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Friday, May 11, 2012

US Fiat 500 Abarth Upshift Light

Fiat 500 Abarth Shift Light

Here is an update on how the upshift light on the US Fiat 500 Abarth works. Previously, I posted a story on how the European Abarth 500 Turbo Boost Gauge and shift light works (read here). On the American 500 Abarth, the upshift light is implemented differently from the Euro Abarth. The upshift light on the US 500 Abarth is a “drag racer’s” shift light – it illuminates 0.3 sec before you hit fuel cutoff, regardless of being in Normal or Sport mode.

The upshift light on the European 500 Abarth operates as a “drag racer’s” shift light only in Sport mode and as a fuel economy reminder light in Normal mode. Speculation attributes the change to the traditional US driver's dislike of fuel economy reminders constantly blinking.

Below is a chart of the recommended upshift speeds for maximum fuel economy published on page 202 of the North American Fiat 500 Abarth owner’s manual.

Fiat 500 Abarth upshift speeds


Courtesy of Chrysler LLC

2 comments:

James Bong said...

Well that's too bad. I'd rather have it work like the European mode. I wonder if there's a way to switch it.

Anonymous said...

well the way they placed the damn gauge I cant see the light anyway....as my left arm in the 10 to 12 o'clock position blocks the view.