2018 FIAT 500L Owner handbook (in English)

STARTING THE
ENGINE
102) 103)49) 50) 51) 52) 53)
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear-view mirrors,
the door mirrors and fasten the seat
belt correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
VERSIONS WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
Petrol versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake and put the
gear lever in neutral.On 0.9 TwinAir
Turbo 105 HP versionsengage
the handbrake and place the gear lever
in neutral or fully press the clutch pedal
if a gear other than neutral is engaged;
for all versions (except 0.9
TwinAir Turbo 105 HP)fully depress
the clutch pedal without touching
the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts.Diesel versions
Proceed as follows:
engage the handbrake, put the gear
lever into neutral and turn the ignition
key to MAR: the
warning light in the
instrument panel will turn on.
wait for thewarning light to turn
off and then fully depress the clutch
pedal without pressing the accelerator;
turn the ignition key to the AVV
position as soon as the warning light
turns off. Release the ignition key as
soon as the engine starts.
IMPORTANT If the engine does not
start at the first attempt, return the
ignition key to STOP before repeating
the procedure. If, with the ignition
key on MAR, the
symbol on the
display stays on together with the
warning light on the instrument
panel (for petrol versions only), it is
advisable to turn the key to STOP and
then back to MAR. If the
symbol
continues to stay on, try with the other
keys provided with the car. Contact a
Fiat Dealership if you still cannot start
the engine.VERSIONS WITH
DUALOGIC GEARBOX
104)
Engine starting is allowed both with a
gear engaged and with the gearbox
in neutral (N).
However, the brake pedal must always
be pressed first if neutral is not
engaged. It is advisable to place the
gear lever in neutral (N) before starting
the engine.
LPG AND NATURAL
POWER VERSIONS
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the previously
selected mode.
There must therefore always be some
petrol in the tank to protect the petrol
pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from Methane or LPG to
petrol operation, if high performance is
required.
SWITCHING OFF THE
ENGINE
Turn the ignition key to STOP while the
engine is idling.
IMPORTANT After a demanding drive,
before turning the engine off you should
allow it to idle to allow the temperature
in the engine compartment to
decrease.
103

WARNING
102)It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine consumes
oxygen and engine exhaust contains
carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and
other toxic gasses.
103)Remember that the brake servo and
electrical power steering system are not
operational until the engine is started,
therefore a greater effort will be required to
press the brake pedal or turn the steering
wheel.
104)If the engine fails to start with a gear
engaged, the potentially dangerous
situation due to the fact that the
transmission is automatically placed in
neutral will be signalled by an acoustic
warning.
WARNING
49)The flashing of the warning lightfor
60 seconds after starting or during
prolonged cranking of the engine indicates
a fault with the glow plug heating system.
You can use the vehicle as usual if the
engine starts but you should contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
50)It is advisable not to demand maximum
performance from your car (e.g. excessive
acceleration, long distances at maximum
rpm, excessively intense braking, etc.)
when it is first used.51)When the engine is switched off never
leave the key turned to MAR-ON to prevent
useless current absorption from draining
the battery.
52)Never, under any circumstances, jump
start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
53)A quick burst on the accelerator before
turning off the engine serves absolutely
no practical purpose, it wastes fuel and is
especially damaging to turbocharged
engines.
WHEN PARKED
Always remove the ignition key when
leaving the car.
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear if facing
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions with Dualogic gearbox, 1
st
gear or reverse must be engaged
with the foot on the brake pedal and, if
on a slope, the handbrake must be
operated in order to park safely.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (on versions
equipped with Dualogic transmission,
this is indicated by the letter N on
the display).
104
STARTING AND DRIVING

HANDBRAKE
105) 106)
The handbrake lever is located between
the two front seats.
Handbrake engagement
Pull lever A fig. 94 upwards until the car
is secured. Four or five clicks are
generally enough when the car is on
level ground while ten or eleven may be
required if the car is on a steep slope
and laden: if it is not so, contact a
Fiat Dealership to have it adjusted.
Handbrake disengagement
Slightly raise lever A and hold button B
pressed, checking that the
warning
light switches off in the instrument
panel.
WARNING
105)Never leave children unattended in
the car. Always remove the key from the
ignition when leaving the car and take
it with you.
106)For cars equipped with a front
armrest, lift it up to ensure that it does not
interfere with the action of the handbrake.
USING THE MANUAL
GEARBOX
107)54)
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear lever into
the required position (the diagram
for gear engagement is shown on the
knob ).
Reverse engagement
0.9 TwinAir Turbo 105 HP and 1.4 16V
versions: to engage reverse gear R
from the neutral position, lift up ring A
fig. 95 located under the knob and
simultaneously move the lever to the
right and then backwards.
1.3 16V Multijet version: to engage
reverse R from neutral position, move
the lever to the right and then back.
94F0Y0601C
95F0Y0602C
105

1.6 16V Multijet version: to engage
reverse gear R from the neutral
position, lift up ring A located under the
knob and simultaneously move the
lever to the left and then forwards.
To engage 6
thgear (for versions/
markets, where provided), push firmly
to the right when operating the lever
in order to avoid selecting 4
thgear by
mistake. The same applies to the shift
from 6
thto 5thgear.
IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the car is completely
stationary. With the engine running, wait
for at least 2 seconds with the clutch
pedal fully pressed before engaging
reverse to prevent damage to the gears
and grating.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should
be used only for gear changes. Do
not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, however lightly. For
versions/markets where provided, the
electronic clutch control could cut
in, interpreting the incorrect driving style
as a fault.
WARNING
107)Depress the clutch pedal fully to
change gear correctly. It is therefore
essential that there is nothing under the
pedals: make sure the mats are lying
flat and do not get in the way of the
pedals.
WARNING
54)Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted, even
if slight, could lead over time to premature
wear of the gearbox internal components.
USING THE
DUALOGIC
GEARBOX
(for versions/markets, where provided)
108)55)
GEAR LEVER
The gear lever A fig. 96 is the
multistable floating type, in other words
it has three stable and three unstable
positions.
The three stable positions correspond
to neutral (N), reverse (R) and the
central position located between the
unstable positions (+) and (-).
The central position of the gear lever
identifies forward gear.
96F0Y0313C
106
STARTING AND DRIVING

The unstable positions, in other words
those that are abandoned as soon
as the lever is released, are the
positions for requesting a higher gear
(+), requesting a lower gear (–) and
requesting to switch mode from
automatic to manual and vice versa
(A/M).
OPERATING MODE
The transmission/transmission can
function in two operating modes:
MANUALin which the driver
decides when to shift gear
AUTOin which the system decides
when to shift gear
MANUAL MODE
Proceed as follows:
press the brake pedal and start the
engine;
push the gear lever towards (+) to
engage first gear (if starting from N
or R, simply place the lever in the
middle position) or R to engage reverse;
in case of forward gear, the view on
the display must be “M1”, “M2” (see
figure), etc. If this is not so, move the
A/M to activate manual mode;
release the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal;
in driving conditions, push the gear
lever towards (+) to engage the next
gear up or towards (–) to engage the
next gear down.
IMPORTANT For the correct use of the
system only use your right foot to
operate the pedal unit.
AUTOMATIC MODE
(AUTO)
Proceed as follows:
press the brake pedal and start the
engine;
push the gear lever towards (+) to
engage first gear (if starting from N
or R, simply place the lever in the
middle position) or R to engage reverse;
in case of forward gear, the view on
the display must be “A1”, “A2” (see
figure), etc. If this is not so, move the
A/M to activate automatic mode;
release the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal: the gear most
suited to the vehicle speed will be
engaged.AUTO-ECO OPERATION
To activate the function press the ECO
button fig. 97. The ECO function can be
only activated only with automatic
mode active.
With the ECO function active, the
system will select the most suitable
gear depending on the vehicle speed,
engine rpm and intensity with which the
accelerator pedal is pressed, with the
aim of limiting fuel consumption.
“Kick Down” FUNCTION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
If necessary (e.g. when overtaking),
the system downshifts one or more
gears when the accelerator is
depressed beyond the point where it
becomes stiff (and if the rpm allow it) in
order to provide suitable power and
torque for the required acceleration.
97F0Y0614C
107

IMPORTANT The use of the “Kick
Down” function is recommended only
when overtaking or accelerating quickly,
in order not to increase fuel
consumption.
STEERING WHEEL
CONTROLS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
56)
On some versions, the gearbox can be
managed sequentially using the
steering wheel controls fig. 98.
To use the controls on the steering
wheel, the gear lever must be in the
central position between (+) and (–).
To engage a higher gear: pull the
right stalk (+) toward the steering wheel.
To engage a lower gear: pull the
right stalk (-) toward the steering wheel.The engagement of a lower (or higher)
gear is only permitted if the engine
revs allow it.
WARNING
108)If the engine fails to start with a gear
engaged, the potentially dangerous
situation due to the fact that the
transmission is automatically put in neutral
will be signalled by an acoustic signal.
WARNING
55)Avoid keeping your hand on this lever
except during gear change or AUTO/
MANUAL mode requests.
56)Using the paddles incorrectly (paddles
pushed towards the dashboard) could
break them.
START&STOP
SYSTEM
109) 110)57)
The Start&Stop system automatically
stops the engine whenever the car
is stationary and all the conditions for
automatic switch-off are met. The
engine is restarted when the driver
wants to move off.
In this way, the car efficiency is
increased, by reducing consumption,
dangerous gas emissions and sound
pollution.
OPERATING MODE
Stopping the engine
Versions with manual transmission:
with the car stationary, the engine
stops with the gears in neutral and the
clutch pedal released.
Versions with Dualogic
transmission: the engine stops if the
vehicle is at a standstill and the brake
pedal is pressed. This condition can be
maintained even if the brake pedal is
not depressed, if the gear lever is
in position N (Neutral).
98F0Y0615C
108
STARTING AND DRIVING

NOTE The engine can only be stopped
automatically after exceeding about
10 km/h, to prevent the engine from
being repeatedly stopped when driving
at walking pace.
The
warning light on the instrument
panel switches on to signal that the
engine has stopped.
Restarting the engine
Versions with manual transmission:
press the clutch pedal.
Versions with Dualogic
transmission: if the gear lever is in
position N (Neutral), place it in any other
gear, otherwise release the brake pedal
or move the gear lever to +, – or R.
MANUAL SYSTEM
ACTIVATION/
DEACTIVATION
To activate/deactivate the system
manually, press the
fig. 99 button.
LED off: system activated /LED on:
system deactivated.
WARNING
109)If the battery needs to be replaced,
always contact a Fiat Dealership. Replace
the battery with one of the same type
(HEAVY DUTY) and with the same
specifications.110)Before opening the bonnet, make
sure the engine is off and the ignition key is
in the STOP position. Always refer to the
plate inside the bonnet. We recommend
that you remove the key from the ignition if
other people remain in the vehicle. Exit
from the car only after having removed the
ignition key or having rotated it to the
STOP position. During refuelling, make sure
that the engine is off and that the ignition
key is in the STOP position.
WARNING
57)If the car is equipped with manual
climate control, if you want to favour
climate comfort, the Start&Stop system
can be deactivated for continuous climate
control system operation.
CRUISE CONTROL
(constant speed
regulator)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
111) 112) 113)
DESCRIPTION
This is an electronically controlled
driving assistance device that allows
the desired car speed to be maintained,
without having to press the accelerator
pedal. This device can be used at a
speed above 30 km/h on long stretches
of dry, straight roads with few
variations (e.g. motorways).
It is therefore not recommended to use
this device on extra-urban roads with
traffic. Do not use the device in town.
DEVICE ACTIVATION
Press button Afig. 100
. Activation of
the device is indicated by illumination
of the
symbol (coloured white)
on the display switching on (on some
versions a specific message is also
displayed).
Once the Speed Limiter is activated,
button A has to be pressed twice
to activate the Cruise Control.
99F0Y0653C
109

IMPORTANT The device cannot be
engaged in 1stor reverse gear: it is
advisable to engage it in 4rdgear or
higher.
IMPORTANT It is dangerous to leave
the device on when it is not used. There
is a risk of inadvertently activating it
and losing control of the vehicle due to
unexpected excessive speed.
SETTING THE DESIRED
SPEED
Proceed as follows:
activate the device by pressing
button A fig. 100.
when the car has reached the
desired speed, press button SET + (or
SET –) and release it to activate the
device. When the accelerator is
released, the car will keep the selected
speed automatically.If needed (e.g. when overtaking), you
can increase speed simply by pressing
the accelerator; when you release the
pedal, the car goes back to the speed
stored previously.
When travelling downhill with the device
active, the car speed may slightly
exceed the set one.
IMPORTANT Before pressing the SET +
(or SET –) buttons, the car must be
travelling at a constant speed on a flat
surface.
INCREASING /
DECREASING SPEED
Increasing the speed: once the
electronic Cruise Control has been
activated, the speed can be increased
by pressing button SET +.
Decreasing the speed: with the
device activated, the speed can be
decreased by pressing button SET –.
DEVICE DEACTIVATION
Lightly pressing the brake pedal,
depressing the clutch to shift gear or
pressing the CANC button deactivates
the Cruise Control without deleting
the stored speed.The device can also be deactivated if
the handbrake is engaged, if the
braking system is activated (e.g.
triggering of the ESC system) or in the
event of automatic braking activated by
the City Brake Control - “Collision
Mitigation” system.
If the device is deactivated, the
instrument panel display shows the
symbol (coloured white) with CANC
next to it.
DISENGAGEMENT OF
THE DEVICE
To disengage the device, press button
A fig. 100 or turn the ignition key to
STOP.
WARNING
111)When travelling with the device active,
never move the gear lever to neutral.
112)In case of a malfunction or failure of
the device, contact a Fiat Dealership.
113)The Cruise Control can be dangerous
if the system cannot keep a constant
speed. In specific conditions speed may be
excessive, resulting in the risk of losing
control of the vehicle and causing
accidents. Do not use the device in heavy
traffic or on winding, icy, snowy or slippery
roads.
100F0Y0619C
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STARTING AND DRIVING