FIAT 500C 2018 Owners Manual
Page 231 of 338
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
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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
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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
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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
Page 235 of 338
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
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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
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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
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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
Page 239 of 338
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic mainte-
nance required.
WARNING!• Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean over
a battery when attaching clamps. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush the area immediately with
large amounts of water. Refer to “Jump Starting
Procedure” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further
information.
• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep flame
or sparks away from the battery. Do not use a booster
battery or any other booster source with an output
greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable clamps to
touch each other. (Continued) WARNING! (Continued)• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after
handling.
• The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that
should not be disconnected and should only be
replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).
CAUTION!• It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to the
negative post. Battery posts are marked positive (+)
and negative (-) and are identified on the battery
case. Cable clamps should be tight on the terminal
posts and free of corrosion.
• If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in the
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables before
connecting the charger to the battery. Do not use a
“fast charger” to provide starting voltage. 8SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 237
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DEALER SERVICE
An authorized dealer has the qualified service personnel,
special tools, and equipment to perform all service opera-
tions in an expert manner. Service Manuals are available
which include detailed service information for your ve-
hicle. Refer to these Service Manuals before attempting any
procedure yourself.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.
WARNING!You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a service
job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
Engine Oil
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” 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.
Engine Oil Selection — 1.4L LA Engine
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only rec-
ommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of FCA Material Standard FPW9.55535-G1.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American Pe-
troleum Institute (API). The manu-
facturer only recommends API Cer-
tified engine oils.
This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20,
0W-30, 5W-30 and 10W-30 engine
oils.238 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE