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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. Vehicle Security Light If during starting, the key code is not correctly
recognized, the Vehicle Security Light comes
on in the instrument panel. In this case, turn
the key to OFF and then to ON/RUN; if it is
still locked, try again with the other keys that come with
the vehicle. Contact a Fiat dealer if you still cannot start
the engine. If with the engine running the warning light flashes, this
means that the car is not protected by the engine inhibitor
device. Contact a Fiat dealer to have all the keys
programmed.
26. 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
(Continued)
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 155
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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 theMENUbutton. Press the UP
or
DOWN
button to highlight the Hill Start Assist.
Press the MENU
button to enter the Hill Start Assist
MENU.
2. Press the UP
or DOWNbutton for setting.
3. Briefly press the MENUbutton to go back to the menu
screen, or press and hold the button (approximately
one second) to go back to the main screen without
storing the settings.
Tire Pressure
This function will be used to display the tire pressures
individually for all four tires by location.
Proceed as follows:
1. Briefly press the MENUbutton. Press the UP
or
DOWN
button to highlight the Tire Pressure.
Press the MENU
button to enter the Tire Pressure
MENU.
2. Press the UP or DOWN button to scroll through all four tire pressure value locations.
3. Briefly press the MENUbutton to go back to the menu
screen, or press and hold the button (approximately
one second) to go back to the main screen.
Lock
When Unlock Driver Door is selected, only the driver’s
door will unlock on the first press of the Remote Keyless
176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................223
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......223
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....223
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .223
▫ Cold Weather Operation ................224
▫ Extended Park Starting ..................224
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................225
▫ After Starting ....................... .225
▫ Turbocharger “Cool Down” ..............226
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .226 ▫
Five-Speed Manual Transmission ...........226
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............228
▫ Downshifting ....................... .229
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .229
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............231
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .231
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........231
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .233
AUTOSTICK® ........................ .238
5
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▫Operation .......................... .238
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........240
▫ Acceleration ........................ .240
▫ Traction ........................... .240
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............241
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................241
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................241
POWER STEERING .....................243
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .244
SPORT MODE ........................ .246
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........246
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......247
BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .248
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .249
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .249
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............250
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............251
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................251
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........253
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................256
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............257
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .257
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........261
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........263
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........264
220 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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.
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. Depress the
brake pedal 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
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Turbocharger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending
on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been
shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
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.
Shift Lever
226 STARTING AND OPERATING
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Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may
cause the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is
selected and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to
the clutch and the transmission can result from
skipping a gear while downshifting or downshifting
at too high of a vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal
is held pressed (i.e., not released).
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 overbur-
dened.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
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NOTE:You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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 engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key.
Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
(Continued)
230 STARTING AND OPERATING