2017 FIAT 500 ABARTH CABRIO power steering

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for
cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and
bulges. Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the
tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation pres-
sure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the
instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering
fluid (if equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected.
The cause should be located and corrected immediately.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Turn Signals ........................83
▫ Lane Change Assist ...................84
▫ Follow Me Home/Headlight Delay .........84
▫ Interior Lights .......................84
▫ Cargo Area Lights .....................85
▫ Fog Lights — If Equipped ...............86
 WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS .....86
▫ Front Windshield Wiper Operation .........86
▫ Rear Windshield Wiper .................88
 TILT STEERING COLUMN — IF EQUIPPED . .88
 ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL ...........89
▫ To Activate ..........................90
▫ To Set A Desired Speed .................90
▫ To Deactivate ........................90
▫ To Resume Speed .....................90
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ...............91
▫ To Accelerate For Passing ...............92 
REAR PARK ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED ........92
▫ Rear Park Assist Sensors ................92
▫ Rear Park Assist Warning Display ..........93
▫ Rear Park Assist Display ................93
▫ Rear Park Assist Audible Alerts ...........93
▫ Failure Indications .....................95
▫ Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System .......95
▫ Park Assist System Usage Precautions .......95
 POWER SUNROOF — IF EQUIPPED ........97
▫ To Open ............................98
▫ To Close ............................98
▫ Pinch Protect Feature ...................98
▫ Wind Buffeting ......................98
▫ Emergency Operation ..................98
▫ Sun Shade — If Equipped ...............99
 ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS ...........99
 CIGAR LIGHTER — IF EQUIPPED .........101
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Electric Power Steering Fail Warning Light — If Equipped
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Electric Power Steering Fail Warning — If Equipped
This light is used to manage the electrical warning of the EPS (Power Steering System). Re-
fer to “Power Steering” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
Brake Warning Light
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
United States
Canada
Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, including brake fluid level and parking brake ap-
plication. If the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking brake is applied, that the
brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been disengaged, and the fluid level is
at the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic sys-
tem malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-
Lock Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. In this case, the light
will remain on until the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to the Brake
Booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may
be felt during each stop.
NOTE:
Brake Warning Light may illuminate due to excessive wear to brake pads.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 121

POWER STEERING ....................199
 PARKING BRAKE .....................200
 SPORT MODE ....................... .201
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......201
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....202
 BRAKE SYSTEM ..................... .202
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . .203
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . .203
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ..............204
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ...........204
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................205
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .........206
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ...........209
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ............210
▫ Tire Markings ...................... .210
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........213▫
Tire Terminology And Definitions .........214
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ..........215
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .......219
▫ Tire Pressure ...................... .219
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................220
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . .221
▫ Radial Ply Tires .....................221
▫ Tire Types ......................... .222
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped ............223
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ..............224
▫ Tire Spinning ...................... .227
▫ T

read Wear Indicators .................227
▫ Life Of Tire ....................... .228
▫ Replacement Tires ....................228
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) ......230
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .230
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

POWER STEERING
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide
light efforts while parking and good feel while driving.
If the electric steering system experiences a fault that
prevents it from providing assist, you will still have the
ability to steer the vehicle manually.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced or no power
steering assist could pose a safety risk to yourself
and others. Service should be obtained as soon as
possible.
If the Steering icon is flashing, it indicates that the
vehicle needs to be taken to an authorized dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost power steering
assistance.
If the Steering icon is displayed and the “POWER
STEERING SYSTEM OVER TEMP” message is dis-
played on the instrument cluster screen, they indicate
that extreme steering maneuvers may have occurred
which caused an over temperature condition in the power steering system. Once driving conditions are
safe, pull over and let the vehicle idle for a few
moments until the icon and message turn off. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
If the Steering icon is displayed and the “SERVICE
POWER STEERING – ASSIST OFF” message is displayed
on the instrument cluster screen, they indicate the vehicle
needs to be taken to an authorized dealer for service. Refer
to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
•
Even if the power steering assistance is no longer
operational, it is still possible to steer the vehicle.
Under these conditions there will be a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
• If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer
for service.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 199

Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The Sport mode increases steering feedback to the driver
with slight increase in effort and changes the transmission
shift schedules for more aggressive shifting. This driving
mode is useful while driving on twisty roads where more
steering precision is desired in spirited cornering.
1. To activate the Sport mode, push the SPORT button.Once activated, a SPORT message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster.
2. Push the SPORT button again to return to the stan-
dard driving mode.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. However, there will be some loss of overall brak-
ing effectiveness. You may notice increased pedal travel
during application, greater pedal force required to slow
or stop, and potential activation of the “Brake System
Warning Light”.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine off), the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required
to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that
required with the power system operating.
SPORT Button
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

WARNING!(Continued)
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a colli-
sion if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.).
FUSES
WARNING!
•When replacing a blown fuse, always use an
appropriate replacement fuse with the same amp
rating as the original fuse. Never replace a fuse
with another fuse of higher amp rating. Never
replace a blown fuse with metal wires or any
other material. Failure to use proper fuses may
result in serious personal injury, fire and/or prop-
erty damage.
• Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the igni-
tion is off and that all the other services are
switched off and/or disengaged.
• If the replaced fuse blows again, contact an au-
thorized dealer.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If a general protection fuse for safety systems (air
bag system, braking system), power unit systems
(engine system, gearbox system) or steering sys-
tem blows, contact an authorized dealer.
Interior Fuses
The interior fuse panel is part of the Body Control
Module (BCM) and is located on the driver’s side under
the instrument panel.
Fuse Panel
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 299