2015 FIAT 500L automatic transmission

MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
SHIFT TO NEUTRAL – THEN DRIVE OR RE-
VERSE
The transmission has shifted itself into NEUTRAL (due to a
fault condition, or overheat due to excessive idling when
stopped in DRIVE with the brakes released), but the shift
lever remains in gear. Shift into NEUTRAL and then back
into gear for continued driving. If the transmission will not
re-engage, see your authorized dealer.
AUTOMATIC UNAVAILABLEThe transmission is unable to shift itself automatically,
due to a fault condition. Use the AutoStick mode to shift
the transmission manually. See your authorized dealer for
diagnosis and service.
REDUCE GEAR CHANGESThe transmission pump is overheating. In AutoStick
mode, try to drive in one specific gear as much as pos-
sible, avoiding frequent gear changes. In DRIVE, the
transmission will automatically modify its shift schedule
to reduce the number of shifts.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission (Aisin F21-250
HD) — If Equipped
The transmission gear position display (located in the
instrument cluster) indicates the transmission gear range.
You must press the brake pedal and the lock button on
the shift lever to move the shift lever out of PARK (Refer
to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this
section). To drive, move the shift lever from PARK or
NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick shift positions. Manual
Transmission Shift Lever
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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.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, or traveling into strong head
winds), use the AutoStick shift control (refer to AutoStick
in this section for further information) to select a lower
gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will
improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the transmission controller will expand the
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing manual shift control, giving you more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
and many other situations.
Operation
When the shift lever is in the AutoStick position (beside
the Drive position), it can be moved forward and rear-
ward. This allows the driver to manually select the
transmission gear being used. Moving the shift lever
forward (-) triggers a downshift, and rearward (+) an
upshift. The current gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
NOTE:In AutoStick mode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when the driver moves the shift lever
rearward (+) or forward (-), except as described below.
•The transmission will automatically upshift when nec-
essary to prevent engine over-speed.
•The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
•With six-speed automatic (Aisin F21-250 HD) trans-
mission, you can start out (from a stop) in first, second,
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

or third gear. Starting out in second or third gear can
be helpful in snow or icy conditions. To select second
or third gear after the vehicle is brought to a stop, tap
the shift lever rearward (+) once or twice.
•If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
over-speed, that shift will not occur.
•The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
•Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is engaged
because the transmission will not shift automatically.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
•The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a
fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the shift lever to the
DRIVE position. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick
position at any time without taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing ConditionWheels OFF the
Ground
Manual
Transmission
Euro Twin Clutch
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
(Aisin F21-250 HD
Transmission )
Flat TowNONETransmission in
NEUTRAL
Transmission in
NEUTRAL
NOT ALLOWED
Dolly TowFrontOKOKOK
RearNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On TrailerALLOKOKOK
NOTE:When recreationally towing your vehicle, always
follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state
and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional
details.
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle trailer
provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.
This vehicle may also be towed using a tow dolly (with
the front wheels OFF the ground).
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Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, or a Euro
Twin Clutch transmission, may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) at any legal highway speed,
for any distance, if the transmission is in NEUTRAL.
To place the Euro Twin Clutch transmission in NEU-
TRAL, follow the procedure below:
1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position, without start-
ing the engine.
2. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission to
NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the key to the OFF position. The key will remain
in the ignition switch (it cannot be removed, since the
transmission is not in PARK). Leave the key in the OFF
position while being towed.
4. Release the brake pedal only when the parking brake
is applied, or the vehicle is securely connected to a tow
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with a
conventional automatic transmission. Damage to
the drivetrain will result. If these vehicles require
towing, make sure all drive wheels are OFF the
ground.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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!FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE.............337
!SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE................339
!TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE...........340
▫Manual Transmission...................341
▫Euro Twin Clutch Transmission............341
▫Automatic Transmission.................342
!IGNITION KEY REMOVAL OVERRIDE.......342
!CAP-LESS FUEL FILL FUNNEL............344
310 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES