2015 FIAT 500 ABARTH brake

indicate that the parking brake is applied, that the brake
fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the
Anti-lock Brake System reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the condition
has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake
and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the ABS, are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). In the event of
154 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light will turn on
along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair to the ABS
system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
15. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
This light monitors the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the anti-lock portion of the brake system is
not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of anti-lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 155

Hill Start Assist
This function is used when starting a vehicle from a stop
on a hill. Hill Start Assist maintains the same level of
brake pressure the driver applied for a short period of
time after the foot has been removed from the brake
pedal.
Proceed as follows to switch this function on or off:
1. Briefly push and release theMENUbutton. Push and
release the UPor DOWNbutton to highlight
the Hill Start Assist. Push and release theMENU
button to enter the Hill Start AssistMENU.
2. Push and release the UPor DOWNbutton for
setting.
3. Briefly push and release theMENUbutton to go back
to the menu screen, or push and hold the button
(approximately one second) to go back to the main
screen without storing the settings.
Tire Pressure
This function will be used to display the tire pressures
individually for all four tires by location.
Proceed as follows:
1. Briefly push and release theMENUbutton. Push and
release the UPor DOWNbutton to highlight
the Tire Pressure. Push and release theMENU
button to enter the Tire PressureMENU.
2. Push and release the UP or DOWN button to scroll
through all four tire pressure value locations.
3. Briefly push and release theMENUbutton to go back
to the menu screen, or push and hold the button
(approximately one second) to go back to the main
screen.
180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................227
▫Manual Transmission — If Equipped.......227
▫Automatic Transmission — If Equipped.....227
▫Normal Starting.......................227
▫Cold Weather Operation................228
▫Extended Park Starting..................228
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................229
▫After Starting........................230
▫Turbocharger “Cool Down”..............230
!MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . . .230
▫Five-Speed Manual Transmission...........230
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............232
▫Downshifting........................232
!AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED.........................233
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............235
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .235
▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission.........235
▫Gear Ranges.........................237
5

!AUTOSTICK..........................242
▫Operation...........................242
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........244
▫Acceleration.........................244
▫Traction............................244
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............245
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................245
▫Shallow Standing Water.................245
!POWER STEERING.....................247
!PARKING BRAKE......................248
!SPORT MODE.........................250
▫Manual Transmission — If Equipped........250
▫Automatic Transmission — If Equipped......251
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................252
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .252
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .252
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............254
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............254
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................255
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........256
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light............260
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............261
▫Tire Markings........................261
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........264
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........266
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 — If Equipped
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.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 227

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
Turbocharger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending
on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been
shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
230 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel
economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following
table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds
Units In mph (km/h)
Engine
Size
Accel-
era-
tion
Rate
1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
1.4L
Turbo
Accel 14
(23)
23
(37)
29
(47)
38
(61)
Cruise 12
(19)
18
(29)
25
(40)
32
(52)
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may
cause the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is
selected and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to
the clutch and the transmission can result from
skipping a gear while downshifting or downshifting
at too high of a vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal
is held pressed (i.e., not released).
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to second or first gear when descending a steep
grade.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING