2020 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING
29)Never use a fast battery-charger to
start the engine as this could damage the
electronic systems of your vehicle,
particularly the ignition and engine fuel
supply control units.
WARNING
129)This starting procedure must be
performed by expert personnel because
incorrect actions could cause electrical
discharge of considerable intensity.
Furthermore, battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and lighted
cigarettes away from the battery and do
not cause sparks.
FUEL CUT-OFF
SYSTEM
This intervenes in the case of an impact
causing:
the interruption of the fuel supply
with the engine consequently cutting
out
the automatic unlocking of the doors
turning on the lights inside the car.
The intervention of the system is
indicated by a message shown on the
display.
IMPORTANT Carefully check the car for
fuel leaks, for instance in the engine
compartment, under the car or near the
tank area.
130)
After a crash, turn the ignition key to
STOP position to prevent the battery
from running down.
To restore the correct operation of the
car, proceed as follows:
turn the ignition key to the MAR
position
activate the right direction indicator
deactivate the right direction
indicator
activate the left direction indicator
deactivate the left direction indicator
activate the right direction indicator
deactivate the right direction
indicator
activate the left direction indicator
deactivate the left direction indicator
turn the ignition key to the STOP
position
turn the ignition key to the MAR-ON
position.
WARNING
130)If, after an impact, you smell fuel or
notice leaks from the fuel system, do
not reactivate the system to avoid the risk
of fire.
111

TOWING THE
VEHICLE
The tow hook, which is supplied with
the vehicle, is housed in the tool box,
under the carpet in the luggage
compartment.
131) 132) 133) 134) 135)
ATTACHING THE TOW
RING
Proceed as follows:
Front
release cap 1 fig. 107
take the tow hook 2 fig. 107 out of
its housing in the tool support;
fully tighten it on the threaded pin.
Rear
release cap 1 fig. 108
take the tow hook 2 fig. 108 out of
its housing in the tool support;
fully tighten it on the threaded pin.
Towing with robotised
sequential transmission
Make sure that the gearbox is in neutral
(N) (checking that the vehicle moves
when pushed) and proceed in the same
way as for towing a normal vehicle
with a manual gearbox. If the gearbox
cannot be put in neutral, do not tow the
car and contact an Abarth Dealership.
WARNING
131)Before towing, turn the ignition key to
MAR-ON and then to STOP without
removing it. The steering column
will automatically lock when the key is
removed and the wheels cannot be
steered.
132)Before tightening the ring clean the
threaded housing thoroughly. Make sure
that the ring is fully fastened in the housing
before towing the car.
133)The front and rear tow hooks should
be used only for emergencies on the road.
You are allowed to tow the vehicle for
short distances using an appropriate
device in accordance with the highway
code (a rigid bar), to move the vehicle on
the road in readiness for towing or
transporting via a breakdown vehicle. Tow
rings MUST NOT be used to tow vehicles
off the road or where there are obstacles
and/or for towing operations using cables
or other non-rigid devices. In compliance
with the above conditions, towing must
take place with the two vehicles (one
towing, the other towed) aligned as much
as possible along the same centre line.
107AB0A0398C
108AB0A0109C
112
IN AN EMERGENCY

134)Whilst towing, remember that as the
assistance of the brake servo and the
electric power assisted steering is
not available, greater force needs to be
exerted on the brake pedal and more effort
is required on the steering wheel. Do not
use flexible cables when towing and avoid
jerky movements. During towing, make
sure that the trailer hitch does not damage
any components it is touching. When
towing the vehicle, you must comply with
all specific traffic regulations, both in terms
of the towing device and behaviour on
the road. Do not start the engine while
towing the car.
135)Because of its conformation, the car
cannot be loaded onto railway carriages
and transported.
113

SERVICING AND CARE
Correct servicing permits the
performance of the vehicle to be
maintained over time, as well as limited
running costs and safeguarding the
efficiency of the safety systems.
This chapter explains how.SCHEDULED SERVICING ...............115
SERVICE SCHEDULE .....................116
PERIODIC CHECKS ........................120
DEMANDING USE OF THE CAR .....120
CHECKING LEVELS........................121
BATTERY ........................................125
BATTERY RECHARGING ................126
WINDSCREEN / REAR WINDOW
WIPERS ..........................................127
LIFTING THE CAR...........................128
WHEELS AND TYRES.....................128
BODYWORK ...................................129
INTERIOR .......................................132
114
SERVICING AND CARE

SCHEDULED
SERVICING
Correct servicing is crucial for
guaranteeing a long life for the car
under the best conditions.
For this reason, Abarth has planned a
series of checks and services at fixed
distance intervals or fixed time intervals,
as described in the Scheduled
Servicing Plan.
Before each service, it is always
necessary to carefully follow the
instructions in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan (e.g. periodically check level of
fluids, tyre pressure, etc.).
Scheduled Servicing is offered by all
Abarth Dealerships according to a set
time schedule. If, during each
operation, in addition to the ones
scheduled, the need arises for further
replacements or repairs, these may
be carried out only with the explicit
agreement of the Customer.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Scheduled Servicing interventions are
set out by the Manufacturer. Failure
to carry them out can cause the
guarantee to decline.
It is advisable to inform an Abarth
Dealership of any small operating
irregularities without waiting for the next
scheduled service deadline.For versions fitted with specific
equipment, in addition to what is
described in the Scheduled Servicing
Plan, refer to the relevant additional
items in the dedicated supplements.
115

SERVICE SCHEDULE
WARNING: Once you have carried out the last intervention in the table, continue with the scheduled servicing, maintaining the
frequency indicated in the plan by marking each operation with a dot or dedicated note.
Warning: simply restarting the maintenance from the start of the plan may cause the allowed interval to be exceeded for some
operations!
Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check the tyre condition/wear and, if necessary, adjust the
pressure. Check the "Fix&Go” kit condition/expiry (where
provided)
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, boot, passenger
compartment, glove compartment, instrument panel
warning lights, etc.)
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (1)
Check exhaust emissions
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine
management system operation, emissions and, where
present, engine oil degradation
(1) Always only use the liquids shown in the handbook for topping up after having checked that the system is not damaged.
116
SERVICING AND CARE

Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Visually inspect conditions of: exterior bodywork,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust, fuel
system, brakes), rubber elements (gaiters, sleeves,
bushes, etc.)
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear
(where present)
Check operation of the windscreen wiper/washer system
and adjust jets, if necessary
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment
locks, cleanliness and lubrication of linkage
Check soft top operation while closing and opening; check
of seals and lubrication of canvas sliding side guide (only
595C/695C version)
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if necessary
Visually inspect conditions and wear of front and rear disc
brake pads and operation of pad wear indicator (where
present)
Visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belt(s)
Check tensioning of accessory drive belt(s) and adjust if
necessary
117

Thousands of miles 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90
Thousands of kilometres 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Visually inspect conditions of toothed timing drive belt
Check the oil level in the robotised sequential gearbox
activation system (2)
Check and, if necessary, restore the self-locking differential
pre-loading (where present) (3)
Change the oil of the transmission equipped with limited
slip differential (where present)(3) (4)
Change engine oil and replace oil filter
Spark plug replacement (5)
(2) Only for cars on the road in countries with particularly severe climates (cold countries).
(3) It is recommended to carry out this operation immediately after each time the car has undergone demanding use
(4) The first transmission oil change must be done on reaching the first 10,000 km, independently of the time passed
(5) The following are essential to ensure correct operation and prevent serious damage to the engine: only use spark plugs of the same make and type specially
certified for 1.4 Turbo petrol Abarth engines (see the information in the "Engine" paragraph); strictly comply with the spark plug replacement interval given in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan; for spark plug replacement it is advisable to contact an Abarth Dealership.
118
SERVICING AND CARE