500e ELECTRIC VEHICLE FEATURES
Understanding the unique characteristics of your 500e will
help ensure maximum performance and the best driving
range from your vehicle.
Your 500e is equipped with two electrical systems; a 12 Volt
system that is used to power the conventional electrical
system and a high voltage system, which is used to drive
the wheels through a single-speed transmission as well as
other high voltage system components.
Your 500e operates differently then a traditional vehicle or
Hybrid vehicle. Here are some of the main differences:
Audible Pedestrian Warning System
Your vehicle is equipped with an Audible Pedestrian
Warning System. The Audible Pedestrian Warning System
uses distinct sounds to alert pedestrians that your vehicle is
approaching.
The audible warning system uses an in-car sound synthe-
sizer with a speaker located in the underhood compart-
ment. The warning system is automatically activated when
selecting DRIVE or REVERSE.
In DRIVE range, the system will remain active until the
vehicle reaches a speed of approximately 22 mph(35.5 km/h). At approximately 22 mph (35.5 km/h), the
warning system is deactivated and will automatically be
active when the vehicle returns to approximately 20 mph
(32 km/h).
Single-Speed Transmission
Instead of a traditional transmission, your vehicle is
equipped with a single-speed transmission to transfer the
torque from the E-Drive motor to the drive wheels. This
transmission requires no maintenance and is designed to
operate for the life of the vehicle.
Auto Park
Auto Park will automatically place the transmission into
PARK if there is an indication that the driver may leave the
vehicle while still in the DRIVE, NEUTRAL or REVERSE
gear. Refer to “Single-Speed Transmission” in “Starting
And Operating” in your Owner ’s Manual for further
information.
E-Park
The parking pawl is traditionally located inside an auto-
matic transmission and activated when the vehicle is
placed in the PARK position.
18 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
E-Park is activated when the driver pushes the PARK
button. An electric motor activates the parking pawl and
locks the single-speed transmission when the vehicle is
placed into PARK. This will prevent any unwanted move-
ment of the vehicle.
NOTE:The engagement of the E-Park can be heard when
there is no noise in the interior of the vehicle, this is a
normal condition.
Climate Control (HVAC System)
Your 500e is equipped with an Automatic Temperature
Control (ATC) HVAC system. This HVAC system utilizes a
humidity sensor, cabin sensor, and ambient temperature
sensor to choose operation mode and control cabin com-
fort. These components allow the controller to operate the
HVAC system in a very efficient manner to maximize
driving range.
Your 500e also uses an electric air heater to provide heat to
the cabin.
Electric Air Conditioning Compressor
Your 500e uses an electric air conditioning compressor. The
air conditioning compressor is powered by the high volt-
age battery system and is used to cool the vehicle occu-
pants and the high voltage battery while the vehicle is
being driven or when it is being charged.
The high voltage battery may require cooling to keep the
vehicle running. The air conditioning compressor activates
without any input from the occupant.
NOTE: The AC system helps cool the high voltage battery.
If the air conditioning system should require service, see an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Electric Power Steering
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electric Power Steering
(EPS) system. The power steering system requires no
maintenance and operates without the use of power steer-
ing fluid.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 19
WARNING!(Continued)
•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 but-
tons.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, or in
a location accessible to children. A child could oper-
ate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation. Always remove
the key from the ignition and lock all doors when
leaving the vehicle unattended.
Key-In-Ignition Reminder
Opening the driver’s door when the key is in the ignition
and the ignition switch position is in the OFF/LOCK
position, a signal sounds to remove the key.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unauthor-
ized vehicle operation by disabling the vehicle. The system
does not need to be armed or activated. Operation is
automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked or
unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized ve-
hicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are programmed
to the vehicle can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
NOTE: A key which has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the ignition
switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
If the vehicle security light is on after the key is turned to
the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position, it indicates that there
is a problem with the electronics.
40 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Front Windshield Washer Operation
Pull the windshield wiper/washer lever toward the steer-
ing wheel to activate the washers. The wipers will activate
automatically for three cycles after the lever is released.
CAUTION!
•Turn the windshield wipers off when driving
through an automatic car wash. Damage to the wind-
shield wipers may result if the wiper control is left in
any position other than off.
• In cold weather, always turn off the wiper switch and
allow the wipers to return to the park position before
turning off the vehicle. If the wiper switch is left on
and the wipers freeze to the windshield, damage to
the wiper motor may occur when the vehicle is
restarted.
• Always remove any buildup of snow that prevents
the windshield wiper blades from returning to the
off position. If the windshield wiper control is
turned off and the blades cannot return to the off
position, damage to the wiper motor may occur.
Manual High Speed/Mist
Push the lever upward from the off position. The wipers
will operate at high speed to clear off road mist or spray
from a passing vehicle. This operation will continue until
the lever is released. When the lever is released, the wipers
will return to the off position and automatically shut off.
Rear Windshield Wiper
Rotate the end of the windshield wiper/washer lever
upward to the first detent past the intermittent settings for
intermittent wipe operation. With the front windshield
wiper active, rotate the end of the windshield wiper/
washer lever upward. The rear wiper will operate in the
same mode as the front windshield wipers, but at half the
frequency. When the transmission is placed into REVERSE,
the rear wiper will automatically operate at Low Speed and
return to normal operation when the transmission is placed
out of REVERSE.
62 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
•Electric power steering
• Brake booster
• Electric park brake
• Automatic transmission gear selector
• Horn
• Front wiper
• Headlamp washer pump
NOTE: After an accident, remember to cycle the ignition
to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position and remove the key
from the ignition switch to avoid draining the battery.
Carefully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine
compartment and on the ground near the engine compart-
ment and fuel tank before resetting the system and starting
the engine. If there are no fuel leaks or damage to the
vehicle electrical devices (e.g. headlights) after an accident,
reset the system by following the procedure described
below. If you have any doubt, contact an authorized dealer.
Enhanced Accident Response System Reset
Procedure
After an event occurs requiring activation of the Enhanced
Accident Response System, when the system is active, a
“Service Electrical System” message will be displayed on
the instrument cluster. The vehicle is not drivable in this state and must be towed to an authorized dealer immedi-
ately to be inspected and have the Enhanced Accident
Response System reset.
Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
•
Modifications to any part of the air bag system could
cause it to fail when you need it. You could be
injured if the air bag system is not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring, in-
cluding adding any kind of badges or stickers to the
steering wheel hub trim cover or the upper passenger
side of the instrument panel. Do not modify the front
bumper, vehicle body structure, or add aftermarket
side steps or running boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air bag
system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who works on
your vehicle that it has an air bag system.
• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any air
bag system service. If your seat, including your trim
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SAFETY 131
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
The vehicle may be started in this gear. Apply the parking
brake and place the transmission into PARK if you must
exit the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
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CAUTION!(Continued)
Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
DRIVE (D)
Use this gear for all city and highway driving.
Auto Park
The Auto Park feature automatically places the transmis-
sion into PARK if there is any indication that the driver
may exit the vehicle while the transmission is in D
(DRIVE), N (NEUTRAL) or R (REVERSE).
Auto Park is enabled under the following conditions:
•Key On (12 Volt ON and High Voltage OFF) or READY
mode (12 Volt ON and High Voltage ON).
• Vehicle speed is below 2 mph (3 km/h).
NOTE:
• Auto Park is enabled (only once) at the beginning of
each key cycle and is re-enabled each time the vehicle
speed exceeds 8 mph (13 km/h).
• Auto Park is disabled above 2 mph (3 km/h) and
transmission range will be maintained.6
STARTING AND OPERATING 161
To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, push the RES (+) button
and release. Resume can be used at any speed above
20 mph (32 km/h).
To Deactivate
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANC button,
or normal brake pressure while slowing the vehicle will
deactivate the Speed Control without erasing the set speed
from memory.
Pushing the ON/OFF button or turning the ignition switch
OFF erases the set speed from memory.
REAR PARK ASSIST
The Rear Park Assist system provides audible and visual
indications of the distance between the rear fascia/bumper
and a detected obstacle when backing up, e.g. during a
parking maneuver. Refer to the “Park Assist System Usage
Precautions” for the limitations of this system and recom-
mendations.
The Rear Park Assist is automatically activated when the
transmission is placed into REVERSE.
Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four Rear Park Assist sensors, located in the rear
fascia/bumper, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is
within the sensors’ field of view. The sensors can detect
obstacles, in the horizontal direction, from approximately
12 inches (30 cm) up to 55 inches (140 cm) from the center
of the rear fascia/bumper and up to 24 inches (60 cm) from
the corners of the rear fascia/bumper, depending on the
location, type and orientation of the obstacle.
If several obstacles are detected, the Rear Park Assist
system indicates the nearest obstacle.
The minimum height of a detectable obstacle corresponds
to the maximum height of an obstacle that would clear the
underside of the vehicle during the parking maneuver.
Rear Park Assist Audible Alerts
If an obstacle is behind the vehicle when the transmission
is placed into REVERSE, an audible alert is activated.
The tones emitted by the loudspeaker inform the driver that
the vehicle is approaching an obstacle. The pauses between
the tones are directly proportional to the distance from the
obstacle. Pulses emitted in quick succession indicate the
presence of a very close obstacle. A continuous tone indicates
that the obstacle is less than 12 inches (30 cm) away.
166 STARTING AND OPERATING
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through shal-
low standing water, consider the following Caution and
Warning before doing so.
CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water before
driving through it. Never drive through standing
water that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims
mounted on the vehicle.
• Determine the condition of the road or the path that
is under water and if there are any obstacles in the
way before driving through the standing water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
• Driving through standing water may cause damage
to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always in-
spect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., transmission, coolant,
etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is
milky or foamy in appearance) after driving through
standing water. Do not continue to operate the ve-
hicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this may
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CAUTION! (Continued)
result in further damage. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s
traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h)
when driving through standing water.
• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s
braking capabilities, which increases stopping dis-
tances. Therefore, after driving through standing
water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake
pedal several times to dry the brakes.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in inju-
ries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers,
and others around you.
EXTENDING YOUR DRIVING RANGE PER CHARGE
The drive system and cabin temperature management
features use the most energy from the high voltage battery.
Reducing energy draw from these features are the easiest
and most effective way to extend driving range.
The 500e uses high voltage components to heat and cool
the cabin, so when using automatic climate control, con-
sider setting temperatures a few degrees higher or lower
during hot and cold days. If your 500e has been soaking in
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STARTING AND OPERATING 175