2018 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

In the case of abnormal signals, it is
recommended to perform the RESET
procedure. If the warnings reappear
once the RESET procedure has started,
check that the same type of tyre is
used on all four wheels and that the
tyres are not damaged; if the
space-saver spare wheel is being used,
refit a wheel with a tyre of normal
dimensions in place of the space-saver
wheel as soon as possible; if possible
remove the snow chains; make sure
that the load is distributed correctly and
repeat the RESET procedure, driving
on a clean and surfaced road. If the
warning persist, contact an Abarth
Dealership.
WARNING
66)If the system signals a pressure drop
on one or more tyres, it is recommended
to always check the pressure on all tyres.
67)The iTPMS does not relieve the driver
from the obligation to check the tyre
pressure every month; it is not to
be considered a system to replace
maintenance or a safety system.
68)Tyre pressure must be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary for
whatever reason to check pressure with
warm tyres, do not reduce pressure even
though it is higher than the prescribed
value, but repeat the check when tyres are
cold.69)The iTPMS cannot indicate sudden
tyre pressure drops (for example when
a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the vehicle,
braking with caution and avoiding abrupt
steering.
70)The system only warns that the tyre
pressure is low: it is not able to inflate
them.
71)Insufficient tyre inflation increases fuel
consumption, reduces the tread duration
and may affect the capacity to drive safely.
OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety
equipment of the car comprise the
following protection systems:
seat belts;
SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
Front airbags and side bags (where
present).
Read the information given the
following pages with the utmost care. It
is of fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
For the description of the head restraint
adjustment see the "Head restraints"
paragraph in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
63

SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other
occupants of the vehicle also respect,
the local laws in force in relation to
the use of the seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off.
The belt should be worn keeping the
torso straight and rested against the
backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold the tab 1
fig. 52 and insert it into the buckle 2
fig. 52, until it clicks into place.
On removal, if the belt jams, let it rewind
for a short stretch, then pull it out
again without jerking.
Press button 3 fig. 52 to release the
belt.
Guide the belt while it is rewinding to
prevent it from twisting.The retractor mechanism operates
locking the belt in the event of sharp
braking or strong deceleration due
to an impact. This allows the belt strap
to slide freely and to adapt to the body
of the occupant. In the event of an
accident, the belt will lock reducing the
risk of impact inside the passenger
compartment and of being projected
outside the vehicle.
The retractor may lock when the vehicle
is parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the reel
mechanism locks the belt if it is pulled
sharply or in the event of sudden
braking, collisions and high-speed
bends.
72) 73)
The rear seat is fitted with inertia seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.Wear the rear seat belts as shown in
fig. 53.
IMPORTANT When putting the seats
back to their normal position, make
sure the seat belts are positioned
so they are ready to use.
WARNING
72)Never press button 3 when travelling.
73)Remember that in the event of an
accident, the rear seat passengers not
wearing seat belts are exposed to a very
serious risk and also represent a serious
danger for the front seat occupants.
1
32
52AB0A0059C
53AB0A0354C
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SAFETY

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

The belt strap must not be twisted. The
upper part must pass over the shoulder
and cross the chest diagonally. The
lower part must adhere to the pelvis fig.
55, not to the abdomen of the
occupant. Never use devices (clips,
clamps, etc.) that hold the seat belt
away from your body.IMPORTANT Each seat belt must be
used by only one person. Never travel
with a child sitting on the passenger's
lap and a single belt to protect them
both fig. 56. In general, do not place
any objects between the person and
the belt.
SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
For keeping the seat belts in efficient
conditions, carefully observe the
following warnings:
always use the seat belt well
stretched and never twisted; make sure
that it is free to run without
obstructions;
check seat belt operation as follows:
attach the seat belt and pull it hard;
replace the belt after an accident of
a certain severity even if it does not
appear to be damaged. Always replace
the belt if the pretensioners were
deployed;
prevent the retractors from getting
wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get inside;
replace the seat belt when there is
wear or cuts.
WARNING
74)The pretensioner may be used only
once. Contact an Abarth Dealership to
have it replaced after it has been deployed.
75)For maximum safety, keep the back of
your seat upright, lean back into it and
make sure the seat belt fits closely across
your chest and pelvis. Always fasten the
seat belts on both the front and the rear
seats! Travelling without wearing seat belts
will increase the risk of serious injury or
even death in the event of an accident.
76)Removing or tampering with the seat
belt and pretensioner components is
strictly prohibited. Any intervention on
these components must be performed by
qualified and authorised technicians.
Always contact an Abarth Dealership.
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SAFETY

77)If the seat belt has been subjected to a
high level of stress, for example after an
accident, it must be completely replaced
together with the anchorages, anchorage
fixing screws and pretensioner. In fact,
even if the seat belt has no visible defects,
it could have lost its resilience.
WARNING
14)Operations which lead to impacts,
vibrations or localised heating (over 100°C
for a maximum of six hours) in the area
around the pretensioner may damage or
deploy it. Contact an Abarth Dealership
should intervention be necessary on these
components.
CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
78) 79) 80) 81)
For optimal protection in the event of an
impact, all occupants must be seated
and wearing adequate restraint
systems, including newborn and
children!
This prescription is compulsory in all EC
countries according to EC Directive
2003/20/EC.
Children below the height of 1.50
metres and up to 12 years must be
protected with suitable restraint
systems and be seated on the rear
seats.
Statistics on accidents indicate that the
rear seats offer greater safety for
children.
Compared with an adult, a child's head
is larger and heavier in proportion to
their body and the child's muscular and
bone structures are not fully developed.
Therefore, correct restraint systems
other than adult seat belts are
necessary to reduce as much as
possible the risk of injuries in the event
of an accident, braking or a sudden
manoeuvre.Children must be seated safely and
comfortably. As far as the
characteristics of the child seats used
allow, you are advised to keep children
in rear facing child seats for as long
as possible (at least until 3–4 years old),
since this is the most protected
position in the event of an impact.
The choice of the most suitable child
restraint system depends on the weight
and size of the child. There are various
types of child restraint systems, which
can be secured to the car by means
of the seat belts or with the ISOFIX
anchorages.
It is recommended to always choose
the restraint system most suitable
for the child; for this reason always refer
to the Owner Handbook provided with
the child restraint system, to be sure
that it is of the right type for the children
it is intended for.
In Europe the characteristics of child
restraint systems are ruled by the
regulation ECE-R44, dividing them into
five weight groups:
Group Weight range
Group 0up to 10 kg in
weight
Group 0+up to 13 kg in
weight
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Group Weight range
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15 - 25 kg
Group 3 22 - 36 kg
All restraint devices must bear the
type-approval data, together with the
control mark, on a label solidly fixed to
the child restraint system which must
never be removed.
Lineaccessori Abarth offers child
restraint systems for each weight
group. These devices are
recommended having been specifically
designed for Abarth cars.
FITTING A CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
WITH SEAT BELTS
82) 83) 84) 85)
The Universal child restraint systems
installed with the seat belts only are
type-approved on the basis of the ECE
R44 standard and are divided into
various weight groups.
WARNING The figures are indicative
and provided for assembly purposes
only. Fit the child restraint system
according to the instructions, which
must be included.IMPORTANT NOTE After an accident of
a certain severity, it is recommended
that you replace both the child restraint
system and the seat belt to which it
was secured.
GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
with a rear facing child restraint system
of a type as shown in fig. 57 which,
supporting the head, does not induce
stress on the neck in the event of
sudden decelerations.
The child restraint system is secured by
the vehicle seat belts, as shown in fig.
57 and it must restrain the child in
turn with its own belts.
GROUP 1
Children weighing from 9 to 18 kg may
be transported in forward facing child
restraint systems fig. 58.GROUP 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may be
restrained directly by the car seat belts
fig. 59.
In this case the carseats only correctly
position the child with respect to the
seatbelts, so the diagonal part of the
belt adheres to the thorax and not
to the neck, and the horizontal part
adheres to the child's stomach and not
its abdomen.
57AB0A0063C
9-18 kg
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59AB0A0065C
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SAFETY

GROUP 3
For children from 22 to 36 kg, there are
restraining devices that allow the
seatbelts to pass through properly.
The fig. 60 shows the correct child
positioning on the rear seat.
Children over 1.50 m in height can wear
safety belts like adults.
60AB0A0066C
69

PASSENGER SEAT COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS ON UNIVERSAL CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM USE
According to the European Directive 2000/3/EC the suitability of each passenger seat position for the fixing of universal child
restraint systems is shown in the following table:
Group Weight rangeFront passenger's seat(*)Rear seats
Airbag enabled Airbag disabled
Group0 upto10kgXUU
Group 0+ up to 13 kgXUU
Group 1 9 - 18 kgXUU
Group 2 15 - 25 kgUUU
Group 3 22–36 kgUUU
(*) IMPORTANT: NEVER fit a rearward-facing child seat in the front passenger seat if the airbag is active. If you wish to fit a rearward-facing child seat in the front
passenger seat, first deactivate the relative airbag (see instructions in the paragraph (Supplementary protection system (SRS) – Airbag”)
X= Seat not suitable for children in this weight category
U= Suitable for child restraint systems in the "Universal" category, according to European Regulation EEC-R44 for the specified "Groups".
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SAFETY