2016 Abarth 500 warning

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.
162
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

WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre,
including the space-saver wheel,
approximately every two weeks and
before long journeys: the pressure
should be checked with the tyre rested
and cold.
140) 141) 142) 143)
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is used; for the correct
tyre inflation pressure, see "Wheels" in
the "Technical specifications" chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal
tyre wear fig. 129:
Anormal pressure: tread evenly worn.
Blow pressure: tread particularly worn
at the edges.
Chigh pressure: tread particularly worn
in the centre.The tyres must be replaced when the
tread is less than 1.6 mm thick. In
any case, follow the laws in force in the
country you are in.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
❒As far as possible, avoid sharp
braking, screech starts and violent
shocks against pavements, potholes
or other hard obstacles. Driving for
long stretches over uneven roads can
damage the tyres;
❒periodically check that the tyres have
no cuts in the side wall, abnormal
swelling or irregular tread wear.
Contact an Abarth Dealership
if required.
❒avoid overloading the car when
travelling: this may cause serious
damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop
immediately and change it to avoid
damage to the tyre, the rim,
suspensions and steering system;
❒tyres age even if they are not used a
great deal. Cracks in the tread and
on the side walls are a sign of ageing.
In any event, have the tyres checked
by specialised personnel if they
have been fitted for longer than 6
years. Also remember to check the
space-saver wheel with particular
care;❒in the case of replacement, always fit
new tyres, avoiding those of
unknown origin;
❒if a tyre is changed, also change the
inflation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front
and rear tyres, it is advisable to
change them over every 10–15
thousand kilometres, keeping them
on the same side of the car to avoid
inverting the direction of rotation.
WARNING
140) Remember that the road
holding qualities of your car also
depend on correct tyre pressures.
141) If tyre pressure is too low, it
may overheat and be severely
damaged as a result.
142) Do not exchange the tyres from
the left to the right of the car and
vice versa.
143) Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments requiring
the use of temperatures
exceeding 150°C. The mechanical
properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
129AB0A0111
164
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

REPLACING THE REAR
WINDOW WIPER BLADE
Proceed as follows:
❒raise the cover A fig. 131 and remove
the arm from the car, undoing the nut
B fig. 131 that fastens it to the pivot
pin;
❒correctly position the new arm and
tighten the nut fully;
❒lower the cover.
JETS
Windscreen washer
If the jet of fluid is inadequate, firstly
check that there is fluid in the reservoir
(see "Checking levels" in this chapter).
Then check that the jet holes are not
clogged; use a needle to unblock them
if necessary.The windscreen jets are directed by
adjusting the angle.
The jets should be directed at about
1/3 of the height from the top edge of
the windscreen fig. 132.
IMPORTANT In versions with a sun
roof, make sure that the sun roof is
closed before operating the front jets.Rear window washer
The rear window washer jets are fixed.
The jet holder is on the rear window
fig. 133.
WARNING
144) Driving with worn windscreen/
rear window wiper blades is a
serious hazard, because visibility
is reduced in bad weather.
131AB0A0113
132AB0A0114
133AB0A0115
166
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

IMPORTANT
34) In order to preserve the aesthetic
appearance of the paint abrasive
products and/or polishes should
not be used for cleaning the car.
INTERIORS
Regularly check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.),
as this could cause oxidation of the
sheet metal.
145) 146)
SEATS AND FABRIC
PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a
vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to use a
moist brush on velvet upholstery.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and mild soap.
PLASTIC AND COATED
PARTS
It is advisable to clean interior plastic
parts with a moist cloth and a solution
of water and non-abrasive mild soap.
Use specific products for cleaning
plastic, without solvents and specifically
designed to prevent damage to the
appearance and colour of the treated
parts, to remove grease and tough
stains.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol, petrols
and derivatives to clean the instrument
panel lens.LEATHER PARTS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Use only water and mild soap to clean
these parts. Never use alcohol or
alcohol-based products. Before using a
specific product for cleaning interiors,
make sure that it does not contain
alcohol and/or alcohol-based
substances.
WARNING
145) Never use flammable products,
such as petroleum ether or
modified petrol, to clean the
inside of the car. The electrostatic
charges which are generated by
rubbing during cleaning may
cause a fire.
146) Do not keep aerosol cans in the
vehicle: these could explode.
Aerosol cans must not be exposed
to a temperature exceeding 50°C.
When the car is exposed to
sunlight, the internal temperature
can greatly exceed this value.
169

FUEL SUPPLY
Version 1.4 TB PETROL ABARTH
Fuel supplyTimed, sequential Multipoint electronic injection, with fixed
geometry turbocharger
147)
WARNING
147) Modifications or repairs to the fuel supply system that are not carried out correctly or do not take the system
technical specifications into account can cause malfunctions leading to the risk of fire.
175

CORRECT READING OF
THE RIM CODE
Examplefig. 137: 7.00 J
x17H2
7.00rim width in inches (1).
Jprofile of the flange (side projection
where the tyre bead rests) (2).
17rim nominal diameter in inches
(corresponds to diameter of the tyre
to be mounted) (3 = Ø).
H2shape and number of humps
(circumference measurement which
keeps the bead of Tubeless tyres
in position on the rim).RIM PROTECTOR TYRES
148)
WARNING
148) DO NOT fit wheel caps when
using integral wheel caps fixed
(with springs) to the steel rim and
after-sale tyres provided with
Rim Protector (fig. 138). Use of
unsuitable tyres and wheel caps
may cause sudden loss of tyre
pressure.
138AB0A0120
181

WHATTODOIF
Fault Possible solution
... A TYRE IS PUNCTURED. Use the Fix&Go tyre repair kit. See page 131
... A TYRE DEFLATES. Restore the correct pressure. See page 183
... THE BATTERY IS FLAT. -See page 149 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... THE INTERNAL ROOF LIGHT DOES NOT
SWITCH ON.Replace the bulb.See page 142 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT ROOF
LIGHT DOES NOT SWITCH ON.Replace the bulb.See page 143 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... AN EXTERNAL BULB (main beam, dipped
beam headlights...) DOES NOT COME ON.-Contact an Abarth
Dealership.
Replace the bulb.See page 142 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... THE REMOTE CONTROL DOES NOT
WORK.Replace the batteries inside the remote
control.See page 13 or contact an
Abarth Dealership.
... AN ELECTRIC WINDOW DOES NOT
WORK.Check the relevant protection fuse.See GENERAL
INFORMATION
page 144 or
contact an Abarth
Dealership.
Have the relevant window raising / lowering
motor checked.Contact an Abarth
Dealership.
... AN INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING
LIGHT SWITCHES ON.- See page 83.
195