2017 Abarth 500 steering

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.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

When necessary, it is possible to
engage 1st gear, reverse (R) or neutral
(N) with the engine off, the key at
MAR-ON and the brake pressed. In this
case, it is advisable to change allowing
at least 5 seconds to elapse between
one gear change and the next to
safeguard the operation of the hydraulic
system and the pump in particular.
Fully and quickly depressing the
accelerator pedal activates a function
that allows a "lively" departure.
For departures on a hill, accelerating
gradually but fully immediately after
having released the handbrake or the
brake pedal allows the engine to greatly
increase the rpm and tackle the
steepest gradients with more torque to
the wheels.
WARNING
20)Using the levers incorrectly (levers
pushed towards the dashboard) could
break them.
SPORT FUNCTION
When the SPORT button 1 fig. 77 is
pressed, the sports driving setting
is turned on giving greater
responsiveness during acceleration, an
increase in drive torque and more
precise steering with greater effort
required on the steering wheel.
When this function is on, the word
SPORT 1 fig. 78 is lit up in the display
and the instrument panel shows a
dedicated screen.
Press the button again to turn the
function off and restore the normal
driving setting.
IMPORTANT When the SPORT button
is pressed, the function is activated
about 5 seconds later.IMPORTANT During acceleration using
the SPORT function the steering may
shudder, which is typical of a sports
setting.
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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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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

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

47)Rinse immediate to remove soap to
prevent stains and halos. Repeat the
operation if needed.
48)Rinse immediately, and repeat this
operation if necessary. If you choose to
waterproof the soft top, strictly follow the
instructions on the package of the
waterproofing product you have selected in
order to obtain optimal results.
49)The rubber seals on the soft top must
be cleaned exclusively with water. If you
notice that this trim is dry or is sticking,
apply talcum powder or products
specifically for rubber trim (silicone spray).INTERIOR
Regularly check that water is not
trapped under the mats (due to water
dripping off shoes, umbrellas, etc.),
as this could cause oxidation of the
sheet metal.
154) 155)
SEATS AND FABRIC
PARTS
Remove dust with a soft brush or a
vacuum cleaner. It is advisable to use a
moist brush on velvet upholstery.
Rub the seats with a sponge moistened
with a solution of water and neutral
detergent.
PLASTIC AND COATED
PARTS
It is advisable to clean interior plastic
parts with a moist cloth and a solution
of water and non-abrasive mild soap.
Use specific products for cleaning
plastic, without solvents and specifically
designed to prevent damage to the
appearance and colour of the treated
parts, to remove grease and tough
stains.
IMPORTANT Never use alcohol, petrols
and derivatives to clean the instrument
panel lens.LEATHER PARTS
(where provided)
Use only water and mild soap to clean
these parts. Never use alcohol or
alcohol-based products. Before using a
specific product for cleaning interiors,
make sure that it does not contain
alcohol and/or alcohol-based
substances.
ALCANTARA PARTS
(STEERING WHEEL)
Procedure for restoring Alcantara
applied to the steering wheel:
Treat the surface using a microfibre
cloth moistened with mild Marseilles
soap and water, taking care to cover
the whole covered area, applying a
uniform light pressure (do not rub hard).
Rinse and wring out the microfibre
cloth, and pass over the covered area
treated in the previous point again.
Leave it to dry and brush it gently
with a soft brush.
50)
WARNING
154)Never use flammable products, such
as petrol ether or rectified petrol to clean
the inside of the car. The electrostatic
charges which are generated by rubbing
during the cleaning operation may cause a
fire.
130
SERVICING AND CARE

RIGHT HAND DRIVE VERSIONS
DASHBOARD
1. Adjustable air vents 2. Fixed air vents 3. Left stalk: direction indicators, side/tail lights, dipped beam headlights, main beam headlights, Lane
change function 4. Turbo pressure gauge, “SPORT” display 5. Instrument panel 6. Right lever: windscreen wiper/washer, rear window wiper/washer
7.Uconnect™multimedia system 8. “SPORT” mode, hazard lights, fog light/rear fog light 9. Passenger front airbag 10. Glove compartment
11. Climate control system buttons 12. Window raisers 13. Storage compartment 14. Transmission 15. Driver front airbag 16.Uconnect™
multimedia system controls on steering wheel
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RI
G
HT
HAND
DRIVE
VER
SIO
NS

Steering wheel controls
The controls for the main system functions are present on the steering wheel to make control easier. The activation of the
function selected is controlled, in some cases, by how long the button is pressed (short or long press) as described in the table
below.
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MULTIMEDIA