2014 FIAT 500X power steering

DOORS .............................36
▫ Manual Locking/Unlocking ..............36
▫ Central Lock/Unlock ...................37
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go ...................38
▫ Child Locks .........................44
 SEATS ..............................46
▫ Manual Adjustment Front Seats ...........46
▫ Power Adjustment Front Seats — If Equipped .48
▫ Heated Seats — If Equipped .............49
▫ Rear Seats ..........................50
 HEAD RESTRAINTS ....................53
▫ Front Head Restraints ..................53
▫ Rear Head Restraints ...................54
 STEERING WHEEL .....................55
▫ Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column .........55
▫ Heated Steering Wheel — If Equipped ......56
 MIRRORS ...........................57 ▫
Inside Day/Night Mirror ...............57
▫ Auto Dimming Mirror — If Equipped .......57
▫ Outside Mirrors ......................58
▫ Heated Mirrors — If Equipped ...........59
 BLIND SPOT MONITORING (BSM) — IF
EQUIPPED ...........................59
▫ Rear Cross Path (RCP) .................64
▫ Mode Of Operation ....................65
▫ Blind Spot Monitoring Fault Warnings ......66
▫ General Information ...................66
 EXTERIOR LIGHTS .....................66
▫ Headlights ..........................66
▫ Automatic Lighting — If Equipped ........67
▫ Daytime Running Lights (DRL) — If
Equipped ..........................68
▫ Front Fog Lights — If Equipped ..........68
▫ Parking Lights .......................68
▫ Headlight Delay ......................68
20 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Electric Power Steering Fail Warning Light — If Equipped
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Electric Power Steering Fail Warning — If Equipped
This light is used to manage the electrical warning of the EPS (Electric Power Steering). Re-
fer to “Power Steering” in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
Hood Open Warning Light — If Equipped
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
Hood Open Warning Light
This indicator will illuminate when the hood is ajar/open and not fully closed.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the ve-
hicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound when this light turns
on.
5
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. However, there will be some loss of overall brak-
ing effectiveness. This will be evident by increased
pedal travel during application and greater pedal force
required to slow or stop the vehicle. In addition, if the
malfunction is caused by a leak in the hydraulic system,
the “Brake Warning Light” will turn on as the brake
fluid level drops in the master cylinder.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine OFF) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required
to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that
required with the power system operating.
WARNING!
•Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot rest-
ing or riding on the brake pedal can result in
abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
lining wear, and possible brake damage. You
would not have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
• Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light”
on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance or vehicle stability during braking
may occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to con-
trol. You could have a collision. Have the vehicle
checked immediately.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic
Brake Control system (EBC). This system includes Elec-
tronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start
Assist (HSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
and Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM). These systems
work together to enhance both vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.
154 SAFETY

4. Start the engine.
5. Rotate the steering wheel slightly more than one-halfturn to the left.
6. Push the “ESC Off” button located in the lower switch bank below the climate control four times
within twenty seconds. The “ESC Off Indicator
Light” should turn on and turn off two times.
7. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and then an additional slightly more than one-half turn to the
right.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and then back to the ON position. If the sequence was com-
pleted properly, the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will
blink several times to confirm HSA is disabled.
9. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to its previous setting.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, the TCS
may apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel(s)
and/or reduce engine power to provide enhanced
acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS, Brake Limited Differential (BLD), functions similar to a lim-
ited slip differential and controls the wheel spin across
a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning
faster than the other, the system will apply the brake of
the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque
to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. BLD may
remain enabled even if TCS and ESC are in a reduced
mode.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor-
rects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel(s) to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the
actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path does
not match the intended path, ESC applies the brake of
the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the
oversteer or understeer condition.
•
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.6
SAFETY 159

•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” lo-
cated in the instrument cluster will start to flash as soon
as the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes
when the TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as
little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road conditions.
NOTE: The ESC Off switch is located below the radio
screen.
WARNING!
When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functionality
of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature de-
scribed in the TCS section), has been disabled and
the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illuminated.
When in “Partial Off” mode, the engine power
reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and the en-
hanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC system
is reduced.
WARNING!
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded
by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot pre-
vent accidents, including those resulting from
excessive speed in turns, driving on very slippery
surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from loss of vehicle con-
trol due to inappropriate driver input for the
conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of
an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited
in a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of others.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly
maintain your vehicle, may change the handling
characteristics of your vehicle, and may nega-
tively affect the performance of the ESC system.
Changes to the steering system, suspension, brak-
ing system, tire type and size or wheel size may
adversely affect ESC performance. Improperly
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160 SAFETY

WARNING!(Continued)
inflated and unevenly worn tires may also de-
grade ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica-
tion or poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can increase the
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver ’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the
rate of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle’s
speed are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it
then applies the appropriate brake and may also reduce
engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will
occur. ERM can only reduce the chance of wheel lift
occurring during severe or evasive driving maneuvers;
it cannot prevent wheel lift due to other factors, such as
road conditions, leaving the roadway, or striking objects
or other vehicles. NOTE:
ERM is disabled anytime the ESC is in “Full
Off” mode (if equipped). Refer to “Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)” in this section for a complete explana-
tion of the available ESC modes.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading, road condi-
tions and driving conditions, influence the chance
that wheel lift or rollover may occur. ERM cannot
prevent all wheel lift or roll overs, especially those
that involve leaving the roadway or striking objects
or other vehicles. The capabilities of an ERM-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
Dynamic Steering Torque is a feature of the ESC and
EPS modules that provides torque at the steering wheel
for certain driving conditions in which the ESC module
is detecting vehicle instability. The torque that the
steering wheel receives is only meant to help the driver
realize optimal steering behavior in order to reach/
6
SAFETY 161

▫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

CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
• Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles
in the way before driving through the standing
water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.
• Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid ap-
pears contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
POWER STEERING
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide
light efforts while parking and good feel while driving.
If the electric steering system experiences a fault that
reduces assist or prevents the vehicle from providing
assist, you will still have the ability to steer the vehicle
manually.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced assist could pose
a safety risk to yourself and others. Service should
be obtained as soon as possible.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING