2017 FIAT 500 ABARTH CABRIO steering wheel

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system enhances
directional control and stability of the vehicle under
various driving conditions. ESC corrects for oversteer-
ing or understeering of the vehicle by applying the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the oversteering or understeering condition. Engine
power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain
the desired path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to
determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and
compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the
actual path does not match the intended path, ESC
applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESC Off Switch (Automatic Transmission)
ESC Off Switch (Manual Transmission)
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The ESC Off switch is located left of the steering
column (Manual Transmission Only).
WARNING!
• The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction af-
forded by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot
prevent all accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driving on very
slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also can-
not prevent collisions resulting from loss of ve-
hicle control due to inappropriate driver input for
the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of
an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited
in a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of others.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly
maintain your vehicle, may change the handling
characteristics of your vehicle, and may nega-
tively affect the performance of the ESC system.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
Changes to the steering system, suspension, brak-
ing system, tire type and size or wheel size may
adversely affect ESC performance. Improperly
inflated and unevenly worn tires may also de-
grade ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica-
tion or poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can increase the
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
ESC Operating Modes
The ESC system has three available operating modes.
Full On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in On
mode. This mode should be used for most driving
situations. ESC should only be turned to Partial Off for
specific reasons as noted below.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 207

It is recommended you contact your authorized tire
dealer or original equipment dealer with any questions
you may have on tire specifications or capability. Fail-
ure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely
affect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combina-
tions of unapproved tires and wheels may change
suspension dimensions and performance charac-
teristics, resulting in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your vehicle. This can cause
unpredictable handling and stress to steering and
suspension components. You could lose control
and have a collision resulting in serious injury or
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your vehicle.
• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 229

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or 2nd
gear and REVERSE (with manual transmission), while
gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of
accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rock-
ing motion, without spinning the wheels, or racing the
engine.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead
to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the
engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of clutch or transmission failure
during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.NOTE:
Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Elec-
tronic Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Off
mode, before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the
ESC Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage,
or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not
spin the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or
drivetrain damage may result.
(Continued)
262 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. Rotate the bulb counter-clockwise.
3. Remove the bulb and replace as needed.
4. Install the bulb and rotate clockwise to lock in place.
5. Reinstall the plastic cap.
Front Turn Signal, Parking And Daytime
Running Lamps
1. Turn the steering wheel completely to the left orright.
2. Open the wheel housing access door. 3. Remove the plastic cap from the back of the lamp
housing.
4. Rotate bulb/socket counter-clockwise.
5. Remove the bulb and replace as needed.
6. Install the bulb into socket, and rotate bulb/socket clockwise into lamp locking it in place.
7. Reinstall the plastic cap.
Front Fog Lamps
To replace the front fog lights, see your authorized
dealer.
Front/Rear Side Marker Lamps
1. Remove portion of the wheel liner to allow hand access to side marker lamp.
2. Rotate the bulb socket counterclockwise, and remove the bulb and socket assembly from the housing.
3. Pull the bulb from the socket and insert the replace- ment bulb.
4. Install the bulb and socket assembly into the hous- ing, and rotate the socket clockwise to lock it in place.
5. Reinstall the wheel liner.
Wheel Housing Access Door
306 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Front Seat...................... .23, 24, 26
Inspection ............................61
Operating Instructions ...................26
Pregnant Women .......................29
Pretensioners ..........................30
Rear Seat .............................24
Reminder ........................... .120
Untwisting Procedure ....................28
Seats ..................................74
Adjustment ...........................74
Heated ..............................77
Security Alarm Disarm The System .....................12
Security Alarm .........................12
Selection Of Oil ........................ .274
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ....................11
Service Assistance ....................... .318
Service Contract ........................ .320
Service Manuals ........................ .321
Shift Lever Override ..................... .263
Shift Speeds, Manual Transmission ............188
Shoulder Belts ...........................24
Signals, Turn ..................... .64, 83, 137
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ..................230
Snow Tires ............................ .223Spare Tire
......................... .224, 226
Spark Plugs ........................... .308
Specifications Oil ............................... .274
Speed Control Accel/Decel ...........................92
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...............89
Sport Mode ........................... .201
Starting .............................. .184
Automatic Transmission .................184
Cold Weather ........................ .185
Engine Fails To Start ....................186
Manual Transmission ...................184
Steering Power ............................. .199
Tilt Column ...........................88
Wheel, Tilt ............................88
Steering Wheel Audio Controls ..............166
Steering

Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . .166
Storage .............................. .304
Storage, Vehicle ........................ .178
Stuck, Freeing .......................... .262
Sun Roof ...............................97
Supplemental Restraint System - Air Bag ........32
332 INDEX