2012 FIAT 500 traction control

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
an accident resulting in serious injury or death.
Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have an accident.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains, or other traction aids that meet
SAE type “Class S” specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer.
NOTE:Do not use tire chains on a compact spare tire.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 253

NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol or Electronic Stability Control (ESC), turn the system
OFF before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE (automatic transmission) or 1st gear
(manual transmission) and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission or clutch (manual trans-
mission) overheating and failure. It can also dam-
age the tires. Do not spin the wheels above 30 mph
(48 km/h) while in gear (no transmission shifting
occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Firmly set the parking brake.
2. Remove the shift lever override access cover located
on the right side of the shift lever housing.
298 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions on
specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat, when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degen-
erate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead
to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance, which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of performance on the labora-
tory test wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established for
a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive load-
ing, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire failure.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 375

Engine Oil......................... 312
Door Locks ............................. 22
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 24
Downshifting ........................... 211
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 220
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 221
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 82
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 121
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 229
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 230
Brake Assist System ................... 230
Traction Control System ................ 231
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 109
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 232
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 144Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 271
Jacking ............................ 282
Jump Starting ....................... 293
Towing ............................ 299
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 306
Engine Break-In Recommendations .............. 67
Checking Oil Level ................... 310
Compartment ....................... 305
Cooling ........................... 321
Exhaust Gas Caution ................68,265
Fails to Start ........................ 208
Flooded, Starting ..................... 208
Fuel Requirements .................... 261
Oil ......................... 310,347,348
Oil Change Interval ................... 310
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 311
Oil Filter ........................... 348
10
INDEX 381

High Beam Indicator.................. 134
Low Fuel .......................... 134
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 138
Oil Pressure ........................ 138
Park .............................. 101
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 135
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 138
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ......... 136
Traction Control ..................... 235
Turn Signal .................... 72,102,134
Voltage ............................ 135
Wait to Start ........................ 133
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 133
Loading Vehicle Tires .............................. 242
Locks Automatic Door ...................... 24
Door .............................. 22
Power Door ......................... 23 Lubrication, Body
....................... 316
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 313
Maintenance Procedures ................... 309
Maintenance Schedule .................... 352
Maintenance, General ..................... 309
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 138,307
Manual Transmission .................. 209,329
Fluid Level Check .................... 329
Frequency of Fluid Change ............. 329
Lubricant Selection ................... 329
Manual, Service ......................... 373
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 327
Mirrors ................................ 80
Automatic Dimming ................... 81
Electric Powered ...................... 82
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 256
Multi-Function Control Lever ............... 100
10
INDEX 385