2014 FIAT 500X Owners Manual

In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time the
vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as
required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify
the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent
retractor, torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question
regarding seat belt or retractor condition, replace the
seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning lightwill turn on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned to ON/RUN. If the light is
either not on during starting, stays on, or turns on
while driving, have the system inspected at an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. This light will illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the
Air Bag Warning Light has been detected, it will stay
on until the fault is cleared. If the light comes on
intermittently or remains on while driving, have an
authorized dealer service the vehicle immediately.
Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Safety” for fur-
ther information.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should be
able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See
your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of
your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that
they cannot slip out of position and interfere with the
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other
ways.
6
SAFETY 207

WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners
may cause your floor mat to interfere with the
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and cause a loss
of vehicle control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:
•ALWAYS securely attach
your floor mat using
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your
floor mat upside down or turn your floor mat
over. Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured
using the floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.
• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR
MAT FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing
any other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an
additional floor mat on top of an existing floor
mat.
• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be
properly attached and secured to your vehicle. If a
floor mat needs to be replaced, only use a FCA
approved floor mat for the specific make, model,
and year of your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•ONLY use the driver ’s side floor mat on the
driver ’s side floor area. To check for interference,
with the vehicle properly parked with the engine
off, fully depress the accelerator, the brake, and
the clutch pedal (if present) to check for interfer-
ence. If your floor mat interferes with the opera-
tion of any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and place
the floor mat in your trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger ’s side floor mat on the
passenger ’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide
into the driver ’s side floor area when the vehicle
is moving. Objects can become trapped under
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and could
cause a loss of vehicle control.
• NEVER place any objects under the floor mat
(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could
change the position of the floor mat and may
cause interference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals.
(Continued)
208 SAFETY

WARNING!(Continued)
•If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-
installed, always properly attach carpet to the
floor and check the floor mat fasteners are secure
to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap and
water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,
always check your floor mat has been properly
installed and is secured to your vehicle using the
floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for
cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and
bulges. Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the
tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation pres-
sure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the
instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected, or if fuel or brake fluid
leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
6
SAFETY 209

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING THE ENGINE ...............214
▫ Tip Start Feature .....................215
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................215
▫ Cold Weather Operation ...............216
▫ Extended Park Starting .................216
▫ After Starting — Warming Up The Engine . . .217
▫ Stopping The Engine ..................217
▫ Turbocharger “Cool Down” — If Equipped . .217
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . .217
 ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE (EPB) ...........218
▫ Auto Park Brake .....................221
▫ SafeHold ......................... .222
▫ Brake Service Mode ...................222
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION ..............223 ▫
Shifting ........................... .224
▫ Downshifting ...................... .225
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ...........226
▫ Gear Selector ....................... .228
▫ Gear Ranges ....................... .229
▫ Transmission Limp Home Mode ..........234
▫ Ignition Park Interlock .................235
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .235
 SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED ........235
▫ Activation ......................... .236
▫ Setting A Desired Speed ................236
▫ Deactivation ....................... .236
▫ Resume Speed ...................... .236
▫ Varying The Speed ...................236
7

▫Accelerating For Passing ...............237
 ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED .238
 DYNAMIC SELECTOR — IF EQUIPPED .....238
▫ Warning Messages ....................239
 BRAKE CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED ........239
▫ Brake Control ...................... .239
▫ Turning Brake Control On Or Off .........241
▫ Changing Brake Control Sensitivity ........241
▫ Brake Control Limited Warning ...........242
▫ Service Brake Control Warning ...........242
▫ Precautions While Driving With Brake
Control ........................... .243
▫ General Information ..................246
 PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST — IF
EQUIPPED ......................... .246
▫ ParkSense Sensors ....................247
▫ Enabling And Disabling ParkSense ........248
▫ Service The Rear Park Assist System .......249▫
ParkSense System Usage Precautions .......249
 LANESENSE — IF EQUIPPED ............251
▫ LaneSense Operation ..................251
▫ Turning LaneSense On Or Off ............252
▫ LaneSense Warning Message .............252
▫ Changing LaneSense Status .............254
 PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA — IF
EQUIPPED ......................... .255
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................ .257
▫ Base System ....................... .259
▫ General

Information ...................261
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS .................261
▫ 1.4L Turbo Engine ....................261
▫ 2.4L Engine ........................ .262
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................262
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends .............262
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ......263
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications . . . .263
▫ MMT In Gasoline ....................263
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ...............264
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................264
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............265
 ADDING FUEL ...................... .265
 VEHICLE LOADING ...................268
▫ Certification Label ...................268
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ........270
▫ Acceleration ....................... .270
▫ Traction .......................... .270
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ............271
▫ Flowing/Rising Water .................271 ▫
Shallow Standing Water ................271
 POWER STEERING ....................272
 TRAILER TOWING ....................273
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............273
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ..............276
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) .....................277
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight .............277
▫ Towing Requirements .................278
▫ Towing Tips ....................... .283
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ..................284
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle .284
7
STARTING AND OPERATING 213

STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their 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 gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition in the ON or RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Start the engine with the gear selector in the NEUTRAL
or PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to
any driving range. Manual Transmission
Proceed as follows:
1. Set the Electric Park Brake (EPB) and put the gear
selector in the NEUTRAL position.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor, without pressing the accelerator.
3. Cycle the ignition to the START mode and release it as soon as the engine is started.
4. If the engine does not start, place the ignition in the OFF mode and wait 10-15 seconds before attempting
to restart the engine.
Automatic Transmission
Proceed as follows:
1. Set the Electric Park Brake (EPB) and put the gear selector in the PARK or NEUTRAL position.
2. Press on the brake pedal, without pressing the accel- erator.
3. Cycle the ignition to the START mode and release it as soon as the engine is started.
214 STARTING AND OPERATING