2017 FIAT 500E steering

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ...............173
▫ Single-Speed Transmission ..............173
▫ Normal Starting ..................... .173
 SINGLE–SPEED TRANSMISSION ..........174
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ..............175
▫ Gear Ranges ....................... .176
▫ Auto Park ......................... .178
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ........178
▫ Acceleration ....................... .178
▫ Traction .......................... .179
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ............179
▫ Flowing/Rising Water .................179
▫ Shallow Standing Water ................180
 POWER STEERING ....................180 
PARKING BRAKE .....................181
 BRAKE SYSTEM ..................... .183
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . .183
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . .183
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ..............184
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ...........185
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .........185
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ...........187
▫ Regenerative Braking System (RBS) ........188
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ............189
▫ Tire Markings ...................... .189
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ..........192
▫ T
ire Terminology And Definitions .........193
5

Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Caution
and Warning before doing so.
CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
• Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles
in the way before driving through the standing
water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.
• Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., transmis-
sion, coolant, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e.,
fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after
driving through standing water. Do not continue
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in further damage.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide
light efforts while parking and good feel while driving.
If the electric steering system experiences a fault that
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prevents it from providing assist, you will still have the
ability to steer the vehicle manually.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced or no power
steering assist could pose a safety risk to yourself
and others. Service should be obtained as soon as
possible.
If the Steering icon is flashing, it indicates that the
vehicle needs to be taken to an authorized dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost power steering
assistance.
If the Steering icon is displayed and the “SERVICE
POWER STEERING” message is displayed on the in-
strument cluster screen, they indicate that extreme
steering maneuvers may have occurred which caused
an over temperature condition in the power steering
system. Once driving conditions are safe, pull over and
let the vehicle idle for a few moments until the icon and
message turn off. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information. If the Steering icon, and the
SERVICE POWER STEER-
ING - ASSIST OFF messages are displayed on the
instrument cluster screen, the vehicle needs to be taken
to an authorized dealer for service. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Display” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
• Even if the power steering assistance is no longer
operational, it is still possible to steer the vehicle.
Under these conditions there will be a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
• If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer
for service.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied.
The parking brake lever is located in the center console.
To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly
as possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever
up slightly, push the center button, then lower the lever
completely.
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WARNING!
•Pumping the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition
of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
• The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
• The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner, which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.
When you are in a severe braking condition involving
the use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop
as the vehicle comes to a stop. This is the result of the
system reverting to the base brake system. Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal and indicate that the
system is functioning properly.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes
very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To
receive the benefit of the system, you must apply
continuous
braking pressure during the stopping se-
quence (do not “pump” the brakes). Do not reduce
brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer de-
sired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
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WARNING!
•The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded
by prevailing road conditions.
• The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplan-
ing.
• The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and vehicle
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system, Brake Limited
Differential (BLD), functions similar to a limited slip
differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven
axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster
than the other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more torque to be
applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This feature
remains active even if TCS and ESC are in the Partial
Off mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)”
in this section for further information.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor-
rects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the oversteering or understeering condi-
tion. Vehicle power may also be reduced to help the
vehicle maintain the desired path. ESC uses sensors in
the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by
the driver and compares it to the actual path of the
vehicle. When the actual path does not match the
intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or under-
steer condition.
•
Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.5
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NOTE:The ESC Off switch is located on the instrument
panel.
WARNING!
• The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot
prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction af-
forded by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot
prevent all accidents, including those resulting
from excessive speed in turns, driving on very
slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also can-
not prevent collisions resulting from loss of ve-
hicle control due to inappropriate driver input for
the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of
an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited
in a reckless or dangerous manner which could
jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety of others.
• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly
maintain your vehicle, may change the handling
characteristics of your vehicle, and may nega-
tively affect the performance of the ESC system.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
Changes to the steering system, suspension, brak-
ing system, tire type and size or wheel size may
adversely affect ESC performance. Improperly
inflated and unevenly worn tires may also de-
grade ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica-
tion or poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the
effectiveness of the ESC system can increase the
risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,
personal injury and death.
ESC Operating Modes
The ESC system has two available operating modes.
Full On
This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in On
mode. This mode should be used for most driving
situations. ESC should only be turned to Partial Off for
specific reasons as noted below.
Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily pushing the ESC
Off switch. This mode is intended to be used if the
186 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
cushion shock. Objects on the road and chuck
holes can cause damage that results in tire failure.
Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting
in loss of vehicle control. Always drive with each
tire inflated to the recommended cold tire infla-
tion pressure.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle.
You will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if
you adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold
tire inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Load-
ing Information placard in “Vehicle Loading” in “Start-
ing And Operating”, or the Tire Information Supple-
ment, located in your Owner ’s Information kit.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and
rear axles must not be exceeded. Refer to “Vehicle
Loading” in “Starting And Operating”, or the Tire
Information Supplement located in your Owner ’s Infor-
mation kit, for further information on GAWRs, vehicle
loading, and trailer towing.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
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TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Four primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
•Safety and Vehicle Stability
• Energy Consumption
• Tread Wear
• Ride Comfort
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause collisions.
• Underinflation increases tire flexing and can re-
sult in overheating and tire failure.
• Overinflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire failure.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Overinflated or underinflated tires can affect ve-
hicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve-
hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to
the right or left.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the stabil-
ity of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of sluggish
response or over responsiveness in the steering.
NOTE:
• Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause
erratic and unpredictable steering response.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the
vehicle to drift left or right.
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