tow FIAT 500 2020 Owner handbook (in English)

39)Never, under any circumstances, jump
start the engine by pushing, towing or
coasting downhill. This could cause fuel to
flow into the catalytic converter and
damage it beyond repair.
40)A quick burst on the accelerator before
stopping the engine serves no practical
purpose; it wastes fuel and is especially
damaging to turbocharged engines.PARKING THE
VEHICLE
When parking and leaving the car,
proceed as follows:
engage a gear (1stgear if facing
uphill or reverse if facing downhill) and
leave the wheels turned;
stop the engine and engage the
handbrake;
always remove the ignition key.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a
stone if the car is parked on a steep
slope.
Do not leave the ignition key on MAR to
avoid draining the battery. Always
remove the key when you leave the car.
Versions with Dualogic
transmission
To park safely it is essential to engage
1
stgear or reverse (R), with your foot on
the brake pedal and, if there is a
gradient, to operate the handbrake.
Before releasing the brake pedal, wait
until P appears on the display.
IMPORTANT NEVER leave the car with
the gearbox in neutral (or, on versions
equipped with automatic transmission,
before placing the gear lever at P).HANDBRAKE
124) 125) 126)
The handbrake lever fig. 74 is located
between the two front seats.
Handbrake engagement
To use the handbrake pull the lever
upwards until the car cannot be moved.
When the handbrake is on and the
ignition key is at MAR position, the
warning light
will appear on the
instrument panel.
Handbrake disengagement
Proceed as follows to release the
handbrake:
slightly lift the handbrake and press
release button A fig. 74;
press and hold button A and lower
the lever. The
warning light in the
instrument panel will go out.
74F0S0048
98
STARTING AND DRIVING

Press the brake pedal when carrying
out this operation to prevent the car
from moving accidentally.
WARNING
124)The car should be braked after a few
clicks of the lever, if it is not, contact a
Fiat Dealership to have it adjusted.
125)Never leave children in the
unattended car. Always remove the ignition
key when leaving the car and take it out
with you.
126)In the case of parking manoeuvres on
roads on a gradient, the front wheels
must be steered towards the pavement
(when parking downhill), or in the opposite
direction if the vehicle is parked uphill.
Block the wheels with a wedge or a stone if
the car is parked on a steep slope.
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
127)
41)
To engage the gears, press the clutch
pedal fully and put the gear lever into
the required position (the diagram
for gear engagement is shown on the
lever knob fig. 75).
For cars provided with 6-speed
gearbox, to engage the 6
thgear,
operate the lever by pressing it towards
the right in order to avoid engaging
the 4
thgear by mistake. The same
applies to the shift from 6thto 5thgear.
To engage reverse R from neutral, lift
the sliding ring A fig. 75 under the knob
and shift the lever to the right and
back.IMPORTANT Reverse can only be
engaged when the vehicle is completely
stationary. With the engine running,
wait for at least 2 seconds with the
clutch pedal fully depressed before
engaging reverse to prevent damage to
the gears and grating.
IMPORTANT The clutch pedal should
be used only for gear changes. Do
not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal, however lightly. For
versions/markets where provided, the
electronic clutch control could cut
in, interpreting the incorrect driving style
as a fault.
WARNING
127)Press the clutch pedal fully to change
gears correctly. It is therefore essential
that there is nothing under the pedals:
make sure the mats are lying flat and do
not get in the way of the pedals.
WARNING
41)Do not drive with your hand resting on
the gear lever as the force exerted, even
if slight, could lead over time to premature
wear of the gearbox internal components.
75F0S0597
99

DUALOGIC
TRANSMISSION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
42) 44)
OPERATING MODE
MANUAL MODE
In this mode, the driver decides when
to shift gear;
Proceed as follows:
press the brake pedal;
start the engine;
push the lever A fig. 76 for the
gearbox towards (+) to engage the first
gear (if it is coming from N or R, simply
position the lever in the middle position)
or in R to engage reverse gear;
release the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal;
in driving conditions, push lever A of
the gearbox towards (+) to engage
the next gear up or towards (–) to
engage the next gear down.
AUTOMATIC MODE (AUTO)
In this mode, the system directly
decides when to shift gear.
Proceed as follows:
press the brake pedal
start the engine
push the gear lever to A/M to
engage automatic mode or to R to
engage reverse gear
release the brake pedal and press
the accelerator pedal.
ECO function
The ECO function, which optimises the
gearbox and reduces fuel consumption,
can only be activated with automatic
mode on. To turn the function on, press
the button E fig. 76 on the gearbox
panel.
With the ECO function active, the
display will show the current gear and
the words AUTO and ECO; the system
will select the most suitable gear
depending on the car speed, engine
rpm and intensity with which the
accelerator pedal is pressed, with the
aim of limiting fuel consumption.The ECO and AUTO functions are
activated automatically whenever the
engine is started.
STEERING WHEEL
PADDLES
(for versions/markets, where provided)
43) 44) 43)
Shifting can be managed sequentially
via the shift paddles on the steering
wheel fig. 77.
To use the steering wheel paddles, the
gear lever must be in the middle
position between + and –:
pull the paddle + (towards the
driver): shift up;
pull the paddle – (towards driver):
shift down.
NOTE Shifting up (or down) is only
permitted if the engine rpm allow it.
NOTE For correct use of the system,
you are advised only to use your right
foot to operate the pedal unit.
76F0S0576
77F0S0577
100
STARTING AND DRIVING

WARNING
42)Avoid keeping your hand placed on this
lever in between gear changes or
Auto/Manual mode.
43)Using the paddles incorrectly (paddles
pushed towards the dashboard) could
break them.
44)If the transmission is faulty, contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible to have
the system checked.
45)Using the paddles incorrectly (paddles
pushed towards the dashboard) could
break them.
DUALDRIVE
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING
(for versions/markets, where provided)
Turning on/off (CITY function)
Press button A fig. 78 to turn the
function on/off.
When the function is active, the CITY
text on the display turns on.
When the CITY function is on, the
steering wheel effort is lighter, making
parking easier: therefore, this function is
particularly useful for driving in city
centres.
To deactivate the function press the
button again.
128) 129)
ECO FUNCTION
(for versions/markets, where provided)
With the ignition key at MAR, press
button ECO B fig. 78 to activate the
function. The word ECO on the display
will light up or, according to the version,
a dedicated screen will be displayed.
When the function is activated,
the car is set for city driving,
characterised by less effort on the
steering wheel (Dualdrive system on)
and reduced fuel consumption.
Press the button again to deactivate
the function.
This function is not stored, so the
system will restart with the function on
when the engine is restarted.
WARNING
128)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
any after-market operation involving
steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety, invalidate the
warranty and also result in the car not
meeting type-approval requirements.
78F0S0650
101

If an object is detected in the rear left,
central or right zone, the display shows
a flashing arc in the corresponding
zone and a sound is emitted.
As the car approaches the object, the
display shows one or more flashing
arcs that approach the car, and the
sound becomes more frequent until it
becomes continuous.
The colour on the display depends on
the distance from and position of the
obstacle. The car is close to the
obstacle when a blinking red
arc appears on the display (to the right,
in the centre or to the left) and a
continuous sound is emitted. If there
are several obstacles, the closest one is
indicated.FAULT INDICATIONS
Parking sensor faults will be indicated
when reverse is engaged by warning
light
or by the icon(versions
with colour display) on the instrument
panel and by the relevant message
in the display (for versions/markets,
where provided).
OPERATION WITH A
TRAILER
The operation of the sensors is
automatically deactivated when the
trailer electric cable plug is inserted in
the tow hook socket of the car. The
sensors are automatically reactivated
when the trailer's cable plug is
removed.
WARNING
137)Parking and other dangerous
manoeuvres are, however, always the
driver’s responsibility. While carrying out
these manoeuvres, always make sure that
no people (especially children) or animals
are in the area concerned. The parking
sensors are used to assist the driver, who
must never allow his attention to lapse
during potentially dangerous manoeuvres,
even those executed at low speeds.
WARNING
47)For correct operation of the system,
sensors must always be clean from mud,
dirt, snow or ice. Be careful not to scratch
or damage the sensors while cleaning
them. Avoid using dry, rough or hard
cloths. The sensors must be washed using
clean water, with the addition of vehicle
shampoo if necessary. When using special
washing equipment such as high pressure
jets or steam cleaning, clean the sensors
very quickly keeping the jet more than
10 cm away.
48)Have interventions on the bumper in
the area of the sensors carried out only by
a Fiat Dealership. Interventions on the
bumper that are not carried out properly
may compromise the operation of the
parking sensors.
83F0S0558
107

TOWING TRAILERS
(for versions/markets, where provided)
141) 142)
IMPORTANT NOTES
For towing caravans or trailers the car
must be fitted with an approved tow
hook and an adequate electrical
system. Installation should be carried
out by specialised technicians who will
issue the required papers for travelling
on roads.
Install any specific and/or additional
door mirrors as specified by the
Highway Code.
Remember that, when towing a trailer,
steep hills are harder to climb, braking
distances increase and overtaking
takes longer depending on the overall
weight of the trailer. Engage a low gear
when driving downhill, rather than
constantly using the brake.
The weight the trailer exerts on the car
tow hook reduces the car's loading
capacity by the same amount. To make
sure that the maximum towable weight
is not exceeded (given in the vehicle
registration document) account should
be taken of the fully laden trailer,
including accessories and luggage.Respect the speed limits specific to
each country for cars towing trailers. In
any case, the top speed must not
exceed 100 km/h.
IMPORTANT The engine must be
running when using auxiliary loads other
than external lights.
IMPORTANT To install a tow hook
contact a Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
141)The ABS with which the car is
equipped will not control the braking
system of the trailer. Particular caution is
required on slippery roads.
142)Never modify the braking system of
the vehicle to control the trailer brake. The
trailer braking system must be fully
independent of the vehicle’s hydraulic
system.
112
STARTING AND DRIVING

IN AN EMERGENCY
A punctured tyre or a burnt-out bulb?
At times, a problem may interfere
with our journey.
The pages on emergencies can help
you to deal with critical situations
independently and with calm.
In an emergency we recommend that
you call the freephone number found in
the Warranty Booklet.
It is also possible to call the national or
international universal freephone
number to search for the nearest
Dealership.HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS...........114
CHANGING A BULB .......................114
REPLACING FUSES........................121
REPLACING A WHEEL ...................127
FIX&GO KIT .....................................131
JUMP STARTING ............................134
FUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM ................135
TOWING THE VEHICLE ..................136
113

IMPORTANT When the weather is cold
or damp or after heavy rain or washing,
the surface of headlights or rear lights
may steam up and/or form drops of
condensation on the inside. This is
a natural phenomenon due to the
difference in temperature and humidity
between the inside and the outside
of the glass which does not indicate a
fault and does not compromise the
normal operation of lighting devices.
The mist disappears quickly when the
lights are turned on, starting from
the centre of the diffuser, extending
progressively towards the edges
115

REPLACING AN
EXTERNAL BULB
FRONT LIGHT CLUSTERS
The front light clusters contain side
lights, dipped headlights, main beam
headlights and direction indicator bulbs.
Front direction indicators
(POP versions only)
To replace the bulb, proceed as follows:
operating from the engine
compartment remove the rubber cap A
fig. 90;
turn the bulb holder A fig. 91
anticlockwise and remove it;
remove the pressure-fitted bulb and
replace it;
refit the bulb holder A by turning it
clockwise and locking it correctly;
refit the rubber cap.Front direction indicators
(Excluding POP versions)
To replace the bulb, proceed as follows:
operating in the engine
compartment, remove the plastic cap A
fig. 92 by turning it anticlockwise;
turn the bulb holder anticlockwise
and remove it;
replace the bulb-bulb holder
assembly;
refit the bulb holder in its housing A
fig. 93 by turning it clockwise and
locking it correctly;
refit the protection cap in its housing
and turn clockwise.
Side turn light
IMPORTANT The intervention must be
carried out taking all precautions
necessary to avoid damaging the
bodywork (please use a sufficiently rigid
and appropriately thick plastic card).
To replace the bulb, proceed as follows:
lever the lens off, by initially applying
force from the front towards the back
(1-fig. 94);
then lever in the opposite direction,
by applying force from the back part
(2-fig. 94) and remove unit;
90F0S0050
91F0S0052
92F0S0591
93F0S0608
117

for cars equipped with 15" steel
wheels with aesthetic hub caps: take
the extractor A fig. 113 from the Owner
Handbook compartment;
163)
hold the extractor with two fingers,
insert the tab between the tyre and hub
cap A fig. 114 and pull towards
yourself, perpendicularly to the wheel;
for cars fitted with alloy wheels:
remove the press-fitted hub cap using
the screwdriver provided;
loosen the retaining bolts for the
wheel to be changed by about one turn
using the spanner provided;
if the car is equipped with side
skirts, to let the jack pass under the car,
the latter must be tilted (as shown in
fig. 115);
53)
turn the jack handle to partially open
it;
position the jack near the wheel to
be repaired at the reference point
on
the side member;
Lifting the front wheel: fig. 116.
Lifting the rear wheel: fig. 117.
make sure that the jack fig. 118 is
positioned correctly;
alert any bystander that the car is
about to be raised; all persons should
be kept away from the car and nobody
must touch it until it has been lowered;
112F0S0127
113F0S0671
114F0S0670
115F0S0328
116F0S0630
128
IN AN EMERGENCY