2015 FIAT 500 ABARTH Owners Manual

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
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!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

▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........267
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........272
▫Tire Pressure........................272
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................273
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .275
▫Radial Ply Tires......................275
▫Tire Types...........................276
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............277
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............278
▫Tire Spinning........................281
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................281
▫Life Of Tire.........................282
▫Replacement Tires.....................283
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......284
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....285
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS).......................286
▫Base System.........................288
▫Premium TPM System..................291
▫General Information...................295
!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................295
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................296
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............296
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......296
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................297
▫Materials Added To Fuel................298
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STARTING AND OPERATING 225

▫Fuel System Cautions...................298
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............299
!ADDING FUEL........................300
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............300
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............301
!TRAILER TOWING.....................301
!RECREATIONAL TOWING
(BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)............302
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . .302
226 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 227

Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to
15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized dealer.
The message “plug in engine heater” will be displayed in
the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is
below 5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a
reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start.
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-40 synthetic en-
gine oil and adhering to the prescribed oil change
intervals is important to prevent engine damage and
ensure satisfactory starting in cold conditions.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE:Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 35 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery
to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition in the START position and release it
when the engine starts.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. If the engine fails to start within ten seconds, cycle the
ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait five
seconds to allow the starter to cool, then repeat the
Extended Park Starting procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight attempts, allow
the starter to cool for at least 10 minutes, then repeat
the procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not continuously
crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle.
•To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-
ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 229

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