2018 FIAT 500X traction control

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The vehicle has the following active
safety systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
DTC (Drag Torque Control);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control);
TC (Traction Control);
PBA (Panic Brake Assist);
HHC (Hill Hold Control);
DST (Dynamic Steering Torque);
ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation);
TSC (Trailer Sway Control).
For the operation of the systems, see
the following description.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)
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 vehicle
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes during braking
when the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent. The system also improves control and
stability of the vehicle when braking on
a surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
The Electronic Braking Force
Distribution (EBD) system completes
the system allowing the brake force to
be distributed between the front and
rear wheels.
System intervention
The driver can feel that the ABS system
has come into action because the
brake pedal pulsates slightly and the
system gets noisier: this is entirely
normal with the system operating.
34) 35) 36) 37) 38) 39) 40)
DTC (Drag Torque
Control) SYSTEM
The DTC (Drag Torque Control) system
prevents the drive wheels from possibly
locking, which could happen, for
example, if the accelerator pedal is
released suddenly or in the case of a
sudden downshifting in conditions of
poor grip. In this conditions, the engine
braking effect could cause the drive
wheels to slip, resulting in a loss of car
stability. In these situations, the DTC
system intervenes, restoring torque to
the engine in order to conserve car
stability and increase car safety.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
vehicle in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’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 vehicle.
The ESC system uses sensors installed
on the vehicle to determine the
trajectory that the driver intends to
follow and compares it with the
vehicle’s effective trajectory. When the
real trajectory deviates from the desired
trajectory, the ESC system intervenes to
counter the vehicle’s understeer or
oversteer.
Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
74
SAFETY

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
vehicle is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
41) 42) 43) 44) 45)
TC (Traction Control)
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. Depending
on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
if the slipping involves both drive
wheels, the system intervenes, reducing
the power transmitted by the engine;
if the slipping only involves one of the
drive wheels, the BLD (Brake Limited
Differential) function is activated,
automatically braking the wheel which
is slipping (the behaviour of a
self-locking differential is simulated).
This will increase the engine torque
transferred to the wheel which isn't
slipping. This function remains active
even if the "Systems partially disabled"
and "Systems disabled" modes are
selected (see description in the
following pages). 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
vehicle is in critical stability and grip
conditions.
46) 47) 48) 49) 50)
PBA (Panic Brake
Assist) SYSTEM
The PBA system is designed to improve
the vehicle’s braking capacity during
emergency braking.
The system detects emergency braking
by monitoring the speed and force with
which the brake pedal is pressed, and
consequently applies the optimal brake
pressure. This can reduce the braking
distance: the PBA system therefore
completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the PBA
system is obtained by pressing the
brake pedal very quickly. In addition, the
brake pedal should be pressed
continuously during braking, avoiding
intermittent presses, to get the most
out of the system. Do not reduce
pressure on the brake pedal until
braking is not necessary anymore.
The PBA system is deactivated when
the brake pedal is released.
51) 52) 53)
HHC (Hill Hold Control)
SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and facilitates starting on
slopes, activating automatically in the
following cases:
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: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and reverse
gear engaged.
When setting off, the ESC system
control unit maintains the braking
pressure on the wheels until the engine
torque necessary for starting is
reached, or in any case for a maximum
of 2 seconds, allowing your right foot to
be moved easily from the brake pedal
to the accelerator.
When two seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure. During
this release stage it is possible to hear a
typical mechanical brake release noise,
indicating the imminent movement of
the vehicle.
54) 55)
75

Thewarning light on the instrument
panel switches on to signal that the
engine was stopped.
Engine restarting mode
Versions with manual gearbox
To restart the engine, press the clutch
pedal. If the vehicle does not start when
the clutch is pressed, place the gear
lever in neutral and repeat the
procedure. If the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
Versions with automatic
transmission
To restart the engine, release the brake
pedal.
With brake pressed, if the gear lever is
in automatic mode - D (Drive) - the
engine can be restarted by moving the
lever to R (Reverse) or N (Neutral) or
"AutoStick".
With brake pressed, if the gear lever is
in "AutoStick" mode, the engine can be
restarted moving the lever to "+" or "–",
or R (Reverse) or N (Neutral).
When the engine has been stopped
automatically, keeping the brake pedal
pressed, the brake can be released
keeping the engine off by quickly
shifting the gear lever to P (Park).
To restart the engine, just move the
lever out of position P.SYSTEM MANUAL
ACTIVATION /
DEACTIVATION
To activate/deactivate the system
manually, press the fig. 100 button
located on the dashboard.
4x4 Versions: every time "Traction"
mode is set using Drive Mode (or Mood
Selector, depending on the market), the
Start&Stop system is deactivated. To
reactivate it, press the fig. 100 button
again. When exiting from the "Traction"
mode, the Stop/Start system returns to
the previously set status.
System activation
The system activation is indicated by a
message shown on the display. In this
case, the LED on the button fig. 100 is
off. System deactivation
A message will appear on the display
when the system is deactivated. In this
condition, the LED on the
fig. 100 button is on.
SAFETY FUNCTIONS
When the engine is stopped through
the Start&Stop system, if the driver
releases their seat belt or opens the
driver's or passenger's door, the engine
can be restarted only by using the
ignition device.
This condition is indicated to the driver
both through a buzzer and a message
on the display.
WARNING
122)
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.
IMPORTANT
57) If the climate comfort is to be favoured,
the Start&Stop system can be deactivated,
for a continuous operation of the climate
control system.
100F1B0631C
126
STARTING AND DRIVING

59)The section of the bumper before the
sensor must not be covered with
adhesives, auxiliary headlights or any other
object.
60) Operation can be adversely affected by
any structural change made to the vehicle,
such as a modification to the front
geometry, tyre change, or a heavier load
than the standard load of the vehicle.
61) Incorrect repairs made on the front part
of the car (e.g. bumper, chassis) may alter
the position of the radar sensor, and
adversely affect its operation. Go to a Fiat
Dealership for any operation of this type.
62) Do not tamper with or carry out any
intervention on the radar sensor or on the
camera on the windscreen. In the event of
a sensor fault, contact a Fiat Dealership.
63) Do not wash with high-pressure jets in
the bumper lower area: in particular do not
operate on the system's electrical
connector.
64) Be careful in the case of repairs and
new paintings in the area around the
sensor (panel covering the sensor on the
left side of the bumper). In the event of a
frontal impact the sensor may automatically
deactivate and display a warning to indicate
that the sensor needs to be repaired. Even
without a malfunction warning, deactivate
the system operation if you think that the
position of the radar sensor has changed
(e.g. due to low-speed frontal impact as
during parking manoeuvres). In these
cases, go to a Fiat Dealership to have the
radar sensor realigned or replaced.MOOD SELECTOR /
DRIVE MODE (drive
mode selector)
(where provided)
This device allows drivers to select
three different driving modes ("car
response") according to their needs and
to the road and traffic conditions, by
manually adjusting the knob ring A
fig. 107 on the central tunnel.
- "Auto" mode
- "Traction" mode (4x4 or
4x2 versions depending on the trim
level)
- "All Weather" mode (only
4x2 versions depending on the trim
level)
- "Sport" mode.
The device, through the on-board
electronic system, operates on the
dynamic control systems of the car:
engine, steering, ESC system,
4x4 system (if available),
gearbox/transmission, and is interfaced
with the instrument panel.
The rotating ring nut is monostable
type. In other words, it always returns
to the central position when released.107F1B0044C
133

Check the tension of the snow chains
after the first few metres have been
driven.
IMPORTANT Using snow chains with
tyres with non-original dimensions may
damage the vehicle.
IMPORTANT Using different size or type
(M+S, snow, etc.) tyres between front
and rear axle may adversely affect
vehicle driveability, with the risk of losing
control of the vehicle and resulting
accidents.
SUGGESTIONS ABOUT
THE ROTATION OF THE
TYRES
The front and rear tyres are subject to
different loads and stress due to
steering, manoeuvres and braking. For
this reason they are subject to uneven
wear.
To resolve this problem, tyres should be
rotated at the appropriate time. Tyre
rotation means moving the wheels to a
different position, with respect to the
vehicle. The single wheel will therefore
operate on a different axle and, where
possible, on the opposite side of the
vehicle.Tyre rotation contributes to the
preservation of the grip and traction
performance on wet, muddy or snowy
roads, guaranteeing optimal driveability
of the vehicle.
In the case of irregular wear of the tyres
identify the cause and correct it as soon
as possible, by contacting a Fiat
Dealership.
WARNING
180)
The road holding qualities of the car
also depend on the correct inflation
pressure of the tyres.
181) If tyre pressure is too low, it may
overheat and be severely damaged as a
result.
182) If the tyres are "unidirectional", do not
switch tyres from the right-hand side of the
vehicle to the left-hand side, and vice
versa. This type of tyres can only be
switched from the front axle to the rear axle
and vice versa, keeping them on the same
side of the vehicle.
183) Never submit alloy rims to repainting
treatments requiring the use of
temperatures exceeding 150°C. The
mechanical properties of the wheels could
be impaired.
184) The wheel rotation methods shown in
the text must NOT be used with one-way
tyres! This type of tyres can only be
switched from the front axle to the rear axle
and vice versa, keeping them on the same
side of the vehicle. 185)
Travelling with partially or completely
deflated tyres can cause safety problems
and damage the concerned tyre beyond
repair.
IMPORTANT
100) Keep your speed down when snow
chains are fitted; do not exceed 50 km/h.
Avoid potholes, do not drive over steps or
sidewalks and do not drive long distances
over roads without snow, to avoid
damaging both your vehicle and the road
surface.
202
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE