2018 FIAT 500 warning

Dear Customer,
We would like to congratulate and thank you for choosing a Fiat.
We have written this handbook to help you get to know all the features of your vehicle and use it in the best possible way.
Here you will find information, advice and important warnings regarding use of your vehicle and how to achieve the best
performance from its technical features.
You are advised to read it right through before taking to the road for the first time, to become familiar with the controls and above all
with those concerning brakes, steering and gearbox; at the same time, you can understand the vehicle behaviour on different road
surfaces.
This document also provides a description of special features and tips, as well as essential information for the safe driving, care and
maintenance of your vehicle over time.
After reading it, you are advised to keep the handbook inside the vehicle, for an easy reference and for making sure it remains on
board the vehicle should it be sold.
In the attached Warranty Booklet you will also find a description of the Services that Fiat offers to its customers, the Warranty
Certificate and the detail of the terms and conditions for maintaining its validity.
We are sure that these will help you to get in touch with and appreciate your new vehicle and the service provided
by the people at Fiat.
Enjoy reading. Happy motoring!
This Owner Handbook describes all vehicle versions.
Options, equipment dedicated to specific markets or versions are not explicitly indicated in the text: as a
consequence, you should only consider the information which is related to the trim level, engine and version that you
have purchased. Any content introduced throughout the production of the model, outside the specific request of
options at the time of purchase, will be identified with the wording
(where provided).
All data contained in this publication are intended to help you use your vehicle in the best possible way. FCA Italy
S.p.A. aims at a constant improvement of the vehicles produced. For this reason it reserves the right to make changes
to the model described for technical and/or commercial reasons.
For further information, contact a Fiat Dealership.

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.
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USE OF THE OWNER HANDBOOK
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Each time direction instructions (left/right or forwards/backwards) about the car are given, these must be intended as regarding an occupant
in the driver’s seat. Special cases not complying with this rule will be specified as appropriate in the text.
The figures in the Owner Handbook are provided by way of example only: this might imply that some details of the image do not correspond
to the actual arrangement of your vehicle. In addition, the Handbook has been conceived considering vehicles with steering wheel on the left
side; it is therefore possible that on vehicles with steering wheel on the right side, the position or construction of some controls is not exactly
mirror-like with respect to the figure.
To identify the chapter with the information needed you can consult the index at the end of this Owner Handbook.
Chapters can be rapidly identified with dedicated graphic tabs, at the side of each odd page. A few pages further there is a key for getting to
know the chapter order and the relevant symbols in the tabs. There is in any case a textual indication of the current chapter at the side of
each even page.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
While reading this Owner Handbook you will find a series of IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONSto prevent procedures that could damage your
vehicle.
There are also WARNINGSthat must be carefully followed to prevent incorrect use of the components of the vehicle, which could cause
accidents or injuries.
Therefore all IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONSand WARNINGSmust always be carefully followed.
IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONSand WARNINGSare recalled in the text with the following symbols:
personal safety;
vehicle safety;
environmental protection.
NOTE These symbols, when necessary, are indicated besides the title or at the end of the line and are followed by a number.
This number identifies the relevant warning to which it refers, at the end of the Owner Handbook.

9
INSTRUMENT PANEL
VERSIONS WITH MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY
A speedometer
B rev counter (diesel version shave
a full-scale of 6
RPMX1000)
C display with digital fuel level and engine
coolant temperature indicators
Warning lights
mtEare only
provided on diesel versions.
Warning light supplied on Dualogic
versions only.
DVDF0S0222c2

KNOWING YOUR CAR
10
DVDF0S171c3
VERSIONS WITH COLOUR DISPLAY
A speedometer
B “Eco Index” digital gauge
C digital fuel level gauge
D digital engine coolant
temperature gauge
E rev counter
mtEWarning light present on
diesel versions only
Warning light present on Dualogic
versions only.

11
WARNING LIGHTS AND MESSAGES 31)
IMPORTANT NOTES
IMPORTANT Warning lights are accompanied by a specific message and/or sound 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 Handbook, which you are advised to read carefully in all cases.
Always refer to the information in this section in the event of a failure indication.
IMPORTANT Failure indications displayed are divided into two categories: very serious and less serious failures.
Serious faults are indicated by a repeated and prolonged warning “cycle”.
Less serious faults are indicated by a warning “cycle” with a shorter duration. The display cycle of both categories can be
interrupted by pressing the MENU button. The instrument panel warning light will stay on until the cause of the
malfunction is eliminated.
–
LOW BRAKE FLUID/HANDBRAKE – ENGAGED
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few seconds.
Low brake fluid level
The warning light turns on when the level of the brake fluid in the reservoir falls below the minimum level, possibly due to a
leak in the circuit. On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
Handbrake engaged
The warning light switches on when the handbrake is engaged.
On certain versions, if the car is moving the acoustic warning will also sound.
IMPORTANT If the warning light turns on when travelling, make sure that the handbrake is not engaged.
AIRBAG 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 stays on constantly if there is a fault in the airbag system.
On some versions the display shows the associated message.
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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.

13
INSUFFICIENT ENGINE OIL PRESSURE/DECAYED ENGINE OIL
When the ignition key is turned to MAR, the warning light (for versions/markets, where provided) switches on, but it should
switch off as soon as the engine is started.
NOTE For versions/markets, where provided, the indicator may be amber.
Low engine oil pressure
The warning light or the symbol switches on constantly along with a message on the display (for versions/markets, where
provided) when the system detects that engine oil pressure is low.
Engine oil degraded
The warning light switches on and a message is displayed (for versions/markets, where provided).
The warning light may flash in the following ways, depending on the version:
❑ cycles of 3 minutes with intervals with the warning light off for 5 seconds until the oil is changed.
After the initial warning, each time the engine is started up, the warning light will continue to flash in the same mode, until
the oil is changed. A specific message will appear on the display (for versions/
markets, where provided) in addition to the warning light. The lighting of this warning light should not be considered as a
fault, it simply informs the customer that the oil needs to be changed following normal car use.
Engine oil deterioration is accelerated by:
❑ mainly town use of the car which makes the DPF regeneration process more frequent;
❑ use of the vehicle for short drives, in which the engine does not have time to reach its regular operating temperature;
❑ repeated interruption of the regeneration process, signalled by the DPF warning light coming on.
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DOORS/BONNET/LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT OPEN (versions with multifunction display)
The warning light appears on the display, together with a dedicated message, on some versions, when one or more doors,
the tailgate or the bonnet (for versions/markets, where provided) are not properly closed.
An acoustic signal is also emitted with the doors open and the car in motion.
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LOW BATTERY CHARGE
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off as soon as the engine has
started (with the engine idling a brief delay before switching off is acceptable).
If the warning light or the symbol on the display (together with a dedicated message on the display on some versions)
remains on, contact a Fiat Dealership immediately.