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Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Setup Menu
The menu comprises a series of functions arranged in a
cycle. Push and release the + and – buttons to access the
different options and settings (setup).
The setup menu can be activated by pushing the MENU
ESC button. Single pushes on the + or – buttons will
scroll through the setup menu options. The menu in-
cludes the following functions:
•Charging Schedule
•Set Date
•Set Time
•Units
•Language
•Battery % Display
•Auto Door Locks
•Remote Unlock
•Daytime Running Lights
•Button Volume
•Hill Start Assist
•Stored Warnings
•Tutorial
•Connectivity ID
•Restore Factory Settings
•Exit Menu
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
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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
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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
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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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 217
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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
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WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not in PARK. Make sure the transmission is
in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal.
The vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift the transmis-
sion into gear when your foot is firmly pressing the
brake pedal.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•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)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 219
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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.
REVERSE (R)
This gear is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
The vehicle may be started in this gear. Apply the
parking brake and place the transmission into PARK if
you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING
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When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, the Brake
Warning Light in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. The parking brake
should always be applied whenever the driver is not in
the vehicle.
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. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission push buttons.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•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.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and a collision.
•Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage or
injury.
CAUTION!
If the Brake Warning Light remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction
is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately.
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