2018 FIAT 500L brakes

Dear Customer,
We would like to congratulate and thank you for choosing a Fiat 500L.
We have written this handbook to help you get to know all the features of your car 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 the technical features of your Fiat 500L.
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 transmission; at the same time, you can understand the car behaviour on different road
surfaces.
This document contains specifications, special procedures and essential information for caring for and maintaining your Fiat 500L over
time, driving it safely and running it correctly.
After reading it, you are advised to keep the handbook inside the car, for an easy reference and for making sure it remains on board
the car 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 car and the service provided by the people at Fiat.
Enjoy reading. Happy motoring!
This Owner Handbook describes all Fiat 500L 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 explicit request of options at the time of purchase, will be identified with the wording(for versions/markets,
where provided).
All data contained in this publication are purely indicative. FCA Italy S.p.A. can modify the specifications of the vehicle
model described in this publication at any time, for technical or marketing purposes. For further information, contact
a Fiat Dealership.
For further information, contact a Fiat Dealership.

SYMBOLS
Some car components have coloured labels whose symbols indicate precautions to be observed when using this component.
A plate summarising these symbols can also be found under the bonnet.
CHANGES/ALTERATIONS TO THE CAR
IMPORTANT Any change or alteration of the car might seriously affect its safety and road holding, thus causing accidents, in
which the occupants could even be fatally injured.
IMPORTANT The use of these devices inside the passenger compartment (without an external aerial) may cause the electrical
systems to malfunction. This could compromise the safety of the vehicle in addition to constituting a potential hazard for
passengers' health.
IMPORTANT Take care when fitting additional spoilers, alloy wheel rims or non-standard wheel hubs: they could reduce the
ventilation of the brakes and affect efficiency under sharp, repeated braking or on long descents. Make sure that nothing
obstructs the pedal stroke (mats, etc.).

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The car has the following active safety
systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
system;
HH (Hill Holder) system;
ASR (AntiSlip Regulation) system;
DST (Dynamic Steering Torque
or steering corrector) system;
ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation)
system.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)
43) 44) 45) 46) 47) 48) 49)
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The ABS also integrates the following
systems: EBD (Electronic Braking Force
Distribution), MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment Regelung) and HBA
(Hydraulic Brake Assist).IMPORTANT To obtain the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, a
bedding-in period of about 500 km is
needed: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
braking.
50) 51) 52)
System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
53) 54) 55) 56) 57) 58)
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the wheels
appropriately. The torque supplied by
the engine can also be reduced in order
to maintain control of the car.
System intervention
The intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.Switching the system on
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
GRAVITY CONTROL
(for versions/markets, where provided)
63)
It is an integral part of the ESC system
and is aimed at keeping the car at a
constant speed during a descent,
operating autonomously on the brakes
in various ways at the same time.
In this way, the “Gravity Control”
function assists the drive on steep
gradients in low-grip conditions and/or
on rough terrain.
For more information on system
operation, see the “Driving assistance
systems” paragraph in this chapter.
73

HH (Hill Holder) SYSTEM
59) 60)
This system is an integral part of the
ESC system and facilitates starting on
slopes.
The system is automatically activated in
the following conditions:
uphill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and
transmission in neutral or gear other
than reverse engaged;
downhill: car stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
The system automatically operates in
the event of slipping, loss of grip on wet
roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration
on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc. on
one or more drive wheels.
Engagement/disengagement of the
system
The system switches on automatically
each time the engine is started. The
ASR can be turned off and then turned
back on again whilst driving by pressing
the button located in the dashboard
fig. 63.When travelling on snowy roads with
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR off: in fact, in these conditions,
the driving wheels skidding when
moving off gives you better traction.
DST (Dynamic Steering
Torque or steering
corrector) system
61)
The DST (steering corrector) system
function uses the integration of the ESC
system with the electric power steering
to increase the safety level of the whole
car. In critical situations (e.g.
understeering, oversteering, braking
with different grip conditions), through
the DST function the ESC system
controls the steering to implement an
additional torque contribution on the
steering wheel, to suggest the most
correct manoeuvre to be performed to
the driver.ERM (Electronic Rollover
Mitigation) SYSTEM
62)
The system monitors the tendency of
the wheels to rise from the ground if the
driver performs extreme manoeuvres
like quick steering to avoid an obstacle,
especially in poor road conditions.
If these conditions occur, the system
intervenes on the brakes and engine
power to reduce the possibility that the
wheels are raised from the ground. It
is not possible to avoid tendency to roll
over if the phenomenon is due to
reasons such as driving on high side
gradients, collision with objects or other
vehicles.
WARNING
43)When the ABS intervenes and you feel
the brake pedal pulsating, do not reduce
the pressure, but hold it down firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will brake
in the shortest distance possible,
depending on the current road conditions.
44)For maximum efficiency of the braking
system, a bedding-in period of about
500 km is needed: during this period it is
better to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.
63F0Y0656C
74
SAFETY

Turning off
To deactivate “Traction +” mode and go
back to “Normal” mode, turn the ring
leftwards and hold this position for half
a second. In this case, the LED related
to “Normal” mode will light up and
the indication that “Traction +” mode
has been deactivated will appear on the
display.
IMPORTANT If “Traction +” or “Normal”
modes are selected when the engine
is stopped, the mode will be maintained
when starting again.IMPORTANT In “Traction +” mode, the
Start&Stop system is temporarily
deactivated (LED on the Start&Stop
system button on). To reactivate the
Start&Stop system with “Traction +”
mode on, press the Start&Stop button
located on the dashboard. The
Start&Stop system will be activated
again when “Traction +” mode is
deactivated.
IMPORTANT The City Brake Control -
“Collision Mitigation” system is
temporarily deactivated when “Traction
+” mode is deactivated. Temporary
deactivation of the system is indicated
by the warning light
on the
instrument panel (together with a
message on the display). The City
Brake Control - “Collision Mitigation”
system will be activated again when
“Traction +” mode is deactivated.
“GRAVITY CONTROL” FUNCTION
This driving function aims at maintaining
a constant speed when driving
downhill on a steel gradient. Noise and
vibrations from the wheel sides (brakes)
are normal when the function is active.IMPORTANT The function can only be
selected with “Traction +” mode active,
engine running, handbrake released
and driver side door correctly closed.
Activation
To activate the function, go to a speed
slower than 25 km/h.
After reaching the desired speed,
release the accelerator and brake
pedals completely. If you want to
increase/decrease the speed, press the
accelerator and brake pedals again.
Activation
Turn the ring rightwards (position C fig.
102) and hold in this position for half
a second and in all cases until the
corresponding LED lights up and the
“Gravity Control” mode activation
indicator appears on the display fig.
105.
Once released, the ring-nut returns to
the central position. The “Gravity
Control” is ready to work when the
“Gravity Control” function is selected.
Turning off
To deactivate “Gravity Control” mode,
turn the ring leftwards and hold this
position for half a second.
104F0Y0667C
113

In this case, the LED related to
“Traction +” mode will light up and the
indication that “Gravity Control” function
has been deactivated will appear on
the display.
The “Gravity Control” function is always
deactivated when the engine is started.
IMPORTANT NOTES
IMPORTANT DO NOT USE THE
DEVICE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN
NEUTRAL.IMPORTANT The function is available at
speeds from 7 km/h to 25 km/h.
IMPORTANT It is important to engage a
gear suitable for the set speed, to
prevent the engine from stalling. While
the “Gravity Control” system is
operating it is always possible to take
control of the car again by pressing the
brake and accelerator pedals. If the
function is not available when an
attempt to activate it made, it could
mean that the brakes are overheated.
In this case, wait a few minutes before
using the function again.
IMPORTANT The function will be
deactivated in case of brake
overheating by gradually releasing the
braking pressure leaving the driver
in control of the car. Deactivation of the
function is indicated by the flashing of
the symbol
on the display (in
combination with a dedicated message)
and acoustic warning. To reactivate
the function, wait for the braking
system to cool down and then operate
on the ring nut located on the central
tunnel again.IMPORTANT The “Gravity Control”
function is deactivated when exceeding
25 km/h and at speeds lower than 50
km/h it remains enabled to be
reactivated when the speed drops
under 25 km/h. In this case, the
indication on the display is switched off
and the LED on the ring stays on. If
the speed exceeds 50 km/h, the
“Gravity Control” function is completely
deactivated and all automatic actions
on the brakes by the function are
disabled. To reactivate it, turn the ring
nut again when the speed is again
below 25 km/h. It is advisable to use
the function in low gears (first, second
and third).
IMPORTANT On flat city streets, it is
advisable to deactivate the “Gravity
Control” function because at speeds
slower than 25 km/h the function could
be reactivated in particular conditions
(setting off, shifting gear or on speed
bumps without using the accelerator
pedal).
105F0Y0668C
114
STARTING AND DRIVING

LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT FUSEBOX
fig. 167
USERSFUSE AMPERE
Front seat electric lumbar regulator F1 15
Front seat electric heating F2 15
Hi-Fi systemF3 20
Electric sun roof blindF5 20
Electric sunroofF6 20
WARNING
134)If the replaced fuse blows again, contact a Fiat Dealership.
135)Never replace a fuse with metal wires or other material.
136)Never replace a fuse with another with a higher amp rating; DANGER OF FIRE.
137)If a general fuse (MEGA-FUSE, MIDI-FUSE, MAXI-FUSE) blows contact a Fiat Dealership.
138)Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition key has been removed and that all the other services are switched off and/or
disengaged.
139)Contact Fiat Dealership if a safety system (airbags, brakes), engine system (engine, gearbox) or steering system general protection fuse
blows.
WARNING
66)If it is necessary to wash the engine compartment, take care not to directly hit the fuse box and the window wiper motors with the water
jet.
142
IN AN EMERGENCY

DEMANDING USE OF THE
CAR
If the vehicle is used in one of the
following conditions:
law enforcement (or security
service), taxi service;
towing a trailer or caravan;
dusty roads;
short, repeated journeys (less than
7-8 km) at sub-zero outside
temperatures;
engine often idling or driving long
distances at low speeds or long periods
of inactivity;
the following checks must be carried
out more often than indicated in the
Service Schedule:
check front disc brake pad condition
and wear;
check cleanliness of bonnet and
luggage compartment locks,
cleanliness and lubrication of linkage;
visually inspect conditions of:
engine, gearbox, transmission, pipes
and hoses (exhaust/fuel system/brakes)
and rubber elements (gaiters/sleeves/
bushes, etc.);
check battery charge and battery
fluid level (electrolyte);
visually inspect conditions of the
accessory drive belts;
check and, if necessary, change
engine oil and replace oil filter;
check and, if necessary, replace
pollen filter;
check and, if necessary, replace air
cleaner.
149