2015 Abarth 500 engine

ENGINE OIL
30)
3)
Check the oil level a few minutes (about
five) after the engine has stopped,
with the car parked on level ground.
Take out the engine oil dipstick B, clean
it with a lint-free cloth and reinsert it.
Extract the engine oil dipstick again and
check that the level is between the
MIN and MAX marks on the dipstick.
The range between the MIN and MAX
marks corresponds to about 1 litre
of oil.
If the oil level is near or under the MIN
mark, add oil through the filler A until
it reaches the MAX mark.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX mark.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption
is usually 400 grams every 1,000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to be run in; therefore the engine oil
consumption can only be considered
stabilised after the first 5,000 -
6,000 km.IMPORTANT The oil consumption
depends on driving style and the
conditions under which the car is used.
IMPORTANT After adding or changing
the oil, let the engine run for a few
seconds and wait a few minutes after
switching it off before checking the
level.
ENGINE COOLANT
The coolant level must be checked
when the engine is cold and must
range between the MIN and MAX
marks on the reservoir.
If the level is too low, unscrew reservoir
cap C fig. 128 and add the fluid
described in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
31)
132)
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
Check fluid level through the reservoir.
If the level is too low, lift reservoir cap D
fig. 128 and add the fluid described in
the "Technical specifications" chapter.
After topping up, close cap D, making
sure it is correctly locked.BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid is at the maximum
level (the fluid level in the reservoir
must not exceed the MAX mark).
If the fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, undo reservoir cap E fig. 128 and
add the fluid described in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
134) 135)
32)
IMPORTANT Carefully clean the cap of
the reservoir E and the surrounding
surface.
Take great care to ensure that
impurities do not enter the reservoir
when the cap is opened.
For topping-up, always use a funnel
with integrated filter with mesh equal to
or lower than 0.12 mm.
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is hygroscopic
(i.e. it absorbs moisture). For this
reason, if the car is mainly used in areas
with a high degree of atmospheric
humidity, the fluid must be replaced at
more frequent intervals than specified in
the "Scheduled Servicing Plan".
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT
29) When topping up, take care not
to mix up the various types of
fluids: they are not compatible
with each other and could
seriously damage the car.
30) Do not add oil with specifications
other than those of the oil already
in the engine.
31) PARAFLU
UPanti-freeze is used
in the engine cooling system. Use
the same fluid as in the cooling
system when topping up.
PARAFLU
UPcannot be mixed with
any other type of fluid. If this
happens, do not start the engine
under any circumstances and
contact an Abarth Dealership.
32) Avoid allowing brake fluid, which
is extremely corrosive, to come
into contact with painted areas.
Should it happen, wash
immediately with water.
IMPORTANT
3) Used engine oil and oil filters
contain substances which are
harmful to the environment. You
are advised to go to an Abarth
Dealership to have the oil and
filters changed.
WARNING
130) Never smoke while working in
the engine compartment: gas
and flammable vapours may be
present, with the risk of fire.
131) Be very careful when working in
the engine compartment when
the engine is hot: you may get
burned. Remember that the fan
may start up if the engine is hot:
this could injure you. Scarves, ties
and other loose clothing may be
pulled by moving parts.132) The cooling system is
pressurised. If necessary, only
replace the cap with another
original one or the operation of
the system may be adversely
affected. Do not remove the
reservoir cap when the engine is
hot: risk of burns.
133) Do not travel with the
windscreen washer reservoir
empty: the windscreen washer is
essential for improving visibility.
Some commercial windscreen
washer additives are flammable.
The engine compartment contains
hot components which may set it
on fire.
134) Brake fluid is poisonous and
highly corrosive. In the event of
accidental contact, immediately
wash the affected parts with
water and mild soap. Then rinse
thoroughly. Call a doctor
immediately if swallowed.
135) The
symbol on the reservoir
identifies synthetic brake fluids,
distinguishing them from the
mineral type. Use of a mineral
type fluid will damage the special
rubber seals of the braking
system beyond repair.
161

AIR CLEANER/
POLLEN FILTER
For filter replacement, contact an
Abarth Dealership.
BATTERY
The car is fitted with a low-maintenance
battery: no electrolyte top-ups with
distilled water are needed in standard
conditions of use.
INSPECTING THE
CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
The operations must be carried out as
described in this Owner Handbook only
by specialised personnel. Any top-up
operations must be carried out by
skilled personnel and by an Abarth
Dealership.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
136) 137) 138) 139)
33)
4)
If required, replace the battery with an
original spare part with the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the "Scheduled Servicing Plan" will no
longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer's
instructions for maintenance.USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
❒when you park the car, ensure that
the doors, tailgate and bonnet are
closed properly, to prevent any lights
from remaining on inside the
passenger compartment;
❒switch off all roof lights inside the car:
the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all interior
lights off automatically;
❒do not keep accessories (e.g. radio,
hazard warning lights, etc.) switched
on for a long time when the engine
is not running;
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect
the negative battery pole;
❒completely tighten the battery
terminals.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (this can happen as early as
-10°C). Refer to the paragraph "Car
inactivity" in "Starting and driving" if the
car is left parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to
install electrical accessories that require
permanent electrical supply (alarm,
etc.) or accessories that in any case
burden the electrical supply, contact an
Abarth Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices available in
Lineaccessori Abarth, will evaluate the
overall electric consumption, checking
whether the car’s electrical system is
capable of withstanding the load
required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices continue
to consume electricity even when
the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
WARNING
136) Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with
skin and eyes. Keep naked flames
and sources of sparks away from
the battery: risk of explosion and
fire.
137) Running the battery with an
excessively low fluid level will
damage the battery beyond repair
and could even cause its
explosion.
138) If the vehicle must remain
unused for a long time at a very
low temperature, remove the
battery and take it to a warm
place, to avoid freezing.
139) When performing any operation
on the battery or near it, always
protect your eyes with special
goggles.
IMPORTANT
33) Incorrect assembly of electrical
and electronic accessories may
cause severe damage to your car.
Go to an Abarth Dealership if
you want to install accessories
(anti-theft system,
radiotelephone, etc.): they will
suggest the most suitable devices
and advise you whether a higher
capacity battery needs to be
installed.
IMPORTANT
4) Batteries contain substances
which are very dangerous for the
environment. It is advisable to
contact an Abarth Dealership for
battery replacement.
163

BODYWORK
PROTECTION AGAINST
ATMOSPHERIC AGENTS
The main causes of corrosion are the
following:
❒atmospheric pollution
❒salty air and humidity (coastal areas,
or hot humid climates);
❒seasonal environmental conditions.
The abrasive action of wind-borne
atmospheric dust and sand, as well as
mud and gravel raised by other vehicles
is also not to be underestimated.
Abarth has used the best
manufacturing technologies on your car
to effectively protect the bodywork
against corrosion.
These include:
❒painting products and systems which
give the car particular resistance to
corrosion and abrasion;
❒use of galvanised (or pretreated)
sheet metal, with high resistance
to corrosion;
❒spraying of underbody, engine
compartment, wheel arch interiors
and other parts with highly protective
wax products;❒spraying of plastic parts, with a
protective function in the more
exposed points: underdoor, inner
wing, edges, etc.;
❒use of "open" boxed sections to
prevent condensation and pockets of
moisture from triggering rust inside.
BODY AND UNDERBODY
WARRANTY
Your car is covered by warranty against
perforation due to rust of any original
element of the structure or bodywork.
For the general terms of this warranty,
refer to the Warranty Booklet.
PRESERVING THE
BODYWORK
Paintwork
Paintwork does not only serve an
aesthetic purpose, but also protects the
underlying sheet metal.
Touch up abrasions and scratches
immediately to prevent rust formation.
Use only original paint products for
touch-ups (see "Bodywork paint
identification plate" in the "Technical
specifications" chapter).Normal maintenance of paintwork
consists in washing the car: the
frequency depends on the conditions
and environment where the car is used.
For example, in highly polluted areas,
or if the roads are spread with salt, it is
advisable to wash the car more
frequently.
To correctly wash the car, proceed as
follows:
❒remove the aerial from the roof to
prevent damage to it if the car is
washed in an automatic system;
❒if high pressure jets or cleaners are
used to wash the car, keep a
distance of at least 40 cm from the
bodywork to avoid damage or
alteration. Remember that the build
up of water can damage the car over
a period of time;
❒wash the bodywork using a low
pressure jet of water;
❒wipe a sponge with a slightly soapy
solution over the bodywork,
frequently rinsing the sponge;
❒rinse well with water and dry with a
jet of air or a chamois.
167

Dry the less visible parts with special
care, such as the door frames, bonnet
and the headlight frames, where water
may stagnate more easily. The car
should not be taken to a closed area
immediately, but left outside so that
residual water can evaporate.
Do not wash the car after it has been
left in the sun or with the bonnet hot:
this may alter the shine of the
paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned
in the same way as the rest of the car.
Where possible, do not park under
trees; the resinous substance that
many species release give the paint a
dull appearance and increase the
possibility of triggering rusting
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly
as the acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.
5)
34)
Windows
To clean glasses, use specific cleaning
products.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or damaging the
transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window
inside gently with a cloth following the
direction of the filaments to avoid
damaging the heating device.
Headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning with a
pressure washer, keep the water jet at
least 20 cm away from the headlights.Engine compartment
Wash the engine compartment
thoroughly at the end of every winter.
Be careful not to direct the jet of water
onto electronic control units.
Adequately protect the upper air
intakes to prevent damage to the
windscreen wiper motor. Have this
operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take
place with the engine cold and the
ignition key in the STOP position. After
the washing operation, make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber
caps and guards) have not been
removed or damaged.
IMPORTANT
5) Detergents cause water pollution.
The vehicle should be washed in
areas equipped for collecting
and purifying the liquid used in
the washing process.
168
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Everything you may find useful for
understanding how your vehicle
is made and works is contained in this
chapter and illustrated with data, tables
and graphics. For the enthusiasts and
the technician, but also just for those
who want to know every detail of their
car.IDENTIFICATION DATA....................172
ENGINE CODES - BODYWORK
VERSIONS ......................................173
ENGINE ..........................................174
FUEL SUPPLY .................................175
TRANSMISSION .............................176
BRAKES .........................................177
SUSPENSION .................................178
STEERING ......................................179
WHEELS .........................................180
DIMENSIONS ..................................184
PERFORMANCE .............................185
WEIGHTS........................................186
SUPPLIES .......................................187
FLUIDS AND LUBRICANTS ............188
FUEL CONSUMPTION ....................191
CO2 EMISSIONS ............................192
PRESCRIPTIONS FOR HANDLING
THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF ITS
LIFE ................................................193
RADIOFREQUENCY REMOTE
CONTROL: MINISTERIAL
APPROVALS ...................................194
WHAT TO DO IF ..............................195
171

IDENTIFICATION
DATA
The following identification codes are
printed and shown on the plates:
❒VIN plate.
❒Chassis marking.
❒Bodywork paint identification plate.
❒Engine marking.
VIN PLATE
It is located on the left side of the
luggage compartment floor and it bears
the following identification data
fig. 134:
BType-approval number.
CVehicle type identification code.
DChassis serial number.
EMaximum permitted weight of vehicle
fully laden.
FMaximum permitted weight of vehicle
fully laden plus trailer.
GMaximum permitted weight on first
axle (front).
HMaximum permitted weight on
second axle (rear).
IEngine type.
LBodywork version code.
MSpare part number.
CHASSIS MARKING
It is located on the right side of the
luggage compartment floor and bears
the following data fig. 135:
❒type of vehicle;
❒chassis serial number.BODYWORK PAINT
IDENTIFICATION PLATE
The plate is applied on the external
tailgate post (left side) and it bears the
following data fig. 136:
APaint manufacturer.
BColour name.
CFiat colour code.
DRespray and touch up code.
ENGINE MARKING
It is stamped on the cylinder block and
includes the type and the engine serial
number.
134AB0A0116135AB0A0118
136AB0A0117
172
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS