2017 FIAT 500L Owners Manual

Instrument Cluster Descriptions
1. Speedometer•Indicates vehicle speed.
2. Fuel Gauge •The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank
when the ignition switch is in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
•
The fuel pump symbol points to the side of
the vehicle where the fuel door is located.
3. Temperature Gauge
•The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading within the normal range
indicates that the engine cooling system is operat-
ing satisfactorily.
• The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher
temperature when driving in hot weather or up
mountain grades. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating
range.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer
for service if your vehicle overheats. If you decide
to look under the hood yourself, see “Maintaining
Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the Cool-
ing System Pressure Cap paragraph.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads “H” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the
vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the “H”, turn the engine off
immediately and call an authorized dealer for ser-
vice.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 135

4. Tachometer•Indicates the engine speed in revolutions per min-
ute (RPM x 1000).
5. Instrument Cluster Display •The instrument cluster display shows messages
when the appropriate conditions exist. Refer to
“Instrument Cluster Display” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHTS
The warning / indicator lights switch on in the instru-
ment panel together with a dedicated message and/or
acoustic signal when applicable. These indications are
indicative and precautionary and as such must not be
considered as exhaustive and/or alternative to the
information contained in the Owner ’s Manual, which
you are advised to read carefully in all cases. Always
refer to the information in this chapter in the event of a
failure indication.
All active telltales will display first if applicable. The
system check menu may appear different based upon
equipment options and current vehicle status. Some
telltales are optional and may not appear.
136 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Red Telltale Indicator Lights
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 137

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 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 autho-
rized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition placed in the ON/RUN posi-
tion.
NOTE:
This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake applica-
tion.
138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Engine Temperature Warning Light
Red WarningLight What It Means
Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condition. As engine coolant temperatures rise and
the gauge approaches
H, this indicator will illuminate and a single chime will sound after
reaching a set threshold. Further overheating will cause a continuous chime sound for 4
minutes, or until the engine is allowed to cool, whichever comes first.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and stop the vehicle. If the A/C system
is on, turn it off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the vehicle. If the tem-
perature reading does not return to normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for ser-
vice. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further infor-
mation.
Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light
Red Telltale Light What It Means
Seat Belt Reminder Warning Light
When the ignition is first placed in the ON/RUN position, if the driver ’s seat belt is un-
buckled, a chime will sound and the light will turn on. When driving, if the driver or front
passenger seat belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will flash or remain on
continuously and a chime will sound. Refer to “Occupant Restraints” in “Things To Know
Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further information.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 139

Air Bag Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Air Bag Warning Light
This light will turn on for four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is placed
in the ON/RUN position. If the light is either not on during startup, stays on, or turns on
while driving, have the system inspected at an authorized dealer as soon as possible. This
light will illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the Air Bag Warning Light has
been detected, it will stay on until the fault is cleared. If the light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving, have an authorized dealer service the vehicle immediately.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop the ve-
hicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound when this light turns
on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. This light does not indicate how
much oil is in the engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected while the engine is running, the light will either stay on or flash de-
pending on the nature of the problem. Cycle the ignition key when the vehicle is safely and
completely stopped and the transmission is placed in the PARK position. The light should
turn off. If the light remains on with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be driv-
able; however, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash when the engine is running, immediate service is required and
you may experience reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine stall and your
vehicle may require towing. The light will come on when the ignition is first turned to ON/
RUN and remain on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141

Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Indicator Light
After the ignition is turned on, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) light illuminates to indi-
cate function check at vehicle startup. If the light remains on after startup or comes on and
stays on at road speeds, it may indicate that the ABS has detected a malfunction or has be-
come inoperative. The system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes.
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Warning Light are on, see an authorized
dealer immediately. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Starting And Operating” for fur-
ther information.
142 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL