2012 FIAT 500C brake

The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
21. Electronic Stability Control OFF (ESC OFF)
Indicator Light This light indicates the Electronic Stability Con-
trol system (ESC) has been turned off by the
driver.
22. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation /
Malfunction Indicator Light The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light in the instrument cluster will come on for
four seconds when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON/RUN position. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light comes on con-
tinuously with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in the ESC system. If this light remains on,
see your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•The ESC Off Indicator Light and the ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light come on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN.
•Each time the ignition is turned to ON/RUN, the ESC
system will be on, even if it was turned off previously.
23. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON/RUN position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141

If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
24. Door AjarThis light will turn on to indicate that one or
more doors or the trunk may be ajar. 25. Temperature Gauge
The temperature digital scale shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range indicates
that the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If all the segments of the
temperature gauge are lit, pull over and stop the
vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into the
normal range. If you hear continuous chimes, turn
the engine off immediately and call an authorized
dealership for service.
142 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

3. Briefly press theMENU 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 Dealership has deactivated the S.B.R.
system.
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL)
This function may be used to activate / deactivate the
Daytime Running Lamps.
Proceed as follows to switch this function on or off:
1. Briefly press the MENU ESCbutton to display the
three sub-menus.
2. Briefly press the MENU ESCbutton. “On” or “Off”
will flash on the display (according to previous setting). 3. Press the
+or –button for setting.
4. Briefly press the MENU ESCbutton to go back to the
menu screen, or press and hold the button (approxi-
mately one second) to go back to the main screen without
storing the settings.
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).
2. Press the +or –button for setting.
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 207
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 207
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 207
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 207
▫ Cold Weather Operation ............... 208
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 208
▫ After Starting ....................... 209
 Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 209
▫ Five-Speed Manual Transmission ......... 209▫
Recommended Shift Speeds ............. 210
▫ Downshifting ....................... 211
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 211
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 212
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 212
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission ........ 212
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 213
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 218
▫ Operation ......................... 219
5

▫General Information .................. 219
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 220
▫ Acceleration ........................ 220
▫ Traction ........................... 221
 Driving Through Water ................. 221
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 221
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 222
 Power Steering ....................... 223
 Parking Brake ........................ 224
 Sport Mode .......................... 226
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 226
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 227
 Brake System ........................ 228 ▫
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . 228
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 229
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 230
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 230
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 231
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 231
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 232
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 235
 Tire Safety Information ................. 236
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 236
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 240
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 241
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children in the vehicle alone. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. The child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. The child could operate
power windows, other controls or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
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.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
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.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 207

CAUTION! (Continued)
•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.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
NOTE:
To shift into REVERSE from NEUTRAL, lift the
ring under the knob and, at the same time move the
gearshift lever to the right and then backward.
Shift Lever
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 209

Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to second or first gear when descending a steep
grade.
When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be
overburdened.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Move the shift lever into PARK only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not move the shift lever between PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
•Before moving the shift lever into any gear, make
sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 211