2016 FIAT 500 ABARTH Owners Manual

Operating Tips Chart
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 223

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................229
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......229
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....229
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .229
▫ Cold Weather Operation ................230
▫ Extended Park Starting ..................230
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................231
▫ After Starting ....................... .232
▫ Turbocharger “Cool Down” ..............232
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .232 ▫
Five-Speed Manual Transmission ...........232
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............234
▫ Downshifting ....................... .234
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .235
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............236
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .236
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........237
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .238
 AUTOSTICK ......................... .243
5

▫Operation .......................... .243
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........245
▫ Acceleration ........................ .245
▫ Traction ........................... .245
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............246
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................246
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................246
 POWER STEERING .....................248
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .249
 SPORT MODE ........................ .251
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........251
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......252
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .253
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .254
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .254
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............255
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............256
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................256
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........257
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................261
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............263
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .263
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........266
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........268
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........269
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........274
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .274
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................276
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .277
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .278
▫ Tire Types .......................... .278
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............280
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............280
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .283
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................283
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .284
▫ Replacement Tires .....................285
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......287
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....287
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................. .288
▫ Premium TPM System With Comfort Cluster . .291
▫ Premium TPM System With (TFT) Tire Pressure
Display Screen ....................... .293
▫ General Information ...................297
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................297
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................298
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............298
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......299
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................299
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................299
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................300
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 227

▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............301
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .302
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............302
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............304
TRAILER TOWING .....................304
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................304
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .304
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gear selector in
NEUTRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock-
ing ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Press the brake
pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 229

Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized dealer.
The message “plug in engine heater” will be displayed in
the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is
below 5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as areminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start.
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-40 synthetic en-
gine oil and adhering to the prescribed oil change
intervals is important to prevent engine damage and
ensure satisfactory starting in cold conditions.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE:
Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition in the START position and release it when the engine starts.
230 STARTING AND OPERATING