2015 FIAT 500E Transmission

Using Electronic Speed Control On Hills
NOTE:The Electronic Speed Control system maintains
speed up and down hills. A slight speed change on
moderate hills is normal.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without Electronic Speed
Control.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions, and you
could lose control and have an accident. Do not use
Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads
that are winding, icy, snow-covered or slippery.
REAR PARK ASSIST
The Rear Park Assist system provides visual and audible
indications of the distance between the rear fascia/
bumper and a detected obstacle when backing up, e.g.
during a parking maneuver. Refer to the “Park Assist
System Usage Precautions” for the limitations of this
system and recommendations.
The Rear Park Assist is automatically activated when the
transmission is placed into REVERSE.
Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four Rear Park Assist sensors, located in the rear
fascia/bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that
is within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles, in the horizontal direction, from approximately
12 in (30 cm) up to 55 in (140 cm) from the center of the
rear fascia/bumper and up to 24 in (60 cm) from the
corners of the rear fascia/bumper, depending on the
location, type and orientation of the obstacle.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

If several obstacles are detected, the Rear Park Assist
system indicates the nearest obstacle.
The minimum height of a detectable obstacle corresponds
to the maximum height of an obstacle that would clear the
underside of the car during the parking maneuver.
Rear Park Assist Warning Display
The Rear Park Assist Warning screen is located within the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). It provides
audible and visual warnings to indicate the distance
between the rear fascia/bumper and the detected ob-
stacle. Refer to#Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)#in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel#for
further information.
Rear Park Assist Audible Alerts
If an obstacle is behind the vehicle when the transmission
is placed into REVERSE, an audible alert is activated.
The tones emitted by the loudspeaker inform the driver
that the vehicle is approaching an obstacle. The pauses
between the tones are directly proportional to the dis-
tance from the obstacle. Pulses emitted in quick succes-
sion indicate the presence of a very close obstacle. A
continuous tone indicates that the obstacle is less than
12 in (30 cm) away.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................214
▫Single-Speed Transmission...............214
▫Normal Starting.......................214
!SINGLE–SPEED TRANSMISSION...........215
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............218
▫Gear Ranges.........................218
▫Auto Park...........................221
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........222
▫Acceleration.........................222
▫Traction............................223
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............223
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................223
▫Shallow Standing Water.................224
!POWER STEERING.....................225
!PARKING BRAKE......................226
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................228
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .228
▫Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .228
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............230
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............231
5

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.
Single-Speed Transmission
The transmission must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the vehicle. Apply the
brakes when selecting a transmission gear from Park.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before selecting
a transmission gear.
Normal Starting
Turn the key to the START position while your vehicle is
in PARK. When the ignition key is turned to the START
and then released to the RUN position, a chime will
sound and the “READY” indicator in the EVIC will
illuminate to indicate the 500e’s Electric Drive System has
started. When the “READY” indicator is illuminated
your 500e is ready to be driven.
214 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•If the key is held in the START position for more than
10 seconds “READY” mode will not be achieved.
Return the key to OFF position, and then back to the
START position and hold for less than 10 seconds to
achieve “READY”.
•If the “READY” indicator fails to illuminate after you
have followed the normal starting procedure contact
your authorized dealer.
SINGLE–SPEED TRANSMISSION
Your 500e uses a Single-Speed Transmission to direct the
output from the electric motor. The single-speed trans-
mission is operated using push-buttons instead of a
traditional shift lever.
“READY” Indicator
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STARTING AND OPERATING 215

The push-buttons are located on the lower instrument
panel.CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Place the transmission into PARK only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Place the transmission into or out of REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Before placing the transmission into any range
make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake
pedal.
NOTE:
•You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
•If all push-button LEDs are on when the key is ON, see
your authorized dealer.
Single-Speed Transmission Push-Buttons
216 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Only place the transmission into gear when your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
•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 vehicle is
in “READY” mode. Before exiting a vehicle, always
apply the parking brake, shift the transmission
into PARK, and remove the ignition key. Once the
key is removed, the transmission is locked in
PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement.
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key and lock your vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•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. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission range buttons.
•Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children). A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 217

Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the OFF
position. The key can only be removed from the ignition
when the ignition is in the OFF position, and once
removed, the transmission is locked in PARK.
Gear Ranges
Press the desired push button to shift into gear.
NOTE:
•The brake pedal must be depressed to select a trans-
mission gear.
•After selecting any gear, wait a moment to allow the
selected gear to engage before accelerating.
PARK (P)
The PARK selection supplements the parking brake by
locking the transmission. The vehicle can be started in
this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle
is in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this PARK.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
placing the transmission into PARK. As an added pre-
caution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
NOTE:Refer to the transmission range position dis-
played on the EVIC and verify that it indicates the PARK
position.
218 STARTING AND OPERATING