2017 FIAT 500X Owner handbook (in English)

STARTING THE
ENGINE
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on
the display.
ENGINE STARTING
PROCEDURE
103) 104) 105) 106)
31) 32) 33) 34)
Versions with manual gearbox
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake
and place the gear lever in neutral;
bring the ignition device to MAR. On
Diesel versions, warning light
lights
up in the instrument panel: wait for the
warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition device to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts;
if the engine does not start within
10 seconds, bring the ignition deviceback to STOP and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
after the manoeuvre has been
repeated, if the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
Versions with automatic
transmission
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake
and set the gear lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral);
fully depress the brake pedal without
touching the accelerator;
set the ignition device to AVV;
if the engine does not start, bring
the ignition device back to STOP and
wait for 10-15 seconds before
repeating the starting procedure;
after the manoeuvre has been
repeated, if the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
ENGINE STARTING
FAILURE
Starting the engine with electronic
key battery (Keyless Go) run down
or flat
If the ignition device does not respond
when the relevant button is pressed the
electronic key battery might be run
down or flat. Therefore, the system
does not detect the presence of the
electronic key on board the vehicle anddisplays a dedicated message. In this
case, rest the rounded edge of the
electronic key (the side opposite the
metal insert) on the ignition device and
press the button using the electronic
key. The ignition device is thus activated
and the engine can be started.
WARNING
103)Do not try to start the engine pouring
fuel or other flammable fluid inside the
throttle body air intake: this might damage
the engine and injury people nearby.
104)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
105)The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
106)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
IMPORTANT
31)We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km, you do
not drive to full car performance (e.g.
excessive acceleration, long journeys at top
speed, sharp braking, etc.).
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32)When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR
position to prevent useless current
absorption from draining the battery.
33)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely no
practical purpose; it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to turbocharged
engines.
34)Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be used
as normal, but a Fiat Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
PARKING THE
VEHICLE
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear if facing
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and apply the
electric parking brake;
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions equipped with automatic
transmission or dual clutch automatic
transmission, wait for the letter P to be
displayed before releasing the brake
pedal.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with automatic transmission
or dual clutch automatic transmission,
before putting the shift lever in the P
position).
ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE (EPB)
The vehicle is equipped with electric
parking brake (EPB) to guarantee better
use and optimal performance
compared to a manually operated
parking brake.
The electric parking brake features a
switch, located on the central tunnel
fig. 91, a motor with caliper for each
rear wheel and an electronic control
module.
IMPORTANT Always engage the
electric parking brake before leaving the
vehicle.
IMPORTANT In addition to parking the
vehicle with the parking brake always
engaged, the wheel steered, chocks or
stones positioned in front of the wheels
(when on a steep slope), a gear must
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STARTING AND DRIVING

always be engaged (the 1stgear with
the vehicle parked uphill or the reverse
gear with the vehicle parked downhill).
On versions with automatic
transmission, place the gear lever at P
(Park).
IMPORTANT Should the vehicle battery
be faulty, to unlock the electric parking
brake the battery must be replaced.
The electric parking brake can be
engaged in two ways:
manuallypull the fig. 91 switch
located on the central tunnel, in the
direction shown by the arrow;
automaticallyin "Safe Hold" or "Auto
Apply" conditions.
Engaging the parking brake
manually
107) 114) 109)
Briefly pull the switch located on the
central tunnel to manually engage the
electric parking brake when the vehicle
is stationary.
Noise may be heard from the rear of the
vehicle when engaging the electric
parking brake.
A slight movement of the brake pedal
may be detected when engaging the
electric parking brake with the brake
pedal pressed.
With the electric parking brakeengaged, the
warning light on the
instrument panel and the LED on the
switch fig. 91 turn on.
IMPORTANT With the EPB failure
warning light on, some functions of the
electric parking brake are deactivated.
In this case the driver is responsible for
brake activation and vehicle parking in
complete safety conditions.
If, under exceptional circumstances, the
use of the parking brake is required with
the vehicle in motion, keep the switch
on the central tunnel pulled as long as
the brake action is necessary.
The
warning light may switch on
with the hydraulic system temporarily
unavailable; in this case braking is
controlled by the motors.
The brake lights (stop) also come on
automatically.
Release the switch on the central tunnel
to stop the braking action with the
vehicle in motion.
If, through this procedure, the vehicle is
braked until a speed below 3 km/h is
reached and the switch is kept pulled,
the parking brake will definitively
engage.
IMPORTANT Driving the vehicle with
the electric parking brake engaged, or
using it several times to slow down thevehicle, may cause severe damage to
the braking system.
Disengaging the electric parking
brake manually
To manually disengage the parking
brake, the ignition device must be at
MAR. It is also necessary to press the
brake pedal, then briefly press the
fig. 91 switch.
Noise may be heard from the rear of the
vehicle and a slight movement of the
brake pedal may be detected during
disengagement.
After disengaging the electric parking
brake, the warning light
on the
instrument panel and the LED on the
switch turn off.
If the
warning light on the
instrument panel remains on with the
electric parking brake disengaged, this
indicates a fault: in this case contact a
Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT On versions with
automatic transmission never use the P
(Park) position instead of the electric
parking brake. Always engage the
electric parking brake when parking the
vehicle to prevent injury or damage
caused by the unexpected movement
of the vehicle.
IMPORTANT For vehicles equipped
with manual gearbox, if the clutch pedal
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is released simultaneously with the
press of the accelerator, the electric
handbrake automatically releases.
ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE OPERATING
MODES
The electric parking brake may operate
as follows:
"Dynamic operating mode": this
mode is activated by pulling the switch
fig. 91 repeatedly whilst driving;
"Static engagement and release
mode": with the car stationary, the
electric parking brake can be activated
by pulling the switch once. On the other
hand, press the switch and the brake
pedal at the same time to disengage
the brake;
"Drive Away Release": the electric
parking brake will automatically
disengage with the driver side seat belt
fastened and the detection of an action
performed by the driver to move the car
(forward gear or reverse gear);
"Safe Hold": if the car speed is lower
than 3 km/h and, for the versions with
automatic transmission, the gear lever
is not in P (Park) position and the driver
intention of leaving the car is detected,
the electric parking brake will
automatically engage to hold the car in
safety conditions;
"Auto Apply": if the car speed islower than 3 km/h, the electric parking
brake will automatically engage with the
gear lever moved to P (Park) position
(versions with automatic transmission),
or with the ignition device at STOP
(versions with manual transmission).
The LED on the switch will light up
together with the
warning light on
the instrument panel when the parking
brake is engaged and applied to the
wheels. Each automatic parking brake
engagement can be cancelled by
pressing the switch on the central
tunnel and at the same time moving the
gear lever for the automatic
transmission to position P (Park) or the
ignition device to STOP (versions with
manual transmission). This mode can
be managed through theUconnect™
system Menu.
SAFE HOLD
It is a safety function that automatically
engages the electric parking brake in
the event of a dangerous condition for
the vehicle.
If:
the vehicle speed is below 3 km/h;
the gear lever is not at P (Park)
(versions with automatic transmission);
the driver's seat belt is not fastened;
the driver side door is open;
no attempted operation of the brake
pedal or the accelerator pedal, or, inversions with manual gearbox, the
clutch pedal is detected
the electric parking brake engages
automatically to prevent vehicle
movement.
The Safe Hold function can be
temporarily disabled by pressing the
switch located on the central tunnel and
the brake pedal at the same time, with
the vehicle stationary and the driver
side door open.
Once disabled, the function will activate
again when the vehicle speed reaches
20 km/h or the ignition device is moved
to STOP and then to MAR.
WARNING
107)In the case of parking manoeuvres on
roads on a gradient, steer the wheels,
engage the parking brake, the first gear if
uphill and the reverse if downhill; on
versions with automatic transmission, set
the lever to "P". If the car is parked on a
steep slope block the wheels with a wedge
or stone.
108)Never leave children alone in an
unattended vehicle; make sure that when
you move away from the vehicle, you have
the key with you.
109)The electric parking brake must
always be engaged when leaving the
vehicle.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

MANUAL GEARBOX
110)
35)
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear lever into
the required position (the diagram for
gear engagement is shown on
the knob ).
To engage 6
thgear (if present), operate
the lever by pressing it towards the right
in order to avoid engaging 4
thgear by
mistake. The same applies to the shift
from 6
thto 5thgear.
1.4 Turbo Multi Air - 1.6 Multijet -
2.0 Multijet manual transmission
versions:To engage reverse R from
neutral, lift the ring 1 fig. 92 under the
knob and at the same time move the
lever to the left and then forwards.
1.6 E.Torq versions:To engage
reverse gear R from neutral, move the
lever to the right and then backwards.
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the car is completely
stationary. For 1.6 E.Torq versions: with
the engine running, wait for at least
2 seconds with the clutch pedal fully
pressed before engaging reverse to
prevent damage to the gears and
“grating”.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should
be used only for gear changes. Do not
drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, however lightly. In some
circumstances, the electronic clutch
control could cut in by interpreting the
incorrect driving style as a fault.
WARNING
110)Depress the clutch pedal fully to
change gear correctly. It is therefore
essential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying flat
and do not get in the way of the pedals.
IMPORTANT
35)Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted, even if
slight, could lead over time to premature
wear of the gearbox internal components.
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115

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
GEAR LEVER
The fig. 93 lever has the following
positions:
P= Park
R= Reverse
N= Neutral
D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
AutoStick: + shifting to higher gear
in sequential driving mode; – shifting to
lower gear in sequential driving mode.
111) 112) 113) 114)
41) 37) 42) 43)
The gear engaged is shown on the
display.
To select a gear, move the lever
forwards or backwards.To select the "sequential" mode, move
the lever from D (Drive) to the left: the
position + (upper gear) or – (lower gear)
can be reached; these are unstable
positions, which means that the lever
always returns to the central position.
The brake pedal and button A fig. 93 on
the knob must be pressed to exit
position P (Park).
To shift from position N (Neutral) to
position D (Drive) or R (Reverse), you
need to press the brake pedal.
IMPORTANT DO NOT accelerate while
shifting from position P (or N) to another
position.
IMPORTANT After selecting a gear, wait
a few seconds before accelerating. This
precaution is particularly important with
engine cold.
AUTOMATIC DRIVING
MODE
To select the automatic driving mode,
you need to shift the gear lever to D
(Drive): the best ratio is selected by the
electronic transmission control unit
depending on vehicle speed, engine
load (accelerator pedal position) and
gradient of the road.
D can be selected from sequential
operation in any driving conditions.“Kick-Down” function
To resume speed quickly, when the
accelerator pedal is pressed fully, the
transmission control system downshifts
(kick-down function).
IMPORTANT When driving on roads
with poor grip conditions (snow, ice,
etc.) avoid activating the kick-down
function.
Gearshifting suggestion
With the transmission in automatic
mode (selector lever in position D),
when gearshifting is required by the
paddles on the steering wheel (where
provided), the system shifts to
"Sequential mode" ("Autostick"),
displaying the engaged gear for about
5 seconds.
When this time has elapsed, if the
paddles are not operated anymore, the
system goes back to the automatic
mode (D), with following displaying.
AUTOSTICK - Sequential
mode
In the case of frequent gearshifting (e.g.
when the vehicle is driven with a heavy
load, on slopes, with strong headwind
or when towing heavy trailers), it is
recommended to use the Autostick
(sequential shifting) mode to select and
keep a lower fixed ratio.
In these conditions, using a lower gear
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STARTING AND DRIVING

improves vehicle performance and
prolongs the transmission's life, limiting
gearshifting and preventing overheating.
It is possible to shift from position D
(Drive) to the sequential mode
regardless of vehicle speed.
Activation
With gear lever in position D (Drive), to
activate the sequential drive mode,
move the lever to the left (– and +
indication of the trim). The gear
engaged will be shown on the display.
Gearshifting is made by moving the
gear lever forwards, towards symbol –
or backwards, towards symbol +.
Deactivation
To deactivate the sequential driving
mode, bring the gear lever back to
position D (Drive), automatic mode.
STEERING WHEEL
CONTROLS
(where provided)
40)
On some versions, the gearbox can be
managed sequentially using the
steering wheel controls fig. 94.To use the controls on the steering
wheel, the gear lever must be in
position D (Drive) between (+) and (–):
steering wheel paddle (+) (pulling
paddle towards driver): engage higher
ratio;
steering wheel paddle (-) (pulling
paddle towards driver): engage lower
ratio.
The engagement of a lower (or higher)
gear is only permitted if the engine revs
allow it.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting the engine is allowed only
when the gear lever is in position P or
N. Therefore, when the engine is
started, the system will be at position N
or P (the latter means neutral, but with
the vehicle's wheels are locked
mechanically).
MOVING THE CAR
To move the car, from P press the brake
pedal and, using the button on the gear
lever, move the lever to the desired
position (D, R or "Sequential mode").
The display will show the gear engaged.
When the brake pedal is released, the
car starts moving forwards or
backwards, as soon as the manoeuvre
is activated ("creeping" effect). The
accelerator should not be pressed in
this case.
IMPORTANT The inconsistency
between the speed actually engaged
(shown on the display) and the position
of the gear lever is indicated by the
letter corresponding to the position of
the lever flashing on the trim (also
accompanied by an acoustic signal).
This condition should not be interpreted
as an operational fault, but simply as a
request by the system to repeat the
manoeuvre.
IMPORTANT With the electric parking
brake released and brake pedal
released, engine at idling speed and
gear lever in position D, R or sequential,
pay the utmost care because the car
can move even without the operation of
the accelerator pedal. This condition
can be used with the car on a level
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117

surface during tight parking
manoeuvres using the brake pedal only.
GEAR ENGAGEMENT
INHIBITION
This system prevents you from moving
the gear lever from position P (Park) or
N (Neutral) if the brake pedal has not
been previously depressed.
When the ignition device is in MAR
(engine on or off):
to shift the gear to a position
different from P (Park) or from N to R,
you need to press the brake pedal and
the button A fig. 93 on the knob of the
gear lever;
to shift the lever from position N to
position D, press the brake pedal.
In case of a failure or when the vehicle's
battery is flat, the lever remains locked
in position P. To manually unlock the
lever, see paragraph "Automatic
transmission - lever unlocking" in the "In
an emergency" chapter.
VEHICLE SHUTDOWN
Versions equipped with the Keyless
Go system: this function requires the
gear lever to be positioned at P (Park);
then bring the ignition device to STOP.
Versions equipped with key without
remote control: this function requires
the gear lever to be positioned at P(Park) before extracting the key from the
ignition device.
If the vehicle battery is flat and the
ignition key is engaged, the latter is
locked in position. To remove the key
manually see paragraph "Automatic
transmission - key removal" in the
chapter "In an emergency".
"RECOVERY" OPERATION(where provided)
Transmission operation is constantly
monitored to detect any fault. If a
condition that might damage the
transmission is detected, the "recovery"
function is activated.
In this condition, the transmission stays
in 4
thgear, regardless of the selected
gear.
Positions P (Parking), R (Reverse) and N
(Neutral) still work. Icon
might light
up in the display.
In the case of "recovery" operation
immediately contact the nearest Fiat
Dealership.
Temporary failure
In the event of a temporary failure,
correct transmission operation can be
restored for all the forwards gears by
proceeding as follows:
stop the vehicle;
bring the transmission lever to P
(Park).
bring the ignition device to STOP;
wait for about 10 seconds, then
restart the engine;
select the desired gear: correct
transmission operation should be
restored.
IMPORTANT In the event of a
temporary failure it is in any case
recommended to contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
WARNING
111)Never use position P (Park) instead of
the electric parking brake. Always engage
the electric parking brake when parking the
vehicle to avoid the accidental movement
of the vehicle.
112)If the P (Park) position is not engaged,
the vehicle could move and injure people.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that
the gear lever is in position P and that the
electric parking brake is engaged.
113)Do not shift the gear lever to N
(Neutral) and do not stop the engine when
driving on a downhill road. This type of
driving is dangerous and reduces the
possibility of intervening in the case of
variation of the road traffic or surface. You
risk losing control of your vehicle and
causing accidents.
114)Never leave children alone in an
unattended vehicle; make sure that when
you move away from the vehicle, you have
the key with you.
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STARTING AND DRIVING