2018 FIAT 500 check engine light

READ THIS CAREFULLY
REFUELLING
Petrol engines: Only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95, in compliance with the European
specification EN228. Do not use petrol containing methanol or ethanol E85. Using these mixtures may cause misfiring and driving
issues, as well as damage fundamental components of the supply system.
Diesel engines: refuel only with Diesel fuel motor vehicles conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of other
products or mixtures may damage the engine beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to the damage caused.
For further details on the use of the correct fuel see the “Refuelling the vehicle” paragraph in the “Starting and driving” chapter.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Versions with manual gearbox (petrol engines): make sure that the handbrake is engaged, put the gear in neutral, fully
depress the clutch without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has
started.
Versions with manual gearbox (diesel engines): make sure that the handbrake is engaged, put the gear in neutral, fully
depress the clutch pedal without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to MAR and wait for the
mwarning
lights to switch off. Turn the ignition key to AVV and finally release it as soon as the engine starts.
Versions with automatic transmission: make sure that the handbrake is engaged and that the gear lever is in P (Parking) or N
(Neutral), fully depress the brake pedal, then turn the ignition key to AVV.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or
other flammable material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The vehicle is fitted with a system that carries out a continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components in order to help
protect the environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the vehicle, you decide to add electrical accessories (with the risk of gradually draining the battery), contact a Fiat
Dealership. They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the electric system of the vehicle can support the
required load.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring that it maintains its performance and its safety features, its environmental
friendliness and low running costs for a long time to come.
K



KNOWING YOUR CAR
12
HOT ENGINE COOLANT
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light or symbol on the display lights up when the engine is overheated, on some versions, together with a
dedicated message on the display.
❒ In normal driving conditions: stop the car, switch off the engine and check that the fluid level in the reservoir is not
below the MIN mark. In this case, wait for the engine to cool down, then slowly and carefully open the cap, top up with
coolant and check that the level is between the MIN and MAX marks on the reservoir itself. Also check visually for any
fluid leaks. Should the warning light turn on again at the next start-up, contact a Fiat Dealership.
❒ if the vehicle is used under demanding conditions (e.g. towing trailers uphill or fully loaded): slow down and, if the
light stays on, stop the car. Stop for two or three minutes with the engine running and slightly accelerated to facilitate
better coolant circulation, then turn the engine off. Check that the coolant level is correct as described above.
IMPORTANT Over demanding routes, it is advisable to keep the engine running and slightly accelerated for a few minutes
before turning it off.
On certain versions the dedicated message is displayed.uu
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“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAULT
When the key is turned to MAR, the warning light switches on but it should switch off after a few seconds.
If the warning light stays on, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display, you may not have steering
assistance and the effort required to operate the steering wheel could be notably increased; steering is, however, possible.
In this case, contact a Fiat Dealership.
If the warning light switches on while driving (on some versions, together with a dedicated message on the display) you may
not have steering assistance. Although it will still be possible to steer the vehicle, the effort needed to operate the steering
wheel could be increased: contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT In some circumstances, factors independent of the electric power steering could cause the warning light on
the instrument panel to switch on. In this case, stop the car immediately (should it be in motion), stop the engine for about
20 seconds and then restart the engine. If the warning light stays on, contact a Fiat Dealership.
IMPORTANT After the battery is disconnected, the steering must be initialised. The warning light switches on to indicate
this. To carry out this procedure, simply turn the steering wheel all the way from one end to the other or drive in a straight
line for about a hundred metres.

15
EBD FAULT (colour display)
The simultaneous switching on of the warning lights with the engine on indicates either a failure of the EBD system or that
the system is not available. In this case, the rear wheels may suddenly lock and the vehicle may swerve when braking
sharply.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
Drive very carefully to a Fiat Dealership to have the system inspected.
x
>x
>
SPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED (Colour display – for versions/markets, where provided)
The symbol is shown on the display, together with a dedicated message and an acoustic signal, when the vehicle exceeds
the speed limit set in the Setup Menu (e.g. 120 km/h).
120
PASSENGER AIRBAG/SIDE BAGS DEACTIVATED
The warning light indicates the passenger’s airbag protection status. If the warning light is off, passenger’s airbag protection
is active: to deactivate it, use the Setup Menu (in this case the LED lights up). When the engine 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.
““
ESCESC
ASR SYSTEM DISCONNECTED (Colour display)
The symbol lights up on the colour display together with a dedicated message when the ASR system is deactivated by
pressing the ASR-OFF button on the dashboard. The LED in the button will light up at the same time.
VV
ABS FAULT
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light comes on, on some versions along with a message on the display, when the system is inefficient or not
available. In this case the braking system maintains its efficiency unaltered but without the advantage of the ABS system.
Drive carefully and contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
>>

17
FUEL RESERVE - LIMITED RANGE
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light or the symbol switches on in the display when about 5 litres of fuel are left in the tank. The triangle on the
right side of the symbol indicates the side of the car with the fuel filler.
IMPORTANT If the warning light flashes or the symbol is constantly on, depending on the versions, there is a fault in the
system. If this is the case, go to a Fiat Dealership to have the system checked.
GLOW PLUG/GLOW PLUG PREHEATING FAULT (diesel versions)
Glow plugs
This warning light switches on when the key is turned to MAR (for versions/markets, where provided). It will switch off as
soon as the glow plugs have reached a preset temperature. The engine can be started as soon as the warning light
switches off.
IMPORTANT At moderate or high ambient temperatures the warning light may stay on for an extremely short time.
Glow plug preheating failure
The warning light will flash, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display, to indicate a fault in the plug
preheating system.
In these cases, contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible to have the fault fixed.
mm
DPF CLEANING (PARTICULATE TRAP) IN PROGRESS (diesel versions with DPF)
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few seconds.
The warning light or symbol appears on the display fixed, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display,
to notify the driver that the DPF system needs to eliminate captured pollutants (particulate) through the regeneration
process.
The warning light remains off during the regeneration process; it switches on only if the driving conditions require the driver
to be alerted.
To switch the warning light off definitively, the vehicle must be kept moving until the regeneration process is completed.
On average, the process lasts 15 minutes.
Optimal conditions for completing the process are achieved by travelling at 60 km/h with engine speed above 2000 rpm.
When this warning light switches on, it does not indicate a vehicle failure and thus it should not be taken to a workshop. On
some versions, together with the warning light switching on, the display shows a dedicated message.
tt

51
FUEL CUT-OFF
SYSTEM 8)
This intervenes in the case of an
impact causing:
❒ the fuel supply cut-off with the
engine consequently switching off
❒ automatically unlocking the doors
❒ switching on of all interior lights.
The intervention of the system is
indicated by a message shown on the
display.
IMPORTANT Carefully check the car
for fuel leaks, for instance in the engine
compartment, under the car or near
the tank area.
After a collision, turn the ignition key to
the STOP position to avoid draining the
battery.
To reset car operation, follow this
procedure:
❒ turn the ignition key to MAR
❒ activate the right direction indicator
❒ deactivate the right direction
indicator
❒ activate the left direction indicator
❒ deactivate the left direction indicator
❒ activate the right direction indicator
❒ deactivate the right direction
indicator
❒ activate the left direction indicator
❒ deactivate the left direction indicator
❒ ignition key turned to the OFF
position
❒ turn the ignition key to MAR.PARKING SENSORS
18) 25
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Located in the rear bumper fig. 51
these detect and inform the driver,
through an intermittent acoustic signal,
of the presence of obstacles at the rear
of the car.
As the distance from the obstacle
behind the car decreases, the acoustic
alarm becomes more frequent. The
buzzer becomes continuous when the
distance separating the vehicle from
the obstacle is less than about 30 cm.
It remains constant if the distance
between the vehicle and the obstacle
is unchanged.
If this situation concerns the side
sensors, the signal will stop after
approximately 3 seconds to avoid, for
example, indications in the event of
manoeuvres along a wall.
If several obstacles are detected by the
sensors, only the nearest one is
considered.

Years4321SERVICING AND CARE
148
5109876
SCHEDULED SERVICING PLAN39) 21)
Thousands of kilometres7515013512010590
PETROL/LPG VERSIONS
IMPORTANT: When you have carried out the last intervention in the table, continue with the scheduled servicing,
maintaining the frequency indicated in the plan by marking each operation with a dot or dedicated note.
Warning: simply restarting maintenance from the beginning of the plan may cause the allowed interval to be exceeded for
some operations!
60453015
Thousands of miles4590817263543627189





 
 
 
 Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if necessary;
check the condition/expiry date of the “Fix&Go Automatic” repair kit (for versions/markets, where provided)
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, boot, passenger compartment,
glove compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (1)
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine management
systems, emissions and engine oil decay
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Visually inspect the conditions of: bodywork, underbody protection,
pipes and tubes (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade
position/wear (for markets/versions, where provided)
Check operation of windscreen washer system and adjust jets
if necessary
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage
(1) Topping up must be carried out with the fluids indicated in this Use and Maintenance Booklet and only after checking that the system is
undamaged

151
43215109876
100200180160140120
DIESEL VERSIONS
IMPORTANT: When you have carried out the last intervention in the table, continue with the scheduled servicing, maintaining
the frequency indicated in the plan by marking each operation with a dot or dedicated note.
Warning: simply restarting maintenance from the beginning of the plan may cause the allowed interval to be exceeded for
some operations!
80604020
Check tyre condition/wear and adjust pressure, if necessary;
check the condition/expiry date of the “Fix&Go Automatic” repair kit
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Check operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard warning lights, boot, passenger compartment,
glove compartment, instrument panel warning lights, etc.)
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels (1)
Check exhaust emissions/smokiness
Use the diagnosis socket to check supply/engine management
systems, emissions and engine oil decay (for versions/markets,
where provided)
Visually inspect the conditions of: bodywork, underbody protection,
pipes and tubes (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber parts
(boots, sleeves, bushes, etc.)
Check windscreen/rear window wiper blade position/wear
(for markets/versions, where provided)
Check operation of windscreen washer system and adjust jets
if necessary
Check cleanliness of bonnet and luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage
(1) Topping up must be carried out with the fluids indicated in this Use and Maintenance Booklet and only after checking that the system is
undamaged




 
 
 

Thousands of kilometres
Thousands of miles6012010896847248362412
Years

SERVICING AND CARE
152
43215109876
Check soft top operation while closing and opening;
check of seals and lubrication of canvas sliding
side guide (convertible versions only)
Check handbrake lever travel and adjust, if necessary
Check conditions and wear of front/rear disc brake
pads (for versions/markets, where provided) and
operation of pad wear indicator
Visually inspect condition and wear of the rear drum brake lining
Inspect and if necessary adjust tensioning of accessory drive belt(s)
(for versions without automatic tensioner only)
Visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belt(s)
Change engine oil and replace oil filter (2)
Replace accessory drive belt(s) (3)
(2) The engine oil and filter change interval depends on driving conditions and is signalled by a warning light or message on the instrument
panel. In any case, it must never exceed 2 years. If the vehicle is mainly used in towns and cities, change the engine oil and filter every year.
(3) Areas that are not dusty: advised maximum distance 120,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 6 years, regardless of distance
travelled. Dusty areas and/or demanding use of the car (cold climates, town use, long periods of idling): advised maximum mileage
60,000 km. The belt must be replaced every 4 years, regardless of distance travelled.
(
❍) Recommended operations
() Mandatory operations





10020018016014012080604020Thousands of kilometres
Thousands of miles6012010896847248362412
Years