2018 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

Warning light What it means
“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILURE
When the key is turned to MAR, the warning light switches on but it should switch off after a few seconds.
If the warning light stays on, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display, you may
not have steering assistance and the effort required to operate the steering wheel could be notably
increased; steering is, however, possible.
In this case, contact an Abarth Dealership.
If the warning light switches on while driving (on some versions, together with a dedicated message on the
display) you may not have steering assistance. Although it will still be possible to steer the vehicle, the effort
needed to operate the steering wheel could be increased: contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as
possible.
IMPORTANT In some circumstances, factors independent of the electric power steering could cause the
warning light on the instrument panel to switch on. In this case, stop the car immediately (should it be in
motion), stop the engine for about 20 seconds and then restart the engine. If the warning light stays on,
contact an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT After the battery is disconnected, the steering must be initialised. The warning light switches
on to indicate this. To carry out this procedure, simply turn the steering wheel all the way from one end to
the other or drive in a straight line for about a hundred metres.
Warning light What it means
BRAKE PAD WEAR
The warning light switches on, together with a dedicated message on the display, if the front or rear brake
pads (where provided) are worn. In this case have them replaced as soon as possible.
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Warning light What it means
ESC SYSTEM
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds.
ESC system activation
Flashing of the warning light while driving indicates the intervention of the ESC system.
ESC system failure
If the warning light does not go off or stays on together with the LED on the TTC button while driving. The
display will show a dedicated message.
Contact an Abarth Dealership.
Hill Holder failure
This warning light switches on, on some versions together with a dedicated message on the display, in the
event of a Hill Holder system fault.
In this case, contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
INJECTION / EOBD SYSTEM FAILURE
Under normal conditions, the warning light comes on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but should
go off as soon as the engine is started.
The warning light remains on or switches on while driving, on some versions together with a dedicated
message on the display, if the injection system is not working properly. In particular, if the warning light
switches on continuously, it indicates a malfunction in the supply/ignition system that could cause
excessive exhaust emissions, a possible loss of performance, poor driveability and high fuel consumption.
Under these conditions, the vehicle can continue travelling at moderate speed without demanding
excessive effort from the engine. Prolonged use of the car with the warning light on may cause damage.
Contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
If the warning light is flashing, this indicates that the catalytic converter may be damaged.
If the light flashes, release the accelerator pedal to reduce engine revs until the warning light stops flashing;
continue the journey at a moderate speed, trying to avoid driving conditions that may cause further
flashing, and contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
38)
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Warning light What it means
REAR FOG LIGHT
The warning light switches on when the rear fog light is activated.
ABS FAILURE
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds.
The warning light comes on, on some versions along with a message on the display, when the system is
inefficient or not available. In this case the braking system maintains its efficiency unaltered but without the
advantage of the ABS system.
Drive carefully and contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
iTPMS
(where provided)
Tyre pressure low
The warning light switches to indicate that the pressure of one or more tyres is lower than the
recommended value, in order to guarantee long tyre life and low fuel consumption, or to indicate a slow
loss of pressure.
In this way the iTPMS warns the driver that one or more tyres may be flat and probably punctured. In this
case it is advisable to restore the correct pressure value. Once the normal operating conditions of the
vehicle are restored, carry out the Tyre reset procedure.
IMPORTANT Do not continue driving with one or more flat tyres as handling may be compromised. Stop
the vehicle, avoiding sharp braking and steering.
iTPMS failure/iTPMS temporarily deactivated
The warning light flashes for about 75 seconds and then stays on constantly (along with a dedicated
message on the display) to indicate that the system is temporarily deactivated or faulty. The system goes
back to normal operation when the operating conditions allow it. If this is not the case, carry out the Tyre
reset procedure after restoring the normal operating conditions.
If the malfunction warning persists, contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
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Warning light What it means
SIDE LIGHTS AND DIPPED BEAM HEADLIGHTS/FOLLOW ME HOME
Side lights and dipped beam headlights
The warning light switches on when the side lights or dipped headlights are turned on.
Follow Me Home
The warning light comes on, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display, when the
"Follow me home" device is used.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS
The warning light comes on when the front fog lights are turned on.
LEFT DIRECTION INDICATOR
The warning light turns on when the direction indicator control lever is moved downwards or, together with
the right indicator, when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
RIGHT DIRECTION INDICATOR
The warning light turns on when the direction indicator control lever is moved upwards or, together with the
left indicator, when the hazard warning light button is pressed.
Warning light What it means
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
The warning light switches on when the main beam headlights are turned on.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING SYMBOLS
Symbol What it means
DOORS/BONNET/LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OPEN
The symbols on the display switches on, together with a dedicated message, on some versions, when one
or more doors, the tailgate or the bonnet (where provided) are not properly closed. An acoustic signal is
also emitted with the doors open and the car in motion.
LOW BATTERY CHARGE
If the warning light or the symbol on the display (together with a dedicated message on the display on
some versions) remains on, contact an Abarth Dealership immediately.
INSUFFICIENT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/ENGINE OIL DETERIORATED
When the key is turned to MAR the icon appears (where present), but should disappear as soon as the
engine is started.
NOTE Where present, the warning light may be amber
Low engine oil pressure
The symbol appears continuously together with the message on the display (where present) when the
system detects that the engine oil pressure is insufficient.
36)
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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. when 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 warning, to indicate
transmission 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 warning, when
the car exceeds the speed limit set in the Setup Menu (e.g. 120 km/h). For some markets, the symbol is
red.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Symbol What it means
POSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD
A symbol is displayed when the outside temperature falls to or below 3°C.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
PARKING SENSOR FAILURE
(where provided)
The symbol is shown on the display together with a dedicated message if there is a fault in the parking
sensors.
SERVICE (SCHEDULED SERVICING) EXPIRED
When the scheduled servicing is nearly due ("scheduled service deadline"), the display will show the
symbol followed by the number of kilometres/miles until the car must be serviced. This is displayed
automatically, with ignition key at MAR, 2000 km (or equivalent value in miles) before servicing or, for some
markets, 30 days before servicing. It is also displayed each time the key is turned to MAR or, for some
markets, every 200 km (or equivalent value in miles).
Go to an Abarth Dealership, where the "Service Schedule" operations will be performed and the message
will be reset.
ASR SYSTEM
On some versions, the display will the show symbol together with a dedicated message on the display,
when the ASR system is deactivated.
HILL HOLDER FAILURE
(where provided)
The display will show the symbol together with a dedicated message when there is a fault in the Hill Holder
system.
In this case, contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM
The display will show the symbol and a dedicated message if the fuel cut-off system intervenes.
For the fuel cut-off system re-activation procedure, see the "Fuel cut-off system" paragraph, in the "In an
emergency" chapter.
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Symbol What it means
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM FAILURE
The display will show the symbol and a dedicated message if the fuel cut-off system is faulty.
EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILURE
(where provided)
The symbol is shown on the display together with a dedicated message when there is a fault in one of the
following lights:
daytime running lights (DRL)
side lights
direction indicators
rear fog light
number plate lights.
The anomaly relating to these lights could be: one or more blown bulbs, a blown protection fuse or a break
in the relevant electric connection.
BRAKE LIGHT FAILURE
(where provided)
The display will show the symbol together with a dedicated message if there is a fault in the brake lights.
The fault may be caused by a blown bulb, a blown protection fuse or a break in the relevant electrical
connection.
FIAT CODE SYSTEM FAILURE
With the key in the MAR position, on some versions the warning light, or the symbol on the display, turns
on continuously, along with a dedicated message on the display, to signal a possible Fiat CODE system
failure.
If the symbol appears on the display with engine running, it means that the car is not protected by the
engine immobiliser device.
In this case, contact an Abarth Dealership as soon as possible.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL