2020 Abarth 500 ABS

STARTING THE
ENGINE
The car is fitted with an electronic
engine lock device: if the engine fails to
start, see the paragraph "Fiat CODE
system" in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and place
the gearbox lever in neutral;
fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.
If the engine does not start at the
first attempt, return the ignition key to
STOP before repeating the starting
procedure.
If, with key at MAR, the
symbol on
the display stays on together with
the
warning light on the instrument
panel, it is advisable to turn the key to
STOP and then back to MAR. If the
warning light remains on, try with the
other keys provided with the car.
Contact an Abarth Dealership if you still
cannot start the engine.
17) 18)
109) 110)
WARMING UP THE
ENGINE JUST AFTER IT
HAS STARTED
Proceed as follows:
drive off slowly, letting the engine
turn at medium revs. Do not accelerate
abruptly;
do not demand full performance at
first. It is advisable to wait until the
engine coolant temperature indicator
starts moving.
19)
SWITCHING OFF THE
ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a taxing drive, you
should allow the engine to "catch
its breath" before turning it off by letting
it idle to allow the temperature in the
engine compartment to fall.
20)
WARNING
17)It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at maximum
rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.)
when it is first used.
18)When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR-ON to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
19)Never, under any circumstances, jump
start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
20)A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.
WARNING
109)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
110)Remember that the brake servo
and power steering are not operational until
the engine has been started, therefore
much effort than usual is required on the
brake pedal and steering wheel.
85

WARNING
23)For correct operation of the system,
sensors must always be clean from mud,
dirt, snow or ice. Be careful not to scratch
or damage the sensors while cleaning
them. Avoid using dry, rough or hard
cloths. The sensors must be washed using
clean water, with the addition of vehicle
shampoo if necessary. When using special
washing equipment such as high pressure
jets or steam cleaning, clean the sensors
very quickly keeping the jet more than
10 cm away.
24)Have interventions on the bumper in
the area of the sensors carried out only by
an Abarth Dealership. Interventions on
the bumper that are not carried out
properly may compromise the operation of
the parking sensors.
WARNING
114)Parking and other dangerous
manoeuvres are, however, always the
driver’s responsibility. While carrying out
these manoeuvres, always make sure that
no people (especially children) or animals
are in the area concerned. The parking
sensors are an aid for the driver, but the
driver must never allow their attention
to lapse during potentially dangerous
manoeuvres, even those executed at low
speeds.
REFUELLING THE
VEHICLE
Stop the engine before refuelling.
IMPORTANT Never introduce leaded
petrol to the tank, even in small
amounts in an emergency, as this
would damage the catalytic converter
beyond repair.
REFUELLING CAPACITY
To ensure that you fill the tank
completely, top up twice after the first
click of the fuel supply gun. Further
top-ups could cause faults in the fuel
supply system.
FUEL TANK CAP
Plug 2 fig. 82 is fitted with a cable that
secures it to flap 1 so that it cannot
be lost.Unscrew cap 2 using the ignition key.
The sealing may cause a slight pressure
increase in the tank. A little breathing
off, while slackening the cap is
absolutely normal. When refuelling,
fasten the plug to the device inside the
flap as shown in fig. 82.
115)
82AB0A0058C
92
STARTING AND DRIVING

WARNING
116)Modifications or repairs to the electric system that are not carried out properly or do not take the system technical specifications into
account can cause malfunctions leading to the risk of fire.
117)Halogen bulbs contain pressurised gas, in the case of breakage they may burst causing glass fragments to be projected outwards.
118)Before replacing the bulb, wait for the exhaust ducts to cool down: DANGER OF SCALDING!
119)Only replace the light bulbs when the engine is off and in a position that does not interfere with traffic and lets you safely replace them
(see the description in the “Replacement” paragraph). Also ensure that the engine is cold, to prevent the risk of burns.
WARNING
25)Halogen bulbs must be handled holding the metallic part only. Touching the transparent part of the bulb with your fingers may reduce the
intensity of the emitted light and even reduce the lifespan of the bulb. In the event of accidental contact, wipe the bulb with a cloth moistened
with alcohol and let the bulb dry.
26)Where possible, it is advisable to have bulbs changed at an Abarth Dealership. The correct operation and direction of the external lights
are absolutely essential for the safety of the car and of compliance with the law.
99

turn the bulb holder anticlockwise,
extract the press-fitted bulb and
replace it;
refit the bulb holder in the lens, then
position the light, ensuring that the
fastening clip clicks into place.
DIPPED HEADLIGHTS
To replace the bulb, proceed as follows:
turn the protection cap 2 fig. 84
anticlockwise and remove it;
disconnect the connector 1 fig. 88
and release the bulb holder;
extract the bulb and replace it;
refit the bulb in its seat and
reconnect the connector;
refit the protection cap in its housing
and turn clockwise.
120)
MAIN BEAM HEADLIGHTS
To replace the bulb, proceed as
follows:
remove the protective rubber cap
mentioned above;
release the two bulb holding clips 1
fig. 89;
extract the bulb and replace it;
fit the new bulb, making the outline
of the metallic part coincide with the
grooves on the reflector, then reattach
the bulb holding clips;
refit the rubber cap.
SIDE LIGHTS/DAYTIME
RUNNING LIGHTS
To replace the bulb, proceed as follows:
remove the protective rubber cap
mentioned above;
turn the bulb holder 2 fig. 89
anticlockwise and remove it;
remove the pressure-fitted bulb and
replace it;
refit the bulb holder 2 by turning it
clockwise and locking it correctly;
refit the rubber cap.
FRONT FOG LIGHTS(where provided)
For replacing these bulbs, contact an
Abarth Dealership.
REAR LIGHT CLUSTERS
To replace the bulb proceed as follows:
open the tailgate;
unscrew the two fastening screws 1
fig. 90 and extract the light cluster
axially without rotating it;
remove the bulb holder from its
housing releasing it from the locking
tabs 2;
extract the bulbs by pushing them
slightly and turning them anticlockwise.
88AB0A0311C
89AB0A0093C
90AB0A0313C
101

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