2015 FIAT 500E Owners Manual

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE (12 VOLT
BATTERY ONLY)
If your vehicle has a discharged 12 Volt battery, it can be
jump-started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in
another vehicle or by using a portable battery booster
pack. Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly
so please follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack,
follow the manufacturer ’s operating instructions and
precautions.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is frozen.
It could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any
other booster source with a system voltage greater
than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, power elec-
tronics or electrical system may occur.
Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located in the underhood
compartment under the beauty cover. To access the
battery pull upward on the cover.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 287

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
•Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, place the transmission into
PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal accessories.
Battery Posts
1—Positive(+)Post(CoveredWithProtectiveCap)2 — Negative (-) Post
288 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Remove the protective cover over the positive(+)
battery post.
4. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump-starting procedure could
result in personal injury or property damage due to
battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.
Connecting The Jumper Cables
1. Connect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable to the
positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable to the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end(-)of the jumper cable to the
negative(-)post of the booster battery.
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4. Connect the opposite end of the negative(-)jumper
cable to a good engine ground (exposed metal part of
the discharged vehicle underhood compartment)
away from the battery.
WARNING!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative (-)
post of the discharged battery. The resulting electri-
cal spark could cause the battery to explode and
could result in personal injury. Only use the specific
ground point, do not use any other exposed metal
parts.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then
turn the key to RUN position on the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
6. Once the vehicle is started, remove the jumper cables
in the reverse sequence:
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the negative(-)jumper cable from the
engine ground(-)of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
2. Disconnect the negative end(-)of the jumper cable
from the negative(-)post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive(+)post of the booster battery.
4. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable
from the positive(+)post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle,
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
290 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE while gently pushing the accelerator. Use
the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will
maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels.
NOTE:Push the#ESC Off#switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in#Partial Off#mode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the#ESC
Off#switch again to restore#ESC On#mode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Spinning the wheels too fast may lead to transmis-
sion overheating and failure. It can also damage the
tires. Do not spin the wheels above 30 mph
(48 km/h) while in gear.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake, before activating the Manual Park
Release. Activating the Manual Park Release will
allow your vehicle to roll away if it is not secured by
the parking brake or other means. Activating the
Manual Park Release on an unsecured vehicle could
lead to serious injury or death for those in or around
the vehicle.
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the transmis-
sion will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead battery),
a Manual Park Release is available. If a dead 12 volt
battery is the cause of the condition refer to “Jump Start
Procedure — 12 Volt Battery” before performing the
Manual Park Release.
To perform the Manual Park Release follow these steps:
•To prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally,
firmly apply the parking brake.
•If possible, raise the front driver’s side of the vehicle to
provide access to the transmission.
•Working from underneath the vehicle, remove the
black rubber plug from the front of the Park module (a
black canister mounted on the front of the transmis-
sion).
292 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

•Using a T25 driver bit, rotate the Manual Park Release
shaft (located just behind the rubber plug) clockwise,
at least 20 turns, to release the Park mechanism. The
vehicle is now out of PARK and can be moved.
•Reinstall the rubber plug.
•Release the parking brake only when a driver is in the
vehicle, or the vehicle is secured by other means. The
Manual Park Release will be reset automatically once
the vehicle is restarted.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.
Manual Park Release Location
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 293

Towing ConditionWheels OFF The Ground SINGLE-SPEED TRANSMISSION
Flat TowNONENOT ALLOWED
Wheel LiftRearNOT ALLOWED
FrontOK
FlatbedALLOK
This vehicle must be towed with the front wheels OFF the
ground.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position.
If the ignition key is unavailable, or the battery is
discharged, see “Manual Park Release” in “What To Do
In Emergencies” for instructions on shifting the transmis-
sion out of PARK for loading the vehicle onto a flatbed
truck.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling-type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
•When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
294 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES