2013 FIAT 500E steering

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
IMPORTANT VEHICLE INFORMATION .......12
▫ High Voltage Battery ....................12
 500e ELECTRIC VEHICLE FEATURES .........14
▫ Audible Pedestrian Warning System .........14
▫ Single-Speed Transmission ................15
▫ Auto Park ............................15
▫ E-Park ..............................15
▫ Climate Control (HVAC System) ............16
▫ Electric Air Conditioning Compressor ........16
▫ Electric Power Steering ..................16 ▫
Smartphone Features ....................16
 ELECTRIC SYSTEM OPERATION ............20
▫ Level 1 Charging
(120V — Requires NEMA 5–15 Outlet) .......20
▫ Level 2 Charging
(240V — Requires A 40 Amp Circuit Breaker
Or Greater) ...........................20
▫ Charge Times .........................20
▫ Vehicle Charging Cord ...................21
▫ EVSE Operation And Status Information ......22
▫ Charging The High Voltage Battery ..........25
2

NOTE:The engagement of the E-Park can be heard when
there is no noise in the interior of the vehicle, this is a
normal condition.
Climate Control (HVAC System)
Your 500e is equipped with an Automatic Temperature
Control (ATC) HVAC system. This HVAC system utilizes
a humidity sensor, cabin sensor, and ambient tempera-
ture sensor to choose operation mode and control cabin
comfort. These components allow the controller to oper-
ate the HVAC system in a very efficient manner to
maximize driving range.
Your 500e also uses an electric air heater to provide heat
to the cabin.
Electric Air Conditioning Compressor
Your 500e uses an electric air conditioning compressor.
The air conditioning compressor is powered by the high
voltage battery system and is used to cool the vehicle occupants and the high voltage battery while the vehicle
is being driven or when it is being charged.
The high voltage battery may require cooling to keep the
vehicle running. The air conditioning compressor will
activate without any input from the occupant.
NOTE:
The AC system helps cool the high voltage
battery. If the air conditioning system should require
service see your authorized studio as soon as possible.
Electric Power Steering
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric Power Steering
(EPS) system. The power steering system requires no
maintenance and operates without the use of power
steering fluid.
Smartphone Features
With the “FIAT Access” smartphone app, you can moni-
tor the state of charge of the high voltage battery or
initiate charging from your phone. You can also turn on
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should always wear their lap andshoulder belts properly.
3. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved back as far as practical to allow the Advanced Front
Air Bags room to inflate.
4. Do not lean against the door or window. Your vehicle has Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains
(SABIC) or Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags
(SAB), and when deployment occurs, the SABIC and
SAB air bags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door.
5. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact
the Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided in
If You Need Consumer Assistance.WARNING!
•Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the air bags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
air bags.
• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during Advanced Front Air Bag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air
bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably
extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel.
• Side air bags also need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
(Continued)
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short even when fully extended and
when the adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage (if
equipped) is in its lowest position, your authorized
studio can provide you with a seat belt extender. This
extender should be used only if the existing belt is not
long enough. When it is not required, remove the ex-
tender and store it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is worn
low and snug and in the recommended seating posi-
tions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.
Seat Belts And Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) — Air Bags
This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver’s Advanced Front Air
Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger’s Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the air bag covers.
In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver Side Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument
panel below the steering column.
1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bags3 — Knee Bolster
2— Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag
NOTE: The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air
Bags are certified to new Federal regulations for Ad-
vanced Air Bags.
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to allow the
air bags to have different inflation levels based on several
factors, including the severity and type of collision.
This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust the
inflation level of the Advanced Front Air Bags based
upon seat position.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation level of
the Advanced Front Air Bags.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Side Air Bag
Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the driver, front,
Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57

and rear passengers sitting next to a window. The SABIC
are located above the side windows. The trim covering
the SABIC is labeled SRS AIRBAG.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB). The SAB are marked with
an air bag label sewn into the outboard side of the front
seats.
NOTE:
•Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim,
but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized studio immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) •
Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
• Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
• Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC)
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch,
and Seat Track Position Sensors
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized studio service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A largequantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates
are possible, based on several factors, including the
collision type and severity. The steering wheel hub trim
cover and the upper right side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to
their full size. The air bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70
milliseconds. This is about half of the time it takes to
blink your eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag Inflator
Unit
The Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag unit is
located in the instrument panel trim beneath the steering
column. When the ORC detects a collision requiring the
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65

Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the air bag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air
bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag system.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized studio for any
air bag system service. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any
way (including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized studio. Only manufacturer approved
seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify the air bag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized studio.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE