2018 FIAT 500X display

The icons on the display represent the
following (as applicable):
A: rear left seat belt fastened;
B: rear central seat belt fastened;
C: rear right seat belt unfastened.
The icons are displayed according to
the corresponding seat belts in the rear
seats, and stay on for about 30 seconds from the last seat belt
status change:
if the seat belt is fastened
the
corresponding icon will appear as
shown in A and B (green on the colour
display);
if the seat belt is unfastened the
corresponding icon will appear as
shown in C (red on the colour display);
If a rear seat belt is unfastened, an
acoustic warning (3 "beeps") will be
activated along with the relevant icon
lighting up in the display.
Furthermore the icons will light up again
for 30 seconds each time one of the
doors is closed.
The icon will turn green after the
corresponding seat belt has been
fastened.
The rear seat icons will go out,
regardless of the state of the belt (red
icon or green icon), approximately
30 seconds after the last warning. IMPORTANT NOTES
As far as the rear seats are concerned,
the SBR system will only indicate
whether the seat belts are unfastened
(red icon) or fastened (green icon), not
the presence of any passengers.
For the rear seats, the icons will activate
a few seconds after the ignition device
has been turned to MAR, regardless of
the status of the seat belts (even if the
seat belts are all fastened).
All the warning lights/icons will come on
when at least one belt changes from
fastened to unfastened status or vice
versa.
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90
SAFETY

Main recommendations to carry
children safely
Install the child restraint systems on
the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in a crash.
Keep children in rearward-facing
child restraint systems for as long as
possible, ideally until they are 3–4 years
old.
If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the
dedicated warning light on the trim
located on the dashboard to make sure
that it has actually been deactivated.
Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the child restraint system.
Keep the instructions in the car along
with the other documents and this
handbook. Do not use second-hand
child restraint systems without
instructions.
Only one child is to be strapped into
each restraint system; never carry two
children using one child restraint
system.
Always check that the seat belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.
Always check that the seat belt is
well fastened by pulling on it.
While travelling, do not let the child
sit incorrectly or unfasten the belts.
Never allow a child to put the belt's
diagonal section under an arm or
behind their back.
Never carry children on your lap,
even newborns. No-one can hold a
child in the case of a crash.
If the car has been involved in a road
accident, replace the child restraint
system with a new one. In addition, and
depending on the type of child restraint
system installed, replace the Isofix
anchorages or the seat belt with which
the child restraint system was
connected.
For any child restraint system
mounted facing the direction of travel of
the vehicle on the external rear seats,
independently of its weight group,
mount it after removing the
corresponding rear seat head restraint.
This does not apply to child restraint
systems that consist only of a cushion
(without backrest). You should install
such child restraint systems when the
corresponding head restraint is
mounted. Any removed head restraints
must be kept in the car are refitted if the
seat is used by an adult occupant.
WARNING
79) SEVERE DANGER When a front
passenger airbag is fitted, do not install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag in an accident could cause fatal
injuries to the child regardless of the
severity of the collision. It is advisable to
always carry children in a child restraint
system on the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of a
collision.
80) On the sun visor there is a label with
suitable symbols reminding the user that it
is compulsory to deactivate the airbag if a
rearward facing child restraint system is
fitted. Always comply with the instructions
on the passenger side sun visor (see the
"Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) -
Airbag" paragraph).
81) Should it be necessary to carry a child
on the passenger side front seat in a rear
facing child restraint system, the passenger
side front airbag and side bag must be
deactivated through the display main menu
(see the "Display" paragraph, "Knowing the
instrument panel" chapter), verifying
deactivation by checking whether the
OFF LED has switched on in the trim
located on the dashboard. Move the
passenger's seat as far back as possible to
avoid contact between the child seat and
the dashboard.
82) Do not move the front or rear seat if a
child is seated on it or on the dedicated
child restraint system
105

Driver knee bag
(where provided)
It is located in a specific compartment
arranged under the dashboard under a
specific cover fig. 89. It provides
additional protection in the event of a
frontal collision.Deactivating passenger front airbag
and seat-mounted side bag for
pelvis, chest and shoulders
protection
If a child must be carried on the front
seat in a rearward facing child restraint
system, deactivate the passenger side
front airbag and front side bag.
To deactivate the airbags use the
display Menu (see the instructions in the
"Display" paragraph, "Knowing the
instrument panel" chapter).
TheOFF
andONLED are
present at the centre of the instrument
panel fig. 90.
Moving the ignition device to MAR
switches on the two LEDs for about
8 seconds. If not, contact a Fiat
Dealership. During the first seconds, the activation
of the LEDs does not actually show the
passenger protection status, but only
checks its correct operation. After a
check lasting a few seconds, the LEDs
will indicate the status of the passenger
airbag protection.
Passenger protection activated: the
LED
ON
turns on fixed.
Passenger protection deactivated:
the
OFF LED switches on with a
steady light.
The LEDs may light up with various
intensity levels depending on the vehicle
conditions. The intensity may vary
during the same key cycle.88F1B0127C
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108
SAFETY

WARNING
90)Do not apply stickers or other objects
on the steering wheel, on the dashboard in
the passenger side airbag area, on side
upholstery on the roof or on the seats.
Never put objects (e.g. mobile phones) on
the passenger side of the dashboard since
they could interfere with correct inflation of
the passenger airbag and also cause
serious injury to the passengers.
91) Always drive with your hands on the
rim of the steering wheel so that the airbag
can inflate freely if required. Do not drive
with your body bent forward. Keep your
back straight against the backrest.
92) When there is an active passenger
airbag, DO NOT install rearward facing
child restraint systems on the front seat.
Deployment of the airbag in an accident
could cause fatal injuries to the child
regardless of the severity of the impact.
Therefore, always deactivate the passenger
side airbag when a rearward facing child
restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat. The front passenger seat
must also be positioned back as far as
possible in order to prevent the child
restraint system from coming into contact
with the dashboard. Immediately reactivate
the passenger airbag as soon as the child
restraint system has been removed.
93) To deactivate the airbags using the
instrument panel menu, see the description
in the "Knowing the instrument panel"
chapter, "Menu Options" paragraph.
94) Do not affix rigid objects to the
garment hooks or support handles. 95)
Do not rest your head, arms or elbows
on the door, windows or the area in which
the Window bag is located to avoid
possible injury during airbag inflation.
96) Never lean your head, arms or elbows
out of the window.
97) If, when the ignition device is turned to
MAR, the
warning light does not switch
on or stays on whilst driving, a fault may
have occurred in the restraint systems. In
this case the airbags or pretensioners may
not be deployed in an impact or, in a lower
number of cases, they may be deployed
accidentally. Contact a Fiat Dealership
immediately to have the system checked.
98) In some versions, in the event of a LED
OFF failure (located on the dashboard
trim), thewarning light on the
instrument panel turns on and the
passenger side airbags are deactivated. In
some versions, in the event of a LED
ON failure (located on the dashboard
trim), thelight on the console turns on.
99) On cars with side bags, do not cover
the front seat backrests with extra covers.
100) Do not travel carrying objects in your
lap, in front of your chest or between your
lips (pipe, pencils, etc.): they could cause
severe injury if the airbag is deployed.
101) If the car has been stolen or in the
case of attempt to steal it, if it has been
subjected to vandalism or floods, have the
airbag system checked by a Fiat
Dealership. 102)
If the ignition device is at MAR, even if
the engine is switched off, airbags may be
deployed when the vehicle is stationary
and hit by another vehicle. Therefore, even
if the vehicle is stationary, when an active
front passenger airbag is fitted, DO NOT
install rearward facing child restraint
systems on the front passenger seat.
Deployment of the airbag following an
impact could cause fatal injuries to the
child. Therefore, always deactivate the
passenger side airbag when a rearward
facing child restraint system is installed on
the front passenger seat. The front
passenger seat must also be positioned
back as far as possible in order to prevent
the child restraint system from coming into
contact with the dashboard. Immediately
reactivate the passenger airbag as soon as
the child restraint system has been
removed. Also remember that, if the
ignition device is set to STOP, none of the
safety devices (airbags or pretensioners)
will be deployed in the event of collision.
Non-deployment in such cases does not
indicate a system malfunction.
103) Malfunction of the
warning light is
indicated by the activation of an airbag
failure icon and dedicated message on the
instrument panel display. The pyrotechnic
charges are not disabled. Contact a Fiat
Dealership immediately to have the system
checked
104) The airbag deployment threshold is
higher than that of the pretensioners. For
collisions in the range between the two
thresholds, it is normal for only the
pretensioners to be activated.
111

STARTING THE
ENGINE
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.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on
the display.
LPG versions
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the previously selected
mode.
42)
ENGINE STARTING
PROCEDURE
106) 107) 108) 109)
43) 44) 45) 46)
Versions with manual gearbox
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake
and place the gear lever in neutral;
bring the ignition device to MAR. On
Diesel versions, warning light
lights
up in the instrument panel: wait for the
warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition device to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts;
if the engine does not start within
10 seconds, bring the ignition device
back to STOP and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
after the manoeuvre has been
repeated, if the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
Versions with automatic
transmission
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake
and set the gear lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral);
fully depress the brake pedal without
touching the accelerator;
set the ignition device to AVV;
if the engine does not start, bring
the ignition device back to STOP and
wait for 10-15 seconds before
repeating the starting procedure;
after the manoeuvre has been
repeated, if the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
ENGINE STARTING
FAILURE
Starting the engine with electronic
key battery (Keyless Go) run down
or flat
If the ignition device does not respond
when the relevant button is pressed the
electronic key battery might be run
down or flat. Therefore, the system
does not detect the presence of the
electronic key on board the vehicle and
displays a dedicated message. In this
case, rest the rounded edge of the
electronic key (the side opposite the
metal insert) on the ignition device and
press the button using the electronic
key. The ignition device is thus activated
and the engine can be started.
WARNING
106) Do not try to start the engine pouring
fuel or other flammable fluid inside the
throttle body air intake: this might damage
the engine and injury people nearby.
107) It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
108) The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
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STARTING AND DRIVING

109)Do not start the engine by pushing,
towing or driving downhill. These
manoeuvres may damage the catalytic
converter.
IMPORTANT
42) There must therefore always be some
petrol in the tank to protect the petrol
pump and to guarantee temporary
switching from LPG to petrol operation, if
high performance is required.
43) We recommend that during the initial
period, or during the first 1600 km, you do
not drive to full car performance (e.g.
excessive acceleration, long journeys at top
speed, sharp braking, etc.).
44) When the engine is switched off never
leave the ignition device in the MAR
position to prevent useless current
absorption from draining the battery.
45) 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.
46) Warning light
will flash after starting
or during prolonged cranking to indicate a
fault with the glow plug heating system. If
the engine starts, the vehicle can be used
as normal, but a Fiat Dealership must be
contacted as soon as possible.
PARKING THE
VEHICLE
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 apply the
electric parking brake;
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
On versions equipped with automatic
transmission or dual clutch automatic
transmission, wait for the letter P to be
displayed before releasing the brake
pedal.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with automatic transmission
or dual clutch automatic transmission,
before putting the shift lever in the P
position).
ELECTRIC PARKING
BRAKE (EPB)
The vehicle is equipped with electric
parking brake (EPB) to guarantee better
use and optimal performance
compared to a manually operated
parking brake.
The electric parking brake features a
switch, located on the central tunnel
fig. 94, a motor with caliper for each
rear wheel and an electronic control
module.
IMPORTANT Always engage the
electric parking brake before leaving the
car.
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115

WARNING
113)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.
IMPORTANT
47) 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.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
GEAR LEVER
The fig. 96 lever has the following
positions:
P = Park
R = Reverse
N = Neutral
D= Drive, (automatic forward speed)
AutoStick: + shifting to higher gear
in sequential driving mode; – shifting to
lower gear in sequential driving mode.
114) 115) 116) 117)
48) 49) 50) 51)
The gear engaged is shown on the
display. The lever has a button A fig. 96, which
must be pressed to move the lever to P
or R.
To select the "sequential" mode, move
the lever from D (Drive) to the left: the
position + (upper gear) or – (lower gear)
can be reached; these are unstable
positions, which means that the lever
always returns to the central position.
To exit from the P (Park) position, press
the brake pedal and button A on the
knob.
To shift from position N (Neutral) to
position D (Drive) or R (Reverse), you
need to press the brake pedal.
IMPORTANT DO NOT accelerate while
shifting from position P (or N) to another
position.
IMPORTANT After selecting a gear, wait
a few seconds before accelerating. This
precaution is particularly important with
a cold engine.
AUTOMATIC DRIVING
MODE
To select the automatic driving mode,
you need to shift the gear lever to D
(Drive): the best ratio is selected by the
electronic transmission control unit
depending on vehicle speed, engine
load (accelerator pedal position) and
gradient of the road.
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119

D can be selected from sequential
operation in any driving conditions.
“Kick-Down” function
To resume speed quickly, when the
accelerator pedal is pressed fully, the
transmission control system downshifts
(kick-down function).
IMPORTANT When driving on roads
with poor grip conditions (snow, ice,
etc.) avoid activating the kick-down
function.
Gearshifting suggestion
With the transmission in automatic
mode (selector lever in position D),
when gearshifting is required by the
paddles on the steering wheel (where
provided), the system shifts to
"Sequential mode" ("Autostick"),
displaying the engaged gear for about
5 seconds.
When this time has elapsed, if the
paddles are not operated anymore, the
system goes back to the automatic
mode (D), with following displaying.
AUTOSTICK - Sequential
mode
In the case of frequent gearshifting (e.g.
when the vehicle is driven with a heavy
load, on slopes, with strong headwind
or when towing heavy trailers), it is
recommended to use the Autostick
(sequential shifting) mode to select and
keep a lower fixed ratio.
In these conditions, using a lower gear
improves vehicle performance and
prolongs the transmission's life, limiting
gearshifting and preventing overheating.
It is possible to shift from position D
(Drive) to the sequential mode
regardless of vehicle speed.
Activation
With gear lever in position D (Drive), to
activate the sequential drive mode,
move the lever to the left (– and +
indication of the trim). The gear
engaged will be shown on the display.
Gearshifting is made by moving the
gear lever forwards, towards symbol –
or backwards, towards symbol +.
Deactivation
To deactivate the sequential driving
mode, bring the gear lever back to
position D (Drive), automatic mode.
STEERING WHEEL
CONTROLS
(where provided)
52)
On some versions, the gearbox can be
managed sequentially using the
steering wheel controls fig. 97.
To use the controls on the steering
wheel, the gear lever must be in
position D (Drive) between (+) and (–):
steering wheel paddle ( +) (pulling
paddle towards driver): engage higher
ratio;
steering wheel paddle ( -) (pulling
paddle towards driver): engage lower
ratio.
The engagement of a lower (or higher)
gear is only permitted if the engine revs
allow it.
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STARTING AND DRIVING