IMPORTANT VEHICLE INFORMATION
Your 500e operates entirely on electricity stored in the high voltage battery.Unlike a
conventional vehicle or Hybrid there is no internal combustion engine.Battery Electric
Vehicles have unique operating characteristics that you should become familiar with to
ensure you are getting the optimal performance from your vehicle.
High Voltage Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a Lithium-ion high voltage battery that is used to power
the electric powertrain systems and the 12 Volt vehicle electrical system.
The high voltage battery is located under the vehicle.The high voltage battery is mainte-
nance free and designed to last for the life of the vehicle.
Lithium-ion batteries provide the following
benefits:
•Lithium-ion batteries are much lighter
than other types of rechargeable batter-
ies of the same size.
•Lithium-ion batteries hold their charge;
they only lose approximately 3% of their
charge per month when not in use.
•Lithium-ion batteries have no memory,
which means that you do not have to
completely discharge them before re-
charging, as with some other batteries.
•Lithium-ion batteries can be recharged
and discharged thousands of times.
High Voltage Battery Service Disconnect
The high voltage battery service disconnect is located under the rear passenger seat
lower cushion.If your vehicle requires service see your authorized dealer.
WARNING!
Never try to remove the high voltage service disconnect.The high voltage service dis-
connect is used when your vehicle requires service by a trained technician at an autho-
rized dealer.Failure to follow this warning can cause severe burns or electrical shock
that may result in serious injury or death.
1 — High Voltage Cables2 — High Voltage Battery
INTRODUCTION/WELCOME
4
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by turning the ignition switch from
the OFF position to the ON/RUN position.The light should illuminate for approximately
two seconds.The light should then turn off unless the parking brake is applied or a brake
fault is detected.If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected by an authorized
dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch in
the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is applied.It does not show the degree of
brake application.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is dangerous.Part of the brake system
may have failed.It will take longer to stop the vehicle.You could have a collision.Have
the vehicle checked immediately.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Light
•Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label.(If your vehicle has tires of a different
size than the size indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you
should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
•As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Moni-
toring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more
of your tires is significantly under-inflated.Accordingly, when the low tire pressure tell-
tale illuminates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure.Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
•IF THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING INDICATING A LOW TIRE PRESSURE, ADJUST
THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE LOW TIRE TO THE AIR PRESSURE SHOWN ON THE
VEHICLE PLACARD OR TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE LABEL LOCATED ON THE
DRIVER'S DOOR.
NOTE:
After inflation, the vehicle may need to be driven for 20 minutes before the flashing light
will turn off.
•Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
61
•Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly.The TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with the low
tire pressure telltale.When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for ap-
proximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated.This sequence will con-
tinue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
•When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or sig-
nal low tire pressure as intended.TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons,
including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that pre-
vent the TPMS from functioning properly.Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
NOTE:
Tire pressures change by approximately 1 psi (7 kPa) per 12° F (7° C) of air tempera-
ture change.Keep this in mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in
the Winter.Example: If garage temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the outside temperature
is 32°F (0°C), then the cold tire inflation pressure should be increased by 3 psi (21 kPa),
which equals 1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (7°C) for this outside temperature condition.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original equipment tires and wheels.TPMS pres-
sures and warning have been established for the tire size equipped on your vehicle.
Undesirable system operation or sensor damage may result when using replacement
equipment that is not of the same size, type, and/or style.Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage.Do not use tire sealant from a can, or balance beads if your vehicle is
equipped with a TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation / Malfunction
Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
for four seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the ON/RUN position.If the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system.If this light remains on, see your au-
thorized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
come on momentarily each time the ignition switch is turned to ON/RUN.
•Each time the ignition is turned to ON/RUN, the ESC system will be ON even if it
was turned off previously.
•ESC Activation/Malfunction Light can blink during a ESC or TC intervention.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
62
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
For information on the maintenance procedures for your vehicle, please refer to “Mainte-
nance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” in your Owner’s Manual or applicable
supplement on the DVD for further details.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Once A Month Or Before A Trip:
Check windshield washer fluid level
Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual wear or damage
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoirs and brake master cylinder
Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page for the required maintenance
intervals.
At Every Service Interval:
Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear.The front and rear wheels
are different sizes and cannot be used in place of each other, refer to “Tire Rotation
Recommendations” for further information.
Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, and hoses.
Inspect battery cooling system protection and hoses.
Check and adjust hand brake.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
79
WARNING!
•Overloading of your tires is dangerous.Overloading can cause tire failure, affect
vehicle handling, and increase your stopping distance.Use tires of the recom-
mended load capacity for your vehicle.Never overload them.
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause collisions.Under-inflation is
the leading cause of tire failure and may result in severe cracking, component sepa-
ration, or “blow out”.Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion shock.Ob-
jects on the road and chuck holes can cause damage that results in tire failure.
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems.You could lose control of your
vehicle.Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect vehicle handling and can fail
suddenly, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
NOTE:
The front and rear wheels are different sizes and cannot be used in place of each other.
Rotate the wheels “side-to-side” as shown in the diagram.
The tires on the front and rear of your
vehicle operate at different loads and per-
form different steering, driving, and braking
functions.For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely
rotation of tires.The benefits of rotation
are especially worthwhile with aggressive
tread designs such as those on all season
type tires.Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud, snow and wet traction
levels, and contribute to a smooth, quiet ride.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper maintenance intervals.The reasons
for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected prior to rotation being performed.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
86
SPARE TIRES — IF EQUIPPED
NOTE:
For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire
Service Kit” in “What To Do In Emergencies” on your DVD for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take your vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash with a compact or limited-use temporary spare installed.Damage to the
vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel equivalent in look and func-
tion to the original equipment tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle.This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for your vehicle.If your vehicle
has this option, refer to an authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation
pattern.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only.You can identify if your vehicle
is equipped with a compact spare by looking at the spare tire description on the Tire and
Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall
of the tire.Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding
the size designation.Example: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original equipment tire should be repaired
(or replaced) and reinstalled on your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a conventional tire on the compact
spare wheel, since the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare tire.Do not
install more than one compact spare tire and wheel on the vehicle at any given time.
WARNING!
Compact spares are for temporary emergency use only.With these spares, do not drive
more than 50 mph (80 km/h).Temporary use spares have limited tread life.When the
tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced.Be sure to follow the warnings, which apply to your spare.Failure to do so
could result in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
87
Full Size Spare — If Equipped
The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only.This tire may look like the origi-
nally equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not.This spare tire
may have limited tread life.When the tread is worn to the tread wear indicators, the
temporary use full size spare tire needs to be replaced.Since it is not the same as your
original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
Limited-Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited-use spare tire is for temporary emergency use only.This tire is identified by a
label located on the limited-use spare wheel.This label contains the driving limitations for
this spare.This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of
your vehicle, but it is not.Installation of this limited-use spare tire affects vehicle handling.
Since it is not the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original
equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Limited-use spares are for emergency use only.Installation of this limited-use spare tire
affects vehicle handling.With this tire, do not drive more than the speed listed on the
limit-use spare wheel.Keep inflated to the cold tire inflation pressures listed on your
Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the driver’s side B-Pillar or the rear
edge of the driver’s side door.Replace (or repair) the original equipment tire at the
first opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle.Failure to do so could result in loss of
vehicle control.
WHEEL AND WHEEL TRIM CARE
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and chrome plated wheels, should be
cleaned regularly with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use a wheel cleaner or equivalent or
select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes.Do not use
oven cleaner.These products may damage the wheel's protective finish.Avoid automatic
car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may damage the wheel's pro-
tective finish.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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