag if a rear
facing child restraint system is
fitted. Always comply with the
instructions on the passenger side
sun visor (see the "Front airbags"
paragraph).
IMPORTANT
16) If necessary, children can stay
on the front seat, only if the
passenger's front airbag can be
disabled. In this case, check that
the airbag is actually deactivated
by making sure the warning light
appears on the instrument panel
(see "Passenger side front airbag"
in the "Front airbags" paragraph).
The passenger seat must also
be positioned back as far as
possible in order to avoid the child
restraint system from coming
into contact with the dashboard.
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SAFETY

Main recommendations
to carry children safely
❒Install the child restraint systems
on the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of an
impact.
❒Keep children in rear facing child
restraint systems for as long as
possible, at least until 2 years old.
❒Should a rear facing child restraint
system be installed on the rear seats,
it is advisable to position it as far
forward as the position of the front
seat allows.
❒If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the
permanent switching on of the
warning light to make sure that it
has actually been deactivated.
❒Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the child restraint
system itself. Keep the instructions in
the car along with the other
documents and this handbook. Do
not use second-hand child restraint
systems without instructions.
❒Only one child is to be strapped into
each restraint system; never carry
two children simultaneously.
❒Always check that the seat belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.❒Always check that the seat belt is
well fastened by pulling on it.
❒While travelling, do not let the child sit
incorrectly or unfasten the belts.
❒Never allow a child to put the belt's
diagonal section under an arm or
behind their back.
❒Never carry children on your lap,
even newborns. No-one can restrain
a child in the event of an accident.
❒In the event of an accident, replace
the child restraint system with a
new one.
WARNING
76) The figure is indicative for fitting
purposes only. Fit the child
restraint system according to the
instructions, which must be
included.
77) If a Universal Isofix child
restraint system is not fixed to all
three anchorages, it will not be
able to protect the child correctly.
In a crash, the child could be
seriously or fatally injured.
78) Fit the child restraint system only
when the car is stationary. The
child restraint system is correctly
secured to the brackets when
you hear the click. Follow the
instructions for assembly,
disassembly and positioning that
the manufacturer must supply
with the child restraint system.
79) Fit the child restraint system
according to the instructions,
which must be included.
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PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment in the dashboard fig. 87:
this bag has a larger volume than
that of the driver's.
81)
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG AND CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
82)
ALWAYScomply with the instructions
on the label stuck on the passenger
side sun visor (fig. 88.DEACTIVATING THE
PASSENGER SIDE
AIRBAGS: FRONT
AIRBAG AND FRONT
SIDE BAG
83)
If a child must be carried on the front
seat in a rear facing child restraint
system, deactivate the passenger side
front airbag and front side bag.
Warning light A fig. 89 will stay on
constantly until the passenger side front
airbag and the front side bag are
reactivated.
IMPORTANT To manually deactivate the
passenger side front airbag and the
front side bag, see paragraph "Menu
items" in the "Knowing the instrument
panel" chapter.DRIVER SIDE KNEE BAG
It consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment under the lower steering
column guard fig. 90 at driver's knee
level. It provides further protection
to the driver in the event of a frontal
impact.
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115

WARNING
80) Do not apply stickers or other objects on the steering wheel, on the dashboard in the passenger side airbag area, on
the side cover on the roof and on the seats. Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger's side
dashboard since they could interfere with correct inflation of the airbag and also cause serious injury to the
passengers.
81) SEVERE DANGER: when an active passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear facing child restraint systems on
the front seat. Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause fatal injuries to the child regardless of the
severity of the impact. Therefore, always deactivate the passenger side airbag when a rear facing child restraint
system is installed on the front passenger seat. The front passenger seat must also be positioned back as far
as possible in order to prevent the child restraint system from coming into contact with the dashboard. Immediately
reactivate the passenger airbag as soon as the child restraint system has been removed.
82) When an active passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install rear facing child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause fatal injuries to the child regardless of the severity of the
impact.
83) Warning light
indicates fault of warning light. This condition is indicated by intermittent blinking of warning
light
for longer than 4 seconds. In this case, thewarning light may not indicate a fault in the restraint systems.
Before driving off, contact an Abarth Dealership to have the system checked immediately.
117

IMPORTANT The front airbags and/or
side bags may be deployed if the car is
subject to heavy knocks or accidents
involving the underbody area, such
as for example violent shocks against
steps, pavements or low obstacles, the
car falling in big holes or dips in the
road.
IMPORTANT A small amount of dust
will be released when the airbags
are deployed. The dust is not harmful
and does not indicate the beginning of
a fire. Furthermore, the surface of the
deployed bag and the interior of the car
may be covered by a dusty residue:
this may irritate skin and eyes. Wash
with mild soap and water in the event of
exposure.IMPORTANT Should an accident occur
in which any of the safety devices are
activated, take the vehicle to an Abarth
Dealership to have the activated
devices replaced and to have the whole
system checked.
Every control, repair and replacement
operation concerning the airbags must
only be carried out at an Abarth
Dealership. If the car is scrapped, have
the system deactivated at an Abarth
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Pretensioners, front
airbags and side bags are deployed
according to different logics on the
basis of the type of collision. Failure to
deploy of one of the devices does
not necessarily indicate a system
malfunction.
84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89) 90) 91) 92) 93) 94) 95)
WARNING
84) Do not rest your head, arms or
elbows on the door, windows or
in the window bag area to prevent
injury during deployment.
85) Never lean your head, arms and
elbows out of the window.
86) If, when turning the key to
MAR-ON, the
warning light
does not turn on or if it stays on
when travelling, there could be
a fault in the restraint systems; in
this event airbags or
pretensioners may not be
deployed in the event of impact
or, in a lower number of cases,
they may deploy accidentally.
Before driving off, contact
an Abarth Dealership to have the
system checked immediately.
87) Do not cover the front seat
backrests with extra covers if they
are equipped with side bags.
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88) Always drive keeping your hands
on the steering wheel rim so that
the airbag can inflate freely if
necessary. Do not drive with your
body bent forward. Keep your
back straight against the
backrest.
89) If the car has been subject to
theft, attempted theft, vandalism,
or flooding, have the airbag
system inspected at an Abarth
Dealership.90) Airbags may be deployed if
another vehicle crashes into the
car, if the key is inserted and
at MAR-ON even if the engine is
not running and the car is
stationary. Therefore, even if the
car is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted,
DO NOT install rear facing child
restraint systems on the front
passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag following an impact
could cause fatal injuries to the
child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger airbag
when a rear facing child restraint
system is installed on the front
passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be
positioned back as far as possible
in order to prevent the child
restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the
child restraint system has been
removed. Also remember that,
if the key is turned to STOP, none
of the safety devices (airbags or
pretensioners) will be deployed in
the event of collision. Non-
deployment in such cases does
not indicate a system malfunction.91) When the ignition key is turned
to MAR-ON, the
warning light
turns on and flashes for a few
seconds to remind you that the
passenger's airbag will be
deployed in a crash, after which it
should switch off.
92) Do not wash the seats with
water or pressurised steam (wash
by hand or at automatic car seat
washing stations).
93) The front airbag deployment
threshold is higher than that of
the pretensioners. For collisions in
the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only
the pretensioners to be activated.
94) Do not affix rigid objects to the
coat hooks or support handles.
95) The airbag does not replace seat
belts but increases their
effectiveness. Furthermore, since
front airbags are not deployed
in low-speed frontal impacts, side
impacts, rear shunts or roll-overs,
the passengers are protected
only by the seat belts which must
therefore be fastened at all times.
120
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