2017 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

134)Whilst towing, remember that as the
assistance of the brake servo and the
electric power assisted steering is
not available, greater force needs to be
exerted on the brake pedal and more effort
is required on the steering wheel. Do not
use flexible cables when towing and avoid
jerky movements. During towing, make
sure that the trailer hitch does not damage
any components it is touching. When
towing the vehicle, you must comply with
all specific traffic regulations, both in terms
of the towing device and behaviour on
the road. Do not start the engine while
towing the car.
135)Because of its conformation, the car
cannot be loaded onto railway carriages
and transported.
111

SERVICING AND CARE
Correct servicing permits the
performance of the vehicle to be
maintained over time, as well as limited
running costs and safeguarding the
efficiency of the safety systems.
This chapter explains how.SCHEDULED SERVICING ...............113
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN .....114
PERIODIC CHECKS ........................118
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR .....118
CHECKING LEVELS........................119
BATTERY ........................................123
BATTERY RECHARGING ................124
WINDSCREEN/ REAR WINDOW
WIPER ............................................125
LIFTING THE VEHICLE....................126
WHEELS AND TYRES.....................126
BODYWORK ...................................127
INTERIOR .......................................130
112
SERVICING AND CARE

SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct servicing is crucial for
guaranteeing a long life for the vehicle
under the best conditions.
For this reason, Abarth has planned a
series of checks and services at fixed
distance intervals or fixed time intervals,
as described in the Scheduled
Servicing Plan.
Before each service, it is always
necessary to carefully follow the
instructions in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan (e.g. periodically check level of
fluids, tyre pressure, etc.).
Scheduled Servicing is offered by all
Abarth Dealerships according to a set
time schedule. If, during each
operation, in addition to the ones
scheduled, the need arises for further
replacements or repairs, these may
be carried out only with the explicit
agreement of the Customer. If your car
is used frequently for towing, the
interval between one service operation
and the next should be reduced.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Scheduled Servicing interventions are
set out by the Manufacturer. Failure
to have them carried out may invalidate
the warranty.It is advisable to inform an Abarth
Dealership of any small operating
irregularities without waiting for the next
service.
For versions fitted with specific
equipment, in addition to what is
described in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan, refer to the relevant additional
items in the dedicated supplements.
113

SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN
The checks listed in the Scheduled Servicing Plan, after reaching 150,000 km/10 years, must be cyclically repeated starting
from the first interval, thus following the same intervals as before.
Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary. Check the "Fix&Go Automatic" recharge kit
conditions/expiry date (if provided)
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, boot, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel
warning lights, etc.)
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (1)
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine
management system operation, emissions and, where
present, engine oil degradation
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel
system, brakes), rubber elements (gaiters, sleeves,
bushes, etc.)
(1) Always only use the liquids shown in the handbook for topping up after having checked that the system is not damaged
114
SERVICING AND CARE

Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear
(where present)
Check operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system
and adjust jets, if necessary
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment
locks, cleanliness and lubrication of linkage
Check soft top operation while closing and opening; check
of seals and lubrication of canvas sliding side guide (only
595C version)
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if necessary
Visually inspect conditions and wear of front and rear disc
brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator (where
present)
Visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belt(s)
Check tensioning of accessory drive belt(s) and adjust if
necessary
Visually inspect conditions of toothed timing drive belt
115

Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check the oil level in the robotised sequential gearbox
activation system (2)
Check and, if necessary, restore the self-locking differential
pre-loading (where present) (3)
Change the oil of the transmission equipped with limited
slip differential (where present)(3) (4)
Change engine oil and replace oil filter
Spark plug replacement (5)
(2) Only for cars on the road in countries with particularly severe climates (cold countries)
(3) It is recommended to carry out this operation immediately after each time the vehicle has undergone demanding use
(4) The first transmission oil change must be done on reaching the first 10,000 km, independently of the time passed
(5) The following are essential to ensure correct operation and prevent serious damage to the engine: only use spark plugs of the same make and type specially
certified for 1.4 Turbo petrol Abarth engines (see the information in the "Engine" paragraph); strictly comply with the spark plug replacement interval given in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan; for spark plug replacement it is advisable to contact an Abarth Dealership.
116
SERVICING AND CARE

Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Replace the toothed timing drive belt(6)
Replace accessory drive belt/s(6)
Replace air cleaner cartridge (7)
Change the brake fluid(8)
Replace the passenger compartment cleaner (7) (O) (●)
(6) Areas that are not dusty: recommended maximum mileage 120,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 6 years, regardless of distance travelled. Dustyareas
and/or heavy conditions (cold climates, urban driving, long periods of idling): the recommended maximum distance is 60,000 km. The belt must be replaced
every 4 years, regardless of distance travelled.
(7) If the car is used in dusty areas, the air cleaner must be replaced every 15,000 km
(8) The brake fluid replacement has to be done every two years, irrespective of the mileage.
(O) Recommended operations
(●) Mandatory operations
117

PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
engine coolant level;
brake fluid level;
windscreen washer fluid level;
tyre inflation pressure and condition;
operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
operation of screen washer/wiper
system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper blades.
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
You are advised to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS products, which have
been designed and produced
specifically for Abarth cars (see table
"Capacities" in the "Technical
specifications" chapter).
DEMANDING USE OF
THE CAR
If the vehicle is used mainly under one
of the following conditions:
if the car is used under demanding
conditions, e.g. on track;
towing a trailer or caravan;
dusty roads;
short, repeated journeys (less than
7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long periods
of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
check front disc brake pad condition
and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage;
visually inspect condition of: engine,
gearbox, transmission, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes)
and rubber elements (boots - sleeves
- bushes - etc.);
check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
visually inspect conditions of the
accessory drive belts;
check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter;
check and, if necessary, replace air
cleaner.
118
SERVICING AND CARE