2018 Abarth 500 tow

1. Air temperature knob
Red section: hot air;
Blue section: cold air.
2. Fan speed/climate control on and
off knob
Press the knob to activate the climate
control system; the LED on the knob
switches on. This enables rapid cooling
of the passenger compartment.
NOTE To stop the air flow from the
vents turn the knob to 0.
2)
3. Air recirculation knob
– internal air recirculation
– air intake from outside
IMPORTANT It is advisable to switch
the air recirculation on whilst queueing
or in tunnels to prevent the introduction
of polluted air. However, it is better
not to use the function for long periods,
particularly if there are many people
on board, to prevent the windows from
misting.
4. Air distribution knob
towards the central and side
dashboard vents to ventilate the chest
and face during the hot season.
distributed between the footwell
diffusers (warmest air) and the
dashboard vents (coolest air).
towards the footwell diffusers. Due
to the natural tendency of heat to
spread upwards, this type of
distribution warms the passenger
compartment up as quickly as possible,
providing an immediate feeling of
warmth.
distributed between footwell
diffusers and the windscreen/front side
window diffusers. This type of
distribution achieves effective heating of
the passenger compartment and
prevents the windows from misting up.
towards the windscreen and front
side window vents to demist or defrost
them.
IMPORTANT In warm-humid weather
conditions, using cold air on the
windscreen may cause external
condensation, which could limit
visibility.
5. Heated rear window activation
and deactivation button
The LED on the button switches on to
indicate activation.Fast windscreen and
front side window
demisting and
defrosting (MAX-DEF)
Proceed as follows:
turn knob 1 to the red section;
turn knob 3 to;
turn knob 4 to;
turn knob 2 to 4(maximum fan
speed).
WARNING
2)The system uses a coolant that is
compatible with the laws in force in
countries where the vehicle is sold, R134a
or R1234yf. When charging, only use the
gas indicated on the dedicated plate in the
engine compartment . The use of other
coolants affects the efficiency and
condition of the system. The lubricant used
for the compressor is also strictly linked
to the refrigerant gas type, refer to the
Abarth Dealership.
26
KNOWING YOUR CAR

"Trip B" allows the display of the
following parameters:
Distance travelled B
Average consumption B
Average speed B
Trip time B (driving time)
Reset Trip B.
The "Trip B" function can be disabled
(see the "Menu items" paragraph).
"Range" and "Instant consumption"
values cannot be reset.
“Instantaneous info" displays the
following values (where present, when
they are not displayed in the main
screen):
Range
Instantaneous consumption
VALUES DISPLAYED
Range (where present)
This indicates the distance that can still
be travelled with the fuel in the tank,
assuming that driving style remains
unvaried. The display will show the
reading "----"when the following
events take place:
range value lower than 50 km (or 30
mi)
car parked with engine running for a
long period.IMPORTANT The range can be affected
by several factors: driving style (see
“Driving style” paragraph in the
“Starting and driving” chapter), type of
route (motorway, towns and cities,
mountain roads, etc.), conditions of use
(load, tyre pressures, etc.). Trip
planning must therefore take the above
into account.
Distance travelled
This value shows the distance covered
from the start of the new journey.
Average consumption
This value shows the approximate
average fuel consumption from the start
of the new journey.
Instantaneous fuel consumption
(where present)
This value shows the fuel consumption.
The value is constantly updated. The
message "----"will appear on the
display if the car is parked with the
engine running.
Average speed
This value shows the car's average
speed based on the overall time
elapsed since the start of the new
journey.Journey time
Time elapsed since the start of the new
journey.
TRIP BUTTON
The TRIP button is located on the right
hand stalk fig. 48. With the ignition
key turned to MAR-ON, this button
allows you to view the previously
described parameters and also zero
them to begin a new mission:
brief pressto access the various
parameter displays;
long pressto reset and then start a
new mission.
TRIPTRIP
48AB0A0140C
43

SBR SYSTEM (Seat
Belt Reminder)
The SBR system warns the front seat
occupants if their seat belt is not
fastened.
The system signals unfastened seat
belts with visual warnings (warning
lights on in the instrument panel and
icons on the display) and an acoustic
signal (see the following paragraphs).
NOTE Contact an Abarth Dealership to
deactivate this acoustic warning
permanently. The acoustic warning can
be reactivated at any time through the
display Setup Menu.
Seat belts warning light operation
The system warns the driver and the
front passenger if their seat belt is
not fastened, as follows:
flashingwarning light and
intermittent acoustic warning for about
100 seconds;
once the cycle has finished, the
warning light remains on constantly until
the seat belts are fastened.
PRE-TENSIONERS
The car is equipped with front seat
belts pretensioners, that reduce slack in
the belts in the event of a severe frontal
collision. This guarantees the perfect
adherence of the seat belts to the
occupants' bodies before the
restraining action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have
been activated when the belt withdraws
toward the retractor.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of the
pretensioner which is not harmful and
does not involve any fire hazard.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt
tight to the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will
invalidate its efficiency. If, due to
unusual natural events (floods, sea
storms, etc.), the device has been
affected by water or mud, have it
replaced.
74)
14)
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger safety, the front
seat belt reels contain a device which
allows the force acting on the chest and
shoulders to be modulated during the
belt restraining action in the event of
a frontal collision.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT BELTS
75) 76) 77)
Seat belts are also to be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the case of a crash is greatly reduced
for them and the unborn child if they
are wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the
lower part of the belt very low down so
that it passes over the pelvis and under
the abdomen (see fig. 54). While
pregnancy progresses, the driver must
adjust both the seat and the steering
wheel to ensure full control of the
vehicle (pedals and steering wheel must
be easily accessible). The maximum
clearance should be kept between the
abdomen and the steering wheel.
65

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)
108) 109)
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
108)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.
109)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

When necessary, you can engage
1stgear, reverse (R) or neutral (N) with
the engine off, the key at AVV 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 starting uphill, 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, when
the SPORT function is used, the
steering may shudder, which is typical
of a sports setting.
NOTE For vehicles equipped with an
Akrapovic exhaust system, a
considerable increase in engine sound
can be heard when the SPORT mode is
activated. This is caused by opening
the valve located in the Akrapovic
exhaust, which improves performance.
77AB0A0351C
1
78AB0A0360C
87

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
CHANGING A BULB ...................... 92
REPLACING AN EXTERIOR BULB .. 96
REPLACING FUSES........................ 99
“FIX&GO” KIT ..................................104
JUMP STARTING ............................106
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM ................107
TOWING THE VEHICLE ..................108
91

HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
These lights are turned on by pressing
the button 1 fig. 81, regardless of the
position of the ignition key.
With the device on, warning lights
andlight up in the instrument
panel.
Press the button 1 again to switch the
lights off.
IMPORTANT The use of hazard warning
lights is governed by the highway
code of the country you are driving in:
comply with legal requirements.
Emergency braking
In the event of an emergency braking,
the hazard warning lights switch on
automatically together with warning
lights
andon the instrument
panel.The lights switch off automatically when
emergency braking ceases.
CHANGING A BULB
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS
Before changing a bulb check the
contacts for oxidation;
burnt bulbs must be replaced by
others of the same type and power;
always check the headlight beam
direction after changing a bulb;
when a light is not working, check
that the corresponding fuse is intact
before replacing a bulb. For the location
of fuses, refer to the paragraph
"Replacing fuses" in this chapter.
115) 116)23) 24)
IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is
a natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside
of the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges
81AB0A0350C
92
IN AN EMERGENCY

WARNING
124)The information required by the
applicable regulation is indicated on the
Fix&Go kit package label. Carefully read
the label on the cartridge before use, avoid
improper use. The kit should be used by
adults and cannot be used by children.
125)IMPORTANT: Do not exceed 80 km/h.
Avoid sudden acceleration or braking.
The kit provides a temporary repair,
therefore the tyre must be examined and
repaired by a specialist as soon as
possible. Before using the kit, ensure that
the tyre is not 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.
WARNING
26)The sealant fluid is effective with
external temperatures between -40°C and
+55°C. The sealant fluid has an expiry
date. It is possible to repair tyres which
have been damaged on tread up to a
diameter of 6 mm. Show the cartridge and
the label to the personnel charged with
handling the tyre treated with the tyre
repair kit.
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.
104, with the same capacity or a little
higher than the flat one.
27)
126)
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.
104AB0A0078C
106
IN AN EMERGENCY