2022 FIAT 500X brake

80
STARTING AND OPERATING
STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
adjust the inside and outside mirrors, fasten your
seat belt, and if present, instruct all other
occupants to buckle their seat belts.
Start the engine with the gear selector in the
NEUTRAL or PARK position. Apply the brake before
shifting to any driving range.Normal Starting
Proceed as follows:

1. Set the Electric Park Brake (EPB) and put the
gear selector in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position.

2. Press on the brake pedal, without pressing the accelerator.
3. Press the START/STOP ignition button and release it as soon as the engine is started.
4. If the engine does not start, place the ignition in the OFF position and wait 10-15 seconds
before attempting to restart the engine.
TIP START FEATURE
Do not press the accelerator. Briefly press the
START/STOP ignition button and release it. The
starter motor will continue to run but will
automatically disengage when the engine is
running.
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
To ensure reliable starting under extreme cold
conditions an externally powered electric block
heater (if equipped) is required below -20°F
(-29°C). To prevent possible engine damage while starting
at low temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine
cranking when the ambient temperature is less
than -20°F (-29°C), and the oil temperature
sensor reading indicates an engine block heater
has not been used. The message “Plug in Engine
Heater” will be displayed in the instrument cluster
when the ambient temperature is below -4°F
(-20°C) at the time the engine is shut off as a
reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next
cold start.
EXTENDED PARK STARTING
NOTE:Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 30 days.

1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to
the battery to ensure a full battery charge
during the crank cycle.

2. Press the START/STOP ignition button and release it when the engine starts.
3. If the engine fails to start within 10 seconds, place the ignition in the OFF position, wait
10 to 15 seconds to allow the starter to cool,
then repeat the Extended Park Starting
procedure.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended
is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child
or others could be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children), and do
not leave the ignition in the ON or RUN posi -
tion. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.

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82STARTING AND OPERATING
When the ignition is in the OFF position, the
window switches remains active for three minutes.
Opening a front door will cancel this function.
After severe driving, idle the engine to allow the
temperature inside the engine compartment to
cool before shutting off the engine.
TURBOCHARGER “COOL DOWN” —
I
F EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to
cool the turbocharger after the engine is shut off.
Depending on the type of driving and the amount
of cargo, the pump will run for up to 10 minutes
after the engine has been shut off to circulate
coolant through the turbocharger. Although the
pump is rubber-mounted for quiet operation, it is
normal to hear it running during this time.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine
and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your
vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles
(500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km),
speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are
desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within
the limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in. Wide-open throttle acceleration in low
gear can be detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory
is a high-quality energy conserving type lubricant.
Oil changes should be consistent with anticipated
climate conditions under which vehicle operations
will occur. For the recommended viscosity and
quality grades Ú
page 293.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during its first
few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in
and not interpreted as a problem.
ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE (EPB)
Your vehicle is equipped with an EPB that offers
simple operation, and some additional features
that make the parking brake more convenient and
useful.
The parking brake is primarily intended to prevent
the vehicle from rolling while parked. Before
leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is applied. Also, be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK. The EPB switch is located in the center console.
You can engage the EPB in two ways;
Manually, by pulling up on the EPB switch
momentarily to apply.
Automatically, by enabling the Auto Park Brake
feature in the Customer Programmable
Features section of the Uconnect Settings.

Electric Park Brake Switch

To apply the EPB manually, pull up on the switch
momentarily. You may hear a sound from the back
of the vehicle while the EPB engages. Once the
parking brake is fully engaged, the Brake Warning
Light in the instrument cluster and an indicator on
the switch will illuminate. If your foot is on the
brake pedal while you apply the EPB, you may
notice a small amount of brake pedal movement.
The EPB can be applied even when the ignition is
in the OFF position however, it can only be released
when the ignition is in the RUN position.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral
Oil in the engine or damage may result.

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STARTING AND OPERATING83
(Continued)
NOTE:The EPB fault lamp will illuminate if the EPB switch
is held for longer than 60 seconds in either the
released or applied position. The light will extin -
guish upon releasing the switch.
If the Auto Park Brake feature is enabled, the EPB
will automatically engage whenever the
transmission is moved into PARK when the ignition
switch is in the STOP/OFF position. If your foot is on
the brake pedal, you may notice a small amount of
brake pedal movement while the EPB is engaging.
The EPB will be automatically released if the
driver’s seat belt is buckled (in case of automatic
transmission) and driver's intention to start (in
forward or reverse direction) is recognized by the
system
To release the EPB manually, the ignition must be
in the RUN position. Put your foot on the brake
pedal, then push the EPB switch down
momentarily. You may hear a sound from the back
of the car while the parking brake disengages. You
may also notice a small amount of movement in
the brake pedal. Once the EPB is fully disengaged,
the Brake Warning Light in the instrument cluster
and the LED indicator on the switch will extinguish.
NOTE:When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the
front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade
and away from the curb on an uphill grade. Apply
the EPB before placing the gear selector in PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking
mechanism may make it difficult to move the gear
selector out of PARK. The EPB should always be
applied whenever the driver is not in the vehicle.
If exceptional circumstances should make it
necessary to engage the EPB while the vehicle is in
motion, maintain upward pressure on the EPB
switch for as long as engagement is desired. The
brake warning lamp could illuminate in case of the
hydraulic system is not available. The rear stop
lamps will also be illuminated automatically while
the vehicle remains in motion.
To disengage the EPB while the vehicle is in
motion, release the switch. If the vehicle is brought
to a complete stop using the EPB, when the vehicle
reaches approximately 1.9 mph (3 km/h) the EPB
will remain engaged.
WARNING!
When exiting the vehicle, always remove the
key fob from the vehicle and lock your vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing chil-
dren to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmis -
sion gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children), and do
not leave the ignition in the ON or RUN posi -
tion. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to
brake failure and a collision.
Always fully apply the parking brake when
leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and cause
damage or injury. Also be certain to leave the
transmission in PARK. Failure to do so may
allow the vehicle to roll and cause damage or
injury.
CAUTION!
If the Brake System Warning Light remains on
with the parking brake released, a brake system
malfunction is indicated. Have the brake system
serviced by an authorized dealer immediately.
WARNING!
4

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84STARTING AND OPERATING
In the unlikely event of a malfunction of the EPB
system, a yellow EPB fault lamp will illuminate. This
may be accompanied by the Brake Warning Light
flashing. In this status, some EPB functionalities
may be deactivated. In this event, urgent service of
the EPB system is required. Do not rely on the EPB
to hold the vehicle stationary.
AUTO PARK BRAKE
The EPB can be programmed to be applied
automatically whenever the vehicle speed is below
1.9 mph (3 km/h) and the automatic transmission
is placed in PARK whenever the ignition is in the
OFF position. Auto Park Brake is enabled and
disabled by customer selection through the
Customer Programmable Features section of the
Uconnect Settings.
Any single Auto Park Brake application can be
bypassed by pushing the EPB switch to the release
position while the transmission is placed in PARK
and the ignition is in the RUN position. In some cases, if the ignition is cycled from ON/RUN to OFF
and the gear selector is not firmly locked in the
PARK position, EPB applies automatically even if
Auto Park Brake has been previously disabled.
SAFEHOLD
SafeHold is a safety feature of the EPB system that
will engage the parking brake automatically if the
vehicle is left unsecured while the ignition switch is
in the RUN position.
The EPB will automatically engage if all of the
following conditions are met:
Vehicle speed is below 1.9 mph (3 km/h).
There is no attempt to press the brake pedal or
accelerator pedal.
The seat belt is unbuckled.
The driver door is open.
The vehicle is not in the PARK position.
SafeHold can be temporarily bypassed by pushing
the EPB switch while the driver door is open and
the brake pedal is pressed. Once manually
bypassed, SafeHold will be enabled again once the
vehicle reaches 12 mph (20 km/h) or the ignition
is cycled to the OFF position and back to RUN
position.
BRAKE SERVICE MODE
We recommend having your brakes serviced by an
authorized dealer. You should only make repairs
for which you have the knowledge and the right
equipment. You should only enter Brake Service
Mode during brake service.
When servicing your rear brakes, it may be
necessary for you or your technician to push the
rear piston into the rear caliper bore. With the EPB
system, this can only be done after retracting the
EPB actuator. The actuator retraction can be done
easily by entering the Brake Service Mode. This
menu based system will guide you through the
steps necessary to retract the EPB actuator in
order to perform rear brake service.
Service Mode has requirements that must be met
in order to be activated:
The vehicle must be at a standstill.
The parking brake must be disabled.
The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
The EPB switch not activated.
The ignition is in the ON/RUN position.
The brake pedal not pressed.
While in service mode, the EPB fault lamp will flash
continuously while the ignition is placed in the ON
position.
WARNING!
Driving the vehicle with the parking brake
engaged, or repeated use of the parking brake
to slow the vehicle may cause serious damage to
the brake system. Be sure the parking brake is
fully disengaged before driving; failure to do so
can lead to brake failure and a collision.

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STARTING AND OPERATING85
(Continued)
NOTE:A dedicated message will appear in the instrument
cluster if Brake Service Mode cannot be activated.
When brake service work is complete, the following
steps must be followed to reset the parking brake
system to normal operation:
Ensure the vehicle is at a standstill.
Press the brake pedal with moderate force.
Apply the EPB switch.
NOTE:A dedicated message will appear in the instrument
cluster if Brake Service Mode cannot be deacti -
vated.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NOTE:You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed
both beside the gear selector and in the instrument cluster. To select a gear range, push
the lock button on the gear selector and move the
lever rearward or forward. You must also press the
brake pedal to shift the transmission out of PARK
(or NEUTRAL, when the vehicle is stopped or
moving at low speeds). Select the DRIVE range for
normal driving.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for
which you have the knowledge and the right
equipment. If you have any doubt about your
ability to perform a service job, take your vehicle
to a competent mechanic.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all
vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while
the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle,
always come to a complete stop, then apply
the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, and turn the ignition OFF. When the
ignition is in the OFF position, the transmis
-
sion is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure
the ignition is in the OFF position, remove the
key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing chil -
dren to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmis -
sion gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children), and do
not leave the ignition in the ON or RUN posi -
tion. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above
idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
WARNING!
4

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86STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
GEAR SELECTOR
The transmission gear selector has PARK,
REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick (+/-)
shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using
the AutoStick shift control. Toggling the gear
selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the
AutoStick position (beside the DRIVE position) will
manually select the transmission gear, and will
display the current gear in the instrument cluster
as 1, 2, 3, etc.
NOTE:If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed
forward) it is probably in the AutoStick (+/-)
position (beside the DRIVE position). In AutoStick
mode, the transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is
displayed in the instrument cluster. Move the gear
selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for
access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
The electronically-controlled transmission adapts
its shift schedule based on driver inputs, along
with environmental and road conditions. The
transmission electronics are self-calibrating;
therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may
be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition,
and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
The 9-speed transmission has been developed to
meet the needs of current and future FWD/AWD vehicles. Software and calibration is refined to
optimize the customer’s driving experience and
fuel economy. By design, some vehicle and
driveline combinations utilize 9th gear only in very
specific driving situations and conditions.

Gear Selector Lock Button

Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when
the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is
stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
pedal when shifting between these gears.
Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting
from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.
GEAR RANGES
PARK (P)
The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion.
When parking on a hill, apply the EPB before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the gear selector out of
PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and
away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
Apply the parking brake.
Shift the transmission into PARK.
Turn the engine off.
Remove the key fob.
CAUTION!
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before
accelerating. This is especially important when
the engine is cold.
WARNING!
Never use the PARK position as a substitute
for the parking brake. Always apply the
parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle to
guard against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.

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STARTING AND OPERATING87
(Continued) The following indicators should be used to ensure
that you have properly engaged the transmission
into the PARK position:
When shifting into PARK, push the lock button
on the gear selector, and firmly move the gear
selector all the way forward until it stops and is
fully seated.
Look at the transmission gear position display
and verify that it indicates the PARK position (P),
and is not blinking.
With the brake pedal released, verify that the
gear selector will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward.
Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for
prolonged periods with the engine running. The
engine may be started in this range. Apply the
Electric Park Brake and shift the transmission into
PARK if you must exit the vehicle.
Your vehicle could move and injure you and
others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to
move the transmission gear selector out of
PARK with the brake pedal released. Make
sure the transmission is in PARK before
exiting the vehicle.
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle could
injure those in or near the vehicle. As with all
vehicles, you should never exit a vehicle while
the engine is running. Before exiting a vehicle,
always come to a complete stop, then apply
the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, and turn the ignition OFF. When the
ignition is in the OFF position, the transmis -
sion is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
WARNING!
When exiting the vehicle, always make sure
the ignition is in the OFF position, remove the
key fob from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing chil -
dren to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured.
Children should be warned not to touch the
parking brake, brake pedal or the transmis -
sion gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle
(or in a location accessible to children), and do
not leave the ignition in the ON or RUN posi -
tion. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Before moving the transmission gear selector
out of PARK, you must turn the ignition to the
ON/RUN position, and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector
could result.
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as
this can damage the drivetrain.
WARNING!
4

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STARTING AND OPERATING89
You can start out (from a stop) in FIRST or
SECOND gear. Starting out in SECOND gear can
be helpful in snow or icy conditions. Tap the gear
selector forward or rearward to select the
desired gear after the vehicle is brought to a
stop.
If a requested downshift would cause the
engine to overspeed, that shift will not occur.
The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too
low of a vehicle speed.
Avoid using Cruise Control when AutoStick is
engaged because the transmission will not shift
automatically.
Transmission shifting will be more noticeable
when AutoStick is enabled.
The system may revert to automatic shift mode
if a fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear
selector to the DRIVE position. You can shift in or
out of the AutoStick position at any time without
taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
TRANSMISSION LIMP HOME MODE
Transmission function is electronically monitored
for abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected
that could result in transmission damage,
Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this
mode, the transmission may operate only in a fixed
gear, or may remain in NEUTRAL. The Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp
Home Mode may allow the vehicle to be driven to
an authorized dealer for service without damaging
the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the
transmission can be reset to regain all forward
gears by performing the following steps:

1. Stop the vehicle.

2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition OFF.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the
transmission will return to normal operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we
recommend that you visit an authorized dealer at
your earliest possible convenience. An authorized
dealer has diagnostic equipment to assess the
condition of your transmission. If the transmission
cannot be reset, authorized dealer service is
required.
IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park
Interlock, which requires the transmission to be in
PARK before the ignition can be turned to the OFF
position. Also, the transmission is locked in PARK
whenever the ignition is in the OFF position.
BRAKE TRANSMISSION SHIFT
I
NTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a BTSI that holds the
transmission gear selector in PARK unless the
brakes are applied. To shift the transmission out of
PARK, the ignition must be in the RUN position
(engine running or not) and the brake pedal must
be pressed.
The brake pedal must also be pressed before
pushing the button on the gear selector to shift
from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking
on a slippery surface. The drive wheels could
lose their grip and the vehicle could skid,
causing a collision or personal injury.
4

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