2020 Abarth 500 Owner handbook (in English)

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
Replace the toothed timing drive belt(6)
Replace accessory drive belt/s(6)
Replace air cleaner cartridge (7)
Change the brake fluid(8)
Replace the passenger compartment cleaner (7) (O) (●)
(6) The maximum mileage is 120,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 6 years, regardless of distance travelled. If the vehicle is used in heavy conditions (dusty
areas, especially severe weather conditions, very low or very high temperatures for extended periods, urban driving, long periods of idling), the maximum mileage
is 60,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 4 years regardless of the mileage.
(7) If the vehicle is used in dusty areas, this cleaner must be replaced every 15,000 km.
(8) The brake fluid replacement has to be done every two years, irrespective of the mileage.
(O) Recommended operations.
(●) Obligatory operations.
119

PERIODIC CHECKS
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
engine coolant level;
brake fluid level;
windscreen washer fluid level;
tyre inflation pressure and condition;
operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
warning lights, etc.);
operation of screen washer/wiper
system and positioning/wear of
windscreen/rear window wiper blades.
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
You are advised to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS products, which have
been designed and produced
specifically for Abarth cars (see table
"Capacities" in the "Technical
specifications" chapter).
DEMANDING USE OF
THE CAR
If the car is used mainly under one of
the following conditions:
if the car is used under demanding
conditions, e.g. on track;
dusty roads;
short, repeated journeys (less than
7-8 Km) at sub-zero outdoor
temperatures;
engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long periods
of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more often than indicated in the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
check front disc brake pad condition
and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage;
visually inspect conditions of:
engine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust/fuel system/brakes)
and rubber elements (gaiters/sleeves/
bushes, etc.);
check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
visually inspect conditions of the
accessory drive belts;
check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter;
check and, if necessary, replace air
cleaner.
120
SERVICING AND CARE

CHECKING LEVELS
31)
30) 136) 137).
135 HP, 145 HP and 160 HP versions
1. Engine oil filler 2. Engine oil dipstick 3. Engine coolant fluid 4. Windscreen washer fluid 5. Brake fluid 6. Battery
109AB0A0353C
121

163 HP, 165 HP and 180 HP versions
1. Engine oil filler 2. Engine oil dipstick 3. Engine coolant fluid 4. Windscreen washer fluid 5. Brake fluid 6. Battery
110AB0A0349C
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SERVICING AND CARE

ENGINE OIL
32)
4)
Check the oil level a few minutes (about
5) after the engine has stopped, with
the vehicle parked on level ground.
Take out the engine oil dipstick 2 fig.
109 or fig. 110, clean it with a lint-free
cloth and reinsert it. Extract the engine
oil dipstick again and check that the
level is between the MIN and MAX
marks on the dipstick.
The range between the MIN. and MAX.
marks corresponds to about 1 litre of
oil.
If the level of the oil is close to or below
the MIN mark, add oil via filler 1 fig.
109 or fig. 110 until the MAX mark is
reached.
The oil level must never exceed the
MAX reference.
Engine oil consumption
The maximum engine oil consumption
is usually 400 grams every 1000 km.
When the car is new, the engine needs
to run in, therefore the engine oil
consumption can only be considered
stabilised after the first 5000 - 6000
km.IMPORTANT The oil consumption
depends on driving style and the
conditions under which the car is used.
IMPORTANT After adding or changing
the oil, let the engine turn over for a few
seconds and wait a few minutes after
turning it off before you check the level.
ENGINE COOLANT FLUID
The coolant level must be checked
when the engine is cold and must
range between the MIN and MAX
marks on the reservoir.
If the level is too low, unscrew the cap 3
fig. 109 or fig. 110 of reservoir and
add the fluid described in the "Technical
Specifications" chapter.
33)
138)
WINDSCREEN/REAR
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
Check fluid level through the reservoir.
If the fluid level is too low, unscrew
the reservoir cap 4 fig. 109 or fig. 110
and add the fluid described in the
"Technical Specifications" chapter.
After topping up, close cap 4, making
sure it is correctly locked.
BRAKE FLUID
Check that the fluid is at the maximum
level (the fluid level in the reservoir
must not exceed the MAX mark).
If the fluid level in the reservoir is too
low, undo the reservoir cap 5 fig. 109 or
fig. 110 and add the fluid described in
the "Technical Specifications" chapter.
140) 141)
34)
IMPORTANT Carefully clean reservoir
cap 5 and the surrounding surface.
Take great care to ensure that
impurities do not enter the reservoir
when the cap is opened.
Always use a funnel with a built-in filter
with a mesh of 0.12 mm or less.
IMPORTANT Brake fluid is hygroscopic
(i.e. it absorbs moisture). For this
reason, if the car is mainly used in areas
with a high degree of atmospheric
humidity, the fluid must be replaced at
more frequent intervals than specified in
the "Scheduled Servicing Plan".
123

WARNING
136)Never smoke while working in the
engine compartment: gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the risk of
fire.
137)Be very careful when working in the
engine compartment when the engine
is hot: you may get burned. Remember
that the fan may start up if the engine
is hot: this could injure you. Scarves, ties
and other loose clothing might be pulled by
moving parts.
138)The cooling system is pressurised. If
necessary, only replace the plug with
another original or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir plug when the engine
is hot: you risk scalding yourself.
139)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the
windscreen washer is essential for
improving visibility. Some commercial
windscreen washer additives are
flammable. The engine compartment
contains hot components which may set it
on fire.
140)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.141)The
symbol on the reservoir
identifies synthetic brake fluids,
distinguishing them from the mineral type.
Use of mineral type fluids will damage
the special rubber seals of the braking
system beyond repair.
WARNING
30)Abarth 595/695 is designed and built
for road use, in compliance with the
current regulations. Car use in the track
must be considered as occasional and in
any case under the responsibility of the
user. The vehicle CANNOT be modified or
tampered with for any reason; this would
alter the Manufacturer homologation
and/or safety requirements. Using a
modified or tampered product relieves the
Manufacturer from any responsibility on
the product and may expose people
to serious risks.
31)When topping up, take care not to mix
up the various types of fluids: they are
not compatible with each other and could
seriously damage the car.
32)Do not add oil with specifications other
than those of the oil already existing in
the engine.
33)PARAFLU
UPanti-freeze is used in the
engine cooling system. Use the same fluid
as in the cooling system when topping
up. PARAFLU
UPcannot be mixed with any
other type of fluid. If this happens, do not
start the engine under any circumstances
and contact an Abarth Dealership.34)Prevent brake fluid, which is highly
corrosive, from coming into contact with
painted parts. Should it happen,
immediately wash with water.
WARNING
4)Used engine oil and oil filters contain
substances which are harmful to the
environment. You are advised to go to an
Abarth Dealership to have the oil and filters
changed.
124
SERVICING AND CARE

BATTERY
The car is fitted with a low-maintenance
battery: no electrolyte top-ups with
distilled water are needed in standard
conditions of use.
INSPECTING THE
CHARGE AND THE
ELECTROLYTE LEVEL
The operations must be carried out as
described in this Owner Handbook only
by specialised personnel. Any top-up
operations must be carried out by
skilled personnel and by an Abarth
Dealership.
REPLACING THE
BATTERY
142) 143) 144) 145)
35)
5)If required, replace the battery with a
genuine spare part with the same
specifications.
If a battery with different specifications
is fitted, the service intervals given in
the "Scheduled Servicing Plan" will no
longer be valid.
Follow the battery manufacturer's
instructions for maintenance.
USEFUL ADVICE FOR
EXTENDING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and
make it last longer, observe the
following instructions:
when you park the car, ensure that
the doors, tailgate and bonnet are
closed properly, to prevent any lights
from remaining on inside the
passenger's compartment;
switch off all roof lights inside the
car: the car is however equipped with a
system which switches all internal
lights off automatically;
do not keep accessories (e.g.
Uconnect™, hazard warning lights,
etc.) switched on for a long time when
the engine is not running;
before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
negative battery pole;
completely tighten the battery
terminals.
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (this can happen as early as
-10°C). Refer to the paragraph "Car
inactivity" in "Starting and driving" if the
car is left parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to
install electrical accessories that require
permanent electrical supply (alarm,
etc.) or accessories that in any case
burden the electrical supply, contact an
Abarth Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices available in
Lineaccessori Abarth, will evaluate the
overall electric consumption, checking
whether the car’s electrical system is
capable of withstanding the load
required, or whether it should
be integrated with a more powerful
battery.
Since some of these devices continue
to consume electricity even when
the engine is off, they gradually run
down the battery.
WARNING
142)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with skin and
eyes. Keep naked flames and sources of
sparks away from the battery: risk of
explosion and fire.
125

143)Running the battery with an
excessively low liquid level will damage the
battery beyond repair and could even
cause its explosion.
144)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.
145)When performing any operation on
the battery or near it, always protect your
eyes with special goggles.
WARNING
35)Incorrect installation of electric and
electronic devices may cause severe
damage to your car. After purchasing your
car, if you wish to install any accessories
(car alarm, car phone etc.), please contact
your Abarth Dealership, which will suggest
the most appropriate devices for your
car and will, most importantly, recommend
installing a higher­capacity battery.
WARNING
5)Batteries contain substances which are
very dangerous for the environment. It is
advisable to contact an Abarth Dealership
for battery replacement.
BATTERY
RECHARGING
146) 147)
IMPORTANT The battery recharging
procedure is given as information only.
It is advisable to contact an Abarth
Dealership to have this operation
performed.
Charging should be slow at a low
ampere rating for approximately 24
hours. Charging for a longer time may
damage the battery.
To recharge, proceed as follows:
disconnect the terminal from the
negative battery pole;
connect the charger cables to the
battery terminals, observing the polarity;
turn on the battery charger;
when it is recharged, turn the
charger off before disconnecting it from
the battery;
reconnect the terminal to the
negative battery pole.WARNING: The cables of the electrical
system must be correctly reconnected
to the battery, i.e. the positive cable
(+) to the positive terminal and the
negative cable (-) to the negative
terminal. The battery terminals are
marked with the positive (+) and
negative (-) symbols, and are shown on
the battery cover. The battery terminals
must also be corrosion-free and firmly
secured to the terminals. If a "quick-
type" battery charger is used with the
battery fitted on the car, before
connecting it disconnect both cables of
the battery itself. Do not use a
"quick-type" battery charger to provide
the starting voltage.
WARNING
146)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive: avoid contact with your skin and
eyes. The battery should be charged in a
well ventilated place, away from naked
flames or possible sources of sparks:
danger of explosion and fire.
147)Do not attempt to recharge a frozen
battery: first it must be thawed, otherwise
there is a risk of explosion. If freezing
has occurred, the battery should be
checked by skilled personnel to make sure
that the internal elements are not damaged
and that the body is not cracked, with the
risk of leaking poisonous and corrosive
acid.
126
SERVICING AND CARE