2020 Abarth 500 window

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

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

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

WINDSCREEN /
REAR WINDOW
WIPERS
BLADES
Replace the blades if the rubber edge is
deformed or worn. In any case, it is
advisable to replace them
approximately once a year.
148)
A few simple precautions can reduce
the possibility of damage to the blades:
if the temperature falls below zero,
make sure that ice has not frozen
the rubber to the glass. Use a de-icing
product to release it if required;
remove any snow from the glass: in
addition to protecting the blades, this
prevents effort on the motor and
overheating;
do not operate the windscreen and
rear window wipers on dry glass.
REPLACING THE
WINDSCREEN WIPER
BLADES
Proceed as follows:
lift up the windscreen wiper arm 1
fig. 111 and position the blade so that it
forms a 90° angle with the arm;
press the button 1 and extract the
blade 3 from the arm 2;
insert the new blade making sure it
is locked into place.
REPLACING THE REAR
WINDOW WIPER BLADE
Proceed as follows:
raise the cover 1 fig. 112 and
remove the arm from the car, undoing
the nut 2 fig. 112 that fixes it to the
pivot pin;
correctly position the new arm and
tighten the nut fully;
lower the cover.
NOZZLES
Windscreen washer
If there is no jet, first check that there is
fluid in the reservoir (see the "Checking
fluid levels" paragraph in this chapter).
Then check that the nozzle holes are
not clogged; use a needle to unblock
them if necessary.The screen washer jets can be oriented
by adjusting the nozzle angles.
The jets should be directed at about
1/3 of the height from the top edge of
the windscreen fig. 113.
IMPORTANT In versions with a sunroof,
make sure that the sunroof is closed
before operating the front jets.
111AB0A0112C
112AB0A0113C
113AB0A0114C
127

Rear window washer
The rear window washer jets are fixed.
The nozzle holder is on the rear window
fig. 114.
WARNING
148)Driving with worn windscreen/rear
window wiper blades is a serious risk,
because visibility is reduced in bad
weather.
LIFTING THE CAR
36)
As a result of its sporty nature, the car
is fitted with aerodynamic spoilers at
the bottom and side skirts at the sides.
If the car needs to be raised, go to an
Abarth Dealership which is equipped
with arm lifts and workshop lifts.
WARNING
36)When positioning the workshop lift
arms, be very careful to avoid damaging
the aerodynamic spoilers and the side
skirts.
WHEELS AND TYRES
Check the pressure of each tyre,
including the space-saver wheel,
approximately every two weeks and
before long journeys: the pressure
should be checked with the tyre rested
and cold.
149) 150) 151) 152)
It is normal for the pressure to increase
when the car is used; for the correct
tyre inflation pressure, see “Wheels” in
the “Technical specifications” section.
SNOW TYRES
Use snow tyres of the same size as the
standard tyres provided with the car.
An Abarth Dealership will be happy to
provide advice concerning the most
suitable type of tyre for the Customer's
requirements.
153)
For the type of tyre to be used, inflation
pressures and the specifications of
snow tyres, follow the instructions given
in the "Wheels" paragraph in the
"Technical specifications" chapter.
114AB0A0115C
128
SERVICING AND CARE

Do not wash the car after it has been
left in the sun or with the bonnet hot:
this may alter the shine of the
paintwork.
Exterior plastic parts must be cleaned
in the same way as the rest of the
vehicle.
Where possible, do not park under
trees; the resinous substances that
many species release give the paint a
dull appearance and increase the
possibility of triggering rusting
processes.
IMPORTANT Bird droppings must be
washed off immediately and thoroughly
as the acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.
6)
38)
Versions with matt paintwork
These versions have exclusive matt
paintwork which requires special care
for its preservation. The instructions for
good preservation follow below.
38) 39) 40)
Versions with stickers
Cars that are wholly or partially
covered, decorated and/or customised
with stickers, must only be cleaned
by hand.
The use of solvents, waxes, detergents
or similar products is not recommended
for the care of the car as they could
damage the stickers or cause them to
detach.
The use of such washing or cleaning
instruments and methods will therefore
invalidate the warranty.
NOTE We recommend using mild
products for cleaning the car.
IMPORTANT In case of stains (water
rings) on the wrapping, remove them by
washing the wrapping again and drying
it with a non-abrasive soft cloth.
38) 39) 40) 41)
Windows
To clean glasses, use specific cleaning
products.
Use clean cloths to avoid scratching
the glass or altering the transparency.
IMPORTANT Wipe the rear window
inside gently with a cloth following the
direction of the filaments to avoid
damaging the heating device.
42)
Front headlights
Use a soft cloth soaked in water and
detergent for washing cars.
IMPORTANT Never use aromatic
substances (e.g. petrol) or ketones (e.g.
acetone) for cleaning the plastic lenses
of the headlights.
IMPORTANT When cleaning with a
pressure washer, keep the water jet at
least 20 cm away from the headlights.
Engine compartment
Wash the engine compartment
thoroughly at the end of every winter.
Be careful not to direct the jet of water
onto electronic control units.
Adequately protect the upper air
intakes to prevent damage to the
windscreen wiper motor. Have this
operation performed at a specialised
workshop.
IMPORTANT The washing should take
place with the engine cold and the
ignition key in the STOP position. After
the washing operation, make sure
that the various protections (e.g. rubber
caps and guards) have not been
removed or damaged.
130
SERVICING AND CARE

Washing and cleaning the soft top
Use of specific products is
recommended for washing the soft top
cloth.
The soft top fabric is treated with a
special water-repellent, waterproof
product. The water-repellent properties
will degrade in time with exposure to
the weather elements.
43) 44) 45) 46) 47)
Remove as much dirt from the surface
of the soft top with a soft brush or
vacuum cleaning before washing it. This
operation will considerably improve
the final result.
In lack of specific products, use water
and mild soap applied with a sponge
(preferably in the shade) for washing.
Rinse the soft top with clean water after
having eliminated all the stains.
Hand washing is recommended;
modern automatic washing systems
equipped with soft brushes which
do not apply excessive pressure and
employ specific soft top products may
be used.
48)
Leave the car in the shade after
washing avoiding direct sunlight.
Waterproofing the top
Use specific waterproofing products for
fabric soft-tops.
49) 50)
Interior top fabric
Remove dust with a soft brush. Avoid
using hard brushes made of synthetic
material to prevent damaging the fabric
beyond repair.
Clean the surface with a microfiber
cloth or soft sponge dipped in a
solution of water and mild soap. Clean
the entire surface, including the zones
where cleaning is not needed, to
prevent staining.
Use common, car care mild stain
removers for more stubborn stains.
Apply by blotting (never rubbing)
directly on the area of the stain.
WARNING
6)Detergents pollute the environment.
Only wash your vehicle in areas equipped
to collect and treat wastewater from this
type of activity.
WARNING
38)Avoid washing with rollers and/or
brushes in washing stations. Then, wash
the vehicle, only by hand, using pH-neutral
detergents; dry it with a wet chamois
leather. In order to preserve the aesthetic
appearance of the paint, abrasive products
and/or polishes should not be used for
cleaning the vehicle.
39)Bird droppings must be washed off
immediately and thoroughly as the acid
they contain is particularly aggressive.
40)Avoid (if at all possible) parking the
vehicle under trees; remove vegetable
resins immediately as, when dried, it may
only be possible to remove them with
abrasive products and/or polishes, which is
highly inadvisable as they could alter the
typical opaqueness of the paint.
41)It is not advisable to wash with
pressure washer or, in case of use, it is
necessary to maintain at least a minimum
distance of 40 cm with water at room
temperature.
42)Do not use pure windscreen washer
fluid for cleaning the front windscreen and
rear window - dilute it at least 50% with
water.
43)Bird droppings and plant resins must
be washed off immediately and thoroughly
as the acid they contain is particularly
aggressive.
44)Never use high-pressure washing
systems.
131