2012 FIAT 500C oil temperature

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Glow Plug Light — If EquippedThe Glow Plug light will flash during engine oil
viscosity sensor measurement in cold weather.
During this measurement (up to 10 seconds), the starter
will be disabled. If the measured oil viscosity is OK, the
light will turn off and the engine will be allowed to crank.
If the measured oil viscosity is too high, engine cranking
will be disabled and the light will blink repeatedly until
the oil temperature is raised, preferably by an externally-
powered electric engine block heater (available from
your authorized dealer).
The message Plug In Engine Heater, will be displayed
in the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature
is below 5°F (-15°C) at the time the engine is shut off as
a reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start. 2. Rear Defrost Button
Press and release this button to turn on the rear
window defroster. This indicator will illuminate
when the rear window defroster is on. The rear window
defroster automatically turns off after 20 minutes.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these cautions can cause damage to
the heating elements:
•Use care when washing the inside of the rear
window. Do not use abrasive window cleaners on
the interior surface of the window. Use a soft cloth
and a mild washing solution, wiping parallel to
the heating elements. Labels can be peeled off
after soaking with warm water.
•Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abra-
sive window cleaners on the interior surface of the
window.
•Keep all objects a safe distance from the window.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 133

Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized dealer.
The messageplug in engine heater will be displayed in the
instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is below
5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a reminder
to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold start.
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended SAE 5W-30 oil and adher-
ing to the prescribed oil change intervals is important
to prevent engine damage and ensure satisfactory
starting in cold conditions.
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. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.
(Continued)
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground, and
about five minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut
off, will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.
Maintain the oil level between the range markings on the
dipstick. The safe range is indicated by a crosshatch zone.
Adding 1 qt (1L) of oil when the reading is at the low end
of the indicated range will result in the oil level at the full
end of the indicator range.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling the
engine with oil will cause oil aeration, which can
lead to loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil
temperature. This loss of oil pressure and increased
oil temperature could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months,
whichever occurs first.
310 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection for all
engines under all types of operating conditions, the
manufacturer recommends engine oils that are API Cer-
tified and meet the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy. Your engine oil filler
cap also states the recommended engine oil viscosity
grade for your engine.
Lubricants which do not have both the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 311

Oil Selection........................ 311
Oil Synthetic ........................ 312
Overheating ........................ 271
Starting ........................... 207
Temperature Gauge ................... 142
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ........50,301
Event Data Recorder ...................... 56
Exhaust Gas Caution ................. 27,68,265
Exhaust System ....................... 68,319
Exterior Lights .......................... 72
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 144
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 312
Automatic Transmission ................ 330
Engine Oil ....................... 312,348
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 101
Flashers Turn Signal ......................... 72 Flooded Engine Starting
................... 208
Fluid Capacities ......................... 347
Fluid Leaks ............................. 72
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 330
Fluid, Brake ........................... 349
Fluids ................................ 348
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 348
Fog Lights .......................... 104,134
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 297
Fuel .............................. 261,348
Additives .......................... 263
Capacity ........................... 347
Clean Air .......................... 261
Cutoff ............................. 50
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............144,266
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 144
Gasoline ........................... 261
Gauge ............................ 144
382 INDEX

Stuck, Freeing.......................... 297
Sun Roof .............................. 118
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 40
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 312
Tachometer ............................ 144
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 194
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......142,272
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 61
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 108
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 242
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 240
Tire Markings .......................... 236
Tire Safety Information .................... 236
TIREFIT .............................. 272
Tires ............................ 71,246,374
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 252
Air Pressure ........................ 246
Chains ............................ 253 Changing
.......................... 282
Compact Spare ...................... 249
General Information .................. 246
High Speed ......................... 248
Inflation Pressures .................... 247
Jacking ............................ 282
Life of Tires ........................ 252
Load Capacity .................... 242,243
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 256
Pressure Warning Light ................ 136
Quality Grading ..................... 374
Radial ............................ 249
Replacement ........................ 252
Rotation ........................... 255
Safety .......................... 236,246
Sizes ............................. 238
Spinning ........................... 250
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 251
To Open Hood .......................... 98
10
INDEX 389