2012 FIAT 500C overheating

•If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
An audible beep will sound if an inappropriate gear is
selected.
•The transmission will automatically upshift when nec-
essary to prevent engine over-speed.
•Mostly the transmission will stay in the manually
selected ratio, however:
If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to a special automatic shift
mode and remain in that mode until the powertrain
cools off.
If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
AutoStick mode and the transmission will return to
the automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
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.).
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flashers. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn
oncoming traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a
second time to turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and it is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate with
the ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 271

8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle,
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
(automatic transmission) or 1st gear (manual transmis-
sion) and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 297

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

CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
320 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 67
Occupant Restraints ..................... 46,52
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ...........27,44,46,50
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 261
Odometer ............................. 143
Trip .............................. 143
Oil Change Indicator ..................... 149
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ................. 149
Oil, Engine ......................... 310,347
Capacity ........................... 347
Change Interval ..................... 310
Checking .......................... 310
Disposal ........................... 312
Filter ............................. 312
Identification Logo ................... 311
Materials Added to ................... 312
Recommendation .................. 31 1,347
Synthetic .......................... 312 Viscosity
........................... 311
Onboard Diagnostic System ................ 306
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overheating, Engine ................... 142,271
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,373
Paint Care ............................. 330
Parking Brake .......................... 224
Pets .................................. 67
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 242
Power Door Locks ......................... 23
Mirrors ............................ 82
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........ 121
Steering ........................... 223
Sunroof ........................... 118
Windows ........................... 24
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 349
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 40
386 INDEX