2017 FIAT 500L brake

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

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

Instrument Cluster Display Setup Menu
The menu comprises a series of functions arranged in a
cycle. The menu includes the following functions:
NOTE:Some of the Menu Items could be managed by
Uconnect (if equipped). In that case, some of these are
not present in instrument cluster display.
• Dimmer
• Headlight Adj
• Speed Buzzer
• Headlamp Sensor
• Cornering Lights
• Rain Sensor
• Trip B Data
• Set Time
• Set Date
• First Page
• See Radio
• Autoclose •
Units
• Language
• Buzzer Volume
• Seat Belt Buzzer
• Service
• Passenger Airbag
• Day Lights
• Hill Start
• Tire Reset
• City Brake Control
Selecting An Option Of The Main Menu Without
Submenu
1. Briefly push and release the MENUbutton to select
the main menu option to set.
2. Push and release the upordown button (by single
pushes) to select the new setting.
3. Briefly push and release the MENUbutton to store
the new setting and go back to the main menu option
previously selected.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 153

2. Briefly push and release theMENUbutton. “On” or
“Off” will flash on the display (according to previous
setting).
3. Push and release the up
ordownbutton for
setting.
4. Briefly push and release the MENUbutton to go
back to the menu screen, or push and hold the button
(approximately one second) to go back to the main
screen without storing the settings.
Hill Start Assist
This function is used when starting a vehicle from a
stop on a hill. Hill Start Assist maintains the same level
of brake pressure the driver applied for a short period
of time after the foot has been removed from the brake
pedal.
Proceed as follows to switch this function on or off:
1. Briefly push and release the MENUbutton. “On” or
“Off” will flash on the display (according to previous
setting).
2. Push and release the up
ordownbutton for
setting.
3. Briefly push and release the MENUbutton to go
back to the menu screen, or push and hold the button
(approximately one second) to go back to the main
screen without storing the settings.
City Brake Control (Collision Mitigation)
This function allows to activate (On) or deactivate
(Off) the City Brake Control - Collision Mitigation
system.
To adjust proceed as follows:
1. Push MENUbutton briefly. OnorOff will flash
on the display, according to what has been previ-
ously set.
2. A confirmation request message will appear on the display.
3. By pushing the upordown buttons, select Ye s(to
confirm activation/deactivation) or No(to cancel).
4. Push the MENUbutton briefly; a message confirm-
ing the selection is displayed and you return to the
menu screen; hold down the button to return to the
standard screen without storing.
When the system is deactivated, the dedicated warning
light in the instrument panel switches on.4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 167

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ...............218
▫ Automatic Transmission ...............218
▫ Normal Starting ..................... .218
▫ Cold Weather Operation ...............218
▫ Extended Park Starting .................219
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................219
▫ After Starting .......................220
▫ Turbo Charger “Cool Down” ............220
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ...........220
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ..............221
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . .221
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission ........221
 AUTOSTICK ........................ .226
▫ Operation ..........................227 
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ........228
▫ Acceleration ........................228
▫ Traction .......................... .228
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ............229
▫ Flowing/Rising Water .................229
▫ Shallow Standing Water ................229
 ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ............230
 PARKING BRAKE .....................230
 BRAKE SYSTEM ..................... .232
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . .232
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . .232
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ..............233
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ...........234
▫ Hill Start

Assist (HSA) ................234
5

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 transmission gear selec-
tor.
• 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.
Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting to any driving gear. NOTE:
You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at
low temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine crank-
ing when the ambient temperature is less than –22°F
(–30°C) and the oil temperature sensor reading indi-
cates an engine block heater has not been used. An
externally powered electric engine block heater is avail-
able as a factory installed option.
The message “plug in engine heater” will be displayed
in the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature
is below 5°F (–15°C) at the time the engine is shut off as
218 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
Turbo Charger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending
on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been
shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the fol-
lowing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
WARNING!
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and
hit someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and 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 engine
is running. Before exiting a vehicle always apply
the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the
(Continued)
220 STARTING AND OPERATING