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500e ELECTRIC VEHICLE FEATURES
Understanding the unique characteristics of your 500e
will help ensure maximum performance and the best
driving range from your vehicle.
Your 500e is equipped with two electrical systems; a 12
Volt system that is used to power the conventional
electrical system and a high voltage system, which is
used to drive the wheels through a single-speed trans-
mission as well as other high voltage system compo-
nents.
Your 500e operates differently then a traditional vehicle
or Hybrid vehicle. Here are some of the main differ-
ences:
Audible Pedestrian Warning System
Your vehicle is equipped with an Audible Pedestrian
Warning System. The Audible Pedestrian Warning Sys-
tem uses distinct sounds to alert pedestrians that your
vehicle is approaching.
The audible warning system uses an in-car sound
synthesizer with a speaker located in the underhood
compartment. The warning system is automatically
activated when selecting DRIVE or REVERSE.In DRIVE range, the system will remain active until the
vehicle reaches a speed of approximately 22 mph
(35.5 km/h). At approximately 22 mph (35.5 km/h), the
warning system is deactivated and will automatically
be active when the vehicle returns to approximately
20 mph (32 km/h).
Single-Speed Transmission
Instead of a traditional transmission, your vehicle is
equipped with a single-speed transmission to transfer
the torque from the E-Drive motor to the drive wheels.
This transmission requires no maintenance and is de-
signed to operate for the life of the vehicle.
Auto Park
Auto Park will automatically place the transmission
into PARK if there is an indication that the driver may
leave the vehicle while still in the DRIVE, NEUTRAL or
REVERSE gear. Refer to “Single-Speed Transmission” in
“Starting And Operating” for further information.
E-Park
The parking pawl is traditionally located inside an
automatic transmission and activated when the vehicle
is placed in the PARK position.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
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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
STARTING AND OPERATING 185
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ..........220
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .....................220
▫ Torque Specifications ..................220
TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED ........222
▫ Tire Service Kit Storage ................222
▫ Tire Service Kit Components And
Operation ........................ .222
▫ Tire Service Kit Usage Precautions ........223
▫ Sealing A Tire With Tire Service Kit .......225
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE
(12 VOLT BATTERY ONLY) ...............230
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start .............230
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ...............231
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ............233
MANUAL PARK RELEASE ...............233
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ..........235
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) ............................ .236
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ..........236
6
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel below the radio.Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flashers. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncom-
ing traffic of an emergency. Push the switch a second
time to turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is
disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for other
motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate with
the ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flash-
ers may wear down your battery.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle, the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
Torque Specifications
Lug Nut/Bolt Torque **Lug Nut/ Bolt SizeLug Nut/
Bolt
Socket Size
66 Ft-Lbs (90 N·m)
Steel Wheels Only
74 Ft-Lbs (100 N·m) Aluminum Wheels Only M12 x 1.25 17 mm
**Use only your authorized dealer recommended lug
nuts/bolts and clean or remove any dirt or oil before
tightening.
Inspect the wheel mounting surface prior to mounting
the tire and remove any corrosion or loose particles.
220 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
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Tighten the lug nuts/bolts in a star pattern until each
nut/bolt has been tightened twice.After 25 miles (40 km), check the lug nut/bolt torque to
be sure that all the lug nuts/bolts are properly seated
against the wheel.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack,
do not tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle
has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning
may result in personal injury.
Wheel Mounting SurfaceTorque Patterns
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 221