2019 Abarth 124 Spider radiator

HEADLIGHT WASHER(where provided)
The ignition must be switched ON and
the headlights must be turned on.
The headlight washers fig. 22 operate
automatically once every fifth time the
windscreen washer operates. If you
want to operate headlight washers,
double flick the wiper lever.WARNING
43)Use only windscreen washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir. Using radiator
antifreeze as washer fluid is dangerous. If
sprayed on the windscreen, it will dirty it,
affect your visibility, and could result in an
accident.
44)Only use windscreen washer fluid
mixed with anti-freeze protection in freezing
weather conditions. Using windscreen
washer fluid without antifreeze protection in
freezing weather conditions is dangerous
as it could freeze on the windscreen and
block your vision which could cause an
accident. In addition, make sure the
windscreen is sufficiently warmed using the
defroster before spraying the washer fluid.
45)Make sure the device is switched off
whenever the windscreen must be
cleaned.
IMPORTANT
8)Do not use the screen wiper to remove
layers of snow or ice from the windscreen.
In such conditions, the windscreen wiper
may be subjected to excessive stress and
the motor cut-out switch, which prevents
operation for a few seconds, may
intervene. If operation is not subsequently
restored, even after the vehicle is restarted,
contact an Abarth Dealership.
9)Do not operate the windscreen wiper
with blades lifted from the windscreen.
10)Do not activate the rain sensor while
washing the vehicle in an automatic
washing system.
11)If ice is found on the windscreen, make
sure that the device was disconnected
properly.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

IMPORTANT Do not attempt jump
starting if the battery is wet. The battery
could break and explode!
JUMP-STARTING
PROCEDURE
IMPORTANT If the procedure below is
carried out incorrectly can cause severe
injuries to people or damage the
recharging system of one or both
vehicles. Carefully follow the
instructions given below.
Proceed as follows to carry out a jump
starting:
remove the battery cover fig. 146;
make sure the booster battery is
12 V and that its negative terminal is
grounded;
if the booster battery is in another
vehicle, do not allow both vehicles to
touch. Turn off the engine of the vehicle
with the booster battery and all
unnecessary electrical loads in both
vehicles;
connect the jumper leads in the
exact sequence as in “Preparations for
jump starting” paragraph:
– connect one end of a lead to the
positive terminal on the discharged
battery;
– attach the other end to the positive
terminal on the booster battery;
– connect one end of the other lead
to the negative terminal of the
booster battery;
– connect the other end to the
ground point indicated in the
illustration away from the
discharged battery.
start the engine of the booster
vehicle and run it a few minutes. Then
start the engine of the other vehicle;
when finished, carefully disconnect
the leads in the reverse order as
previously described;
if the battery cover has been
removed, install it in the reverse order of
removal.
IMPORTANT Verify that the covers are
securely installed.
IMPORTANT Perform the phonic wheel
learning procedure described in the
“Battery maintenance” section (see the
“Maintenance and care” chapter).
WARNING
181)Before opening the bonnet, make
sure that the engine is off and that the
ignition switch is in OFF position. During
refuelling, make sure that the engine is off
(and that the ignition switch is in OFF
position).
182)Do not get too close to the radiator
cooling fan: the electric fan may start;
danger of injury. Pay attention to scarves,
ties and other loose clothing which might
be pulled by moving parts.
183)Remove any metal objects (e.g. rings,
watches, bracelets), that might cause an
accidental electrical contact and cause
serious injury.
184)Batteries contain acid which may
burn skin and eyes. Batteries produce
hydrogen, which is easily flammable and
explosive. Thus keep away flames or
devices which may cause sparks.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

ENGINE OIL
196)
40)
4)
Inspecting engine oil level
Proceed as follows:
be sure the vehicle is on a level
surface;
warm up the engine to normal
operating temperature;
turn it off and wait at least 5 minutes
for the oil to return to the sump;
pull out the dipstick 1 fig. 152, wipe it
clean, and reinsert it fully;
pull it out again and examine the
level. The level is normal if it is between
Low and Full. If it is near or below Low,
open the engine oil cap/filler 2 and add
enough oil to bring the level to Full.
IMPORTANT Do not overfill the engine
oil. This may cause engine damage.
make sure the O-ring on the dipstick
is positioned properly before reinserting
the dipstick;
reinsert the dipstick fully.
Engine oil consumption
During the initial period of use the
engine oil consumption conditions
should be considered as having
stabilised after the first 5000 –
6000 km.
NOTE It is normal for all engines to
consume engine oil under normal
driving conditions. Engine oil
consumption may be as high as
400 g/1000 km. This may be as a result
of evaporation, internal ventilation or
burning of the lubricating oil in the
working engine. Oil consumption may
be higher when the engine is new due
to the running-in process. Oil
consumption is also dependant on
engine speed and engine load. Under
extreme driving conditions, oil
consumption may be higher.
Engine oil changing
NOTE Changing the engine oil should
be done by an expert repairer, we
recommend an Abarth Dealership.
ENGINE COOLANT
197) 198) 199)
The coolant should be at full in the
radiator and between the F (Full) and L
(Low) marks on the coolant reservoir
fig. 153 when the engine is cool.
If it is at or near L (Low), add enough
coolant to the coolant reservoir to
provide freezing and corrosion
protection and to bring the level to F
(Full).
Securely tighten the coolant reservoir
tank cap after adding coolant.
If the coolant reservoir is empty or new
coolant is required frequently, contact
an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Radiator coolant will
damage paint. Rinse it off quickly if
spilled.
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MAINTENANCE AND CARE

keep terminals and connections
clean, tight, and coated with petroleum
jelly or terminal grease;
rinse off spilled electrolyte
immediately with a solution of water
and baking soda;
if the vehicle will not be used for an
extended time, disconnect the battery
leads and charge the battery every six
weeks.
NOTE
Every time the battery is reconnected
after being disconnected, it is
necessary to perform the following
procedure:
warm up the engine;
with the vehicle stationary, the engine
running and the transmission in the
neutral or N/P (for automatic
transmission) position, press the
accelerator down fully to bring the
engine speed to over 6000 rpm;
release the accelerator pedal and
wait for the engine to return naturally to
idling speed.
If this procedure is not performed, the
warning light could turn on: in this
case, contact Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT If, after the first press of
the accelerator pedal to bring the
engine to over 6000 rpm, another
follows immediately after without the
engine naturally reaching idling speed,the learning procedure is invalidated
and the
warning light on the
instrument panel will turn on. If the
engine is not brought to over 6000 rpm,
or it is not warmed up, the control unit
will keep open the possibility to repeat
the described procedure.
Inspecting electrolyte level
A low level of electrolyte fluid will cause
the battery to discharge quickly.
Inspect the electrolyte level at least
once a week. If it is low, remove the
caps and add enough distilled water to
bring the level between the upper and
lower level (1 fig. 156 = upper level/2=
lower level).Do not overfill.
Examine the specific gravity of the
electrolyte with a hydrometer, especially
during cold weather. If it is low,
recharge the battery.
Battery replacement
Contact Abarth Dealership for a battery
replacement purchase.
After replacing the battery, perform the
phonic wheel learning procedure
described in the “Battery maintenance”
chapter.
WARNING
194)Never smoke when performing
operations in the engine compartment.
Flammable gases and fumes may be
present and risk igniting.
195)Be very careful when working in the
engine compartment when the engine is
hot: you may get burned. Do not get too
close to the radiator cooling fan: the
electric fan may start; danger of injury.
Scarves, ties and other loose clothing
might be pulled by moving parts.
196)If the engine oil is being topped up,
wait for the engine to cool down before
loosening the filler cap, particularly for
vehicles with aluminium cap (where
provided). IMPORTANT: risk of burns!
197)Do not use a match or live flame in
the engine compartment. DO NOT ADD
COOLANT WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT: a
hot engine is dangerous. If the engine has
been running, parts of the engine
compartment can become very hot. You
could be burned. Carefully inspect the
engine coolant in the coolant reservoir, but
do not open it.
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MAINTENANCE AND CARE

198)Do not remove either cooling system
cap when the engine and radiator are hot.
When the engine and radiator are hot,
scalding coolant and steam may shoot out
under pressure and cause serious injury.
199)The cooling system is pressurized. If
necessary, only replace the cap with
another original one or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir cap when the engine
is hot: risk of burns.
200)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the washer
operation is essential for improving visibility.
Repeated operation of the system without
fluid could damage or cause rapid
deterioration of some system components.
201)Certain commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluids are inflammable.
The engine compartment contains hot
components which may set it on fire.
202)Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental
contact, immediately wash the affected
parts with water and mild soap. Then rinse
thoroughly. Call a doctor immediately if
swallowed.
203)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep open flames away from the
battery and do not use objects that might
create sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
204)Using the battery with insufficient fluid
irreparably damages the battery and may
cause an explosion.
205)If the vehicle must remain unused for
a long time at a very low temperature,
remove the battery and take it to a warm
place, to avoid freezing.206)When performing any operation on
the battery or near it, always protect your
eyes with special goggles.
207)If the brake/clutch fluid level is low,
have the brakes inspected. A low
brake/clutch fluid level is dangerous. A low
level could indicate brake lining wear or a
brake system leak which could cause the
brakes to fail and lead to an accident.
208)Use only windscreen washer fluid or
plain water in the reservoir. Using radiator
antifreeze as washer fluid is dangerous. If
sprayed on the windscreen, it will dirty the
windscreen, affect your visibility, and could
result in an accident.
IMPORTANT
39)Be careful not to confuse the various
types of fluids while topping up: they are
not compatible with each other! Topping up
with an unsuitable fluid could severly
damage your vehicle.
40)The oil level should never exceed the
MAX mark.
41)Avoid allowing brake fluid, which is
extremely corrosive, to come into contact
with painted areas. Should it happen, wash
immediately with water.
IMPORTANT
4)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to contact an
Abarth Dealership to have the oil and filters
changed.
5)Used transmission fluid contains
substances that are harmful to the
environment. It is advisable to contact an
Abarth Dealership to have the fluid
changed.
6)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. For
battery replacement, contact an Abarth
Dealership.
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