2016 Abarth 500 ABS

IGNITION SWITCH
The key can be turned to three different
positions fig. 10:
❒STOP: engine off, key can be
removed, steering column locked.
Some electrical devices (e.g. radio,
central door locking system, alarm,
etc.) are enabled;
❒MAR-ON: driving position. All
electrical devices are enabled;
❒AVV: engine start-up.
The ignition switch is fitted with a safety
system that requires the ignition key
to be turned back to STOP if the engine
does not start, before the starting
operation can be repeated.
2) 3) 4) 5)
STEERING LOCK
Activation
When the key is at STOP, remove the
key and turn the steering wheel until
it locks.
Deactivation
Move the steering wheel slightly as you
turn the ignition key to MAR-ON.
WARNING
2) If the ignition switch has been
tampered with (e.g. an attempted
theft), have it checked over by
an Abarth Dealership before
driving again.
3) Always remove the key when you
leave your car to prevent someone
from accidentally operating the
controls. Remember to engage
the handbrake. If the car is parked
on a slope uphill, engage the first
gear; if the car is facing downhill,
engage reverse. Never leave
children unattended in the
vehicle.4) Never extract the key while the
vehicle is moving. The steering
wheel will automatically lock
as soon as it is turned. This holds
true for cars being towed as well.
5) It is absolutely forbidden to carry
out any after-market operation
involving steering system or
steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety,
invalidate the warranty and also
result in non-compliance of the
car with type-approval
requirements.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

To lower the head restraint, press
button B fig. 18. The particular shape of
the head restraint deliberately interferes
with the correct support of the rear
passenger’s back on the backrest in
order to force them to lift the head
restraint for correct use.
IMPORTANT If the rear seats are used,
always set the head restraints in the
"completely raised" position.STEERING WHEEL
The steering wheel can be adjusted
vertically.
To adjust the steering wheel, move the
lever fig. 19 downwards to position
2. Adjust the steering wheel into the
most suitable position and lock it in this
position by moving the lever A to
position 1.
8) 9)
WARNING
8) Adjustments must be made only
with the car stationary and engine
off.
9) It is absolutely forbidden to carry
out any after-market operation
involving steering system or
steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety,
invalidate the warranty and also
result in the car not meeting
type-approval requirements.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

ADJUSTING THE
HEADLIGHTS ABROAD
Dipped headlights are adjusted for
driving in the country where the vehicle
was originally purchased. When
travelling in countries with opposite
driving direction, to avoid dazzling the
drivers on the other side of the road,
you need to cover areas of the
headlight according to the Highway
Code of the country you are travelling
in.ESC SYSTEM
IN BRIEF
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
car in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the appropriate
wheels. The torque supplied by
the engine can also be reduced in
order to maintain control of the car.
The system is capable of recognising
potentially dangerous situations in
terms of the stability and intervenes
automatically on the brakes in a
differentiated manner for the four
wheels in order to provide a stabilising
torque.The ESC system also includes the
following subsystems:
❒EBD
❒ABS
❒ASR
❒HILL HOLDER
❒HBA
❒MSR
❒TTC
SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
SYSTEM INTERVENTION
It is signalled by the blinking of the ESC
warning light on the instrument panel,
to inform the driver that the car is in
critical stability and grip conditions.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

EBD (Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution)
SYSTEM
This system (which cannot be
deactivated) recognises emergency
braking conditions according to the
speed of operation of the brake pedal
and provides an additional hydraulic
braking pressure to support that
provided by the driver. This allows
faster and more powerful operation of
the braking system.
ABS
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
on all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking thus optimising
stopping distances.The system intervenes when braking
and the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent.
The system also improves control and
stability of the car when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes
31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37)
ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and automatically operates in
the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) and acceleration
on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.Depending on the slipping conditions,
two different control systems are
activated:
❒if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the ASR system intervenes,
reducing the power transmitted by
the engine;
❒if the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, it also intervenes
automatically, braking the wheel that
is slipping.
System intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument panel,
to inform the driver that the car is in
critical stability and grip conditions.38) 39) 40) 41)
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HILL HOLDER SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and facilitates starting on
slopes, activating automatically in the
following cases:
❒uphill: car stationary on a road with a
gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and gearbox
in neutral or gear (other than reverse)
engaged;
❒downhill: car stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESC system
control unit maintains the braking
pressure on the wheels until the engine
torque necessary for starting is
reached, or in any case for a maximum
of 2 seconds, allowing your right foot
to be moved easily from the brake
pedal to the accelerator.When two seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During
this release stage it is possible to hear a
typical mechanical brake release noise,
indicating the imminent movement of
the car.
42) 43)
HBA (Hydraulic Brake
Assist) SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and automatically operates in
the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) and acceleration
on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.
The HBA system is designed to
improve the car's braking capacity
during emergency braking.
The system detects emergency braking
by monitoring the speed and strength
with which the brake pedal is pressed,
thereby applying the optimal brake
pressure. This can reduce the braking
distance: the HBA system therefore
completes the ABS.Maximum assistance of the HBA
system is obtained pressing the brake
pedal very quickly; in addition, the
brake pedal should be pressed
continuously during braking, avoiding
intermittent presses, to obtain benefits
from the system.
Do not reduce pressure on the brake
pedal until braking is not necessary
anymore.
The HBA system is deactivated when
the brake pedal is released.
44) 45) 46) 47)
MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment
Regelung) SYSTEM
This system is an integral part of the
ABS that intervenes, if there is a
sudden downshifting, restoring torque
to the engine, thereby preventing
excessive drive at the drive wheels
which, especially in poor grip
conditions, could lead to a loss in
stability of the car.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CAR

TTC SYSTEM (Torque
Transfer Control)
It is an integral part of the ESC system.
This system improves the transfer of
drive torque to the wheels,
guaranteeing safer and more sporty
driving, especially when cornering, far
more able to prevent understeer.
System activation
It is turned off by pressing the button
again or when the vehicle is switched
off (ignition key in the OFF position).
WARNING
31) When the ABS intervenes and
you feel the brake pedal pulsating,
do not reduce the pressure, but
hold it down firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will
brake in the shortest distance
possible, depending on the
current road conditions.
32) To obtain the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, a
bedding-in period of about 500
km is needed: during this period it
is better to avoid sharp, repeated
and prolonged braking.
33) If the ABS system intervenes,
this indicates that the traction
of the tyres on the road is about
to reach its limit. You must slow
down to a speed compatible with
the available traction.
34) The ABS cannot overrule the
natural laws of physics, and
cannot increase the grip available
according to the condition of
the road.35) The ABS cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners,
driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
36) The capability of the ABS must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as
to compromise personal safety
and the safety of others.
37) For the correct operation of the
ABS, it is essential that the tyres
are of the same make and type on
all wheels, in perfect condition
and, above all, of the specified
type and dimensions.
38) For the correct operation of the
ASR system, it is essential that
the tyres are of the same make
and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the
specified type and dimensions.
39) The ASR system cannot overrule
the natural laws of physics, and
cannot increase the grip available
according to the condition of
the road.
40) The ASR system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to
excessive speed on corners,
driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
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The system is activated by pressing
button A fig. 60 in the dashboard.
Activation is signalled by the LED in the
TTC button lighting up.

EOBD SYSTEM
The EOBD (European On Board
Diagnosis system) carries out a
continuous diagnosis of the
components of the car related to
emissions. It also alerts the driver, by
turning on the warning light
on the
instrument panel together with relevant
message on the display, when these
components are no longer in peak
conditions (see chapter "Warning lights
and messages").
The goal of the system is to:
❒monitor system efficiency
❒indicate an increase in emissions due
to vehicle malfunction
❒indicate the need to replace
damaged components.
The system also has a connector that
can be interfaced with appropriate
equipment, which makes it possible to
read the error codes stored in the
control unit together with a series of
specific parameters for engine
operation and diagnosis.
IMPORTANT After eliminating the
failure, to check the system completely,
Abarth Dealerships must run a bench
test and, if necessary, road tests which
may also call for a long journey.
DUALDRIVE
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING
(for versions/markets, where provided)
OPERATION
This only operates with the ignition key
turned to MAR-ON and the engine
started.
Electric power steering allows the force
required at the steering wheel to be
adapted to the driving conditions.
IMPORTANT When turning the ignition
key quickly, full power steering
functionality can be achieved after a
few seconds.
When the SPORT function is turned on
(see "Controls" paragraph in this
chapter) the electric power steering
assistance is altered, increasing the
sensitivity of the steering wheel.
54) 55)
IMPORTANT During parking
manoeuvres requiring a lot of steering,
the steering may become harder: this is
normal and is due to the intervention
of the system to protect the electric
steering motor from overheating, so no
repair is required. When the car is
used again later on, the power steering
will work normally.
WARNING
54) It is absolutely forbidden to carry
out any after-market operation
involving steering system or
steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety,
invalidate the warranty and also
result in the car not meeting
type-approval requirements.
55) Before servicing the car, switch
off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch to
activate the steering lock. This is
especially important when the car
wheels are not touching the
ground. If this is not possible (for
example if the key needs to be
turned to MAR-ON or the engine
must be running), remove the
main fuse that protects the
electric power steering.
59

FAULT INDICATIONS
Parking sensor failures, if any, will be
indicated when reverse is engaged by
the switching on of the
symbol
on the instrument panel together with
the message on the display (see
"Warning lights and messages"
paragraph).
11)
OPERATION WITH
TRAILER
Sensor operation is automatically
deactivated when the trailer's electric
cable plug is fitted in the car's tow hook
socket. The sensors are automatically
reactivated when the trailer's cable plug
is removed.GENERAL WARNINGS
When parking, take the utmost care
over obstacles that may be above
or under the sensor.
57)
Objects close to the car are not
detected under certain circumstances
and could therefore cause damage
to the car or be damaged.
Some conditions may influence the
performance of the parking system:
❒Reduced sensor sensitivity and
a reduction in the parking assistance
system performance could be due
to the presence on the surface of the
sensor of: ice, snow, mud, thick
paint.
❒The sensor may detect a non-
existent obstacle (echo interference)
due to mechanical interference, for
example when washing the vehicle,
in rain (strong wind), hail.
❒The signals sent by the sensors can
also be altered by the presence of
ultrasonic systems (e.g. pneumatic
brake systems or pneumatic drills)
near the vehicle.❒Parking assistance system
performance can also be influenced
by the position of the sensors, for
example due to a change in the ride
setting (caused by wear to the shock
absorbers, suspension), or by
changing tyres, overloading the car
or carrying out specific tuning
operations that require the car to be
lowered.
❒The presence of a tow hook without
trailer interferes with the correct
operation of the parking sensors. If a
fixed tow hook is installed, the
parking sensors cannot be used. If
the customer wishes to install a
removable tow hook, this must be
disconnected from the crossmember
whenever the trailer is not attached
to prevent the activation of the
sensors.
❒Do not apply stickers to the sensors.
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