2018 FIAT 500L Owner handbook (in English)

WARNING
64)The system is an aid for the driver, who
must always pay full attention while
driving. The responsibility always rests with
the driver, who must take into account
the traffic conditions in order to drive
in complete safety. The driver must always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle
in front.
65)If the driver depresses the brake pedal
fully or carries out a fast steering during
system operation, the automatic braking
function may stop (e.g. to allow a possible
manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle).
66)The laser beam is not visible at the
naked eye. Do not look directly, or with
optical instruments (e.g. lenses), at the
laser beam from a distance lower than 10
cm: this may cause damage to the sight.
The laser beam is also present when
the key is at MAR but its operation is off,
not available or manually deactivated
with the display Setup Menu.
67)The system intervenes on vehicles
travelling in the same lane. Small sized
vehicles (e.g. bicycles or motorbikes)
or people, animals and things (e.g.
pushchairs) and more in general all those
obstacles with a low reflection of the light
emitted by the laser (e.g. vehicles soiled
with mud) are not taken into consideration.68)If the car must be placed on a roller
bench (at a speed within 5 and 30 km/h)
for maintenance interventions or if it is
washed in an automatic roller washing
tunnel with an obstacle in the front part
(e.g. another car, a wall or another
obstacle), the system may detect its
presence and activate. In this case the
system must be deactivated through the
display Setup Menu.
WARNING
35)The laser sensor may have limited or
absent operation due to weather
conditions such as: heavy rain, hail, thick
fog, heavy snow, formation of ice layers on
the windscreen.
36)Sensor operation may also be
compromised by the presence of dust,
condensation, dirt or ice on the
windscreen, by traffic conditions (e.g.
vehicles that are driving not aligned with
your car, vehicle driving in a transverse or
opposite way on the same lane, bend with
a small radius of curvature), by road
surface conditions and by driving
conditions (e.g. off-road driving). Make sure
the windscreen is always clean. Use
specific detergents and clean cloths to
avoid scratching the windscreen. The
sensor operation may also be limited or
absent in some driving, traffic and road
surface conditions.
37)Projecting loads on the roof of the car
may interfere with the correct operation
of the sensor. Before starting make sure
the load is correctly positioned, in order not
to cover the sensor operating range.38)If the windscreen must be replaced
due to scratches, chipping or breakage,
contact exclusively a Fiat Dealership.
Do not replace the windscreen on your
own, risk of malfunction! It is advisable to
replace the windscreen if it is damaged
in the laser sensor area.
39)Do not tamper nor operate on the laser
sensor. Do not close the openings in the
aesthetic cover located under the interior
rear view mirror. In the event of a sensor
failure, contact a Fiat Dealership.
40)If you are driving on roads close to
trees with protruding branches it is
advisable to deactivate the system to
prevent the branches at the height of the
bonnet or the windscreen from interfering
with the system.
41)Do not cover the operating range of the
sensor with stickers or other objects. Also
pay attention to other objects on the
bonnet (e.g. a layer of snow) and make
sure they do not interfere with the light
emitted by the laser.
42)If a trailer or a vehicle is towed the
system must be deactivated with the
display Setup Menu.
43)If the system signals a loss of pressure
on a specific tyre, it is recommended to
check the pressure on all four tyres.
44)The iTPMS does not relieve the driver
from the obligation to check the tyre
pressure every month; it is not even to be
considered a replacement system for
maintenance or a safety system.
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45)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.
46)The iTPMS system only warns that the
tyre pressure is low: it cannot inflate
them.
47)Insufficient tyre inflation increases fuel
consumption, reduces the tread duration
and may affect the capacity to drive safely.OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety
equipment of the car comprise the
following protection systems:
seat belts;
SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
Front airbags and side bags.
Read the information given the
following pages with the utmost care. It
is of fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
For the description of the head restraint
adjustment see the "Head restraints"
paragraph in the "Knowing your car"
chapter.
SEAT BELTS
69) 70)
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
The reel mechanism operates locking
the belt in the event of sharp braking or
strong deceleration due to an impact.
This allows the seat belt strap to slide
freely and to adapt to the body of
the occupant. In the event of an
accident, the seat belt will lock reducing
the risk of impact inside the passenger
compartment and of being projected
outside the car.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other
occupants of the vehicle also respect,
the local laws in force in relation to
the use of the seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off.
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The seat belt should be worn keeping
the chest straight and rested against
the backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold the
tongue A fig. 69 and insert it into the
buckle B, until it clicks into place.
If the belt jams while being removed, let
it rewind for a short stretch, then pull
it out again without jerking.
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SAFETY

To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C and guide the seat belt with your
hand while it is rewinding, to prevent it
from twisting.
The retractor may lock when the car is
parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the reel
mechanism locks the belt if it is pulled
sharply or in the event of sudden
braking, collisions and high-speed
bends.
The rear seat is fitted with inertia seat
belts with three anchoring points and a
retractor. Wear the rear seat belts as
shown in fig. 70.
IMPORTANT When returning the rear
seat from the tilted position to the
normal operating position, take care to
refit the seat belt correctly, in order to
guarantee prompt availability every
time.500L WAGON versions (7-seater)
The third row rear seats have inertia reel
seat belts with three anchoring points
with retractor. Wear the rear seat belts
as shown in fig. 71.
IMPORTANT When putting the rear
seat back in its normal position, after
folding, make sure that the seat belt is
positioned correctly, so that it is not
pinched (and therefore damaged).PRO versions
The car is provided with rear seat
type-approved for two occupants only
(see fig. 72), with three-point seat
belts with retractor.
WARNING
69)Never press button C fig. 69when
travelling.
70)Remember that in the event of a violent
impact the rear seat passengers not
wearing seat belts are exposed to a very
serious risk and also represent a serious
danger for the front seat occupants.
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SBR (Seat Belt
Reminder) SYSTEM
This system consists of a device which
by means of the warning light
on
the instrument panel displayfig. 73,
warns the driver and front passenger if
their seat belts have not been fastened.
When the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the warning light
comes on for
a few seconds to indicate the warning
light is operating correctly.
The warning light is switched off if the
driver and passenger seat belt (the
latter, if present) are correctly fastened.
To deactivate the acoustic warning
permanently go to a Fiat Dealership.
The acoustic warning can be
reactivated at any time through the
display Setup Menu.DRIVER
If the driver is the only occupant and
the seat belt is not fastened, when 20
km/h is exceeded or when travelling
at a speed from 10 to 20 km/h for
longer than 5 seconds, a buzzer
sequence will be started for the front
seats (intermittent acoustic warning
lasting for approximately 105 seconds).
The warning lightwill flash.
At the end of the cycle, the warning
lights stays on with fixed light and the
engine is stopped. The acoustic signal
is interrupted immediately when the
driver and passenger seat belt is
fastened.
If the seat belt is unfastened again
when driving the car, the acoustic signal
and the flashing warning light resume
as described previously.
PASSENGER
A similar solution applies for the
passenger, but the indication is
interrupted when the passenger leaves
the car as well.
It both front seat belts are unfastened
while the car is travelling a few seconds
apart, the acoustic warning and the
warning light will refer to the most
recent event.
PRE-TENSIONERS
71) 72) 73) 74)48)
The car is equipped with front seat belt
pretensioners, which draw back the
seat belts by several centimetres in the
event of a severe frontal collision. This
guarantees the perfect adherence of
the seat belts to the occupant's bodies
before the retention action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have
been activated when the belt withdraws
toward the retractor.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of the
pretensioner which is not harmful and
does not involve any fire hazard.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will
invalidate its efficiency.
If, due to unusual natural events (floods,
sea storms, etc.), the device has been
affected by water and/or mud, contact
a Fiat Dealership to have it replaced.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt
tight to the chest and pelvis.
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SAFETY

LOAD LIMITERS
To increase safety in the event of an
accident, the front seat belt retractors
contain a device which controls the
force acting on the chest and shoulders
during the belt restraining action in the
event of a frontal collision.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT BELTS
Seat belts must also be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the event of an accident is reduced for
them and the unborn child if they are
wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the
lower part of the belt very low down so
that it passes over the pelvis and under
the abdomen fig. 74. While pregnancy
increases, the driver must adjust both
seat and steering wheel to have full
control over the vehicle (pedals and
steering wheel should be easily
accessed). The maximum clearance
should be kept between the abdomen
and the steering wheel.The seat belt strap must not be twisted.
The upper part must pass over the
shoulder and cross the chest diagonally
fig. 75. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis, not to the abdomen of
the occupant. Never use devices (clips,
clamps, etc.) that hold the seat belt
away from your body.Each seat belt must be used by only
one person. Never travel with a child
sitting on the passenger's lap and
a single belt to protect them both fig.
76. In general, do not place any objects
between the person and the belt.
SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
For keeping the seat belts in efficient
conditions, carefully observe the
following warnings:
always use the seat belt with the
strap well stretched and not twisted;
make sure that it is free to run without
obstructions;
check seat belt operation as follows:
attach the seat belt and pull it hard;
replace the seat belt after an
accident of a certain severity even if it
does not appear to be damaged.
Always replace the seat belt if
the pretensioners were deployed;
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prevent the retractors from getting
wet: their correct operation is only
guaranteed if water does not get inside;
replace the seat belt when it shows
wear or cuts.
WARNING
71)The pretensioner may be used only
once. Contact a Fiat Dealership to have it
replaced after it has been deployed.
72)Removing or otherwise tampering with
pretensioner and seat belt components
is strictly prohibited. Any intervention
on these components must be performed
by qualified and authorised technicians.
Always contact a Fiat Dealership.
73)For maximum safety, keep the backrest
upright, lean back into it and make sure
the seat belt fits closely across your chest
and pelvis. Always fasten the seat belts
for both the front and rear seats! Travelling
without wearing seat belts will increase
the risk of serious injury and even death in
the event of an accident.
74)If the belt has been subjected to high
levels of stress, for example after an
accident, it should be changed completely
together with the attachments, attachment
fixing screws and the pretensioner. In
fact, even if the belt has no visible defects,
it may have lost its resilience.
WARNING
48)Operations implying 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.
CHILD PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
CARRYING CHILDREN
SAFELY
75) 76) 77) 78) 79) 80) 81)
For optimal protection in the event of an
impact, all occupants must be seated
and wearing adequate restraint
systems, including newborn and other
children! This prescription is
compulsory in all EC countries
according to EC Directive 2003/20/EC.
Children below the height of 1.50
metres and up to 12 years must be
protected with suitable restraint
systems and be seated on the rear
seats.
Statistics on accidents indicate that the
rear seats offer greater safety for
children.
Compared with an adult, a child's head
is larger and heavier in proportion to
their body and the child's muscular and
bone structures are not fully developed.
Therefore, correct restraint systems
other than adult seat belts are
necessary to reduce as much as
possible the risk of injuries in the event
of an accident, braking or sudden
manoeuvre.
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SAFETY

Children must be seated safely and
comfortably. As far as the
characteristics of the child seats used
allow, you are advised to keep children
in rear facing child seats for as long
as possible (at least until 3–4 years old),
since this is the most protected
position in the event of an impact.
The choice of the most suitable child
restraint system depends on the weight
and size of the child. There are various
types of child restraint systems, which
can be secured to the car by means
of the seat belts or with the ISOFIX/
i-Size anchoring points. It is
recommended to always choose the
restraint system most suitable for
the child; for this reason always refer to
the Owner Handbook provided with
the child restraint system, to be sure
that it is of the right type for the children
it is intended for.In Europe the characteristics of child
restraint systems are ruled by the
regulation ECE-R44, dividing them into
five weight groups:
Group Weight range
Group 0 up to 10 kg in weight
Group 0+ up to 13 kg in weight
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15 - 25 kg
Group 3 22 - 36 kg
The ECE-R44 standard was recently
paired with the ECE R-129 regulation,
which defines the features of the new
i-Size child restraint systems (see
the "Suitability of passenger seats for
i-Size child restraint system use"
paragraph for more information).
All restraint devices must bear the
type-approval data, together with the
control mark, on a label solidly fixed to
the child restraint system which must
never be removed.
Lineaccessori MOPAR
®includes child
restraint systems for each weight
group. These devices are
recommended having been specifically
designed for Fiat vehicles.500L PRO versions
IMPORTANT The Highway Code
forbids transporting children on this
version, regardless of the child restraint
system: seat, ISOFIX/i-Size seat and
seat belts. This limitation also applies to
rear seats.
INSTALLING A CHILD
CARSEAT WITH
SEATBELTS
The Universal child restraint systems
installed with the seat belts only are
type-approved on the basis of the ECE
R44 standard and are divided into
various weight groups.
500L WAGON versions
Only forward facing child restraint
systems in Group 1, 2, 3 can be fitted
on the third row of rear seats.
IMPORTANT The figures are only an
example for installation. Fit the child
restraint system according to the
instructions, which must be included.
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Group 0 and 0+
Babies up to 13 kg must be carried
with a rear facing child restraint system
of a type as shown in fig. 77 which,
supporting the head, does not induce
stress on the neck in the event of
sudden decelerations.
The child restraint system is secured by
the vehicle seat belts, as shown in the
figure and it must restrain the child in
turn with its own belts.Group 1
Children weighing from 9 to 18 kg may
be transported in forward facing child
restraint systems fig. 78.
Group 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the
vehicle seat belts directly fig. 79.Group 3
For children from 22 to 36 kg, there are
restraining devices that allow the
seatbelts to pass through properly.
The fig. 80 shows the correct child
positioning on the rear seat.
Children over 1.50 m in height can wear
seat belts like adults.
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