maintenance FIAT 500C 2018 User Guide

Air Bag Warning Light
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the air bag system whenever the ignition
switch is in the AVV/START or MAR/ACC/
ON/RUN position. If the ignition switch is in the
STOP/OFF/LOCK position the air bag system is not on
and the air bags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that may
deploy the air bag system even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in the
instrument panel for approximately four to eight seconds
for a self-check when the ignition switch is in the MAR/
ACC/ON/RUN position. After the self-check, the Air Bag
Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunc-
tion in any part of the system, it turns on the Air Bag
Warning Light, either momentarily or continuously. A
single chime will sound to alert you if the light comes on
again after initial startup. The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the
instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
detected that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the air
bag system immediately.
• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during the
four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is first in
the MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position.
• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to
eight-second interval.
• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving.
NOTE: If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. In this condition
the air bags may not be ready to inflate for your protection.
Have an authorized dealer service the air bag system
immediately.124 SAFETY

CAUTION!• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continuously
crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
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 detri-
mental 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 recom-
mended viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Dealer
Service” in “Servicing And Maintenance”.
CAUTION!Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
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. 6STARTING AND OPERATING 163

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCECONTENTS  SCHEDULED SERVICING ................ .231
▫ Maintenance Plan ...................... .232
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.4L LA ........ .235
▫ Checking Oil Level .................... .236
▫ Adding Washer Fluid .................. .236
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ................ .237
 DEALER SERVICE ...................... .238
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .238
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .240
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................ .240
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............. .240
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .244
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ................ .245 ▫ Exhaust System ....................... .247
▫ Cooling System ....................... .248
▫ Brake System ........................ .252
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ....... .254
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ..... .254
 RAISING THE VEHICLE ................. .255
 TIRES ............................... .256
▫ Tire Safety Information ................. .256
▫ Tires — General Information ............. .263
▫ Tire Types ........................... .269
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ............... .270
▫ Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ............. .273
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) ............ .274
▫ Tir e Rotation Recommendations ........... .2758

 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES ......... .276
▫ Treadwear ........................... .276
▫ Traction Grades ....................... .276
▫ Temperature Grades .................... .276
 VEHICLE STORAGE .................... .277
 BODYWORK .......................... .277
▫ Protection From Atmospheric Agents ....... .277 ▫ Body And Underbody Maintenance ......... .278
▫ Preserving The Bodywork ................ .278
 INTERIORS ........................... .281
▫ Seats And Fabric Parts .................. .281
▫ Plastic And Coated Parts ................. .281
▫ Leather Parts ......................... .282
▫ Glass Surfaces ........................ .282230 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULED SERVICING
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. NOTE: Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or
350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The
350 hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment or is
operated predominantly at idle or only very low engine
RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
Check engine oil level.
Check windshield washer fluid level.
Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage.
Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and brake
master cylinder, and fill as needed.
Check function of all interior and exterior lights. 8SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 231

Maintenance Plan
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page
for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
Change oil and filter.
Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular
wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator system
turns on. At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals
as required.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, drums and park brake.
Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road
conditions.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following pages
for the required maintenance intervals.Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV joints. X X X X X
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, and replace if necessary. XXX X X X X232 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000Inspect the brake linings. Replace as necessary. X X X X X X X
Inspect park brake function. Adjust as necessary. XXX X X X X
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine air filter. X X X X X
Replace cabin air filter. X X X X X X X
Clean and lube sun roof tracks. X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Replace spark plugs. ** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10
years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever
comes first. XX
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X
Replaced accessory drive belt and tensioner. X
Replace the timing belt. X
** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply. 8SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 233

WARNING!• You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only 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 me-
chanic.
• Failure to properly inspect and maintain your vehicle
could result in a component malfunction and effect
vehicle handling and performance. This could cause
an accident.234 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 1.4L LA
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir Pressure Cap 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 9 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
5 — Battery 8SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 235

Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be
maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a fully
warmed up engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.
There are three possible dipstick types,
• Crosshatched zone.
• Crosshatched zone marked SAFE.
• Crosshatched zone marked with MIN at the low end of
the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
• Crosshatched zone marked with dimples at the MIN and
the MAX ends of the range.
NOTE: Always maintain the oil level within the crosshatch
markings on the dipstick.
Adding 1 quart (1.0 liters) of oil when the reading is at the
low end of the dipstick range will raise the oil level to the
high end of the range marking. CAUTION!Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment, and the fluid level should be checked
at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent (not engine coolant/ antifreeze). Refer to
“Engine Compartment” in this section for further informa-
tion.
WARNING!Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around the
washer solution.236 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE