Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as
little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road conditions.
NOTE:
•The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and
the ESC OFF Indicator Light come on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
The ESC OFF Indicator Light indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is partially
off.Regenerative Braking System (RBS)
Your 500e has a Regenerative Braking System
(RBS). The RBS reduces the high voltage
battery consumption of the vehicle, particu-
larly in stop-and-go city traffic. The electric
motors which propel the vehicle forward can operate as
generators when braking. The RBS recharges the high
voltage battery under certain braking conditions by
recapturing energy that would otherwise be lost while
braking. The electric power that is generated goes back
into the high voltage battery for later use, for example
when acceleration is desired.
The RBS uses conventional hydraulic friction brakes,
regenerative braking, or a combination to slow the
vehicle. If the system detects slippery conditions while
braking, ONLY friction is used to slow the vehicle. The
RBS can result in extended life of the hydraulic service
brakes; however, all inspection, scheduled mainte-
nance, and service intervals for the vehicle service
brakes must be followed.
188 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!(Continued)
warnings can result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around
you.
• Take care not to allow the contents of Tire Service
Kit to come in contact with hair, eyes, or clothing.
Tire Service Kit sealant is harmful if inhaled,
swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. It
causes skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Flush
immediately with plenty of water if there is any
contact with eyes or skin. Change clothing as soon
as possible, if there is any contact with clothing.
• Tire Service Kit Sealant solution contains latex. In
case of an allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately. Keep Tire Service Kit out
of reach of children. If swallowed, rinse mouth
immediately with plenty of water and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting! Consult
a physician immediately.
Sealing A Tire With Tire Service Kit
(A) Whenever You Stop To Use Tire Service Kit:
1. Pull over to a safe location and turn on the vehicle’s Hazard Warning flashers. 2. Verify that the valve stem (on the wheel with the
deflated tire) is in a position that is near to the
ground. This will allow the Tire Service Kit Hoses (6)
and (7) to reach the valve stem and keep the Tire
Service Kit flat on the ground. This will provide the
best positioning of the kit when injecting the sealant
into the deflated tire and running the air pump.
Move the vehicle as necessary to place the valve stem
in this position before proceeding.
3. Place the transmission in PARK (auto transmission) or in Gear (manual transmission) and place the
ignition in the OFF position.
4. Set the parking brake.
(B) Setting Up To Use Tire Service Kit:
1. Push in the Mode Select Knob (5) and turn to the Sealant Mode position.
2. Uncoil the Sealant Hose (6) and then remove the cap from the fitting at the end of the hose.
3. Place the Tire Service Kit flat on the ground next to the deflated tire.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 225
4. Remove the cap from the valve stem and then screwthe fitting at the end of the Sealant Hose (6) onto the
valve stem.
5. Uncoil the Power Plug (8) and insert the plug into the vehicle’s 12 Volt power outlet.
NOTE: Do not remove foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) from the tire.
(C) Injecting Tire Service Kit Sealant Into The
Deflated Tire:
• Always start the engine before turning on the Tire
Service Kit.
NOTE: Manual transmission vehicles must have the
parking brake engaged and the gear selector in NEU-
TRAL.
• After pushing the Power Button (4), the sealant
(white fluid) will flow from the Sealant Bottle (1)
through the Sealant Hose (6) and into the tire.
NOTE: Sealant may leak out through the puncture in
the tire. If the sealant (white fluid) does not flow within0–10
seconds through the Sealant Hose (6):
1. Push the Power Button (4) to turn off the Tire Service
Kit. Disconnect the Sealant Hose (6) from the valve
stem. Make sure the valve stem is free of debris.
Reconnect the Sealant Hose (6) to the valve stem.
Check that the Mode Select Knob (5) is in the Sealant
Mode position and not Air Mode. Push the Power
Button (4) to turn on the Tire Service Kit.
2. Connect the Power Plug (8) to a different 12 Volt power outlet in your vehicle or another vehicle, if
available. Make sure the engine is running before
turning on the Tire Service Kit.
3. The Sealant Bottle (1) may be empty due to previous use. Call for assistance.
NOTE: If the Mode Select Knob (5) is on Air Mode and
the pump is operating, air will dispense from the Air
Pump Hose (7) only, not the Sealant Hose (6).
226 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
•
Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, place the transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary elec- trical accessories.
3. Remove the protective cover over the positive (+)
battery post.
4. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set
the parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump-starting procedure
could result in personal injury or property damage
due to battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster ve-
hicle or the discharged vehicle.
Connecting The Jumper Cables
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable to
the positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper
cable to the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 231
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then, shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE while gently pressing the accelerator.
Use the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that
will maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels.
NOTE:Push the ESC Off switch, to place the Elec-
tronic Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Off
mode, before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information. Once the vehicle has been freed, push the
ESC Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage,
or even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
• Spinning the wheels too fast may lead to trans-
mission overheating and failure. It can also dam-
age the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear.
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake, before activating the Manual Park
Release. Activating the Manual Park Release will
(Continued)
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 233
WARNING!(Continued)
allow your vehicle to roll away if it is not secured
by the parking brake or other means. Activating the
Manual Park Release on an unsecured vehicle could
lead to serious injury or death for those in or
around the vehicle.
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the trans-
mission will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead
battery), a Manual Park Release is available. If a dead 12
volt battery is the cause of the condition refer to “Jump
Start Procedure — 12 Volt Battery” before performing
the Manual Park Release.
To perform the Manual Park Release follow these steps:
1. To prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally, firmly apply the parking brake.
2. If possible, raise the front driver’s side of the vehicle to provide access to the transmission.
3. Working from underneath the vehicle, remove the black rubber plug from the front of the Park module
(a black canister mounted on the front of the trans-
mission). 4. Using a T25 driver bit, rotate the Manual Park
Release shaft (located just behind the rubber plug)
clockwise, at least 20 turns, to release the Park
mechanism. The vehicle is now out of PARK and can
be moved.
5. Reinstall the rubber plug.
6. Release the parking brake only when a driver is in the vehicle, or the vehicle is secured by other means.
The Manual Park Release will be reset automatically
once the vehicle is restarted.
Manual Park Release Location
234 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
UNDERHOOD COMPARTMENT ..........239
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
CYBERSECURITY .....................240
REPLACEMENT PARTS .................240
DEALER SERVICE ....................240
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ..........241
▫ Power Electronics And Battery Thermal
Management Systems ..................242
▫ Power Electronics And Battery Thermal
Management Systems — Coolant Level
Check ............................ .242
▫ Power Electronics And Battery Thermal
Management Systems — Cooling Pressure
Caps ............................ .244
▫ Selection Of Coolant ..................244
▫ Adding Coolant ..................... .245▫
Power Electronics And Battery Thermal
Management Systems — Drain, Flush And
Refill ............................ .246
▫ Disposal Of Used Power Electronics And
Battery Thermal Management Systems
Coolant .......................... .246
▫ Points To Remember ..................246
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery 12 Volt .........247
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............248
▫ Body Lubrication ....................249
▫ Wiper Blades ...................... .249
▫ Adding Washer Fluid .................251
▫ Brake System ...................... .251
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion ......................... .252
FUSES ............................ .259
7
UNDERHOOD COMPARTMENT
1 — Battery Thermal Coolant Reservoir4 — Fuses
2 — Power Electronics Coolant Reservoir 5 — 12V Battery
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 239