
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
damage to the engine control system. It also could
affect fuel economy and drivability. If the MIL is
flashing, severe catalytic converter damage and
power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as referenced
above, can reach higher temperatures than in normal
operating conditions. This can cause a fire if you
drive slowly or park over flammable substances such
as dry plants, wood, cardboard, etc. This could result
in death or serious injury to the driver, occupants or
others.
19. Engine Temperature Warning Light This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. The engine coolant temperature indicator
will illuminate and a single chime will sound after
reaching a set threshold.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
130 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

To adjust the volume proceed as follows:
1. Briefly press theMENU ESCbutton. The previously
set volume “level” will flash on the display.
2. Press the +or –button for setting.
3. Briefly press the MENU ESCbutton to go back to the
menu screen, or press and hold the MENU ESCbutton
(approximately one second) to go back to the main screen
without storing the settings.
Button Volume (Button Volume Adjustment)
This function may be used to adjust the volume of the
beep accompanying the buttons. MENU ESC,+ or –can
be adjusted according to 8 levels.
To adjust the volume, proceed as follows:
1. Briefly press the MENU ESCbutton. The previously
set volume “level” will flash on the display.
2. Press the +or –button for setting. 3. Briefly press the
MENU ESCbutton to go back to the
menu screen, or press and hold the MENU ESCbutton
(approximately one second) to go back to the main screen
without storing the settings.
Belt Buzzer (Buzzer Activation For S.B.R.
Indication)
This function will only be displayed after a FIAT Group
Automobiles dealer has deactivated the S.B.R. system.
Hill Start Assist
This function is used when starting a vehicle from a stop
on a hill. Hill Start Assist maintains the same level of
brake pressure the driver applied for a short period of
time after the foot has been removed from the brake
pedal.
Proceed as follows to switch this function on or off:
1. Briefly press the MENU ESCbutton. “On” or “Off”
will flash on the display (according to previous setting).
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 149

Frequency Band Selection
With the Radio mode active, press the FM or AM tuner
button briefly and repeatedly to select the desired recep-
tion band.
Each time the button is pressed the following bands are
selected cyclically:
•AM, FM or SAT (if equipped)
Each band is highlighted by the corresponding wordings
on the display. The radio will be tuned to last station
selected on the respective frequency band.
Preset Buttons
The buttons numbered from 1 to 5 are used to set the
following pre-selections:
•15 in the FM band (5 in FMA, 5 in FMB, 5 in FMC
•10 in the AM band (5 in AMA, 5 in AMB)
•15 in SAT (if so equipped) (5 SATA, 5 SATB, 5 SATC) To listen to a preset station, select the desired frequency
band and then briefly press the corresponding preset
button (from 1 to 5).
By pressing the preset button for more than 2 seconds,
the tuned station will be stored. Pressing the A-B-C
button will change between the preset memory group in
the current frequency band.
Automatic Tuning
Briefly press theorbutton to start the automatic
tuning search for the next station that can be received in
the selected direction.
If the
orbutton is pressed for longer, the rapid
search is started. When the button is released, the tuner
will stop on the next station that can be received.
Manual Tuning
This is used to manually search for stations in the
preselected band.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167

Select the desired frequency band and then press briefly
and repeatedly the
orbutton to start the search
in the desired direction. If the
orbutton is
pressed longer, the fast search starts and then stops when
the button is released.
Stereophonic Broadcasters
If the incoming signal is weak, the reproduction is
automatically switched from Stereo to Mono.
SIRIUS Satellite Radio — If Equipped
Satellite Radio Antenna — If Equipped
The antenna for the satellite radio is mounted on the roof
of the vehicle. Do not place items on the roof around the
roof top antenna location. Objects placed within the line
of sight of the antenna will cause decreased performance.
Larger luggage items should be placed as far from the
antenna as possible. Do not place items directly on or
above the antenna.
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
With over 130 channels, SIRIUS Satellite Radio brings
you more of what you love. Get 69 channels of 100%
commercial-free music, plus all of your favorite sports,
news, talk and entertainment. Hear every NFL game,
every NASCAR race, college sports and more. The big-
gest and most compelling names in talk with Howard
Stern and Martha Stewart, laugh-out-loud comedy with
Jamie Foxx’s The Foxxhole and Blue Collar Comedy, plus
kids’ programming, world-class news, local traffic and
weather. All of this with crystal clear, coast-to-coast
coverage. Everything worth listening to is now on
SIRIUS. A one-year SIRIUS Satellite Radio subscription
is included. SIRIUS XM and all related marks and logos
are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsid-
iaries. SIRIUS Radio requires a subscription, sold sepa-
rately after trial subscription included with vehicle pur-
chase. Prices and programming are provided by SIRIUS
and are subject to change. Subscriptions governed by
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave the ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN
position. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock-
ing ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV (START) position and
release it when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the STOP
(OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the Normal Starting procedure.
196 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the
ignition switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait
10 seconds to allow the starter to cool, then repeat the
Extended Park Starting procedure.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle.
•To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-
ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
Turbocharger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending
on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been
shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
198 STARTING AND OPERATING

Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 199

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 201