Fiat 500 Abarth Owner's Handbook Manual - page 85

84

W

ARNING

LIGHTS AND MESSAGES

IN AN

EMERGENCY

CAR

MAINTENANCE

TECHNICAL

SPECIFICA

TIONS

INDEX

YOUR CAR

SAFETY DEVICES

CORRECT USE  OF THE CAR

HANDBRAKE

The handbrake lever is located between

the two front seats. 

Pull the lever upwards to operate the

handbrake.

PARKING THE CAR

Proceed as follows:

❒ stop the engine and engage the hand-

brake;

❒ engage a gear (on a slope, engage first

gear if the car is faced uphill or rever-

se if it is faced downhill) and leave the

wheels steered.

If the car is parked on a steep slope, it is

further advisable to block the wheels with

a wedge or stone. 

Do not leave the ignition key on MAR to

prevent draining the battery. Always re-

move the key when you leave the car.

Never leave children unattended in the

car. Always remove the ignition key when

leaving the car and take it out with you.

STOPPING THE ENGINE

Turn the ignition to STOP while the en-

gine 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 engi-

ne compartment to fall. 

fig. 1

F0S0048m

A quick burst on the accele-

rator before turning off the

engine serves absolutely no

practical purpose, it wastes

fuel and is damaging especially to tur-

bocharged engines.

The car must be braked after

a few snaps of the lever,

otherwise, contact the Fiat Dealer-

ship for regulation.

WARNING

When the handbrake lever is pulled up and

the ignition key is on  MAR, the instru-

ment panel warning light 

x will turn on.

Proceed as follows to release the hand-

brake:

❒ slightly lift the handbrake and press re-

lease button A-fig. 1;

❒ hold button A pressed and lower the

lever. Warning light 

x on the instru-

ment panel will go out.

Press the brake pedal when carrying out

this operation to prevent the car from

moving accidentally. 

081-090 FIAT 500 GBdx  6-02-2008  8:15  Pagina 84