2018 FIAT 500C Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS  STARTING PROCEDURES ................ .161
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ....... .161
▫ Automatic Transmission ................. .161
▫ Normal Starting ....................... .161
▫ Cold Weather Operation ................ .161
▫ Extended Park Starting .................. .162
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................. .162
▫ After Starting ......................... .163
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .163
 PARKING BRAKE ...................... .164
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . . .165
▫ Five-Speed Manual Transmission ........... .165
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds .............. .167
▫ Downshifting ........................ .167  AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .168
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............... .169
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .169
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .......... .169
▫ Gear Ranges ......................... .170
 AUTOSTICK .......................... .174
▫ Operation ........................... .174
 SPORT MODE ......................... .176
 POWER STEERING ..................... .177
 SPEED CONTROL ...................... .178
▫ To Activate .......................... .178
▫ To Set A Desired Speed .................. .179
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ............... .179
▫ To Accelerate For Passing ................ .1806

▫ To Resume Speed ...................... .180
▫ To Deactivate ........................ .180
 REAR PARK ASSIST ..................... .181
▫ Rear Park Assist Sensors ................. .181
▫ Rear Park Assist Warning Display .......... .181
▫ Rear Park Assist Display ................. .181
▫ Rear Park Assist Audible Alerts ............ .182
▫ Failure Indications ..................... .183
▫ Cleaning The Rear Park Assist System ....... .183
▫ Park Assist System Usage Precautions ....... .183
 PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA ....... .185  ADDING FUEL ........................ .186
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................ .186
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............ .187
 VEHICLE LOADING .................... .188
▫ Certification Label ..................... .188
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .189
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ................... .190
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . .190
 DRIVING TIPS ......................... .191
▫ Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. .191
▫ Driving Through Water ................. .191160 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear selector.
• 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.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the gear selector in NEU-
TRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlocking
ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor. 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 (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 cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an engine
block heater has not been used. An externally-powered 6STARTING AND OPERATING 161

electric engine block heater is available as optional equip-
ment from your authorized dealer or may be standard
equipment in some markets.
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 a
reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start.
CAUTION!Use of the recommended oil and adhering to the
prescribed oil change intervals is important to prevent
engine damage and ensure satisfactory starting in cold
conditions.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE: Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery
to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition to the START mode and release it
when the engine starts. 3. If the engine fails to start within 10 to 15 seconds, cycle
the ignition to the OFF mode, wait five seconds to allow
the starter to cool, then repeat the Extended Park
Starting procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight attempts, allow the
starter to cool for at least 10 minutes, then repeat the
procedure.
CAUTION!To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank continu-
ously for more than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start the
vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing serious
personal injury.162 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continuously
crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After
the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable. While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil changes
should be consistent with anticipated climate conditions
under which vehicle operations will occur. For the recom-
mended viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Dealer
Service” in “Servicing And Maintenance”.
CAUTION!Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as a problem. 6STARTING AND OPERATING 163

PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. Also, be certain to leave the manual
transmission in REVERSE or first gear.
The parking brake lever is located in the center console. To
apply the parking brake, pull the lever up as firmly as
possible. To release the parking brake, pull the lever up
slightly, press the center button, then lower the lever
completely. When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, the Brake Warning
Light in the instrument cluster will illuminate.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. The parking brake
should always be applied whenever the driver is not in the
vehicle.
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. Children
should be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
• D o 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. (Continued)
Parking Brake164 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)• Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged before
driving; failure to do so can lead to brake failure and
a collision.
• Always fully apply the parking brake when leaving
your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage or
injury. Also be certain to leave a manual transmis-
sion in FIRST gear or REVERSE gear. Failure to do so
may allow the vehicle to roll and cause damage or
injury.
CAUTION!If the Brake Warning Light remains on with the park-
ing brake released, a brake system malfunction is
indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an au-
thorized dealer immediately. MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!You or others could be injured if you leave the vehicle
unattended without having the parking brake fully
applied. The parking brake should always be applied
when the driver is not in the vehicle, especially on an
incline.
Gear Selector 6STARTING AND OPERATING 165

Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal.
NOTE: To shift into REVERSE from NEUTRAL, lift the
ring under the knob and, at the same time move the gear
selector to the right and then backward.
Use each gear in numerical order; do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transmission is in first gear, not third, when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch can
result from starting in third gear.
For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only the
lower gears. For steady highway driving with light accel-
erations, fifth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, and
never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch. REVERSE gear is not synchronized and the vehicle must be
at a complete stop to shift into REVERSE gear. When
selecting REVERSE gear, the driver should pause (approxi-
mately 2 seconds) after pushing in the clutch pedal and
prior to shifting into REVERSE which allows gears to stop
spinning. Should an unwanted clash noise be produced,
the pause length should be increased.
NOTE:
• Clashing REVERSE gear, especially if vehicle is moving,
can result in transmission damage.
• During cold weather, until the transmission lubricant is
warm, you may experience slightly higher shift efforts.
This is normal and not harmful to the transmission.166 STARTING AND OPERATING