2014 FIAT 500X maintenance

Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
transmission has no dipstick. Your authorized dealer
can check your transmission fluid level using special
service tools. If you notice fluid leakage or transmission
malfunction, visit your authorized dealer immediately
to have the transmission fluid level checked. Operating
the vehicle with an improper fluid level can cause
severe transmission damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe transmission dam-
age may occur. Your authorized dealer has the
proper tools to adjust the fluid level accurately.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed
at the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for
the life of the vehicle.Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. How-
ever, change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes
contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the transmission is
disassembled for any reason.
Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint From Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will en-
able you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
372 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft cloth. A mild soap solutionmay be used, but do not use high alcohol content or
abrasive cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a
clean damp cloth.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the
fabric. Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the
vehicle to wash them. Dry with a soft cloth. Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
NOTE:
If the belts retract slowly, inspect the upper
turning loop for soiling. If soiling is present, clean with
a wet soft cloth until all residue is removed.
WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision
and leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt
system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or
loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced imme-
diately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a colli-
sion if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.).
378 MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE

tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the tire
should be replaced. Refer to “Replacement Tires” in this
section for further information.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including, but not limited to:
•Driving style.
• Tire pressure – Improper cold tire inflation pressures
can cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the
tire tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce
tread life, resulting in the need for earlier tire replace-
ment.
• Distance driven.
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating of V or
higher, and Summer tires typically have a reduced
tread life. Rotation of these tires per the vehicle
maintenance schedule is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
follow this warning can result in sudden tire fail-
ure. You could lose control and have a collision
resulting in serious injury or death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease, and gasoline.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of
many characteristics. They should be inspected regu-
larly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressures.
The manufacturer strongly recommends that you use
tires equivalent to the originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is needed. Refer to the
paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicator” in this section.
Refer to the Tire and Loading Information placard or
the Vehicle Certification Label for the size designation
of your tire. The Load Index and Speed Symbol for your
tire will be found on the original equipment tire side-
wall.
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 395

tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or ex-
cessive loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
The tires on the front and rear of your vehicle operate at
different loads and perform different steering, han-
dling, and braking functions. For these reasons, they
wear at unequal rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on On/Off Road
type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to
maintain mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and
contribute to a smooth, quiet ride. Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” in this section for the
proper maintenance intervals. The reasons for any rapid
or unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation
being performed.
The suggested Front Wheel Drive (FWD) rotation
method is the “forward cross” shown in the following
diagram. This rotation pattern does not apply to some
directional tires that must not be reversed.
The suggested Four Wheel Drive (4WD) Tire rotation
method is the “rearward cross” shown in the following
diagram.
Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Tire Rotation
9
MAINTAINING AND CARING FOR YOUR VEHICLE 399

About Your Brakes...................... .154
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ...........366
Adding Fuel ........................... .265
Adding Washer Fluid .....................362
Additives, Fuel ......................... .264
AirBag .............................. .176
Advance Front Air Bag ..................176
Air Bag Operation .....................178
Enhanced Accident Response ..............340
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ...............340
FrontAirBag ........................ .176
If A Deployment Occurs .................184
Knee Impact Bolsters ....................179
Maintaining Your Air Bag System ...........187
Redundant Air Bag Warning Light ..........176
Side Air Bags ........................ .179
Transporting Pets ..................... .205
Air Bag Light ....................... .132, 207
Air Bag Maintenance ..................... .187
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . .357
Air Conditioner Maintenance ................358
Air Conditioning Filter ..................96, 359
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............95
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............358, 359
Air Conditioning System ................94, 358 Air Pressure, Tires
....................... .390
Alarm Arm The System .......................34
Alarm (Security Alarm) ....................139
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ....................238
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ..............6
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............365, 407
Disposal ............................ .367
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ...............155
Anti-Lock Warning Light ...............147, 148
Appearance Care ....................... .372
Assist, Hill Start ........................ .157
Audio Systems (Radio) ....................445
Automatic
Headlights ......................67
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........94
Automatic Transmission .............226, 371, 372
Adding Fluid ..................... .372, 409
Fluid And Filter Changes .................372
Fluid Change ........................ .372
Fluid Level Check ..................... .372
Fluid Type ....................... .371, 409
Special Additives ..................... .371
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) .......112
Auxiliary Power Outlet ....................112
Axle Fluid ............................ .409
460 INDEX

Electronic Roll Mitigation................161
Traction Control System .................159
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .......235
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light .......139
Emergency, In Case Of Hazard Warning Flasher .................289
Jacking ......................... .315, 379
Jump Starting ........................ .327
Overheating ......................... .330
Towing ............................ .334
Emission Control System Maintenance .........343
Engine Air Cleaner ......................... .357
Break-In Recommendations ...............217
Checking Oil Level .....................355
Compartment ........................ .353
Coolant (Antifreeze) ....................408
Cooling ............................ .364
Exhaust Gas Caution ................206, 265
Fails To Start ........................ .215
Flooded, Starting ..................... .215
Fuel Requirements .....................261
Jump Starting ........................ .327
Oil ......................... .355, 407, 408
Oil Filler Cap ........................ .356Oil Filter
........................... .357
Oil Selection ..................... .356, 407
Overheating ......................... .330
Starting ............................ .214
Engine Oil Viscosity ..................... .356
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ..................356
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ..........340
Ethanol .............................. .262
Exhaust Gas Caution ..................206, 265
Exhaust System ..................... .206, 362
Exterior Lighting .........................66
Exterior

Lights ....................... .66, 209
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... .357
Air Conditioning ....................96, 359
Engine Oil ....................... .357, 408
Engine Oil Disposal ....................357
Flashers Hazard Warning ...................... .289
Turn Signal .....................70, 150, 209
Flooded Engine Starting ...................215
Floor Console ...........................115
Fluid, Brake ........................... .409
Fluid Capacities ........................ .407
12
INDEX 463

Fluid Leaks........................... .209
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ..........408
Fog Lights ..............................68
Forward Collision Warning .................239
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ....................332
Fuel ................................. .261
Adding ............................ .265
Additives ........................... .264
Clean Air ........................... .262
Ethanol ............................ .262
Gasoline ........................... .261
Light .............................. .140
Materials Added ...................... .264
Methanol ........................... .262
Octane Rating .....................261, 408
Requirements ........................ .261
Specifications ........................ .408
Tank Capacity ....................... .407
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... .262
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... .261
Gasoline, Reformulated ....................262
Gear Ranges ........................... .225
Gear Select Lever Override .................331
General Information ..................... .246General Maintenance
..................... .354
Glass Cleaning ......................... .377
Gross Axle Weight Rating ..................274
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ................273
GVWR ............................... .268
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ....................... .271
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................289
Headlights Automatic ............................67
Cleaning ........................... .377
Delay ...............................68
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch .........
69
Lights On Reminder .....................68
Switch ...............................66
Time Delay ...........................68
Head Restraints ..........................53
Head Rests .............................53
Heated Mirrors ...........................59
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch ....69
Hill Start Assist ........................ .157
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... .276
464 INDEX

Light Bulbs........................... .209
Lights ............................... .209
AirBag ..........................132, 207
Automatic Headlights ....................67
Brake Warning ....................... .133
Cruise .......................... .151, 152
Daytime Running .......................68
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................69
Exterior ............................ .209
Fog .................................68
Hazard Warning Flasher .................289
Headlights ............................66
Headlights On Reminder ..................68
Headlight Switch .......................66
High Beam ...........................69
High Beam/Low Beam Select ..............69
Instrument Cluster ......................66
Intensity Control .......................74
Interior ..............................70
Lights On Reminder .....................68
Low Fuel ........................... .140
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........140
Park .............................. .151
Seat Belt Reminder .....................133
Security Alarm ....................... .139Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
...........144
Turn Signal .....................70, 150, 209
Vanity Mirror ..........................72
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) .....150
Loading Vehicle ........................ .268
Tires .............................. .384
Locks .................................36
Door ................................36
Lubrication, Body ....................... .360
Luggage Carrier .........................117
Lug Nuts ............................. .404
Maintenance Free Battery ...................358
Maintenance, General .....................354
Maintenance Procedures ...................354
Maintenance Schedule .....................344
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . .140, 343
Manual, Service ..........................12
Manual Transmission ..................223,
370
Fluid Level Check ..................... .370
Frequency Of Fluid Change ...............371
Lubricant Selection .....................370
Shift Speeds ......................... .225
Master Cylinder (Brakes) ...................369
Methanol ............................. .262
466 INDEX