2016 Abarth 500 weight

69) Removing or otherwise
tampering with seat belt and
pretensioner components is
strictly prohibited. Any operations
on these components must be
performed by qualified and
authorised technicians. Always
contact an Abarth Dealership.
70) If the belt has been subjected to
a high level of stress, for example
after an accident, it must be
completely replaced together with
the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the
pretensioner. In fact, even if the
belt has no visible defects, it could
have lost its resilience.
IMPORTANT
15) Operations which lead to
impacts, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a
maximum of six hours) in the area
around the pretensioner may
damage or deploy it. Contact an
Abarth Dealership should
intervention be necessary on
these components.
CARRYING
CHILDREN SAFELY
For optimal protection in the event of an
impact, all occupants must be seated
and wearing adequate restraint
systems, including newborn and
children!
This prescription is compulsory in all EC
countries according to EC Directive
2003/20/EC.
Compared with an adult, a child's head
is larger and heavier in proportion to
their body and the child's muscular and
bone structures are not fully developed.
Therefore, correct restraint systems
other than adult seat belts are
necessary to reduce as much as
possible the risk of injuries in case of
accident, braking or sudden
manoeuvre.
Children must be seated safely and
comfortably. Depending on the
characteristics of the child restraint
systems used, you are advised to keep
children in rear facing child restraint
systems for as long as possible (at least
until 3–4 years old), since this is the
most protected position in the event of
an impact.
71) 72) 73)
16)
The choice of the most suitable child
restraint device depends on the weight
of the child; there are various types of
child restraint systems and you are
advised always to choose the one that
is most suitable for the child.
When over 1.50 m in height, from the
point of view of restraint systems,
children are considered as adults and
wear seat belts normally.
In Europe the characteristics of child
restraint systems are ruled by the
regulation ECE-R44, dividing them into
five weight groups:
Group Weight range
Group0 upto10kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
105

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.
106
SAFETY

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.
79AB0A0063
80AB0A0064
81AB0A0065
107

PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON UNIVERSAL CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM USE
According to the European Directive 2000/3/EC the suitability of each passenger seat position for the fixing of universal child
restraint systems is shown in the following table:
Group Weight range Front passenger's seatRear (side and central)
seats
Group 0, 0+ up to 13 kgUU
Group 1 9–18 kgUU
Group 2 15–25 kgUU
Group 3 22–36 kgUU
U= suitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category, according to European Regulation EEC-R44 for the specified "Groups".
109

ISOFIX CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
SETUP
The car is equipped with ISOFIX
anchorages, a new standard which
makes fitting a child restraint system
quick, simple and safe.
Traditional child restraint systems can
be fitted alongside Isofix child restraint
systems on different seats in the same
car.
fig. 83 shows an example of a Universal
Isofix child restraint system for weight
group 1.
76)
The other weight groups are covered
by specific Isofix child restraint systems,
which can be used only if specifically
tested for this car (see list of cars
provided with the child restraint
system).
IMPORTANT The central rear seat is
not approved for any type of Isofix child
restraint system.
83AB0A0067
110
SAFETY

SUITABILITY OF PASSENGER SEATS FOR ISOFIX CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM USE
The table below shows the various installation possibilities for Isofix child restraint systems on seats fitted with Isofix
attachments in accordance with European standard ECE 16.
Weight groupChild restraint system
positionIsofix size class Rear side seats
Group 0 up to 10 kg Rear facing EX
Group 0+ up to 13 kgRear facing EX
Rear facing DX
Rear facing CX
Group1from9upto18kgRear facing DX
Rear facing CX
Forward facing BIUF
Forward facing BIIUF
Forward facing AIUF
X: Isofix position not suitable for Isofix child restraint systems in this weight group and/or size class.
IUF: suitable for forward facing Isofix child restraint systems in the Universal category and type-approved for the use in the weight group.
112
SAFETY

SAVING FUEL
GENERAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Car maintenance
Checks and adjustments should be
carried out in accordance with the
"Scheduled Servicing Plan" (see
chapter "Maintenance and care").
Tyres
Check the tyre pressures at least once
every four weeks: if the pressure is
too low, consumption levels increase as
resistance to rolling is higher.
Unnecessary loads
Do not travel with an overloaded
luggage compartment. The weight of
the car and its arrangement greatly
affect fuel consumption and stability.
When transporting particularly large
objects, use a trailer if possible.
Roof rack/ski rack
Remove the roof rack or the ski rack
from the roof after use. These
accessories lower aerodynamic
penetration and adversely affect
consumption levels.Electrical devices
Use electrical devices only for the
amount of time needed. The heated
rear window, additional headlights,
screen wipers and heater fan require a
considerable amount of energy;
increasing the current uptake increases
fuel consumption (by up to +25% in
an urban cycle).
Climate control system
Using the climate control system will
increase consumption: use the air vents
when the temperature outside permits.
Devices for
aerodynamic control
The use of non-certified devices for
aerodynamic control may adversely
affect air drag and consumption levels.
DRIVING STYLE
Cranking
Do not warm up the engine at low or
high revs when the car is stationary;
this causes the engine to warm up
more slowly, thereby increasing fuel
consumption and emissions. It is
therefore advisable to move off
immediately, slowly, avoiding high
speeds: in this way the engine will
warm up more quickly.Unnecessary actions
Avoid accelerating when stopped at
traffic lights or before switching off the
engine. The latter action, as well as
double-declutching, is unnecessary and
causes increased fuel consumption
and pollution.
Gear selection
Use a high gear when traffic and road
conditions allow it. Using a low gear for
faster acceleration will increase
consumption. In the same way
improper use of a high gear increases
consumption, emissions and engine
wear.
Max. speed
Fuel consumption considerably
increases as speed increases. Maintain
a constant speed, avoiding
unnecessary braking and acceleration,
which cost in terms of both fuel
consumption and emissions.
Acceleration
Accelerating violently severely affects
consumption and emissions:
acceleration should be gradual and
should not exceed the maximum
torque.
125

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