2016 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING
80) Do not apply stickers or other objects on the steering wheel, on the dashboard in the passenger side airbag area, on
the side cover on the roof and on the seats. Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger's side
dashboard since they could interfere with correct inflation of the airbag and also cause serious injury to the
passengers.
81) 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. Therefore, always deactivate the passenger side airbag when a rear facing child restraint
system is installed on the front passenger seat. The front passenger seat must also be positioned back as far
as possible in order to prevent the child restraint system from coming into contact with the dashboard. Immediately
reactivate the passenger airbag as soon as the child restraint system has been removed.
82) 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.
83) Warning light
indicates fault of warning light. This condition is indicated by intermittent blinking of warning
light
for longer than 4 seconds. In this case, thewarning light may not indicate a fault in the restraint systems.
Before driving off, contact an Abarth Dealership to have the system checked immediately.
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SIDE AIRBAGS (SIDE
BAGS - WINDOW
BAGS)
To increase protection of occupants in
the event of side impact, the car is
equipped with side bags for pelvis,
chest and shoulder protection (Side
bags) for the driver and the passenger
and airbags protecting the head.
Non-activation of side bags in other
types of collisions (front collisions, rear
shunts, roll-overs, etc.) does not
indicate a system malfunction.FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS
(SIDE BAGS)
These comprise two types of bags
located in the front seat backrests
fig. 92 which protect the pelvic, chest
and shoulder area of the occupants in
the event of a side impact of
medium-high severity.SIDE AIRBAGS FOR
HEAD PROTECTION
(WINDOW BAGS)
These comprise two "curtain" bags
located behind the side roof cover and
covered by special trim.fig. 93 They
are designed to protect the head of
front and rear passengers in the event
of side impacts, thanks to their wide
inflation surface.
IMPORTANT In the event of a side
impact, the system provides best
protection if the passenger sits on the
seat in a correct position, thus allowing
correct window bag deployment.
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SAFETY

IMPORTANT The front airbags and/or
side bags may be deployed if the car is
subject to heavy knocks or accidents
involving the underbody area, such
as for example violent shocks against
steps, pavements or low obstacles, the
car falling in big holes or dips in the
road.
IMPORTANT A small amount of dust
will be released when the airbags
are deployed. The dust is not harmful
and does not indicate the beginning of
a fire. Furthermore, the surface of the
deployed bag and the interior of the car
may be covered by a dusty residue:
this may irritate skin and eyes. Wash
with mild soap and water in the event of
exposure.IMPORTANT Should an accident occur
in which any of the safety devices are
activated, take the vehicle to an Abarth
Dealership to have the activated
devices replaced and to have the whole
system checked.
Every control, repair and replacement
operation concerning the airbags must
only be carried out at an Abarth
Dealership. If the car is scrapped, have
the system deactivated at an Abarth
Dealership.
IMPORTANT Pretensioners, front
airbags and side bags are deployed
according to different logics on the
basis of the type of collision. Failure to
deploy of one of the devices does
not necessarily indicate a system
malfunction.
84) 85) 86) 87) 88) 89) 90) 91) 92) 93) 94) 95)
WARNING
84) Do not rest your head, arms or
elbows on the door, windows or
in the window bag area to prevent
injury during deployment.
85) Never lean your head, arms and
elbows out of the window.
86) If, when turning the key to
MAR-ON, the
warning light
does not turn on or if it stays on
when travelling, there could be
a fault in the restraint systems; in
this event airbags or
pretensioners may not be
deployed in the event of impact
or, in a lower number of cases,
they may deploy accidentally.
Before driving off, contact
an Abarth Dealership to have the
system checked immediately.
87) Do not cover the front seat
backrests with extra covers if they
are equipped with side bags.
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88) Always drive keeping your hands
on the steering wheel rim so that
the airbag can inflate freely if
necessary. Do not drive with your
body bent forward. Keep your
back straight against the
backrest.
89) If the car has been subject to
theft, attempted theft, vandalism,
or flooding, have the airbag
system inspected at an Abarth
Dealership.90) Airbags may be deployed if
another vehicle crashes into the
car, if the key is inserted and
at MAR-ON even if the engine is
not running and the car is
stationary. Therefore, even if the
car is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted,
DO NOT install rear facing child
restraint systems on the front
passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag following an impact
could cause fatal injuries to the
child. Therefore, always
deactivate the passenger airbag
when a rear facing child restraint
system is installed on the front
passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be
positioned back as far as possible
in order to prevent the child
restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the
passenger airbag as soon as the
child restraint system has been
removed. Also remember that,
if the key is turned to STOP, none
of the safety devices (airbags or
pretensioners) will be deployed in
the event of collision. Non-
deployment in such cases does
not indicate a system malfunction.91) When the ignition key is turned
to MAR-ON, the
warning light
turns on and flashes for a few
seconds to remind you that the
passenger's airbag will be
deployed in a crash, after which it
should switch off.
92) Do not wash the seats with
water or pressurised steam (wash
by hand or at automatic car seat
washing stations).
93) The front airbag deployment
threshold is higher than that of
the pretensioners. For collisions in
the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only
the pretensioners to be activated.
94) Do not affix rigid objects to the
coat hooks or support handles.
95) The airbag does not replace seat
belts but increases their
effectiveness. Furthermore, since
front airbags are not deployed
in low-speed frontal impacts, side
impacts, rear shunts or roll-overs,
the passengers are protected
only by the seat belts which must
therefore be fastened at all times.
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SAFETY

STARTING AND DRIVING
Let’s get to the "heart" of the vehicle:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and
our wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE ................122
PARKING ........................................123
USING THE GEARBOX ...................124
SAVING FUEL .................................125
TOWING TRAILERS ........................126
SNOW TYRES ................................127
SNOW CHAINS ..............................127
CAR INACTIVITY .............................128
121

STARTING THE
ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic
engine lock device: if the engine fails to
start, see the paragraph "Fiat CODE
system" in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
The engine may be noisier during the
first few seconds of operation,
especially after a long period of
inactivity. This characteristic feature of
the hydraulic tappet system does
not compromise functionality or
reliability: the system chosen for your
car was designed to limit maintenance
interventions.
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
❒engage the handbrake and place the
gear lever in neutral;
❒fully press the clutch pedal without
touching the accelerator;
❒turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine
starts.
If the engine does not start at the first
attempt, return the ignition key to STOP
before repeating the starting procedure.If, with key at MAR-ON, the
symbol
on the display stays on together with
the
warning light on the instrument
panel, it is advisable to turn the key
to STOP and then back to MAR-ON. If
the warning light remains on, try with
the other keys provided with the car.
Contact an Abarth Dealership if you still
cannot start the engine.
17) 18)
96) 97)
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
❒drive off slowly, letting the engine turn
at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
❒do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to wait until the
engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
19)
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to "catch
its breath" before turning it off by letting
it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
20)
IMPORTANT
17) It is advisable not to demand
maximum performance from
your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at
maximum rpm, excessively
intense braking, etc.) when it is
first used.
18) When the engine is off, do not
leave the key turned to MAR-ON
to prevent unnecessary electrical
consumption from draining the
battery.
19) Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or coasting
downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter
and damage it beyond repair.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

20) A quick burst on the accelerator
before turning off the engine
serves absolutely no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to
turbocharged engines.
WARNING
96) It is dangerous to run the engine
in enclosed areas. The engine
takes in oxygen and releases
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
and other toxic gases.
97) Remember that the brake servo
and electric power steering are
not active until the engine is
started. A much greater effort will
therefore be required to use the
brake pedal or turn the steering
wheel.
PARKING
Proceed as follows:
❒stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
❒engage a gear (first gear if parked
uphill or reverse if facing downhill)
and leave the wheels turned.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
Do not leave the ignition key on
MAR-ON to avoid draining the battery.
Always remove the key when you
leave the car.
98)
HANDBRAKE
The handbrake lever fig. 94 is located
between the two front seats.To use the handbrake pull the lever
upwards until the car cannot be moved.
99)
When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR-ON, the
instrument panel warning light
will
come on.
Proceed as follows to release the
handbrake:
❒slightly lift the lever and press release
button A fig. 94;
❒keep button A pressed and lower the
lever. The
warning light in the
instrument panel will switch off.
Press the brake pedal when carrying
out this operation to prevent the car
from moving accidentally.
WARNING
98) Never leave children unattended
in the car. Always remove the
ignition key when leaving the car
and take it out with you.
99) The car should be braked after a
few clicks of the lever. If it is not,
contact an Abarth Dealership
to have it adjusted.
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USING THE
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear lever into
the required position (the diagram
for gear engagement is shown on the
knob) fig. 95.
100)
21)
To engage reverse R from neutral,
move the lever to the right and then
backwards.
To assist the transmission of torque, a
limit on the engine revs when setting off
at 2,700 rpm can be noticed. When
the clutch pedal is released and the
vehicle is being driven, the engine revs
restriction is disabled.IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the car is completely
stationary. With the engine running, wait
for at least 2 seconds with the clutch
pedal fully pressed before engaging
reverse to prevent damage to the gears
and grating.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should
be used only for gear changes. Do
not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, however lightly. For
versions/markets where provided, the
electronic clutch control could cut
in, interpreting the incorrect driving style
as a fault.
WARNING
100) Depress the clutch pedal fully
to change gear correctly.
Therefore, the floor area
underneath the pedal unit must
not be obstructed in any way.
Ensure that the floor mat is
always laid flat and does not
interfere with use of the pedals.
IMPORTANT
21) Do not drive with your hand
resting on the gear lever as the
force exerted, even if slight, could
lead over time to premature wear
of the internal gearbox
components.
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STARTING AND DRIVING