2015 FIAT 500X traction control

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMSThe vehicle has the following active
safety systems:
❒ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
❒DTC (Drag Torque Control);
❒ESC (Electronic Stability Control);
❒TC (Traction Control);
❒PBA (Panic Brake Assist);
❒HHC (Hill Hold Control);
❒DST (Dynamic Steering Torque);
❒ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation);
❒TSC (Trailer Sway Control).
For the operation of the systems, see
the following description.ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the vehicle
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes during braking
when the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent.The system also improves control and
stability of the vehicle when braking
on a surface where the grip of the left
and right wheels varies, or on corners.
The Electronic Braking Force
Distribution (EBD) system completes
the system allowing the brake force to
be distributed between the front and
rear wheels.
System interventionThe driver can feel that the ABS system
has come into action because the
brake pedal pulsates slightly and the
system gets noisier: this is entirely
normal with the system operating.
31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37)
DTC (Drag Torque
Control) SYSTEMThe system intervenes in the event of
sudden downshifting, or during ABS
braking, restoring torque to the engine
and thus preventing excessive drag
at the drive wheels, which may lead the
wheels to lock and a loss of vehicle
stability, above all in low-grip
conditions.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEMThe ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
vehicle in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the wheels
appropriately. The torque supplied by
the engine can also be reduced in order
to maintain control of the vehicle.
The ESC system uses sensors installed
on the vehicle to determine the
trajectory that the driver intends to
follow and compares it with the
vehicle’s effective trajectory. When the
real trajectory deviates from the desired
trajectory, the ESC system intervenes
to counter the vehicle’s understeer
or oversteer.
❒Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
❒Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
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System interventionThe intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that
the vehicle is in critical stability and grip
conditions.38) 39) 40) 41) 42)
TC (Traction Control)
SYSTEMThe system automatically operates in
the event of slipping, loss of grip on wet
roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration
on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc. on
one or more drive wheels. Depending
on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
❒if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the system intervenes,
reducing the power transmitted by the
engine;❒if the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, the BLD (Brake Limited
Differential) function is activated,
automatically braking the wheel which
is slipping (the behaviour of a
self-locking differential is simulated).
This will increase the engine torque
transferred to the wheel which isn't
slipping. This function remains active
even if the "Systems partially disabled"
and "Systems disabled" modes are
selected (see description in the
following pages).
System interventionThe intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that
the vehicle is in critical stability and grip
conditions.43) 44) 45) 46) 47)
PBA (Panic Brake
Assist) SYSTEMThe PBA system is designed to
improve the vehicle’s braking capacity
during emergency braking.The system detects emergency braking
by monitoring the speed and force
with which the brake pedal is pressed,
and consequently applies the optimal
brake pressure. This can reduce the
braking distance: the PBA system
therefore completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the PBA
system is obtained by pressing the
brake pedal very quickly. In addition,
the brake pedal should be pressed
continuously during braking, avoiding
intermittent presses, to get the most
out of the system. Do not reduce
pressure on the brake pedal until
braking is not necessary anymore.
The PBA system is deactivated when
the brake pedal is released.
48) 49) 50)
HHC (Hill Hold Control)
SYSTEMThis is an integral part of the ESC
system and facilitates starting on
slopes, activating automatically in the
following cases:
❒uphill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and
transmission in neutral or gear other
than reverse engaged;
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32)To obtain the maximum efficiency of
the braking system, a bedding-in period of
about 500 km is needed: during this period
it is better to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.
33)If the ABS system intervenes, this
indicates that the traction of the tyres on
the road is about to reach its limit. You
must slow down to a speed compatible
with the available grip.
34)The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
35)The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
36)The capability of the ABS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
37)For the correct operation of the ABS, it
is essential that the tyres are of the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the specified
type and dimensions.
38)The ESC system can’t alter the natural
laws of physics, and can’t increase grip
which depends on the condition of the
road.
39)The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.40)The capability of the ESC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.
41)For the correct operation of the ESC
system, the tyres must of necessity be the
same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and dimensions.
42)ESC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary
or unwarranted risks. Your driving style
must always be suited to the road
conditions, visibility and traffic. The driver
is, in any case, responsible for safe driving.
43)For the correct operation of the TC
system, the tyres must of necessity be the
same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and dimensions.
44)TC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary or
unwarranted risks. Your driving style must
always be suited to the road conditions,
visibility and traffic. The driver is, in any
case, responsible for safe driving.
45)The TC system cannot overrule the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
46)The TC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
47)The capability of the TC must never be
tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.48)The PBA system can’t overrule the
natural laws of physics, and can’t increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
49)The PBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
50)The capability of the PBA system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise the safety of the driver, the
other occupants of the vehicle or any other
road user.
51)The Hill Hold Control system is not a
parking brake; therefore, never leave the
vehicle without having engaged the electric
parking brake, turned the engine off and
engaged first gear, so that it is parked
in safe conditions (for further information
read the "Parking" paragraph in the
"Starting and driving" chapter).
52)There may be situations on small
gradients (less than 8%), with vehicle
laden, in which the Hill Hold Control system
may not activate, causing a slight reversing
motion and increasing the risk of collision
with another vehicle or object. The driver is,
in any case, responsible for safe driving.
53)DST is an aid for driving and does not
relieve the driver of responsibility for driving
the vehicle.
54)The performance of a vehicle with ERM
must never be tested in imprudent or
dangerous ways, with the possibility of
putting the safety of the driver or other
people at risk.
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START&STOP
SYSTEMThe Start&Stop system automatically
stops the engine each time the vehicle
is stationary and starts it again when
the driver wants to move off.
In this way, the vehicle efficiency is
increased, by reducing consumption,
dangerous gas emissions and noise
pollution.
114)40)
OPERATING MODE
Engine stopping mode
Versions with manual gearboxWith the vehicle stopped, the engine
stops with gearbox in neutral and
clutch pedal released.Versions with automatic transmissionWith vehicle at a standstill and brake
pedal pressed, the engine switches off
if the gear lever is in a position other
than R.
In the event of stops uphill, engine
switching off is disabled to make the
"Hill Hold Control" function available
(works only with running engine).The
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on to signal that the
engine was stopped.
Engine restarting mode
Versions with manual gearboxTo restart the engine, press the clutch
pedal.
If the vehicle does not start when the
clutch is pressed, place the gear lever
in neutral and repeat the procedure.
If the problem persists, contact a Fiat
Dealership.Versions with automatic transmissionTo restart the engine, release the brake
pedal.
With brake pressed, if the gear lever is
in automatic mode - D (Drive) - the
engine can be restarted by moving the
lever to R (Reverse) or N (Neutral) or
"AutoStick".
With brake pressed, if the gear lever is
in "AutoStick" mode, the engine can be
restarted by moving the lever to "+" or
"–", or R (Reverse) or N (Neutral).
When the engine has been stopped
automatically, keeping the brake pedal
pressed, the brake can be released
keeping the engine off by quickly
shifting the gear lever to P (Park).
To restart the engine, just move the
lever out of position P.
SYSTEM MANUAL
ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATIONTo activate/deactivate the system
manually, press the fig. 93 button
located on the dashboard in central
position.
On 4x4 versions, each time the
"Traction" mode is set through the
MOOD selector, the system is disabled;
the Start&Stop system can be
reactivated by pressing the fig. 93
button. When exiting from the "Traction"
mode, the Start&Stop system enters
the previously set status.System activationActivation of the system is indicated by
the
warning light switching on and,
on some versions, by a message on the
display. In this condition, the LED on
the fig. 93 button is off.
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DEACTIVATING THE
DEVICELightly pressing the brake pedal or
pressing the CANC button deactivates
the electronic Cruise Control without
deleting the stored speed.DEACTIVATING THE
DEVICEThe electronic Cruise Control is
deactivated by pressing button A fig. 95
or bringing the ignition device to STOP.
WARNING
115)While travelling with the device
activated, do not move the gear lever to
neutral.
116)In the event of device faults or failures,
go to a Fiat Dealership.
117)The electronic Cruise Control can be
dangerous if the system cannot keep a
constant speed. In specific conditions
speed may be excessive, resulting in the
risk of losing control of the vehicle and
causing accidents. Do not use the device
in heavy traffic or on winding, icy, snowy or
slippery roads.
MOOD SELECTOR
(driving mode
selector)The Mood Selector is a device that
allows the driver to select three different
driving modes (vehicle response)
according to their needs and to the
road and traffic conditions, by manually
adjusting the central tunnel knob ring
nut A fig. 96.- "Auto" mode- "Traction" mode (4x4 or 4x2 versions
depending on the trim level)- "All Weather" mode (only 4x2 versions
depending on the trim level)- "Sport" mode.The device, through the on-board
electronic system, operates on the
vehicle's dynamic control systems:
engine, steering, ESC system, 4x4
system (if available), gearbox/
transmission, and is interfaced with the
instrument panel.
The rotating ring nut is monostable
type. In other words, it always returns
to the central position when released.
The acceptance by the system of
the requested driving mode is signalled
by the LED, located besides the
symbol, coming on, and by the
corresponding symbol appearing on the
instrument panel display.
When the engine is started the system
normally stays in the driving mode
that was active before switching off; for
versions/markets where provided the
system always sets itself to "Auto"
mode at start-up.
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LIFTING THE
VEHICLEIf the vehicle needs to be jacked up, go
to a Fiat Dealership, which is equipped
with shop jacks and jack arms.
The vehicle lifting points are marked on
the side skirts with the
symbols
(see illustration in fig. 145).
WHEELS AND TYRES
170) 171) 172) 173)
RIMS AND TYRESFor the type of wheel rims and tyres
fitted on the vehicle see the "Wheels"
paragraph in the "Technical data"
chapter.SNOW CHAINS
73)
Front Wheel Drive and All Wheel
Drive versions7-mm snow chains can be used on
215/60 R16 95H and 215/55 R17 94V
tyres.
225/45 R18 91V and 225/45 R18 91Y
tyres cannot be fitted with snow chains.ImportantThe use of snow chains should be in
compliance with local regulations of
each country. In certain countries, tyres
marked with code M+S (Mud and
Snow) are considered as winter
equipment; therefore their use is
equivalent to that of the snow chains.
The snow chains may be applied only
to the front wheel tyres.
Check the tension of the snow chains
after the first few metres have been
driven.IMPORTANT Using snow chains with
tyres with non-original dimensions may
damage the vehicle.
IMPORTANT Using different size or type
(M+S, snow, etc.) tyres between front
and rear axle may adversely affect
vehicle driveability, with the risk of losing
control of the vehicle and resulting
accidents.
SUGGESTIONS ABOUT
THE ROTATION OF THE
TYRES
174)
The front and rear tyres are subject to
different loads and stress due to
steering, manoeuvres and braking. For
this reason they are subject to uneven
wear.
To resolve this problem, tyres should be
rotated at the appropriate time. Tyre
rotation means moving the wheels to a
different position, with respect to the
vehicle. The single wheel will therefore
operate on a different axle and, where
possible, on the opposite side of the
vehicle.
Tyre rotation contributes to the
preservation of the grip and traction
performance on wet, muddy or snowy
roads, guaranteeing optimal driveability
of the vehicle.
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