2020 Abarth 500 warning

In the case of abnormal signals, it is
recommended to perform the RESET
procedure. If the warnings reappear
once the RESET procedure has started,
check that the same type of tyre is
used on all four wheels and that the
tyres are not damaged; if the
space-saver spare wheel is being used,
refit a wheel with a tyre of normal
dimensions in place of the space-saver
wheel as soon as possible; if possible
remove the snow chains; make sure
that the load is distributed correctly and
repeat the RESET procedure, driving
on a clean and surfaced road. If the
warning persist, contact an Abarth
Dealership.
WARNING
67)If the system signals a pressure drop
on one or more tyres, it is recommended
to always check the pressure on all tyres.
68)The iTPMS does not relieve the driver
from the obligation to check the tyre
pressure every month; it is not to
be considered a system to replace
maintenance or a safety system.
69)Tyre pressure must be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary for
whatever reason to check pressure with
warm tyres, do not reduce pressure even
though it is higher than the prescribed
value, but repeat the check when tyres are
cold.70)The iTPMS cannot indicate sudden
tyre pressure drops (for example when
a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the vehicle,
braking with caution and avoiding abrupt
steering.
71)The system only warns that the tyre
pressure is low: it is not able to inflate
them.
72)Insufficient tyre inflation increases fuel
consumption, reduces the tread duration
and may affect the capacity to drive safely.
OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety
equipment of the car comprise the
following protection systems:
seat belts;
SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
Front airbags and side bags (where
present).
Read the information given the
following pages with the utmost care. It
is of fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
For the description of the head restraint
adjustment see the "Head restraints"
paragraph in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
66
SAFETY

SEAT BELTS
USING THE SEAT BELTS
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other
occupants of the vehicle also respect,
the local laws in force in relation to
the use of the seat belts.
The belt should be worn keeping the
torso straight and rested against the
backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold the tab 1
fig. 54 and insert it into the buckle 2
fig. 54, until it clicks into place.
On removal, if the belt jams, let it rewind
for a short stretch, then pull it out
again without jerking.
Press button 3 fig. 54 to release the
belt.
Guide the belt while it is rewinding to
prevent it from twisting.
The reel mechanism operates locking
the belt in the event of sharp braking or
strong deceleration due to an impact.
This allows the belt strap to slide freely
and to adapt to the body of the
occupant. In the event of an accident,
the belt will lock reducing the risk of
impact inside the passenger
compartment and of being projected
outside the car.The retractor may lock when the car is
parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the reel
mechanism locks the belt if it is pulled
sharply or in the event of sudden
braking, collisions and high-speed
bends.
73) 74)
The rear seat is fitted with inertia seat
belts with three anchoring points and a
retractor.
Wear the rear seat belts as shown in
fig. 55.
IMPORTANT When putting the rear
seat back to their normal position after
folding them, make sure the seat belts
are positioned so they are ready to use.
WARNING
73)Never press button 3 when travelling.
74)Remember that in the event of an
accident, the rear seat passengers not
wearing seat belts are exposed to a very
serious risk and also represent a serious
danger for the front seat occupants.
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67

SBR SYSTEM (Seat
Belt Reminder)
The SBR system warns the front seat
occupants if their seat belt is not
fastened.
The system signals unfastened seat
belts with visual warnings (warning
lights on in the instrument panel and
icons on the display) and an acoustic
signal (see the following paragraphs).
NOTE Contact an Abarth Dealership to
deactivate this acoustic warning
permanently. The acoustic warning can
be reactivated at any time through the
display Setup Menu.
Seat belts warning light operation
The system warns the driver and the
front passenger if their seat belt is
not fastened, as follows:
flashingwarning light and
intermittent acoustic warning for about
100 seconds;
once the cycle has finished, the
warning light remains on constantly until
the seat belts are fastened.
PRE-TENSIONERS
The car is equipped with front seat
belts pretensioners, that reduce slack in
the belts in the event of a severe frontal
collision. This guarantees the perfect
adherence of the seat belts to the
occupants' bodies before the
restraining action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have
operated when the belt withdraws
towards the retractor.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of the
pretensioner which is not harmful and
does not involve any fire hazard.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt
tight to the chest and pelvis.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will
invalidate its efficiency. If, due to
unusual natural events (floods, sea
storms, etc.), the device has been
affected by water or mud, have it
replaced.
75)
16)
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger safety, the front
seat belt reels contain a device which
allows the force acting on the chest and
shoulders to be modulated during the
belt restraining action in the event of
a frontal collision.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT BELTS
76) 77) 78)
Seat belts are also to be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the case of a crash is greatly reduced
for them and the unborn child if they
are wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the
lower part of the belt very low down so
that it passes over the pelvis and under
the abdomen (see fig. 56). While
pregnancy progresses, the driver must
adjust both the seat and the steering
wheel to ensure full control of the
vehicle (pedals and steering wheel must
be easily accessible). The maximum
clearance should be kept between the
abdomen and the steering wheel.
68
SAFETY

The belt strap must not be twisted. The
upper part must pass over the shoulder
and cross the chest diagonally. The
lower part must adhere to the pelvis fig.
57, not to the abdomen of the
occupant. Never use devices (clips,
clamps, etc.) that hold the seat belt
away from your body.IMPORTANT Each seat belt must be
used by only one person. Never travel
with a child sitting on the passenger's
lap and a single belt to protect them
both fig. 58. In general, do not place
any objects between the person and
the belt.
SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
For keeping the seat belts in efficient
conditions, carefully observe the
following warnings:
always use the seat belt well
stretched and never twisted; make sure
that it is free to run without
obstructions;
check seat belt operation as follows:
attach the seat belt and pull it hard;
replace the belt after an accident of
a certain severity even if it does not
appear to be damaged. Always replace
the belt if the pretensioners were
deployed;
prevent the retractors from getting
wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get inside;
replace the seat belt when there is
wear or cuts.
WARNING
75)The pretensioner may be used only
once. Contact an Abarth Dealership to
have it replaced after it has been deployed.
76)For maximum safety, keep the back of
your seat upright, lean back into it and
make sure the seat belt fits closely across
your chest and pelvis. Always fasten the
seat belts on both the front and the rear
seats! Travelling without wearing seat belts
will increase the risk of serious injury or
even death in the event of an accident.
77)Removing or tampering with seat belt
and pretensioner components is strictly
prohibited. Any intervention on these
components must be performed by
qualified and authorised technicians.
Always contact an Abarth Dealership.
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78)If the seat belt has been subjected to a
high level of stress, for example after an
accident, it must be completely replaced
together with the anchorages, anchorage
fixing screws and pretensioner. In fact,
even if the seat belt has no visible defects,
it could have lost its resilience.
WARNING
16)Operations which lead to impacts,
vibrations or localised heating (over 100°C
for a maximum of six hours) in the area
around the pretensioner may damage or
deploy it. Contact an Abarth Dealership
should intervention be necessary on these
components.
CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
79) 80) 81) 82)
For optimal protection in the event of an
impact, all occupants must be seated
and wearing adequate restraint
systems, including newborn and
children!
This prescription is compulsory in all EC
countries according to EC Directive
2003/20/EC.
Children below the height of 1.50
metres and up to 12 years must be
protected with suitable restraint
systems and be seated on the rear
seats.
Statistics on accidents indicate that the
rear seats offer greater safety for
children.
Compared with an adult, a child's head
is larger and heavier in proportion to
their body and the child's muscular and
bone structures are not fully developed.
Therefore, correct restraint systems
other than adult seat belts are
necessary to reduce as much as
possible the risk of injuries in the event
of an accident, braking or a sudden
manoeuvre.Children must be seated safely and
comfortably. As far as the
characteristics of the child seats used
allow, you are advised to keep children
in rear facing child seats for as long
as possible (at least until 3–4 years old),
since this is the most protected
position in the event of an impact.
The choice of the most suitable child
restraint system depends on the weight
and size of the child. There are various
types of child restraint systems, which
can be secured to the car by means
of the seat belts or with the ISOFIX
anchorages.
It is recommended to always choose
the restraint system most suitable
for the child; for this reason always refer
to the Owner Handbook provided with
the child restraint system, to be sure
that it is of the right type for the children
it is intended for.
For correct installation on the car, some
universal child restraint systems require
an accessory (base) sold separately
by the restraint system's producer.
Therefore, FCA advises customers to
check that their chosen child restraint
system can be installed on their vehicle
by performing a trial installation, on
the vendor's premises, before
purchase.
70
SAFETY

In Europe the characteristics of child
restraint systems are ruled by the
regulation ECE-R44, dividing them into
five weight groups:
Group Weight range
Group 0up to 10 kg in
weight
Group 0+up to 13 kg in
weight
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15 - 25 kg
Group 3 22 - 36 kg
All restraint devices must bear the
type-approval data, together with the
control mark, on a label solidly fixed to
the child restraint system which must
never be removed.
Lineaccessori Abarth offers child
restraint systems for each weight
group. These devices are
recommended having been specifically
designed for Abarth cars.
FITTING A CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
WITH SEAT BELTS
83) 84) 85) 86)
The Universal child restraint systems
installed with the seat belts only are
type-approved on the basis of the ECE
R44 standard and are divided into
various weight groups.WARNING The figures are indicative
and provided for assembly purposes
only. Fit the child restraint system
according to the instructions, which
must be included.
GROUP 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
with a rear facing child restraint system
of a type as shown in fig. 59 which,
supporting the head, does not induce
stress on the neck in the event of
sudden decelerations.
The child restraint system is secured by
the vehicle seat belts, as shown in fig.
59 and it must restrain the child in
turn with its own belts.
GROUP 1
Children weighing from 9 to 18 kg may
be transported in forward facing child
restraint systems fig. 60.
GROUP 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may be
restrained directly by the car seat belts
fig. 61.
In this case, the child restraint system is
used to position the child correctly
with respect to the seat belts so that
the diagonal belt section crosses the
child’s chest and not the neck, and the
lower part is snug on the pelvis not
the abdomen.
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Main recommendations to carry
children safely
Install the child restraint systems on
the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of an
impact.
Keep children in rearward facing
child restraint systems for as long as
possible, ideally until they are 2 years
old.
Should a rearward facing child
restraint system be installed on the rear
seats, it is advisable to position it as
far forward as the position of the front
seat allows.
If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the
permanent switching on of the
warning light to make sure that it
has actually been deactivated.
Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the child restraint system.
Keep the instructions in the vehicle
along with the other documents and
this handbook. Do not use second-
hand child seats without instructions.
Only one child is to be strapped into
each restraint system; never carry two
children simultaneously.
Always check that the seat belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.
Always check that the seat belt is
well fastened by pulling on it.
While travelling, do not let the child
sit incorrectly or unfasten the belts.
Never allow a child to put the belt's
diagonal section under an arm or
behind their back.
Never carry children on your lap,
even newborns. No-one can hold
a child in the case of a crash.
In the event of an accident, replace
the child restraint system with a new
one. In addition, and depending on the
type of child restraint system installed,
replace the ISOFIX anchors or the
seat belt with which the child restraint
system was connected.
The rear headrest (where provided)
can be removed if needed to install
a child restraint system. The headrest
must always be fitted in the car if the
seat is used by an adult passenger or a
child sitting in a restraint system without
a backrest.
WARNING
79)SERIOUS DANGER. When an active
passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install
rear facing child restraint systems on
the front seat. Deployment of the airbag in
an accident could cause fatal injuries to
the child regardless of the severity of
the impact. It is advisable to always carry
children in a child restraint system on
the rear seat, which is the most protected
position in the event of a collision.
80)On the sun visor there is a label with
suitable symbols reminding the user that it
is compulsory to deactivate the airbag if
a rearward facing child restraint system is
fitted. Always comply with the instructions
on the passenger side sun visor (see the
"Front airbags" paragraph).
81)Should it be necessary to carry a child
on the passenger side front seat in a rear
facing child restraint system, the passenger
side front and side airbags must be
deactivated through the display main
menu, verifying deactivation by checking
that the warning light
located in the
central part of the dashboard has switched
on. Move the passenger's seat as far
back as possible to avoid contact between
the child seat and the dashboard.
82)Do not move the front or rear seat if a
child is seated on it or on the dedicated
child restraint system.
76
SAFETY

PASSENGER AIRBAG
DEACTIVATION: FRONT AIRBAG
AND FRONT SIDE AIRBAG (SIDE
BAG)
94) 95)
If a child must be carried on the front
seat in a rearward facing child restraint
system, deactivate the passenger
side front airbag and front side bag.Warning light 1 fig. 70 will stay on
constantly until the passenger side front
airbag and the front side bag are
reactivated.
IMPORTANT To manually deactivate the
passenger side front airbag and the
front side bag, see paragraph "Menu
items" in the "Knowing the instrument
panel" chapter.
Driver side knee bag (where
provided)
It consists of an instantly inflating
cushion contained in a special
compartment 3 under the lower
steering column guard fig. 71 at the
driver's knee level. It provides further
protection to the driver in the event of a
frontal impact.
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