2015 FIAT 500L Owners Manual

Instrument Cluster Messages
Messages will be displayed in the instrument cluster to
alert the driver when certain unusual conditions occur.
These messages are described below.
MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
GEAR UNAVAILABLEIn AutoStick mode, the gear selected by the driver is not
available due to a fault condition. See your authorized
dealer for diagnosis and service.
SHIFT NOT ALLOWEDThe gear position requested by the driver is currently
blocked. This occurs if REVERSE is requested while mov-
ing (at 6 mph [10 km/h] or faster), or if DRIVE is re-
quested while moving backwards (at 6 mph [10 km/h] or
faster). Make sure the vehicle is stopped before engaging
DRIVE or REVERSE.
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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.
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MESSAGEDESCRIPTION
TRANSMISSION GETTING HOT PRESS BRAKEThe transmission driving clutch is overheating, usually due
to repeated launches in stop-and-go traffic. Pull over and
allow the transmission to cool in NEUTRAL until “TRANS.
COOL READY TO DRIVE” is displayed.
TRANS. HOT STOP SAFELY SHIFT TO PARK
WAIT TO COOL
The transmission driving clutch has overheated. Pull over,
shift the transmission into PARK, and allow the vehicle to
cool until “TRANS. COOL READY TO DRIVE” is displayed.
TRANSMISSION COOL READY TO DRIVE The transmission has cooled down and the vehicle is OK
to drive.
SERVICE TRANSMISSIONA transmission fault has been detected. See your autho-
rized dealer for diagnosis and service.
SERVICEA shift lever fault has been detected. See your authorized
dealer for diagnosis and service.
SET PARK BRAKEThe sensor that confirms PARK engagement is not func-
tioning properly. Engage the parking brake to ensure that
the vehicle will not roll when in PARK.
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Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, some gears will be
unavailable. The transmission will operate only in a
certain select set of gears (such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and
Reverse, or 1st, 3rd, 5th, and Reverse, or 2nd, 4th, and 6th
[with no Reverse]). PARK and NEUTRAL will continue
to be available. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
may be illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle
to be driven to an authorized dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
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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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shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift control (refer
to “AutoStick” in this section for further information).
Moving the shift lever into the AutoStick (+/-) position
(beside the DRIVE position) activates AutoStick mode,
providing manual shift control and displaying the cur-
rent gear in the instrument cluster (as 1, 2, 3, etc).
Toggling the shift lever forward (-) or rearward (+) while
in the Autostick position will manually select the trans-
mission gear.
NOTE:If the shift lever cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed for-
ward) it is probably in the AutoStick (+/-) position
(beside the DRIVE position). In AutoStick mode, the
transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the
instrument cluster. Move the shift lever to the right (into
the DRIVE [D] position) for access to PARK, REVERSE,
and NEUTRAL.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine 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 range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on
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the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
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 completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever out of PARK with the brake
pedal released. Make sure the transmission is in
PARK before leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
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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 engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the
parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK,
turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key.
Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement.
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the igni-
tion key from the vehicle and lock the 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 shift lever.
•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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