2018 FIAT 500 check engine light

SERVICING AND CARE
154
REGULAR
INSPECTIONS
39) 22) 4)
Every 1,000 km or before long
journeys, check and, if necessary, top
up the following:
❒ engine coolant fluid level;
❒ brake fluid level;
❒ windscreen washer fluid level;
❒ tyre inflation pressure and condition;
❒ operation of lighting system
(headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, etc.);
❒ operation of the windscreen
wiper/washer system, position and
wear of the windscreen and rear
window wiper blades.
Every 3,000 km check and top up if
required: engine oil level.
You are advised to use PETRONAS
LUBRICANTS products, which have
been designed and produced
specifically for Fiat cars (see table
“Capacities” in the “Technical
specifications” section).
DEMANDING USE
OF THE CAR
If the vehicle is mainly used in one of
the following particularly harsh
conditions:
❒ trailer or caravan towing;
❒ dusty roads;
❒ short repeated distances (less than
7-8 km) and with external
temperatures below zero;
❒ engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long
periods of inactivity;
perform the following inspections more
frequently than shown on the
Scheduled Servicing Plan:
❒ check front disk brake pad
conditions and wear;
❒ Check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of
linkage;❒ sight inspect the conditions of:
engine, gearbox, transmission,
pipes and hoses (exhaust -
fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.);
❒ check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
❒ visually check the various drive belt
conditions;
❒ check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
❒ check pollen filter and replace it, if
required;
❒ check air cleaner and replace it, if
required.

PERSONAL SAFETY
187
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
3) ADJUSTMENTS
Any and all adjustments to seats, head restraints, steering wheel or
rear view mirrors must be performed exclusively with the
vehicle stationary and the engine off.
4) SEATS
•If a side bag is fitted, it is dangerous to use
seat covers not available from Lineaccessori MOPAR
®.
•Once you have released the adjustment lever, always check that
the seat is locked on the guides by trying to move it back and
forth. If the seat is not locked into place, it may unexpectedly slide
and cause the driver to lose control of the car.
5) HEAD RESTRAINTS
• All adjustments must be carried out only with the car stationary
and engine off. The head restraints should be adjusted to support
the back of your head and not your neck. Only in this position do
they exert their protective action.
• To make the best use of the protective action of the head
restraints, adjust the backrest so that you are sitting upright and
keep your head as close as possible to the head restraint.
6) REAR VIEW MIRRORS
As door mirrors are curved, they may slightly alter the perception
of distance. When driving, these mirrors must always be in the
open position.
We recommend you carefully read the following environmental information.
In an emergency we recommend that you call the toll-free phone number found in the Warranty Booklet.
Go to the www.fiat500.com website to locate the Fiat Dealership closest to you.
(CONTINUES)
1) THE KEYS
Press button B fig. 9 only with the key away from your body,
especially your eyes and from objects which could get damaged
(e.g. your clothes).
Do not leave the key unattended to avoid the button being
accidentally pressed while it is being handled, e.g. by a child.
2) STARTING DEVICE
• Never remove the key while the car is moving.
The steering wheel will automatically lock as soon as it is turned.
This holds true for cars being towed as well.
• It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-market operation
involving steering system or steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in
non-compliance of the vehicle with type-approval requirements.
•If the ignition device has been tampered with
(e.g. an attempted theft), have it checked over by a Fiat
Dealership before driving again.
•Always remove the key when you leave your car to prevent
someone from accidentally operating the controls.
Remember to engage the handbrake.
If the car is parked on a slope uphill, engage the first gear; if the
car is facing downhill, engage the reverse gear. Never leave
children unattended in the vehicle.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
190(CONTINUES)
PERSONAL SAFETY
(CONTINUED)
•The HH system is not a parking brake, therefore do not leave
the vehicle without activating the handbrake, switching off the
engine, and engaging first gear, with the vehicle parked in safe
conditions.
•There may be situations on small gradients
(less than 8%), with car laden or a trailer attached to it (where
provided), in which the HH system may not activate, causing a
slight reversing motion and increasing the risk of collision with
another vehicle or object.
The driver is, in any case, responsible for safe driving.
•The HBA system cannot increase tyre grip on the road over
the limits imposed by laws of physics: always drive carefully
according to the conditions of the road surface.
•The HBA system is an aid for the driver, who must always pay
full attention while driving.
The responsibility always rests with the driver.
16) ENGINE BONNET
•Before opening the bonnet, check that windscreen wiper
arm is not lifted from the windscreen.
•The bonnet may drop suddenly if the supporting rod is not
positioned correctly.
Only perform these operations when the car is stationary.
•Be careful working inside engine compartment when the
engine is hot to avoid burning yourself. Do not place your
hands near the engine fan as it may be activated even when
the key is removed. Wait until the engine has cooled.
•Be very careful not to allow scarves, neck ties and other
loose articles of clothing from touching, even accidentally, any
moving parts. This may cause the clothing to be pulled into the
part, resulting in serious injury to the wearer. •For safety reasons, the bonnet must always be properly closed
while the car is travelling. Make sure that the bonnet is properly
closed and that the lock is engaged. If you notice when driving
that the bonnet has not been properly locked, stop immediately
and close the bonnet correctly.
•Use both hands to lift the bonnet. Before lifting, check that the
windscreen wiper arms are not raised from the windscreen, that
the vehicle is stationary and that the handbrake is engaged.
17) CONTROLS
•It is absolutely forbidden to carry out any after-market operation
involving steering system or steering column modifications
(e.g. installation of anti-theft device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety, invalidate the warranty and also result in
non-compliance of the vehicle with type-approval requirements.
•Before performing any maintenance operations, always stop
the engine and remove the key from the ignition to lock the
steering column (especially when the car wheels are not touching
the ground). If this is not possible (for example if the key needs to
be turned to MAR or the engine must be running), remove the
main fuse that protects the electric power steering.
18) PARKING SENSORS
Parking manoeuvres, however, are always the driver’s
responsibility. While carrying out these manoeuvres, always make
sure that no people (especially children) or animals are in the area
concerned.
The parking sensors are used to assist the driver, who must
never allow his attention to lapse during potentially dangerous
manoeuvres, even those executed at low speeds.

193
•After installing a child restraint system, do not move the seat:
always remove the child restraint system before making any
adjustment.
•Always make sure that the chest section of the seat belt does
not pass under the arms or behind the back of the child. In the
event of an accident the seat belt will not be able to secure the
child, with the risk of injury, including fatal injury. Therefore the
child must always wear the seat belt correctly.
•Do not use the same lower anchorage to install more than one
child restraint system.
25) AIR BAG
•Do not apply stickers or other objects on the steering wheel,
on the dashboard in the passenger side airbag area, on the
side upholstery on the roof and on the seats. Never put
objects (e.g. mobile phones) on the passenger’s
side of the dashboard since they could interfere with proper
airbag inflation and also cause serious injury to the
passengers.
• SERIOUS DANGER: When there is an active passenger
airbag, DO NOT install rearward facing child restraint systems
on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause fatal
injuries to the child regardless of the severity of the impact. It is
advisable to always carry children in a child restraint system on
the rear seat, which is the most protected position in the event
of a collision.
•When an active passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT install
rear facing child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident could cause fatal
injuries to the child regardless of the severity of the impact. •Do not rest your head, arms or elbows on the door, windows
or the area in which the window bag is located to avoid possible
injury during airbag inflation. Never lean your head,
arms or elbows out of the window.
•If when turning the key to MAR the warning light
¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when travelling, there could be a failure in
the safety systems; in this event airbags or pretensioners may not
be deployed in the event of impact or, in a lower number of
cases, they deploy accidentally.
Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have the system
checked.
•Do not cover the front seat backrests with extra covers if they
are equipped with side bags.
•Do not travel carrying objects in your lap, in front of your chest
or between your lips (pipe, pencils, etc.):
they could cause severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
•Always drive keeping your hands on the steering wheel rim so
the airbag can inflate freely if necessary. Do not drive with your
body bent forward. Keep your back straight against the backrest.
•If the car has been stolen or in the case of attempt to steal it, if
it has been subjected to vandalism or floods, have the airbag
system checked by a Fiat Dealership.
•The airbags may also be deployed when the car is not moving,
if the key is in the ignition and turned to MAR or when the engine
is off, if the car is hit by another moving vehicle. Therefore, even if
the vehicle is stationary, when an active front passenger airbag is
fitted, DO NOT install rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat.
Deployment of the airbag following an impact could cause fatal
injuries to the child.
(CONTINUES)
PERSONAL SAFETY
(CONTINUED)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
194
Therefore, always deactivate the passenger airbag when a
rearward facing child restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat.
The front passenger seat must also be positioned
back as far as possible in order to prevent the child restraint
system from coming into contact with the dashboard.
Immediately reactivate the passenger airbag as soon as the
child restraint system has been removed.
Also remember that, if the key is turned to STOP, none of the
safety devices (airbags or pretensioners) will be deployed in
the event of collision. Non-deployment in such cases does not
indicate a system malfunction.
•Do not wash the seats with water or pressurised steam
(wash by hand or at automatic seat washing stations).
• The front airbag is designed to be deployed for impacts of a
greater intensity than for the pretensioners. For impacts whose
intensity falls between the two levels, normally, only the
pretensioners will be activated.
•Do not affix rigid objects to the garment hooks or support
handles.
•The airbag does not replace seat belts but increases their
efficiency. Furthermore, since front airbags are not deployed in
low-speed frontal impacts, side impacts, rear shunts or roll-
overs, the passengers are protected only by the seat belts
which must therefore be fastened at all times.
•In some versions, in case of a LED
“fault (located on the
plate of the instrument panel), the warning light ¬on the
instrument panel turns on and the passenger side airbags are
deactivated. •Malfunction of the
¬warning light is indicated by the activation
of an airbag fault symbol and a dedicated message on the
instrument panel display (or, for versions where provided, by the
activation of a blinking generic fault warning light).
In this case, the warning light
¬may not indicate failures in the
retaining systems. Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have
the system checked.
•The
“warning light indicates the passenger side airbag
protection status. If the warning light is off, passenger side
protection is active: to deactivate it, use the Setup Menu (in this
case the LED lights up). When the vehicle is started (ignition key
turned to MAR position), the warning light turns on for about 8
seconds, provided that at least 5 seconds have elapsed from
when it was switched off. If not, contact a Fiat Dealership. If the
engine is switched off/on again in less than 5 seconds the
warning light may remain off. In this case, to check correct
warning light operation, switch the engine off, wait for at least 5
seconds and switch the engine on again. The warning light may
light up with various intensity levels depending on the vehicle
conditions. The intensity may also vary during the same key
cycle.
•When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the
“warning light
switches for few seconds, then if the passenger airbag protection
is active it should switch off.
26) STARTING THE ENGINE
•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.
(CONTINUES)
PERSONAL SAFETY
(CONTINUED)

195
•Remember that the servo-brake and power steering are not
operational until the engine has been started, therefore much
effort than usual is required on the brake pedal and steering
wheel.
•For vehicles featuring a Dualogic gearbox, if the engine is not
started with a gear engaged, a warning is sounded to notify
the driver of the potential danger due to the gear being
automatically put into neutral.
•This starting procedure must be performed by expert
personnel because incorrect actions could cause electrical
discharge of considerable intensity. Furthermore, battery fluid
is poisonous and corrosive: avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Keep naked flames and lighted cigarettes away from the
battery and do not cause sparks.
•Remove any metal objects (e.g. rings, watches, bracelets),
that might cause an accidental electrical contact and cause
serious injury.
•Do not attempt to charge a frozen battery: it must be thawed
first, otherwise it may explode.
If freezing has occurred, the battery should be checked by
skilled personnel to make sure that the internal elements are
not damaged and that the body is not cracked, with the risk of
leaking poisonous and corrosive acid.
27) HANDBRAKE
• The car should be braked after a few clicks of the lever, if it is
not, contact a Fiat Dealership to have it adjusted.
• Never leave children in the unattended car. Always remove
the ignition key when leaving the car and take it out with you. • In the case of parking manoeuvres on roads on a gradient, the
front wheels must be steered towards the pavement
(when parking downhill), or in the opposite direction if the vehicle
is parked uphill. Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if the
car is parked on a steep slope.
28) USING THE MANUAL GEARBOX
Press the clutch pedal fully to change gears 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.
29) TOWING TRAILERS
•The ABS with which the car is equipped will not control the
braking system of the trailer. Particular caution is required on
slippery roads.
•Do not, under any circumstances, modify the vehicle braking
system to control the trailer breaking system.
The towing braking system must be completely independent of the
vehicle’s hydraulic system.
30) SNOW TYRES
The maximum speed for snow tyres marked
“Q” is 160 km/h, while it is 190 km/h for “T” tyres and 210 km/h for
“H” tyres.
The highway code speed limits must however always be complied
with.
31) WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES
•If the warning light
xturns on when travelling (on certain
versions together with the message on the display) stop the car
immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
(CONTINUES)
PERSONAL SAFETY
(CONTINUED)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
196
The engine can be stopped even if the DPF warning light is on:
however, repeated interruptions of the regeneration process could
cause premature deterioration of the engine oil.
For this reason, always wait until the warning light switches off
before stopping the engine as described above. Do not complete
the DPF regeneration process when the vehicle is stopped.
•Water in the fuel circuit may severely damage the injection
system and cause irregular engine operation. If the warning light
or the symbol
Eturns on (together with a message on the display
for some versions), contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible
to have the system bled. If the above indication occurs
immediately after refuelling, water may have entered the tank: turn
the engine off immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
• If the system signals a pressure decrease on a specific tyre, it is
recommended to check the pressure on all four tyres. The iTPMS
does not relieve the driver from the obligation to check the tyre
pressure every month; it is not to be considered a system to
replace maintenance or a safety system. Tyre pressure must be
checked with tyres cold. Should it become necessary for whatever
reason to check pressure with warm tyres, do not reduce
pressure even though it is higher than the prescribed value, but
repeat the check when tyres are cold.
• The iTPMS cannot indicate sudden tyre pressure drops
(for example when a tyre bursts). In this case, stop the vehicle,
braking with caution and avoiding abrupt steering.
The system only warns that the tyre pressure is low: it is not able
to inflate them. Insufficient tyre inflation increases fuel
consumption, reduces the tread duration and may affect the
capacity to drive safely.
(CONTINUES)
PERSONAL SAFETY
(CONTINUED)
•If when turning the key to MAR the warning light ¬does not
turn on or if it stays on when travelling there could be a failure in
safety systems;
in this event airbags or pretensioners may not be deployed in
case of impact or, in a minor number of cases, they may be
deployed accidentally. Contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to
have the system checked.
•A fault to the
¬warning light is indicated, according to the
version, by the ¬symbol appearing on the display or by the èwarning light blinking. In this case, warning light ¬may not
indicate failures in the retaining systems. Before continuing,
contact a Fiat Dealership immediately to have the system
checked.
•The blinking
èwarning light on indicates possible ¬warning light faults. In this case, warning light ¬may not
indicate failures in the retaining systems. Contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately to have the system checked.
•If the warning light
vturns on when the car is travelling
(on certain versions together with the message on the display),
stop the car immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
•If the
vwarning light (or v, for versions/markets, where
provided) switches on, the degraded engine oil must be changed
as soon as possible, and never more than 500 km from the first
time that the warning light switches on. Failure to observe the
above may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate
the warranty. The activation of this warning light is not related to
the amount of oil in the engine. Therefore, never top up with oil
when the warning light starts flashing.
•The driving speed must always be suitable for traffic and
weather conditions and the driver must always comply with the
Highway Code.

203
•Never use alcohol, petrol, chemical products, detergents,
stain removers, wax, solvents and “wash and polish” products.
•Rinse immediate to remove soap to prevent stains. Repeat
the operation if needed.
•Rinse immediately, and repeat this operation if necessary.
If you choose to waterproof the soft top, strictly follow the
instructions on the package of the waterproofing product you
have selected in order to obtain optimal results.
•The rubber seals on the soft top must be cleaned exclusively
with water. If you notice that this trim is dry or is sticking, apply
talcum powder or products specifically for rubber trim (silicone
spray).
7) ROOF RACK/SKI RACK
The use of transversal bars on longitudinal ones prevents the
use of the sunroof, because the latter, while opening, interferes
with the bars. Therefore do not move the sunroof if transversal
bars have been fitted.
8) EOBD SYSTEM
If, when the ignition key is turned to the MAR position, the
Uwarning light either does not come on or, when driving, it
comes on constantly or flashing (along with a message in the
display, for versions/markets, where provided) contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible. The operation of the
Uwarning light may be checked by traffic police using appropriate
equipment. Comply with the laws and regulations of the country
where you are driving.
9) DOORS
Make sure to take the key with you once a door or the tailgate
is locked, to prevent locking the same key inside the vehicle.
If the key has been locked in, it can only be recovered using
the second provided key.10) MULTIMEDIA
• Only clean the front panel and the display lens with a soft,
clean, dry, anti-static cloth.
Cleaning and polishing products may damage the surface. Never
use alcohol, petrols and derivatives.
• Do not use the display as a base for supports with suction pads
or adhesives for external navigators or smartphones or similar
devices
11) REFUELLING YOUR DIESEL ENGINE VEHICLE
Vehicles with a diesel engine must only be filled with diesel fuel for
motor vehicles, in compliance with European Standard EN 590.
The use of other products or mixtures may damage the engine
beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to
the damage caused. If you accidentally introduce other types of
fuel into the tank, do not start the engine. Empty the tank. If the
engine has been run for even an extremely limited amount of time,
you must not only drain the fuel tank, but the rest of the supply
circuit as well.
12) SEAT BELTS - PRETENSIONERS
Operations which lead to impacts, vibrations or localised heating
(over 100°C for a maximum of six hours) in the area around the
pretensioner may damage or deploy it. Contact a Fiat Dealership
should intervention be necessary on these components.
13) STARTING AND STOPPING THE ENGINE
• It is advisable not to demand maximum performance from your
car (e.g. excessive accelerations, long distances at top rpm,
excessive intense braking, etc.) as soon as the engine is started.
• When the engine is switched off never leave the key turned to
MAR to prevent useless current absorption from draining the
battery.
VEHICLE SAFETY
(CONTINUES) (CONTINUED)