Page 35 of 350

WARNING!
Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, place the transmission into PARK, and remove
the Key Fob from the ignition. When leaving the
vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
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. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the transmission shift buttons.
Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children. A child could oper-
ate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Locking Doors With A Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key to the right. To unlock the door, turn
the key to the left. Refer to “Body Lubrication” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for maintenance informa-
tion.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
Page 42 of 350

WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
• For personal security and safety in the event of an
collision, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as
well as when you park and leave the vehicle.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, shift the transmission into PARK, and re-
move the Key Fob from the ignition. When leaving
the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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, or
in a location accessible to children, and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode.
A child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove the key from the ignition and lock all
of the doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 154 of 350

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned to ON/
RUN, this light will turn on if the driver’s seat belt
is unbuckled, a chime will sound. When driving,
if the driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will illuminate and the chime will sound.
Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know
Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.
2. Air Bag Warning Light
If this light turns on while driving, have the
system inspected at an authorized studio as
soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant Re-
straints” in “Things To Know Before Starting
Your Vehicle” for further information.
3. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the Brake Warning Light turns
on it may indicate that the parking brake is
applied, that the brake fluid level is low, or that there is
a problem with the brake system reservoir.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
152 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 155 of 350

WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. You could have a collision. Have the
vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF/LOCK position
to the ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for
approximately two seconds. The light should then turn
off unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized studio. 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.
4. 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.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 153
Page 207 of 350
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................208
▫ Single-Speed Transmission ...............208
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .208
SINGLE–SPEED TRANSMISSION ...........209
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............212
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .212
▫ Auto Park .......................... .215
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........216
▫ Acceleration ........................ .216
▫ Traction ........................... .216
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............217
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................217
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................217
POWER STEERING .....................219
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .220
BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .222
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .223
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .224
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............224
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............224
5
Page 210 of 350

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 (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Single-Speed Transmission
The transmission must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the vehicle. Apply the
brakes before placing the transmission into any position.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before selecting
a transmission gear.
Normal Starting
Turn the key to the START position while your vehicle is
in PARK. When the ignition key is turned to the START
and then the RUN position, the “READY” indicator in
the EVIC will illuminate to indicate the 500e’s Electric
Drive System has started. When the “READY” indicator
is illuminated your 500e is ready to be driven.
208 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 213 of 350

WARNING!
•Only place the transmission into gear when your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the vehicle is
in “READY” mode. Before exiting a vehicle, always
apply the parking brake, shift the transmission
into PARK, and remove the ignition key. Once the
key is removed, the transmission is locked in
PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key and lock your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission range buttons.
• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
Page 214 of 350

Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the OFF
position. The key can only be removed from the ignition
when the ignition is in the OFF position, and once
removed, the transmission is locked in PARK.
Gear Ranges
Gear ranges are engaged by pressing one of the push-
buttons.
NOTE:
•The brake pedal must be depressed to select a trans-
mission gear range.
• After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow
the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The vehicle can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
placing the transmission into PARK. As an added pre-
caution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
NOTE: Refer to the transmission range position dis-
played on the EVIC and verify that it indicates the PARK
position.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING