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
Fuels - identification of
vehicle compatibility.
Graphic symbol for
consumer information in
accordance with
EN16942
The symbols shown below facilitated
recognising the correct fuel type to
be used on your car.
Before proceeding with refuelling,
check the symbols inside the fuel filler
flap (where provided) and compare
them with the symbols shown on the
fuel pump (where provided).
Symbols for petrol powered cars
E5:Unleaded petrol containing up to
2.7% (m/m) oxygen and with maximum
5.0% (V/V) ethanol compliant with
EN228.
E10:Unleaded petrol containing up to
3.7% (m/m) oxygen and with maximum
10.0% (V/V) ethanol compliant with
EN228.
WARNING
115)Do not approach naked flames or lit
cigarettes to the fuel tank filler: fire risk.
Keep your face away from the fuel filler to
prevent breathing in harmful vapours.
93
IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the 00 800
3428 0000 freephone number to
search the nearest Abarth Authorised
Dealership.HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS........... 95
CHANGING A BULB ....................... 95
REPLACING AN EXTERIOR BULB ..100
REPLACING FUSES........................103
“FIX&GO” KIT ..................................108
JUMP STARTING ............................110
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM ................111
TOWING THE VEHICLE ..................112
94
IN AN EMERGENCY
WARNING
127)The information required by the
applicable regulation is indicated on the
Fix&Go kit package label. Carefully read
the label on the cartridge before use, avoid
improper use. The kit should be used by
adults and cannot be used by children.
128)IMPORTANT: Do not exceed 80 km/h.
Avoid sudden acceleration or braking.
The kit provides a temporary repair,
therefore the tyre must be examined and
repaired by a specialist as soon as
possible. Before using the kit, ensure that
the tyre is not excessively damaged and
that the rim is in good condition, otherwise
do not use it and call roadside assistance.
Do not remove foreign bodies from the
tyre. Do not let the compressor turned on
for more than 20 consecutive minutes -
overheating hazard.
WARNING
28)The sealant fluid is effective with
external temperatures between -40°C and
+55°C. The sealant fluid has an expiry
date. It is possible to repair tyres which
have been damaged on tread up to a
diameter of 6 mm. Show the cartridge and
the label to the personnel charged with
handling the tyre treated with the tyre
repair kit.
JUMP STARTING
If thesymbol on the display turns
on constantly, contact an Abarth
Dealership immediately.
JUMP STARTING
If the battery is flat, the engine may be
started using an auxiliary battery fig.
106, with the same capacity or a little
higher than the flat one.
29)
129)
Proceed as follows to start the vehicle:
connect the positive terminals (+
mark near the terminal) of the two
batteries using a suitable lead;
with a second lead, connect the
negative terminal (–) of the auxiliary
battery to an earth point
on the
engine or the gearbox of the car to be
started;
start the engine;
when the engine has been started,
remove the leads reversing the order
above.
If after a few attempts the engine does
not start, do not persist but contact
an Abarth Dealership.
IMPORTANT Do not directly connect
the negative terminals of the two
batteries: sparks could ignite explosive
gas released from the battery. If the
auxiliary battery is installed on another
car, prevent accidental contact
between metallic parts of the two cars.
BUMP STARTING
Never bump start the engine by
pushing, towing or driving downhill.
This could cause fuel to flow into the
catalytic converter and damage it
beyond repair.
IMPORTANT Remember that the brake
servo and electric power steering are
not active until the engine is started. A
much greater effort will therefore be
required to use the brake pedal or turn
the steering wheel.
106AB0A0078C
110
IN AN EMERGENCY
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
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
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