2016 Abarth 500 steering

FRONT AIRBAGS
The front driver/passenger airbags and
the driver's knee bag (for versions/
markets, where provided) protect the
front seat occupants in the event of
frontal impacts of medium/high severity,
by placing the bag between the
occupant and the steering wheel or
dashboard.
Therefore non-activation in other types
of collisions (side impacts, rear shunts,
roll-overs, etc.) does not indicate a
system malfunction.
An electronic control unit will make the
bag inflate in the event of a frontal
impact.
The bag will inflate instantaneously
placing itself between the front
occupants body and the structures
which could cause injury. It will deflate
immediately afterwards.
Front airbags are not a replacement of
but complementary to the seat belts,
which you are recommended to always
wear, as specified by law in Europe
and most non-European countries.In the event of an impact, someone not
wearing a seat belt will move forward
and come into contact with the bag
which is still in the opening stage. The
protection offered by the bag is
compromised in these circumstances.
Front airbags may not be activated
in the following situations:
❒frontal impacts against highly
deformable objects not involving the
front surface of the car (e.g. wing
collision against guard rail);
❒jamming of the car underneath other
vehicles or protective barriers (e.g.
underneath a truck or a guard rail)
since the bags would offer no
additional protection with respect to
the seat belt and their deployment
would be inappropriate. In these
cases, non-deployment does not
indicate a system malfunction.
80)
The front airbags (driver, passenger,
driver's knee bags) are designed and
calibrated to protect front seat
passengers wearing seat belts.Their volume at the moment of
maximum inflation fills most of the
space between the steering wheel and
the driver, between the lower steering
column guard and the knees on driver
side and between the dashboard and
the passenger.
The airbags are not deployed in the
event of minor frontal impacts (for
which the restraining action of the seat
belts is sufficient). Seat belts must
always be worn. In the event of frontal
impacts they guarantee correct
positioning of the passenger.
DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment in the centre of the
steering wheel fig. 86.
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SAFETY

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG
This consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment in the dashboard fig. 87:
this bag has a larger volume than
that of the driver's.
81)
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
AIRBAG AND CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
82)
ALWAYScomply with the instructions
on the label stuck on the passenger
side sun visor (fig. 88.DEACTIVATING THE
PASSENGER SIDE
AIRBAGS: FRONT
AIRBAG AND FRONT
SIDE BAG
83)
If a child must be carried on the front
seat in a rear facing child restraint
system, deactivate the passenger side
front airbag and front side bag.
Warning light A fig. 89 will stay on
constantly until the passenger side front
airbag and the front side bag are
reactivated.
IMPORTANT To manually deactivate the
passenger side front airbag and the
front side bag, see paragraph "Menu
items" in the "Knowing the instrument
panel" chapter.DRIVER SIDE KNEE BAG
It consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment under the lower steering
column guard fig. 90 at driver's knee
level. It provides further protection
to the driver in the event of a frontal
impact.
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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.
117

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.
120
SAFETY

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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STARTING THE
ENGINE
If thesymbol on the display turns
on constantly, contact an Abarth
Dealership immediately.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be
started using an auxiliary battery fig.
96 with the same capacity or a little
higher than the flat one.
23)
104)
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
❒connect the positive terminals (+
sign near the terminal) of the two
batteries with a jump lead;❒with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to an earth point
on the
engine or the gearbox of the car
to be started;
❒start the engine;
❒when the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the order
above.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not persist but contact
an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two
batteries: sparks could ignite explosive
gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another
car, prevent accidental contact
between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
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.IMPORTANT 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.
IMPORTANT
23) Never use a fast battery charger
to start the engine as this could
damage the electronic systems
and the ignition and engine supply
control units.
WARNING
104) This procedure must be
performed by qualified personnel
as incorrect actions may cause
high-intensity electrical discharge.
Furthermore, battery fluid is
poisonous and corrosive: avoid
contact with skin and eyes. Keep
naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery
and do not cause sparks.96AB0A0078
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IN AN EMERGENCY

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUSE BOX
DEVICE PROTECTED FUSE AMPERE
Climate control fan F08 30
AvailableF09 15
Acoustic warnings F10 15
Engine management system (secondary loads) F11 10
Main beam headlights F14 15
Electric roof motor F15 20
Powertrain Control Module F17 10
AvailableF18 7,5
Air conditioning compressor F19 7,5
Heated rear window, mirror defrosters F20 30
Fuel pumpF21 15
Ignition coilF22 15
Powertrain Control Module F22 20
Braking system (control unit, valves) F23 20
+15 Braking system, electrical steering, yaw sensor F24 7,5
Fog lightsF30 15
AvailableF84 10
Front power socket (with or without cigar lighter) F85 15
147

TOWING THE CAR
The tow hook, which is supplied with
the vehicle, is housed in the tool box,
under the carpet in the luggage
compartment.
125) 126) 127) 128) 129)
ATTACHING THE TOW
HOOK
Proceed as follows:
FrontRear
❒release the cap A fig. 127
❒take the tow hook B fig. 127 from its
housing in the tool box;
❒fully tighten it on the threaded pin.
WARNING
125) Before starting towing
operations, turn the ignition key to
MAR-ON and then to STOP,
without extracting it. The steering
column will automatically lock
when the key is removed and the
wheels cannot be steered.
126) Before tightening the ring clean
the threaded housing thoroughly.
Make sure that the ring is fully
fastened in the housing before
towing the car.
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IN AN EMERGENCY
❒release the cap A fig. 126
❒take the tow hook B fig. 126 from its
housing in the tool box;
❒fully tighten it on the threaded pin.