2017 Abarth 500 towing

Symbol What it means
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH
On some versions, the symbol appears on the display when the engine is overheated together with a
dedicated message on the display.
In normal driving conditions: stop the car, switch off the engine and check that the fluid level in the
reservoir is not below the MIN mark. In this case, wait for the engine to cool down, then slowly and
carefully open the cap, top up with coolant and check that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on
the reservoir itself. Also check visually for any fluid leaks. Contact an Abarth Dealership if the warning light
switches on when the engine is started again;
If the car is used under demanding conditions(e.g. towing trailers uphill or fully loaded): slow
down and, if the warning light stays on, stop the car. Stop for two or three minutes with the engine running
and slightly accelerated to facilitate better coolant circulation, then turn the engine off. Check that the
coolant level is correct as described above.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to keep the engine running and slightly accelerated for
a few minutes before turning it off
ROBOTISED SEQUENTIAL GEARBOX FAILURE
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the icon appears but should disappear after a few seconds.
The icon flashes, along with a dedicated message on the display and an acoustic signal, to indicate
gearbox failure.
13)
Airbag warning light failure(where present)
The icon lights up when a fault is detected in the warning light
.
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED
The symbol is shown on the display, together with a dedicated message and an acoustic signal, when the
vehicle exceeds the speed limit set in the Setup Menu (e.g. 120 km/h). For some markets, the symbol is
red.
52
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND DRIVING
Let’s get to the core of the vehicle:
seeing how you can exploit all of its
potential to the full.
We’ll look at how to drive it safely in any
situation, so that it can be a welcome
companion, with our comfort and
our wallets in mind.STARTING THE ENGINE ................ 82
PARKING THE VEHICLE ................. 83
USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX .... 84
USING THE ROBOTISED
SEQUENTIAL TRANSMISSION ....... 84
SPORT FUNCTION ......................... 87
PARKING SENSORS....................... 88
REFUELLING THE VEHICLE ........... 89
TOWING TRAILERS ........................ 90
81

STARTING THE
ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic
engine lock device: if the engine fails to
start, see the paragraph "Fiat CODE
system" in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place
the gearbox lever in neutral;
fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key to
STOP before repeating the starting
procedure.
If, with key at MAR, the
symbol on
the display stays on together with
the
warning light on the instrument
panel, it is advisable to turn the key to
STOP and then back to MAR. If the
warning light remains on, try with the
other keys provided with the car.
Contact an Abarth Dealership if you still
cannot start the engine.
15) 16)
110) 111)
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to wait until the
engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
17)
SWITCHING OFF THE
ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to "catch
its breath" before turning it off by letting
it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
18)
WARNING
15)It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at maximum
rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.)
when it is first used.16)When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR-ON to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
17)Never, under any circumstances, jump
start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
18)A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
WARNING
110)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
111)Remember that the brake servo
and power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore
much effort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
82
STARTING AND DRIVING

TOWING TRAILERS
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the
vehicle must be fitted with an approved
tow hook and an adequate electrical
system. Installation should be carried
out by specialised personnel who
will issue the required papers for
travelling on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional
door mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that, when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, braking
distances increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight of the trailer.
Engage a low gear when driving
downhill, rather than constantly using
the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the
vehicle tow hook reduces the vehicle's
loading capacity by the same amount.
To make sure that the maximum
towable weight is not exceeded (given
in the vehicle registration document)
account should be taken of the fully
laden trailer, including accessories and
luggage.
Respect the speed limits specific to
each country for vehicles towing
trailers.In any case, the top speed must not
exceed 100 km/h.117) 118)
WARNING
117)The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
required on slippery roads.
118)Never modify the braking system of
the vehicle to control the trailer brake. The
trailer braking system must be fully
independent of the car’s hydraulic system.
90
STARTING AND DRIVING

IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the 00 800
3428 0000 freephone number to
search the nearest Abarth Authorised
Dealership.HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS........... 92
REPLACING A BULB ..................... 92
REPLACING AN EXTERIOR BULB .. 96
REPLACING FUSES........................ 99
“FIX&GO” KIT ..................................104
JUMP STARTING ............................108
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM ................109
TOWING THE VEHICLE ..................110
91

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.
106AB0A0078C
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.
107AB0A0398C
108AB0A0109C
110
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