FIAT 500X 2014 2.G Owners Manual

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light — If Equipped
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light
The “ESC Indicator Light” in the instrument cluster will come on when the ignition switch
is turned to the AVV/START position. If the “ESC Indicator Light” comes on continuously
with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles (kilo-
meters) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as
possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
•
The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC Indicator Light” come on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned to AVV/START.
• Each time the ignition is turned to AVV/START, the ESC system will be ON, even if it
was turned off previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal;
the sounds will stop when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver that caused
the ESC activation. 5
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Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) OFF Indicator Light
This light indicates the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
Green Telltale Indicator Lights
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
Green Telltale
Light What It Means
Turn Signal Indicator Lights
The instrument cluster arrow will flash independently for the left or right turn signal as se-
lected, as well as the exterior turn signal lamp(s) (front and rear) as selected when the multi-
function lever is moved down (left) or up (right).
150 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Park/Headlight On Indicator Light
Green TelltaleLight What It Means
Park/Headlight On Indicator Light
This indicator will illuminate when the park lights or headlights are turned on.
Front Fog Indicator Light — If Equipped
Green Telltale
Light What It Means
Front Fog Indicator Light — If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog lights are on.
Cruise Control Engaged Indicator Light — If Equipped
Green Telltale
Light What It Means
Cruise Control Engaged Indicator Light
This light will turn on when the cruise control has been set to a certain speed.
5
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 151

White Telltale Indicator Lights
Cruise Control On Indicator Light
White TelltaleLight What It Means
Cruise Control On Indicator Light
This light will turn on when the cruise control has been enabled by the driver.
Blue Telltale Indicator Lights
High Beam Indicator Light
Blue Telltale
Light What It Means
High Beam Indicator Light
This indicator shows that the high beam headlights are on. Push the multifunction control
lever away from you to switch the headlights to high beam. Pull the lever toward you to
switch the headlights back to low beam. If the driver’s door is open, and the headlights or
park lights are left on, the high beam indicator light will remain illuminated.
152 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

SAFETY
CONTENTS
BRAKE SYSTEM ..................... .154
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . .154
▫ Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . .155
▫ Brake System Warning Light .............155
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ...........155
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light ...........156
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ..............157
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................157
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ...........159
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) .........159
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) .........161
▫ Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) ..........161
 OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS ........162▫
Occupant Restraint Systems Features ......162
▫ Important Safety Precautions ............162
▫ Seat Belt Systems ....................163
▫ Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) ......174
▫ Child Restraints .....................188
▫ Transporting Pets ....................205
 SAFETY TIPS ....................... .205
▫ Transporting Passengers ................205
▫ Exhaust Gas ....................... .206
▫ Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle .......................... .207
▫ Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ..................209
6

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. However, there will be some loss of overall brak-
ing effectiveness. This will be evident by increased
pedal travel during application and greater pedal force
required to slow or stop the vehicle. In addition, if the
malfunction is caused by a leak in the hydraulic system,
the “Brake Warning Light” will turn on as the brake
fluid level drops in the master cylinder.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine OFF) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required
to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that
required with the power system operating.
WARNING!
•Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot rest-
ing or riding on the brake pedal can result in
abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
lining wear, and possible brake damage. You
would not have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
• Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning Light”
on is dangerous. A significant decrease in braking
performance or vehicle stability during braking
may occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to con-
trol. You could have a collision. Have the vehicle
checked immediately.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic
Brake Control system (EBC). This system includes Elec-
tronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start
Assist (HSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), Dynamic Steering Torque (DST)
and Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM). These systems
work together to enhance both vehicle stability and
control in various driving conditions.
154 SAFETY

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
This function manages the distribution of the braking
torque between the front and rear axles by limiting
braking pressure to the rear axle. This is done to prevent
overslip of the rear wheels to avoid vehicle instability,
and to prevent the rear axle from entering ABS before
the front axle.
Brake System Warning Light
The red “Brake System Warning Light” will turn on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position
and may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the “Brake System Warning Light” remains on or
comes on while driving, it indicates that the brake
system is not functioning properly and that immediate
service is required. If the “Brake System Warning Light”
does not come on when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON position, have the light repaired as soon as
possible.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under mostbraking conditions. The system automatically prevents
wheel lock, and enhances vehicle control during brak-
ing.
The ABS performs a self-check cycle to ensure that the
ABS is working properly each time the vehicle is started
and driven. During this self-check, you may hear a
slight clicking sound as well as some related motor
noises.
ABS is activated during braking when the system
detects one or more wheels begins to lock. Road condi-
tions such as ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks,
loose debris, or panic stops may increase the likelihood
of ABS activation(s).
You also may experience the following when ABS
activates:
•
The ABS motor noise (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop).
• The clicking sound of solenoid valves.
• Brake pedal pulsations.
•A slight drop of the brake pedal at the end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
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SAFETY 155

WARNING!
•The ABS contains sophisticated electronic equip-
ment that may be susceptible to interference
caused by improperly installed or high output
radio transmitting equipment. This interference
can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capa-
bility. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
• Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
• The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it
increase braking or steering efficiency beyond
that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
• The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner that could jeopardize the user ’s safety or
the safety of others.
ABS is designed to function with the OEM tires. Modi-
fication may result in degraded ABS performance.
Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The yellow “Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light” will turn
on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position and may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the “Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light” remains on or
comes on while driving, it indicates that the anti-lock
portion of the brake system is not functioning and that
service is required. However, the conventional brake
system will continue to operate normally if the “Brake
System Warning Light” is not on.
If the “Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light” is on, the brake
system should be serviced as soon as possible to restore
the benefits of anti-lock brakes. If the “Anti-Lock Brake
156 SAFETY

Warning Light” does not come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position, have the light
repaired as soon as possible.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous
braking pressure during the stopping sequence, (do not
“pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pres-
sure unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake
pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions. BAS cannot prevent collisions,
including those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped ve-
hicle must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner, which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to mitigate roll back from
a complete stop while on an incline. If the driver
releases the brake while stopped on an incline, HSA will
continue to hold the brake pressure for a short period. If
the driver does not apply the throttle before this time
expires, the system will release brake pressure and the
vehicle will roll down the hill as normal.
The following conditions must be met in order for HSA
to activate:
•The feature must be enabled.
• The vehicle must be stopped.
• Park brake must be off.
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SAFETY 157

•Driver door must be closed.
• The vehicle must be on a sufficient grade.
• The gear selection must match vehicle uphill direc-
tion (i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear;
vehicle backing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
• HSA will work in REVERSE gear and all forward
gears. The system will not activate if the transmission
is in PARK or NEUTRAL. For vehicles equipped with
a manual transmission, if the clutch is pressed, HSA
will remain active.
WARNING!
There may be situations where the Hill Start Assist
(HSA) will not activate and slight rolling may occur,
such as on minor hills or with a loaded vehicle, or
while pulling a trailer. HSA is not a substitute for
active driving involvement. It is always the driver ’s
responsibility to be attentive to distance to other
vehicles, people, and objects, and most importantly
brake operation to ensure safe operation of the
vehicle under all road conditions. Your complete
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
attention is always required while driving to main-
tain safe control of your vehicle. Failure to follow
these warnings can result in a collision or serious
personal injury.
Disabling And Enabling HSA
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change
the current setting, proceed as follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the instrument cluster
display, refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for fur-
ther information.
• If disabling HSA using Uconnect Settings, refer to
“Uconnect Settings” in the “Multimedia” section for
further information.
For vehicles not equipped with the instrument cluster
display, perform the following steps:
1. Center the steering wheel (front wheels pointing straight forward).
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Apply the parking brake.
158 SAFETY