2WD/4WD operation indicator lamp
and low-range indicator lamp
A. Front wheel lamp
B. Centre differential lock lamp
C. Rear wheel lamp
D. Low-range indicator lamp
When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position or the operation mode is put in
ON, the 2WD/4WD operation indicator
lamp and the low-range indicator lamp
shows the shifting condition. The
2WD/4WD operation indicator lamp
comes on at each drive mode-selector
position as follows:Switching between 2H and 4H
Drive
mode-selector
positionIndicator lamp
2H
Drive mode
switching in
progress
4H
Blink
Illuminate
Remain offSwitching between 4H and 4HLc
Drive mode
selector positionIndicator lamp
4H
Drive mode
switching in
progress
4HLc
Blink
Illuminate
Remain off
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Switching between 4HLc and 4LLc
Drive
mode
selector
positionIndicator lamp
4HLc
Drive mode
switching
in progress
and
4LLcandand
Blink
Illuminate
Remain offNOTE When the drive mode-selector is
set between “2H”, “4H” and “4HLc”,
the front wheel and/or centre differential
lock lamps blink while the selection is in
process. Take the following precautions
when the indicator lamp is blinking.
Keep the steering wheel in the
straight ahead position while making
range selections. If you attempt to drive
forward with the steering wheel turned,
gear rattling or shock may occur and
cornering may not be smooth and the
desired range may not actually be
selected.
When the drive mode-selector is set
between “2H”, “4H” and “4HLc”, while
the vehicle is stopped, the front wheel
and/or centre differential lock lamps
blink while the selection is in process.
Drive slowly and normally after
confirming that the lamp is switched.
If the front wheel and/or centre
differential lock lamps blinking after a
“2H” — “4H” — “4HLc” selection has
been made with the vehicle moving,
hold the steering wheel in the straight
ahead position and slowly depress the
accelerator pedal several times.
NOTE The front and the rear wheel
lamps will blink during shifting process
from “4HLc” to “4LLc” or vice versa, as
the transfer passes through the neutral
position. Be sure to operate the drive
mode-selector until the front and the
rear wheel lamps illuminate again.
NOTE When parking, apply the parking
brake before stopping the engine and
make sure that the front and the rear
wheel lamps and the low range lamp
are not blinking during shifting process
between “4HLc” — “4LLc”. Otherwise,
the vehicle could unexpectedly move
even if the automatic transmission is in
the “P” (PARK) position
NOTE If, after a “4HLc” — “4LLc”
selection has been made, front and the
rear wheel lamps continue blinking and
the desired range is not actually
selected, return the drive modeselector
to its previous position. Place the
steering wheel in the straight ahead
position, drive the vehicle forward, and
release the accelerator pedal. Next,
hold down the clutch pedal (with
manual transmission) or place the
selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position (with automatic transmission)
and make the range selection again.
176
STARTING AND DRIVING
NOTE If the low range lamp blinks
when you attempt to make a “4HLc” —
“4LLc” selection, a “4HLc” — “4LLc”
selection cannot be made. Stop the
vehicle and release the accelerator
pedal. Next, hold down the clutch pedal
(with manual transmission) or place the
selector lever in the “N” (NEUTRAL)
position (with automatic transmission)
and make the range selection again.
NOTE The ESC function is suspended
while “4LLc” is selected
indicator
lamp is illuminated while these functions
are suspended. It does not indicate a
problem. When “2H” or “4H” or “4HLc”
is selected, this lamp goes out and
function again. Refer to “ESC indicator
lamp, ESC OFF indicator lamp”.
140)
IMPORTANT
137)The “4LLc” range gives maximum
torque for low-speed driving on steep
slopes, as well as sandy, muddy, and other
difficult surfaces. On vehicles with
automatic transmission, do not exceed
speeds of approximately 70 km/h in “4LLc”
range.
138)Do not drive your vehicle in the
“4HLc” or “4LLc” position on dry paved
roads and highways. Doing so may result in
excessive tyre wear, increased fuel
consumption, and possible noise
generation. It may also increase the
differential oil temperature, which may
damage the drive system. Further, the drive
train will be subjected to excessive loading,
resulting in oil leakage, component seizure,
or other serious problems. On dry paved
roads and highways, drive the vehicle in
“2H” or “4H” only.
139)Do not operate the drive
mode-selector while the rear wheels of the
vehicle are slipping on snow or ice.
140)If a problem is detected in the transfer
system, a safety device will activate. The
front and rear wheel lamps will go out, the
centre differential lock lamp will blink rapidly
(twice per second), and transfer shifting will
become impossible fig. 277. Park your
vehicle in a safe place, turn off the engine
for a few moments. Restart the engine. The
lamp should resume normal operation. If
the lamps continue to blink, have the
vehicle checked by a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
REAR DIFFERENTIAL
LOCK
(where provided)
If one wheel starts to spin freely and the
vehicle becomes stuck and cannot be
freed even using 4-wheel drive, the rear
differential lock switch (A) can be used
to activate the rear differential lock for
extra traction.
Operating the rear differential lock
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Move the drive mode-selector to
“4L” or “4H” position (Easy select
4WD), “4LLc” or “4HLc” position (Super
select 4WD II).
3. To activate the rear differential lock,
press the rear differential lock switch
(A).
4. To deactivate the rear differential
lock, press the rear differential lock
switch (B).
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177
141)
NOTE The rear differential lock does
not operate when the drive
mode-selector is in “2H” position (Easy
select 4WD), “2H” or “4H” position
(Super select 4WD II).
NOTE When the rear differential is
locked with the drive mode-selector in
“4L” or “4H” position (Easy select
4WD), “4LLc” or “4HLc” position (Super
select 4WD II) changing the drive
mode-selector to “2H” position (Easy
select 4WD), “2H” or “4H” position
(Super select 4WD II) makes the rear
differential unlock automatically.
Rear differential lock indicator lamp
When the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON” position or the operation
mode is put in ON, the rear differential
lock indicator lamp (A) in the meter
cluster illuminates for a few seconds
then indicates the rear differential lock’s
operating status (activated or
deactivated).Easy Select 4WD
Super Select 4WD II
The 2WD/4WD operation indicator
lamp also illuminates for a few seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position or the operation mode is
put in ON. Refer to “2WD/4WD
operation indicator lamp”. The status ofthe rear differential lock (resulting from
depression of the rear differential lock
switch) is shown by blinking or steady
illumination of the rear differential lock
indicator lamp.
Operation
state of rear
differential
lockRear differential lock
indicator lamp
Easy
Select
4WDSuper
Select
4WD II
Rear differential
lock
deactivated
Switching in
progress
Rear differential
lock activated
Blink
Illuminate
Remain off
The indicator lamp blinks while the rear
differential lock is being switched
between its activated and deactivated
conditions. When the switching
operation is complete, the indicator
lamp is either illuminated steadily or not
illuminated.
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STARTING AND DRIVING
The ESC and ABS functions are
suspended while the rear differential
lock is activated. ESC indicator lamp,
ESC OFF indicator lamp and ABS
warning lamp are illuminated while
these functions are suspended. It does
not indicate a problem. When the rear
differential lock is disengaged, these
lamps go out and function again. Refer
to “ABS warning lamp”, “ESC indicator
lamp, ESC OFF indicator lamp”.
If the indicator lamp continues blinking
after the switch has been pressed to
deactivate the rear differential lock, hold
the steering wheel in the straight ahead
position then slowly depress and
release the accelerator pedal several
times.
If the indicator lamp continues blinking
after the switch has been pressed to
activate the rear differential lock, bear in
mind the following instructions:
If the vehicle speed is 12 km/h or
higher, decelerate to a speed of
2.5 km/h or lower. The indicator lamp
will illuminate steadily and the rear
differential lock will be activated.
If the vehicle speed is 12 km/h or lower,
turn the steering wheel from side to
side until the indicator lamp illuminates
steadily. If the vehicle is stuck in soft
ground, make sure the area around the
vehicle is clear then repeatedly attempt
to drive forward and backward. Theindicator lamp will illuminate steadily
and the rear differential lock will be
activated.
142)
Examples of effective use of the
rear differential lock
143)
When one of the wheels has fallen
in a ditch
When driving on rocky roads
When the vehicle is unable to move
because one of the wheels is
suspended in the air.When getting out of snow
When the vehicle is unable to get going
because one of the wheels is on the
snow and the other on a paved road.
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179
Examples of incorrect use of the
rear differential lock
234) 235)
236)
237) 238)
WARNING
234)If the “4L” or “4H” position (Easy
Select 4WD), “4LLc” or “4HLc” position
(Super Select 4WD II) is selected along
with the rear differential lock, the following
phenomena appear and it is very
dangerous. Please be sure to release the
rear differential lock on normal roads.
235)If the rear differential lock is used by
mistake when driving on a paved road:
With the rear differential lock on, the power
to drive the vehicle straight ahead
becomes very strong, which may make it
difficult to turn the steering wheel.
236)If the rear differential lock is used by
mistake when turning a curve or making a
right or left turn at a crossing or the like:
The vehicle is unable to make a turn and
may go straight ahead.237)If the rear differential lock is used by
mistake except when making an
emergency escape on snow or frozen
road: It becomes difficult to make a steady
turn.
238)In the case where the condition of the
road is different for the right tyre to drive
from the left tyre (such as one tyre on a
paved road and the other on ice), direction
of the vehicle may change abruptly when
engine braking or accelerating. Do not use
the rear differential lock except when
making an emergency escape on a snow
or frozen road, but drive with 4WD.
IMPORTANT
141)Operate the rear differential switch
after the wheels are stopped. Operating the
switch with the wheels turning may cause
the vehicle to dart in unexpected directions.
142)If a problem is detected in the rear
differential lock system, a safety device will
activate. The rear differential lock indicator
lamp will blink rapidly (twice per second),
and the rear differential lock will deactivate.
Park your vehicle in a safe place, turn off
the engine for a few moments. Restart the
engine. It is safe to continue driving if the
lamps resume normal operation. If the rear
differential lock indicator lamp blinks when
the rear differential lock is reactivated, have
the vehicle checked by a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible.
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180
STARTING AND DRIVING
143)Use the rear differential lock only as an
emergency measure when the vehicle is
stuck and cannot be freed with the transfer
shift lever or the drive mode-selector in “4L”
or “4H” position (Easy Select 4WD) or in
“4LLc” or “4HLc” position (Super Select
4WD II). Deactivate the rear differential lock
immediately after using it.4 WHEEL DRIVE
OPERATION
By selecting 4-wheel drive, both axles
of the vehicle are rigidly connected with
each other. This improves the traction
characteristics. When turning sharp
corners or moving forward and
backward repeatedly, however, the
drive line is stressed, which is felt as a
braking effect. A 4-wheel drive vehicle
can accelerate more quickly and
smoothly.
However, note that the braking distance
is not shorter than that of a rear-wheel
drive vehicle.
When using 4-wheel drive on rough
roads (snow, mud, sand, etc.), it is
important to operate the vehicle
correctly.
NOTE The driving posture should be
more upright and closer to the wheel
than usual; adjust the seat to a good
position for easy steering and pedal
operation. Be sure to wear the seat
belt.
NOTE After driving on rough roads,
check each part of the vehicle and
wash it thoroughly with water. Refer to
“Vehicle care” and “Inspection and
maintenance following rough road
operation”.Driving on dry paved road and
highway
Select “2H” position (Easy Select 4WD),
“2H” or “4H” position (Super Select
4WD II) to drive on the dry paved road.
Especially on dry highway, never select
the “4H” or “4L” position (Easy Select
4WD), “4HLc” or “4LLc” position (Super
Select 4WD II).
144)
Driving on snowy or icy roads
Set the drive mode-selector to “4H”
position (Easy Select 4WD), “4H” or
“4HLc” position in accordance with the
road conditions (Super Select 4WD II)
and then gradually depress the
accelerator pedal for a smooth start.
Keep the pressure on the accelerator
pedal as constant as possible, and
drive at low speed.
NOTE The use of snow tyres and/or
tyre chains is recommended.
NOTE Maintain a safe distance
between vehicles, avoid sudden
braking, and use engine braking
(downshifting).
145)
Driving on sandy or muddy roads
Set the drive mode-selector to “4H” or
“4L” position (Easy Select 4WD),
“4HLc” or “4LLc” position (Super Select
4WD II) and then gradually depress the
accelerator pedal for a smooth start.
Keep the pressure on the accelerator
181
1 – Check depths of a stream and
geographical features before attempting
to cross a stream and ford the stream
where the water is as shallow as
practicable.
2 – Set the drive mode-selector to “4L”
position (Easy Select 4WD), “4LLc”
position (Super Select 4WD II).
3 – Drive slowly at a speed of
approximately 5 km/h to avoid
splashing too much water.
148) 149)
Inspection and maintenance
following rough road operation
After operating the vehicle in rough road
conditions, be sure to perform the
following inspection and maintenance
procedures:
Check that the vehicle has not been
damaged by rocks, gravel, etc.
Carefully wash the vehicle with water.
Drive the vehicle slowly while lightly
depressing the brake pedal in order to
dry out the brakes. If the brakes still do
not function properly, contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible to have
the brakes checked.
Remove the insects, dried grass, etc.
clogging the radiator core and the A/T
oil cooler.
After crossing a stream, be sure to have
the following items inspected at a Fiat
Dealership and take the necessary
measures:
Check the brake system and, if
necessary, have it serviced.
Check the engine, transmission,
transfer, and differential oil or grease
level and turbidity. If the oil or grease is
milky, it indicates water contamination.
Replace it with new oil or grease.
Grease the propeller shaft.
Check the inside of the vehicle. If
ingress of water is found, dry the carpet
etc.
Inspect the headlamps. If the
headlamp bulb is flooded with water,
have the headlamp drained off.
IMPORTANT
144)Selecting “4H” or “4L” position (Easy
Select 4WD), “4HLc” or “4LLc” position
(Super Select 4WD II) to drive on dry paved
road will increase the fuel consumption with
possible noise generation and early tyre
wear. It may also increase the differential oil
temperature, resulting in possible damage
to the driving system. Further, the drive
train will be subjected to excessive loading,
possibly leading to oil leakage, component
seizure, or other serious faults.
145)Avoid sudden braking, sudden
acceleration, and sharp turning; such
operations could cause skidding and
spinouts.146)Do not force the vehicle or drive
recklessly on sandy surfaces. In
comparison with normal road surfaces, the
engine and other drive-system components
are put under excessive strain when driving
on such a surface, and this could lead to
accidents.
147)If any of following conditions occur
while the vehicle is being driven,
immediately park your vehicle in a safe
place and follow these procedures: the
needle in the temperature gauge
approaches the overheating zone. Refer to
“Engine overheating”; automatic
transmission fluid temperature warning
lamp comes on. Refer to “When the A/T
(automatic transmission) fluid temperature
warning lamp comes on”.
148)Never cross a stream where the water
is deep. Do not change gears while
crossing the stream. Frequent crossing of
streams can adversely affect the life span
of the vehicle; we recommend you to take
the necessary measures to prepare,
inspect, and repair the vehicle.
149)After crossing a stream, apply the
brakes to be sure they are functioning
properly. If the brakes are wet and not
functioning properly, dry them out by
driving slowly while lightly depressing the
brake pedal. Inspect each part of the
vehicle carefully.
183