2020 FIAT 500 Owner handbook (in English)

Symbol What it means
yellowDUSK SENSOR FAILURE
The symbol switches on along with a message on the display in the event of dusk sensor failure. Contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
yellowSPEED LIMITER FAILURE
The symbol switches on in the case of failure of the Speed Limiter device. Contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible to have the failure eliminated.
yellowFUEL RESERVE - LIMITED RANGE
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds.
The warning light or the symbol switches on in the display when about 5 litres of fuel are left in the tank.
The triangle on the right side of the symbol indicates the side of the car with the fuel filler.
IMPORTANT If the warning light flashes or the symbol is constantly on, depending on the versions, there is
a fault in the system. If this is the case, go to a Fiat Dealership to have the system checked.
WARNING
47)If the warning light switches on, the degraded engine oil must be changed as soon as possible, and never more than 500 km from the
first time that the warning light switches on. Failure to observe the above may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the
warranty. The activation of this warning light is not related to the amount of oil in the engine. Therefore, never top up with oil when the warning
light starts flashing.
48)If the warning light
(or the amber warning light, for versions/markets, where provided) switches on, the degraded engine oil
must be changed as soon as possible, and never more than 500 km from the first time that the warning light switches on. Failure to observe
the above may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the warranty. The activation of this warning light is not related to the
amount of oil in the engine. Therefore, never top up with oil when the warning light starts flashing.
63

WARNING
32)To avoid damaging the engine it is advisable to change the engine oil when thewarning light flashes. In this case, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
64
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

MESSAGES ON INSTRUMENT PANEL
Messages What it means
CITY“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The indication CITY switches on when the "Dualdrive" electric power steering system is activated by
pressing the "CITY" button on the dashboard. The CITY indication goes off when the button is pressed
again.
ECOTURNING ON THE ECO FUNCTION
ECO is shown on the display with the "ECO" function is turned on by pressing the corresponding button on
the dashboard. Pressing the button again, the message ECO will be switched off until the engine is started
again. The ECO function will be on when the engine is started again. A dedicated screen instead of the
"ECO" indication is displayed on some versions.
DUALOGIC GEARBOX
MESSAGESFor versions equipped with "Dualogic" gearbox, the following messages can be displayed:
Reduce gear changes
Manual mode unavailable
Automatic method unavailable
Clutch overheating
Depress brake pedal
Depress brake pedal - delayed ignition
Gear not available
Manoeuvre not allowed
Depress brake pedal and repeat operation
Positioning of the gear lever at N (neutral).
33) 34)
65

WARNING
33)If the messages continue to be shown in the display, contact a Fiat Dealership.
34)In order to safeguard the efficiency of the clutch, do not use the accelerator to keep the car stationary (e.g. when stopped on an incline); if
the clutch overheats it could damage it; use the brake pedal instead and only use the accelerator pedal when you decide to set off.
66
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

SAFETY
The chapter that you are about to read
is very important: it describes the
safety systems with which the vehicle is
equipped and provides instructions on
how to use them correctlyACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS ............ 68
DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS .. 72
OCCUPANT PROTECTION
SYSTEMS ....................................... 73
SEAT BELTS ................................... 74
SBR SYSTEM (SEAT BELT
REMINDER) .................................... 75
PRE-TENSIONERS ......................... 75
CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS ..... 77
SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SRS) - AIRBAG................ 89
67

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The vehicle has the following active
safety systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution);
MSR (Motor Schleppmoment
Regelung);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control);
HH (Hill Holder);
ASR (Antislip Regulation);
HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist);
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 any road surface condition,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking thus 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 car when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
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.
49) 50) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) 57)
EBD (Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution)
SYSTEM
This system (which cannot be
deactivated) recognises emergency
braking conditions according to the
speed of operation of the brake pedal
and provides an additional hydraulic
braking pressure to support that
provided by the driver. This allows
faster and more powerful operation of
the braking system.MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment
Regelung) SYSTEM
The MSR system is an integral part of
the ABS, that intervenes, if there is a
sudden change to a lower gear,
restoring torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the drive
wheels which, especially in poor grip
conditions, could lead to a loss in
stability of the vehicle.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
This is an electronic system that
controls vehicle stability in the event of
tyre grip loss, helping maintain
directional control.
The system is capable of recognising
potentially dangerous situations in
terms of the stability and intervenes
automatically on the brakes in a
differentiated manner for the four
wheels in order to provide a stabilising
torque.
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
System intervention
This 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.
68
SAFETY

58) 59) 60) 61) 62) 63)
HH (Hill Holder) SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and facilitates starting on
slopes, activating automatically in the
following cases:
uphill: car stationary on a road with
a gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and gearbox in
neutral or gear (other than reverse)
engaged;
downhill: car 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 the 2 seconds have elapsed,
without starting, the system is
automatically deactivated, gradually
releasing the braking pressure.
During this release stage, the typical
mechanical brake release noise can be
heard, indicating that the car is about
to move.Moving the car on sloping roads
For optimal starting on very steep
gradients, as follows:
Press the brake pedal to activate the
Hill Holder;
completely press the clutch pedal;
engage the gear;
remove your foot from the brake
pedal;
completely press the accelerator
pedal.
In this manner, the engine goes to the
optimal rpm for taking off uphill. The Hill
Holder remains engaged (car braked)
until the clutch is gradually released
(holding the accelerator pedal pressed):
at this point, the system switches off
and the car starts moving. The Hill
Holder function switches off
automatically if the cars does not
take-off within 2 seconds.
The manoeuvre makes it possible to
avoid pressing the accelerator (because
it must remain fully pressed during the
manoeuvre) and to operate only the
clutch, by gradually releasing it.
Operating the handbrake is not
necessary.
On less steep gradients, the system is
active also with the accelerator pedal
not completely pressed.
64) 65)
ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
This is an integral part of the ESC
system and automatically operates in
the event of one or both drive wheels
slipping, loss of grip on wet roads
(aquaplaning) 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 car is in
critical stability and grip conditions.
69

Manual engagement/release
The ASR comes on automatically
whenever the engine is started. While
driving, the ASR can be turned off
and then on again by pressing
the button A fig. 50 (ASR OFF). When
the system is not active, the LED on the
same button turns on and, on some
versions, a message appears on the
display.
If the ASR is disengaged during driving,
this is automatically reactivated at the
following car starting.
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.
66) 67) 68) 69) 70) 71)
HBA (Hydraulic Brake
Assist) SYSTEM
It is an integral part of the ESC system.
The HBA system is designed to
improve the car’s braking capacity
during emergency braking.
The system detects an emergency
braking by monitoring the speed and
strength with which the brake pedal
is pressed, thereby applying the optimal
brake pressure. This can reduce the
braking distance: the HBA system
therefore completes the ABS.
Maximum assistance of 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 obtain benefits
from 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.
72) 73) 74) 75) 76)
WARNING
49)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.
50)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.
51)If the ABS system intervenes, this
indicates that the traction of the tyres on
the road is about to reach its limit. You
must slow down to a speed compatible
with the available traction.
52)The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
53)The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
54)The capability of the ABS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
55)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.
50F0S0518
70
SAFETY