2016 FIAT 500L Owners Manual

3. Locate the seatback recline lever on the outboard sideof the seat and lift upward on the lever.
4. Slowly flip the entire seat forward. 5. Slowly flip the entire seat rearward and firmly lock the
seat into position.
6. Raise the rear seatback and firmly lock the seatback into position.
Seatback Recline Lever
Folding Rear Seat
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103

Rear Armrest — If equipped
To use the armrest, lower it downward.
Folding Rear Seat Armrest
Armrest Cupholder
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Head Restraints
Head restraints are designed to reduce the risk of injury
by restricting head movement in the event of a rear-
impact. Head restraints should be adjusted so that the top
of the head restraint is located above the top of your ear.
WARNING!
The head restraints for all occupants must be prop-
erly adjusted prior to operating the vehicle or occu-
pying a seat. Head restraints should never be ad-
justed while the vehicle is in motion. Driving a
vehicle with the head restraints improperly adjusted
or removed could cause serious injury or death in the
event of a collision.
NOTE: Do not reposition the head restraint 180 degrees
to the incorrect position in an attempt to gain additional
clearance to the back of the head.
Reactive Head Restraints — Front Seats
The front driver and passenger seats are equipped with
Reactive Head Restraints. In the event of a rear impact
the Reactive Head Restraints will automatically extend
forward minimizing the gap between the back of the
occupant’s head and the Reactive Head Restraint.
To raise the head restraint, pull upward on the head
restraint. To lower the head restraint, push the adjust-
ment button located at the base of the head restraint, and
push downward on the head restraint.
To remove the head restraint, raise it as far as it can go
then push the adjustment button, and the release button
at the base of each post while pulling the head restraint
up. To reinstall the head restraint, put the head restraint
posts into the holes and push downward. Then adjust it
to the appropriate height.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105

The Reactive Head Restraints will automatically return to
their normal position following a rear impact. If the
Reactive Head Restraints do not return to their normal
position, see your authorized dealership immediately.
WARNING!
•A loose head restraint thrown forward in a colli-
sion or hard stop could cause serious injury or
death to occupants of the vehicle. Always securely
stow removed head restraints in a location outside
the occupant compartment.
• ALL the head restraints MUST be reinstalled in the
vehicle to properly protect the occupants. Follow
the re-installation instructions above prior to oper-
ating the vehicle or occupying a seat.
• Do not place items over the top of the Active Head
Restraint, such as coats, seat covers or portable
DVD players. These items may interfere with the
operation of the Reactive Head Restraint in the
event of a collision and could result in serious
injury or death.
1 — Release Button
2 — Adjustment Button 106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rear Head Restraints
The rear seats are equipped with adjustable head re-
straints, the outboard head restraints have two comfort
positions, while the central head restraint have to use in
the raised position. When there are no occupants in the
center seat, the head restraint can be lowered for maxi-
mum visibility for the driver. When the center seat is
being occupied, the head restraint has to be in the raised
position.
NOTE:If the center rear head restraints requires removal,
see your authorized dealer.
To raise the outboard head restraints, pull upward on the
head restraint. To lower the head restraints, push the
adjustment button located at the base of the head re-
straint, and push downward on the head restraint.
To remove the outboard head restraints, raise it as far as
it can go then push the adjustment button, and the release button at the base of each post while pulling the head
restraint up. To reinstall the head restraint, put the head
restraint posts into the holes and push downward. Then
adjust it to the appropriate height.
WARNING!
A loose head restraint thrown forward in a collision
or hard stop could cause serious injury or death to
occupants of the vehicle. Always securely stow re-
moved head restraints in a location outside the occu-
pant compartment.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107

For proper routing of a Child Seat Tether, refer to
“Occupant Restraints” in “Things to Know Before Start-
ing Your Vehicle.”
WARNING!
ALL the head restraints MUST be reinstalled in the
vehicle to properly protect the occupants. Follow the
re-installation instructions above prior to operating
the vehicle or occupying a seat.
OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released to open
the hood.
1. Pull the hood release lever located under the left sideof the instrument panel.
Adjustment Buttons
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

2. Move to the outside of the vehicle and push the redsafety catch lever to the left and raise the hood. The
safety catch lever is located under the center front
edge of the hood.CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood until it is open approxi-
mately 6 inches (15 cm), and then drop it. This should
(Continued)
Hood Release LeverSafety Catch Lever
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109

CAUTION!(Continued)
secure both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless
the hood is fully closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
LIGHTS
Multifunction Lever
The multifunction lever, located on the left side of the
steering wheel, controls the operation of the headlights,
headlight beam selection, passing light and turn signals. NOTE:
The external lights can only be turned on with
the ignition in the ON/RUN position.
Multifunction Lever
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE