Page 31 of 300

WARNING!
•Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, place the transmission into PARK, and
remove the key fob from the ignition. When
leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
• 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. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor buttons.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up
may cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation. Always re-
move the key from the ignition and lock all the
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Locking Doors With A Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key to the left. To unlock the door, turn
the key to the right.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the
ignition and the ignition switch position is OFF/LOCK
sounds a signal to remove the key.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unauthor-
ized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Opera-
tion is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is
locked or unlocked.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
Page 37 of 300

DOOR LOCKS
The door locks can be manually locked or unlocked
from inside the vehicle by using the door handle. If the
door handle is pushed, a red lock indicator will show on
the door handle (indicating locked). When the door is
open or closed, the door will lock.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up
may cause serious injury or death.
• For personal security and safety in the event of an
collision, lock the vehicle doors as you drive as
well as when you park and leave the vehicle.
• Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the parking
brake, place the transmission into PARK, and
remove the key fob from the ignition. When
leaving the vehicle, always lock your vehicle.
• 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. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the transmission gear selec-
tor buttons.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or
in a location accessible to children. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Door Lock Handle
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
Page 81 of 300
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the
instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
coolant or other fluid leaks. If fluid leaks are suspected,
the cause should be located and corrected immediately.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
Page 125 of 300

Brake Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
English
Metric
Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions, including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with the anti-lock brake system reser-
voir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been disengaged, and the fluid level is
at the full mark on the master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake hydraulic sys-
tem malfunction or that a problem with the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-
Lock Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system. In this case, the light
will remain on until the condition has been corrected. If the problem is related to the Brake
Booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake, and a brake pedal pulsation may
be felt during each stop.
NOTE:
Brake Warning Light may illuminate due to excessive wear to brake pads.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking
capacity in the event of a failure to a portion of the
hydraulic system. A leak in either half of the dual brake
system is indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which
will turn on when the brake fluid level in the master
cylinder has dropped below a specified level. The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 123
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If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have
failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You
could have a collision. Have the vehicle checked
immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD).
CAUTION!
In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning
Light will turn on along with the ABS Light.
Immediate repair to the ABS system is required. Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by placing the ignition in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN)
position. The light should illuminate for approximately
two seconds. The light should then turn off unless the
parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected. If
the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected by
an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition placed in the MAR (ACC/
ON/RUN) position.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake applica-
tion.
124 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 173 of 300

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
Page 175 of 300

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust
both inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat
belts.
WARNING!
•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. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Single-Speed Transmission
The transmission must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the vehicle. Apply the
brakes when selecting a transmission gear from Park.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before selecting
a transmission gear.
Normal Starting
Turn the key to the START position while your vehicle
is in PARK. When the ignition key is turned to the
START and then released to the RUN position, a chime
will sound and the “READY” indicator in the instru-
ment cluster display will illuminate to indicate the
500e’s Electric Drive System has started. When the
“READY” indicator is illuminated your 500e is ready to
be driven.
“READY” Indicator
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 173
Page 177 of 300

NOTE:
•You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting in or out of PARK.
• If all push-button LEDs are on when the key is ON,
see your authorized dealer.
WARNING!
• Only place the transmission into gear when your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• 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 vehicle
is in “READY” mode. Before exiting a vehicle,
always apply the parking brake, shift the trans-
mission into PARK, and remove the ignition key.
Once the key is removed, the transmission is
locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against
unwanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
ignition key and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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 transmission range buttons.
• 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 con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park
Interlock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition can be turned to the OFF position.
The key can only be removed from the ignition when
the ignition is in the OFF position, and once removed,
the transmission is locked in PARK.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 175