186
HEAVY USAGE OF THE CAR
Should the car be used predominantly in one of the
following particularly demanding conditions:
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km) and with external
temperatures below zero;
❒frequently idling engine or long distance low speed
driving (e. g. taxis or door-to-door deliveries) or in
the case of long term inactivity;
❒in cities;
perform the following inspections more frequently than
shown on the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
❒check cleanliness of bonnet and boot locks and
linkage cleanliness and lubrication;
❒visually inspect the conditions of: engine, gearbox,
transmission, pipes and hoses (exhaust – fuel
– brakes), rubber parts (boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒check battery charge and liquid level (electrolyte);
❒visually inspect condition of accessory drive belts;
❒check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
❒check air filter and replace, if required.
PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if
necessary, top up the following:
❒engine coolant fluid level;
❒brake fluid level;
❒windscreen washer fluid level;
❒tyre pressure and conditions;
❒operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard lights, etc.);
❒operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system,
position and wear of the windscreen and rear
window wiper blades.
Every 3,000 km check and top up if required: engine oil
level.
It is advisable to use PETRONAS LUBRICANTS products,
designed and produced specifically for Abarth cars (see
table “Capacities” in section “Technical Specifications”).
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IMPORTANT If the charge level remains under 50% for
a long time, the battery is damaged by sulphation,
reducing its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
The battery will also be more at risk of freezing
(e.g. already at -10°C). Refer to the paragraph
“Car inactivity” in “Starting and driving” if the car is left
parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install electrical
accessories which require permanent electrical supply
(alarm, etc.) or accessories influencing the electrical
supply requirements, contact an Abarth Dealership
whose qualified personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices available in Lineaccessori Abarth,
will evaluate the overall electric absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is capable of
withstanding the load required, or whether it should be
integrated with a more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing energy even with
the engine off, they gradually run down the battery.WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre, including the space-saver,
every two weeks and before long journeys. The pressure
should be checked with the tyre rested and cold.
While driving the car, the pressure increases under
standard conditions: for the correct tyre inflation
pressure, see “Wheels” in the “Technical specifications”
chapter.
Incorrect pressure causes abnormal tyre wear fig. 171:
A normal pressure: tread evenly worn;
B low pressure: tread particularly worn at the edges;
C high pressure: tread particularly worn in the centre.
The tyres must be replaced when the tread is less than
1.6 mm thick. In all cases, follow the laws in force in the
country where you are driving.
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196
F0U175Abfig. 171
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Remember that road holding also
depends on the correct tyre inflation.
WARNING
If the pressure is too low the tyre
overheats and this can cause it serious
damage.
WARNING
Do not cross switch the tyres, moving
them from the right of the car to the left
and vice versa. Never submit alloy rims to
repainting treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C.
The mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
WARNING
IMPORTANT NOTES
❒Avoid braking suddenly, high-powered starts and
violent impacts against curbs, potholes or other
obstacles if possible. Driving for long stretches over
bumpy roads can damage the tyres;
❒check the tyres regularly for cuts on the sides, swelling
or irregular tread wear;. Contact an Abarth Dealership
if required;
❒avoid overloading the car when travelling: this may
cause serious damage to the wheels and tyres;
❒if a tyre is punctured, stop the vehicle immediately and
change it to avoid damage to the tyre, the rim, the
suspensions and the steering system;
❒a tyre will age even if it is not used much. Cracks in the
tread and on the sidewalls are a sign of ageing. Have
the tyres checked by skilled personnel if they have
been fitted for longer than six years. Also remember
to check the space-saver wheel very carefully;
❒in case of replacement, always fit new tyres, avoiding
those with an unknown origin;
❒if a tyre is replaced, also change the inflation valve;
❒to allow even wear between the front and rear tyres,
it is advisable to change them over every 10-15
thousand kilometres, keeping them on the same side
of the car so as not to reverse the direction of
rotation.
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UNDERSTANDING RIM MARKING fig. 179
Example: 7J x 17 ET39
7 = rim width in inches 1.
J = rim drop centre outline (side projection
where the tyre bead rests)
2.
17 = rim nominal diameter in inches (corresponds
to diameter of the tyre to be mounted)
3= Ø.
ET39 = wheel camber (distance between the disc/rim
support plane and the wheel rim centre line).RIM PROTECTORS fig. 180
DO NOT fit wheel hub caps (for
versions/markets, where provided) when
using integral hub caps fixed (with springs) to
the steel rim and after sale tyres provided with
Rim Protector. The use of unsuitable tyres and
wheel hub caps could cause a sudden pressure
loss in the tyre.
WARNING
F0U195Abfig. 180
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Version Rims (**) Tyres provided
1.4 Turbo Multi Air6½J x 17 ET 36 205/45 R17 88V
7Jx17 ET 39 215/45 R17 91Y (*)
(*) Tyre not suitable for snow chains
(**) 100 mm wheel stud distance and M12 x 1.5 studs; use only wheels suitable for this car.
COLD TYRE PRESSURE (bar)
Tyres Medium load Full load
Front Rear Front Rear
205/45 R17 88V 2.4 2.2 2.7 2.4
215/45 R17 91Y 2.3 2.1 2.3 2.3
Add +0.3 bar to the prescribed pressure when the tyres are warm. However, recheck that the value is correct with the tyre cold.
With snow tyres, add +0.2 bar to the inflation pressure value prescribed for standard tyres.
When running at speeds higher than 160 km/h, inflate tyres to full-load pressures.
With the TPMS system, the inflation pressure should be + 0.1 compared with the prescribed figure.
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Start&Stop system......................... 99
Starting and driving ....................... 131
Steering lock and ignition
switch .......................................11-12
Steering wheel ............................... 34
– adjustment ................................ 34
– turning circle ............................ 209
Steering wheel lock ...................... 12
Steering
– steering wheel
adjustment lever ......................... 34
– technical specifications .......... 209
Storage compartments ...... 61-62-67
Storing the car ............................... 140
Sun roof (Sky-dome) .................... 68
– emergency operation ............. 70
Sun visors ....................................... 66
Suspensions
(technical specifications) ........... 209
Symbols ........................................... 4
Tailgate
– closing the tailgate .................. 77
– opening the tailgate ................ 76
– opening the tailgate in
an emergency .............................. 77Taillights
– front bulb replacement .......... 161
– switching on ............................. 49
Technical data ................................ 205
Technical specifications ............... 205
Third brake light
– bulb replacement .................... 166
Towing the car .............................. 179
TPMS (Tyre Inflation Pressure
Control System) ......................... 93
Transmission
(technical specifications) ........... 208
Trip computer ............................... 29
TTC (system) ................................ 91
Turning circle ................................ 209
Tyre Inflation Pressure
Control System (TPMS) ........... 93
Tyre pressure ................................ 213
Tyres (wheels)
– Fix&Go Automatic rapid tyre
repair kit ...................................... 152
– in the event of a puncture .... 176
– reading rim markings ............. 212
– reading tyre markings ............ 210
– Rim Protector tyres ............... 212
– rims and tyres .......................... 210
– snow chains .............................. 139– snow tyres ................................ 138
– tyre pressure ........................... 213
– wheel trim ................................ 210
– winter tyres ............................. 138
Vehicle Identification .................. 207
Vehicle identification
number plate................................ 205
Vehicle lifting points ..................... 178
Vehicle weights ............................. 215
Warning lights and messages .... 141
Washer fluid for windscreen/
rear window
– checking levels and
topping up .................................... 190
– specifications ............................ 218
Washing the car
– engine compartment .............. 202
– inside ......................................... 202
– outside ...................................... 201
Wheel geometry ........................... 210
Wheel rims .............................210-212
Wheels and tyres ......................... 195
– reading rim markings ............. 212
– reading tyre markings ............ 210
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– Rim Protector tyres ............... 212
– rims and tyres .......................... 210
– tyre and wheel types .............. 213
– tyre inflation pressure ........... 213
– wheel trim ................................ 210
When parked ................................ 133
Windows
– cleaning ..................................... 51
– windscreen washer fluid ....... 190Windscreen washer
– "smart washing" function ...... 52
– activating ................................... 51
– checking levels and
topping up .................................... 190
– nozzles ...................................... 199
– windscreen washer fluid
specifications ............................... 218
Windscreen wiper
– blade maintenance .................. 198– blade replacement .................. 198
– nozzles ...................................... 199
– operation ................................... 51
– rain sensor ............................... 52
Windscreen/rear window
wiper blades
– replacement ............................. 198
Winter
– snow chains .............................. 139
– snow tyres ................................ 138
266
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CONTENTSFiat Group Automobiles S.p.A. - Parts & Services - Technical Services - Service Engineering
Largo Senatore G. Agnelli, 3 - 10040 Volvera - Torino (Italia)
Print n. 603.99.262 – 07/2012 – 1 edition
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