2015 FIAT 500C Owners Manual

Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Window Fogging
Windows will fog on the inside when the humidity inside
the vehicle is high. This often occurs in mild or cool
temperatures when it’s rainy or humid. In most cases,
turning the air conditioning (pressing the A/C button) on
will clear the fog. Adjust the temperature control, air
direction, and blower speed to maintain comfort. As the temperature gets colder, it may be necessary to
direct air onto the windshield. Adjust the temperature
control and blower speed to maintain comfort. Higher
blower speeds will reduce fogging. Interior fogging on
the windshield can be quickly removed by selecting the
Defrost mode.
Regular cleaning of the inside of the windows with a
non-filming cleaning solution (vinegar and water works
very well) will help prevent contaminates (cigarette
smoke, perfumes, etc.) from sticking to the windows.
Contaminates increase the rate of window fogging.
NOTE:
Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will au-
tomatically adjust the climate control settings to reduce
or eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 215

Summer Operation
NOTE:In some cases during high temperature opera-
tion, the air conditioning system performance may be
reduced. This is to help protect the engine from overheat-
ing during the high load condition.
Your air conditioning system is also equipped with an
automatic recirculation system. When the system senses
a heavy load or high heat conditions, it may use Recir-
culation A/C mode to provide additional comfort while
in automatic mode.
Winter Operation
When operating the system during the winter months,
make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of ice, slush, snow, or other obstruc-
tions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air using the high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the air conditioning system
is started again.
216 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips Chart
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 217

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 ....................... .226
▫ 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

▫Operation .......................... .238
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........239
▫ Acceleration ........................ .239
▫ Traction ........................... .240
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............240
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................241
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................241
 POWER STEERING .....................242
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .244
 SPORT MODE ........................ .246
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........246
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......247
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .248
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .248
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .248
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............250
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............251
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................251
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........252
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................255
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............257
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .257
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........260
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........262
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........263
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........268
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .268
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................269
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .271
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .271
▫ Tire Types .......................... .272
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............274
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............274
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .277
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................277
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .278
▫ Replacement Tires .....................278
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......280
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....281
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................. .282
▫ Base System ........................ .285
▫ Enhanced System — If Equipped ..........288
▫ Premium TPM System ..................288
▫ General Information ...................292
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS — 1.4L Engine .......292
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS — 1.4L Turbo ........293
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................293
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............294
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......294
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................294
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 221

▫Materials Added To Fuel ................295
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................295
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............296
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .297
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............297 ▫
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............299
 TRAILER TOWING .....................299
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................299
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .299
222 STARTING AND OPERATING