FIAT 500C 2018 Owners Manual

Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo loaded
into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight values are
determined by weighing your vehicle on a commercial
scale before any occupants or cargo are added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and rear
of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined by
weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commercial
scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded. The
weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should then be
determined separately to be sure that the load is properly
distributed over the front and rear axle. Weighing the
vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the front or rear
axles has been exceeded but the total load is within the
specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the specified
weight limitations are met. Store the heavier items down
low and be sure that the weight is distributed equally. Stow
all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
CAUTION!Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do, parts
on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way
your vehicle handles. This could cause you to lose
control. Also overloading can shorten the life of your
vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended. 6STARTING AND OPERATING 189

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF the
Ground Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission
Flat Tow NONE Transmission in NEUTRAL
65 mph (105 km/h) max speed NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow Front OK OK
Rear NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OK
NOTE: When towing your vehicle, always follow appli-
cable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provin-
cial Highway Safety offices for additional details.
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle trailer
provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.
This vehicle may also be towed using a tow dolly (with the
front wheels OFF the ground).
Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions may be flat
towed (with all four wheels on the ground) speeds up to
65 mph (105 km/h), for any distance, if the manual
transmission is in NEUTRAL. CAUTION!• DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission. Damage to the drivetrain
will result. If these vehicles require towing, make
sure all drive wheels are OFF the ground.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.190 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING TIPS
Driving On Slippery Surfaces
Information in this section will aid in safe controlled
launches in adverse conditions.
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a
difference in the surface traction under the front (driving)
wheels.
WARNING!Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the front
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and care-
fully whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.). Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should be
observed:
• Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
• Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
• Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first be-
come visible.
• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.
Driving Through Water
Driving through water more than a few inches/centimeters
deep will require extra caution to ensure safety and pre-
vent damage to your vehicle. 6STARTING AND OPERATING 191

Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!Do not drive on or across a road or path where water is
flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flowing
water can wear away the road or path’s surface and
cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water. Further-
more, flowing and/or rising water can carry your ve-
hicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this warning may
result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through shal-
low standing water, consider the following Cautions and
Warnings before doing so.
WARNING!• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s
traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h)
when driving through standing water. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued)• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s
braking capabilities, which increases stopping dis-
tances. Therefore, after driving through standing
water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake
pedal several times to dry the brakes.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in inju-
ries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers,
and others around you.
CAUTION!• Always check the depth of the standing water before
driving through it. Never drive through standing
water that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims
mounted on the vehicle.
• Determine the condition of the road or the path that
is under water and if there are any obstacles in the
way before driving through the standing water.
• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects. (Continued)192 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)• Driving through standing water may cause damage
to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always in-
spect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmis-
sion, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid
that is milky or foamy in appearance) after driving
through standing water. Do not continue to operate
the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this
may result in further damage. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause
it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious internal
damage to the engine. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. 6STARTING AND OPERATING 193

IN CASE OF EMERGENCYCONTENTS  HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ........... .197
 BULB REPLACEMENT ................... .197
▫ Replacement Bulbs .................... .197
▫ Replacing Exterior Bulbs ................. .198
▫ Replacing Interior Bulbs ................. .200
 FUSES ............................... .200
▫ Interior Fuses ......................... .200
▫ Underhood Fuses ...................... .202
 TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED ......... .204
▫ Tire Service Kit Storage .................. .204
▫ Tire Service Kit Components And Operation . . .205
▫ Tire Service Kit Usage Precautions ......... .206
▫ Sealing A Tire With Tire Service Kit ........ .208  TIRE SERVICE KIT — IF EQUIPPED ......... .212
▫ Tire Service Kit Storage .................. .212
▫ Tire Service Kit Components And Operation . . .213
▫ Tire Service Kit Usage Precautions ......... .214
▫ Sealing A Tire With Tire Service Kit ........ .216
 JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE ............ .220
▫ Preparations For Jump Start .............. .220
▫ Jump Starting Procedure ................. .221
 GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE ............. .223
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............ .224
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE ............. .224
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ........... .226
▫ Automatic Transmission ................. .227
▫ Manual Transmission ................... .2277

 ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS) .............................. .228
 EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) ........... .228196 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel below the radio.
Push the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flashers. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn
oncoming traffic of an emergency. Push the
switch a second time to turn off the Hazard Warning
flashers.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and it is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate with the
ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery. BULB REPLACEMENT
Replacement Bulbs
Interior Bulbs
Bulb Number
Overhead Lamp C5W
Courtesy Lamp W5W
Rear Cargo Lamp W5W
Exterior Bulbs
Bulb Number
Front Low and High
Beam Headlamp HIR2LL
Front Parking/Daytime
Running Lamps W21/5W
Front Fog Lamps H11LL
Front Side Marker Lamps W3W
Front Turn Signal Lamps WY21W
Side Direction Lamps WY5W
Rear Turn Signal Lamps PY21W
Rear Side Marker Lamps W3W
Rear Tail and Stop Lamps P21/5W 7IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 197

Bulb Number
Rear Backup Lamps W16W
Center High Mounted
Stop Lamp W5W
License Plate Lamps LED (See Authorized
Dealer)
NOTE: Numbers refer to commercial bulb types that
can be purchased from an authorized dealer.
If a bulb needs to be replaced, visit an authorized
dealer or refer to the applicable Service Manual.
Replacing Exterior Bulbs
Headlamps Low Beam And High Beam
1. Remove the plastic cap from the back of the headlamp
housing.
2. Rotate the bulb counter-clockwise.
3. Remove the bulb and replace as needed.
4. Install the bulb and rotate clockwise to lock in place.
5. Reinstall the plastic cap. Front Turn Signal, Parking And Daytime Running
Lamps
1. Turn the steering wheel completely to the left or right.
2. Open the wheel housing access door.
3. Remove the plastic cap from the back of the lamp
housing.
4. Rotate bulb/socket counter-clockwise.
5. Remove the bulb and replace as needed. Wheel Housing Access Door198 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY