This is an integral part of the ESC system and automati-
cally operates in the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads (hydroplaning) and
acceleration on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc.
Depending on the slipping conditions, two different
control systems are activated:
•If the slipping involves both drive wheels, the ASR
system intervenes, reducing the power transmitted
by the engine.
• If the slipping only involves one of the drive wheels,
it also intervenes automatically, braking the wheel
that is slipping.
System Intervention
This 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.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
This is an integral part of the ESC system and facilitates
starting on slopes, activating automatically in the fol-
lowing cases: •
Uphill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradient
higher than 5%, engine running, brake pressed and
transmission in neutral (N) or gear other than reverse
engaged.
• Downhill: vehicle stationary on a road with a gradi-
ent higher than 5%, engine running, brake pressed
and reverse (R) 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 two seconds, allowing your right foot
to be moved easily from the brake pedal to the accel-
erator.
When the two seconds have elapsed, without starting,
the system is automatically deactivated, gradually re-
leasing the braking pressure. During this release stage,
the typical brake disengagement noise, indicating that
the vehicle is going to move imminently, can be heard.
NOTE:
• HSA is not a parking brake; therefore, never leave the
vehicle without having engaged the parking brake,
turned the engine off and engaged first gear, so that
the vehicle is parked in safe conditions.
92 SAFETY
•There may be situations on small gradients (less than
8%), with vehicle laden, in which the Hill Holder
system may not activate, causing a slight reversing
motion and increasing the risk of collision with
another vehicle or object. The driver is, in any case,
responsible for safe driving.
Hydraulic Brake Assistant System (HBA)
WARNING!
• The HBA system can’t overrule the natural laws
of physics, and can’t increase the grip available
according to the condition of the road.
• The HBA system cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those due to excessive speed on corners,
driving on low-grip surfaces or aquaplaning.
•
The capability of the HBA system must never be
tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in such a way
as to compromise the safety of the driver, the other
occupants of the vehicle or any other road user.
The HBA system is designed to improve the vehicles
braking capacity during emergency braking. The sys-
tem 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 HBA system
therefore completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance from the HBA system is obtained
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 no longer necessary.
The HBA system is deactivated when the brake pedal is
released.
Electronic Q2 System (E-Q2)
The
Electronic Q2 system intervenes during accelera-
tion on corners, braking the inner drive wheel and thus
increasing the traction of the outer wheel (which bears
more of the vehicles weight): the torque is thus distrib-
uted optimally between the drive wheels in accordance
with the driving conditions and road surface, permit-
ting particularly effective, sporty driving.
5
SAFETY 93
Ready Alert Brake System (RAB)
This function activates automatically if the accelerator
pedal is released rapidly, reducing the brake pad travel
(both at front and back), with the aim of preparing the
braking system and enhancing its responsiveness, thus
reducing the stopping distance in the event of subse-
quent braking.
AUXILIARY DRIVING SYSTEMS
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will warn the
driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle
recommended cold tire pressure.
The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about
1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C). This means that
when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pres-
sure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set
based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sure molded into the tire sidewall. Refer to “Tires” in
“Servicing And Maintenance” for information on howto properly inflate the vehicle’s tires. The tire pressure
will also increase as the vehicle is driven - this is normal
and there should be no adjustment for this increased
pressure.
The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure if
the tire pressure falls below the low pressure warning
limit for any reason, including low temperature effects,
or natural pressure loss through the tire.
The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the
recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire
pressure warning (TPMS Warning Light) illuminates,
you must increase the tire pressure to the recommended
cold placard pressure in order for the TPMS Warning
Light to turn off. The system will automatically update
and the TPMS Warning Light will turn off once the
system receives the updated tire pressures. The vehicle
may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this
information.
For example, your vehicle may have a recommended
cold (parked for more than three hours) placard pres-
sure of 30 psi (207 kPa). If the ambient temperature is
94 SAFETY
68°F (20°C) and the measured tire pressure is 27 psi
(186 kPa), a temperature drop to 20°F (-7°C) will
decrease the tire pressure to approximately 23 psi
(158 kPa). This tire pressure is sufficiently low enough
to turn ON the TPMS Warning Light. Driving the
vehicle may cause the tire pressure to rise to approxi-
mately 27 psi (186 kPa), but the TPMS Warning Light
will still be ON. In this situation, the TPMS Warning
Light will turn OFF only after the tires are inflated to the
vehicle’s recommended cold placard pressure value.
CAUTION!
•The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warnings have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system
operation or sensor damage may result when
using replacement equipment that is not of the
same size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels
can cause sensor damage. Using aftermarket tire
sealants may cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) sensor to become inoperable.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
After using an aftermarket tire sealant it is recom-
mended that you take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer to have your sensor function checked.
• After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure,
always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will
prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve
stem, which could damage the Tire Pressure
Monitoring Sensor.
NOTE:
• The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire
failure or condition.
• The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure
gauge while adjusting your tire pressure.
• Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
• The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
5
SAFETY 95
correct tire pressure using an accurate tire gauge,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPMS Warning Light.
• Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pres-
sure, and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire
pressure in the tire.
Base System
This is the TPMS warning indicator located in
the instrument cluster.
The TPMS uses wireless technology with
wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire
pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part
of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the
Receiver Module.
NOTE: It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle regularly
and to maintain the proper pressure. The TPMS consists of the following components:
•
Receiver Module.
• Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System Warning Light.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The TPMS Warning Light will illuminate in the instru-
ment cluster, an acoustic signal will be activated, and
the “Check left or right front/rear tire” text message
will display when one or more of the four active road
tire pressures are low. Should this occur, you should
stop as soon as possible, check the inflation pressure of
each tire on your vehicle, and inflate each tire to the
vehicle’s recommended cold placard pressure value.
The system will automatically update and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring Light will extinguish once the
updated tire pressures have been received. The vehicle
may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h) to receive this information.
96 SAFETY
Check TPMS Warnings
The TPMS Warning Light will flash on and off for 75
seconds and remain on solid when a system fault is
detected, the “TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING UN-
AVAILABLE” text message will display. If the ignition
key is cycled, this sequence will repeat providing the
system fault still exists. The TPMS Warning Light will
turn off when the fault condition no longer exists. A
system fault can occur with any of the following
scenarios:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next tofacilities emitting the same radio frequencies as the
TPM sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting that affects radio wave signals.
3. Snow or ice around the wheels or wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
NOTE: Your vehicle may be equipped with a compact
spare wheel and tire assembly. 1. The compact spare tire does not have a tire pressure
monitoring sensor. Therefore, the TPMS will not
monitor the tire pressure in the compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure
warning limit, upon the next ignition key cycle, a
chime will sound and the TPMS Warning Light will
still turn ON due to the low tire.
3. However, after driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph (24 km/h), the TPMS Warn-
ing Light will flash on and off for 75 seconds and
then remain on solid.
4. This occurs for each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will sound and the TPMS Warning Light will
flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on
solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact
spare tire, the TPMS will update automatically and
the TPMS Warning Light will turn OFF, as long as no
tire pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit
in any of the four active road tires. The vehicle may
5
SAFETY 97
the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle
should be belted at all times.
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
Driver and Passenger BeltAlert — If Equipped
BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the
driver and outboard front seat passenger (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert) to buckle their seat belts. The Belt Alert
feature is active whenever the ignition switch is in
the AVV/START or MAR/RUN position.
Initial Indication
If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition switch is
first in the AVV/START or MAR/RUN position, a
chime will signal for a few seconds. If the driver or
outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with out-
board front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled
when the ignition switch is first in the AVV/START or
MAR/RUN position the Seat Belt Reminder Light will
turn on and remain on until both outboard front seat
belts are buckled. The outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert is not active when an outboard front passen-
ger seat is unoccupied. BeltAlert Warning Sequence
The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated when the
vehicle is moving above a specified vehicle speed range
and the driver or outboard front seat passenger is
unbuckled (if equipped with outboard front passenger
seat BeltAlert) (the outboard front passenger seat
BeltAlert is not active when the outboard front passen-
ger seat is unoccupied). The BeltAlert warning se-
quence starts by blinking the Seat Belt Reminder Light
and sounding an intermittent chime. Once the BeltAlert
warning sequence has completed, the Seat Belt Re-
minder Light will remain on until the seat belts are
buckled. The BeltAlert warning sequence may repeat
based on vehicle speed until the driver and occupied
outboard front seat passenger seat belts are buckled.
The driver should instruct all occupants to buckle their
seat belts.
Change of Status
If the driver or outboard front seat passenger (if
equipped with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert)
unbuckles their seat belt while the vehicle is traveling,
the BeltAlert warning sequence will begin until the seat
belts are buckled again.
100 SAFETY
The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is not active
when the outboard front passenger seat is unoccupied.
BeltAlert may be triggered when an animal or other
items are placed on the outboard front passenger seat or
when the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is recom-
mended that pets be restrained in the rear seat (if
equipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are
secured by seat belts, and cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by an autho-
rized dealer. FCA US LLC does not recommend deacti-
vating BeltAlert.
NOTE:If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the driver
or outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with
outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled
the Seat Belt Reminder Light will turn on and remain on
until the driver and outboard front seat passenger seat
belts are buckled.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with
lap/shoulder belts.
The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only during
very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the seat belt to move freely with you under normal conditions. However, in a collision the
seat belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking the
inside of the vehicle or being thrown out of the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some
collisions, the air bags won’t deploy at all. Always
wear your seat belt even though you have air bags.
• In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly
buckled up. You can strike the interior of your
vehicle or other passengers, or you can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Always be sure you and others
in your vehicle are buckled up properly.
• It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people riding
in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
•
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
(Continued)
5
SAFETY 101