2017 Abarth 500 gearbox

USING THE MANUAL
GEARBOX
To engage the gears, fully depress the
clutch pedal and put the gear lever
into the required position (the diagram
is shown on the knob fig. 74).
114)
19)
To engage reverse R from neutral,
move the lever to the right and then
backwards.
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the vehicle 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.
WARNING
114)Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. It is therefore essential
that there is nothing under the pedals:
make sure the mats are lying flat and do
not get in the way of the pedals.
WARNING
19)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 gearbox internal components.
USING THE
ROBOTISED
SEQUENTIAL
TRANSMISSION
(where provided)
The vehicle can be equipped with an
electronically controlled manual
gearbox that allows two operating
modes: “MANUAL” and “AUTO”.
With the car stationary and the key at
MAR (ignition-operated electrical
services on), the screen displays the
engaged gear and the active operating
mode (automatic = AUTO or manual
= no display).
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STARTING AND DRIVING

STARTING THE CAR
REMARKS
On starting, the system sets itself to
AUTO mode.
Using the 1, N, R buttons with the
brake pedal pressed, 1stgear, neutral
(N) or reverse (R) can be engaged.
Using the 1, N, R buttons without
pressing the brake pedal, the system
does not change gear.
The levers on the steering wheel will
not engage any gear, even with the
brake pedal pressed.
If the car is switched off with SPORT
or NORMAL modes active, the mode
previously set is kept when the engine
is restarted.
OPERATING MODE
The gearbox/transmission can function
in two operating modes:
the first is manual (MANUAL). In this
mode the driver decides directly when
to shift, using the "+” fig. 76 lever on
the steering wheel to shift up, or the "–"
to shift down. If the request is accepted
by the system, when the gear change
is completed, the display shows the
new gear engaged.
the second, completely automatic
(AUTO), in which the system decides
when to change gear. A gear change
can be requested using the control
lever without having to switch off this
mode: this function known as "gear
suggestion" suspends the automatic
mode for the time necessary to carry
out the gear selection requested by the
driver.
20)
To switch automatic operation (AUTO)
on/off, press the button A/M on the
gearbox panel fig. 75; activation is
signalled by the word AUTO and the
gear engaged shown on the display.
When AUTO mode is deactivated, the
transmission passes to MANUAL
mode.“Kick Down” function
The "Kick Down" function is also
available: if necessary (for example
when overtaking), pressing the
accelerator pedal fully over the
hardening point, the system downshifts
one or more gears (if the rpm allows
it) in order to provide suitable power
and torque for the acceleration
requested by the driver.
STARTING THE ENGINE
To start the engine press the brake
pedal: the system engages neutral (N)
automatically. When the starting
procedure is complete, you can engage
the 1st (1) or reverse (R) gear, keeping
the brake pedal down and pressing the
1 or R buttons on the gearbox panel
to engage 1st gear and reverse
respectively.
MOVING THE CAR
Setting off in the car is permitted in
both 1st gear and 2nd gear (advisable
on road surfaces with poor grip) and
also in reverse gear (R). The gears can
only be engaged by pressing the brake
pedal.
Proceed as follows:
press the brake pedal;
press the 1 button on the gearbox
panel;
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85

operate the “+” lever on the steering
wheel keeping the brake pedal
depressed (only for setting off in 2nd
gear);
release the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal (fully depressing
the pedal quickly to its end of travel and
switching off the ASR, if fitted, results
in a “lively” departure).
Engaging reverse (R)
To engage reverse gear, press the R
button on the gearbox panel instead of
the 1 button. When reverse is engaged,
the system emits an acoustic signal.
Engaging neutral (N)
Press the (N) button to engage neutral.
Neutral (N) can only be engaged with
accelerator pedal released, regardless
of the brake pedal’s state (pressed
or not). In any case, pressing the brake
pedal is recommended.
ACOUSTIC SIGNAL
For safety reasons, there is a buzzer
warning when parking the car with the
gearbox in neutral (N) (the warning is
heard when the ignition key is turned to
the STOP position).
With the car stationary, the engine
started and (1st), (2nd) or (R)
gear engaged, the system activates the
acoustic signal and automatically
places the transmission in neutral (N)
when:
the accelerator and/or brake pedal
are not operated for at least 3 minutes;
the brake pedal is pressed for longer
than 10 minutes;
the driver's door is opened and the
accelerator pedal or the brake pedal
are not operated for at least 1.5
seconds;
a fault has been detected in the
transmission.
PARKING THE CAR
The 1st or reverse gear must be
engaged with the foot on the brake
pedal and, if on a slope, the handbrake
must be operated in order to park
safely. Wait until the indication of the
gear engaged disappears on the
display before releasing the brake
pedal.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (N).
IMPORTANT NOTES
With car stationary and gear
engaged, always keep the brake pedal
pressed until you decide to set off,
then release the brake and accelerate
gradually.
During prolonged stops with the
engine running, it is advisable to keep
the gearbox in neutral (N).
In order to safeguard the efficiency
of the clutch, do not use the
accelerator to keep the car stationary
(e.g. when stopped on an incline); if the
clutch overheats it could be damaged.
Use the brake pedal or the handbrake
instead and use the accelerator pedal
only when you decide to set off.
Only use 2nd gear when you need
greater control when setting off for
manoeuvres on surfaces with poor grip.
If, with reverse gear (R) engaged,
you have to engage 1st gear or vice
versa, only do this when the car is
completely stationary and with
the brake pedal pressed.
Although it is strongly unadvisable, if
you are driving downhill and, for
unexpected reasons, you let the car
move forward with the transmission in
neutral (N), when there is a request
to engage a gear, depending on the
actual speed of the car, the system will
automatically engage the best gear
for the correct transmission of drive
torque to the wheels.
86
STARTING AND DRIVING

DEVICE PROTECTEDFUSE AMPERE
Robotised sequential gearbox control unit power supply (+ ignition) F16 7.5
Heated rear windowF20 30
Fog lightsF30 15
Robotised sequential gearbox control unit F84 10
Front power socket (with or without cigar lighter) F85 20
WARNING
122)If the fuse blows again, contact an Abarth Dealership.
123)Never replace a fuse with metal wires or anything else.
124)Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF FIRE.
125)If a general protection fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-FUSE, MAXI-FUSE) blows, contact an Abarth Dealership.
126)Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition key has been removed and that all the other services are switched off and/or
disengaged.
127)If a general protection fuse for the safety systems (airbag system, braking system), power unit systems (engine system, gearbox system)
or driving system blows, contact an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
25)If you need to wash the engine compartment, take care not to directly hit the engine compartment fuse box with the water jet.
103

WARNING
26)Show the package and the label to the
personnel charged with handling the tyre
treated with the tyre repair kit.
27)Fix&Go provides a temporary repair,
therefore the tyre must be examined and
repaired by a specialist as soon as
possible. The sealing fluid is effective at
temperatures between -40°C and +50°C. It
is possible to repair tyres which have
been damaged on tread up to a diameter
of 4mm; however, tyres damaged on
their side cannot be repaired. Before using
Fix&Go kit, ensure that the tyre isn't
excessively damaged and that the rim is in
good condition, otherwise do not use it
and call roadside assistance. Do not
remove foreign bodies from the tyre. Do
not let the compressor turned on for more
than 20 consecutive minutes - overheating
hazard.
JUMP STARTING
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.
106, with the same capacity or a little
higher than the flat one.
28)
129)
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
connect the positive terminals (+
mark near the terminal) of the two
batteries using a suitable 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 driving 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.
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108
IN AN EMERGENCY

TOWING THE
VEHICLE
The tow hook, which is supplied with
the vehicle, is housed in the tool box,
under the carpet in the luggage
compartment.
131) 132) 133) 134) 135)
ATTACHING THE TOW
RING
Proceed as follows:
Front
release cap 1 fig. 107
take the tow hook 2 fig. 107 out of
its housing in the tool support;
fully tighten it on the threaded pin.Rear
release cap 1 fig. 108
take the tow hook 2 fig. 108 out of
its housing in the tool support;
fully tighten it on the threaded pin.
Towing with robotised
sequential transmission
Make sure that the gearbox is in neutral
(N) (checking that the vehicle moves
when pushed) and proceed in the same
way as for towing a normal vehicle
with a manual gearbox. If the gearbox
cannot be put in neutral, do not tow the
car and contact an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
131)Before towing, turn the ignition key to
MAR-ON and then to STOP without
removing it. The steering column
will automatically lock when the key is
removed and the wheels cannot be
steered.
132)Before tightening the ring clean the
threaded housing thoroughly. Make sure
that the ring is fully fastened in the housing
before towing the car.
133)The front and rear tow hooks should
be used only for emergencies on the road.
You are allowed to tow the vehicle for
short distances using an appropriate
device in accordance with the highway
code (a rigid bar), to move the vehicle on
the road in readiness for towing or
transporting via a breakdown vehicle. Tow
rings MUST NOT be used to tow vehicles
off the road or where there are obstacles
and/or for towing operations using cables
or other non-rigid devices. In compliance
with the above conditions, towing must
take place with the two vehicles (one
towing, the other towed) aligned as much
as possible along the same centre line.
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IN AN EMERGENCY

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

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.
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SERVICING AND CARE