FIAT 500 2020 Owner handbook (in English)

INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING SYMBOLS
Red symbols
Symbol What it means
red
red
redOPEN DOORS / BONNET / BOOT (versions with colour display)
The symbols on the display switches on, together with a dedicated message, on some versions, when one
or more doors, the tailgate or the bonnet (for versions/markets, where provided) are not properly closed.
An acoustic warning is also emitted with the doors open and the car in motion.
redSPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED (for versions with colour display)
The symbol is shown on the display, together with a dedicated message and an acoustic signal, when the
vehicle exceeds the speed limit set in the Setup Menu (e.g. 120 km/h).
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Amber symbols
Symbol What it means
yellowENGINE OIL DETERIORATED
The warning light comes on flashing, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display.
The warning light flashes for 3 minute cycles with the warning light off for intervals of 5 seconds until oil is
changed.
After the initial warning, each time the engine is started up, the warning light will continue to flash in the
same mode, until the oil is changed. On certain versions a dedicated message is displayed.
The flashing of the warning light should not be considered as a fault, it simply informs the customer that the
oil needs to be changed following normal car use.
Remember that engine oil deterioration is accelerated by using the car for short drives, preventing the
engine from reaching its operating temperature.
47) 48)32)
yellowPOSSIBLE ICE ON ROAD
The symbol is displayed when the outside temperature falls to or below 3°C.
On some versions the display shows the dedicated message.
yellowPARKING SENSOR FAILURE (versions with colour display)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The symbol is shown on the display together with a dedicated message if there is a fault in the parking
sensors.
yellowSTART&STOP SYSTEM FAILURE (versions with colour display)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The symbol appears, on some versions along with a dedicated message on the display, to signal the
Start&Stop system failure
Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Symbol What it means
yellowSERVICE (SCHEDULED SERVICING) EXPIRED
When the scheduled servicing is nearly due ("scheduled service deadline"), the display will show the
symbol followed by the number of kilometres/miles until the car must be serviced. This is displayed
automatically, with ignition key at MAR-ON, 2000 km (or equivalent value in miles) before servicing or,
where provided, 30 days before servicing. It is also displayed each time the key is turned to MAR-ON or,
for versions/markets, where provided, every 200 km (or equivalent value in miles).
Go to a Fiat Dealership, where the "Scheduled Servicing Plan" operations will be performed and the
message will be reset.
yellowASR SYSTEM OFF (colour display)
The symbol lights up on the colour display together with a dedicated message when the ASR system is
deactivated by pressing the ASR-OFF button on the dashboard. The LED in the button will light up at the
same time.
yellowHILL HOLDER FAILURE (versions with colour display)
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The display will show the symbol together with a dedicated message when there is a fault in the Hill Holder
system.
In this case, contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
yellowFUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM (versions with colour display)
The display will show the symbol and a dedicated message if the fuel cut-off system intervenes.
For the fuel cut-off system re-activation procedure, see the "Fuel cut-off system" paragraph, in the "In an
emergency" chapter.
yellowFUEL CUT-OFF SYSTEM FAILURE (versions with colour display)
The display will show the symbol and a dedicated message if the fuel cut-off system is faulty. Contact a
Fiat Dealership.
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Symbol What it means
yellowPASSENGER AIRBAG/SIDE BAGS DEACTIVATED
The warning light indicates the passenger airbag protection status. If the warning light is off, passenger's
airbag protection is active: to deactivate it, use the Setup Menu (in this case the LED lights up). When the
engine is started (ignition key turned to MAR position), the warning light turns on for about 8 seconds,
provided that at least 5 seconds have elapsed from when it was switched off. If not, contact a Fiat
Dealership. If the engine is switched off/on again in less than 5 seconds the warning light may remain off. In
this case, to check correct warning light operation, switch the engine off, wait for at least 5 seconds and
switch the engine on again. The warning light may light up with various intensity levels depending on the
vehicle conditions. The intensity may also vary during the same key cycle.
yellowEXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILURE (versions with colour display)
The symbol is shown on the display together with a dedicated message when there is a fault in one of the
following lights:
daytime running lights (DRL)
side lights
direction indicators
rear fog light
number plate lights.
The anomaly relating to these lights could be: one or more blown bulbs, a blown protection fuse or a break
in the relevant electric connection. It is advisable to contact a Fiat Dealership.
yellowBRAKE LIGHTS FAILURE (versions with colour display)
The display will show the symbol together with a dedicated message if there is a fault in the brake lights.
The fault may be caused by a blown bulb, a blown protection fuse or a break in the relevant electrical
connection. It is advisable to contact a Fiat Dealership.
yellowRAIN SENSOR FAILURE
The symbol switches on in the case of failure of the rain sensor. Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

Symbol What it means
yellowDUSK SENSOR FAILURE
The symbol switches on along with a message on the display in the event of dusk sensor failure. Contact a
Fiat Dealership as soon as possible.
yellowSPEED LIMITER FAILURE
The symbol switches on in the case of failure of the Speed Limiter device. Contact a Fiat Dealership as
soon as possible to have the failure eliminated.
yellowFUEL RESERVE - LIMITED RANGE
The warning light switches on when the ignition key is turned to MAR, but it should switch off after a few
seconds.
The warning light or the symbol switches on in the display when about 5 litres of fuel are left in the tank.
The triangle on the right side of the symbol indicates the side of the car with the fuel filler.
IMPORTANT If the warning light flashes or the symbol is constantly on, depending on the versions, there is
a fault in the system. If this is the case, go to a Fiat Dealership to have the system checked.
WARNING
47)If the warning light switches on, the degraded engine oil must be changed as soon as possible, and never more than 500 km from the
first time that the warning light switches on. Failure to observe the above may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the
warranty. The activation of this warning light is not related to the amount of oil in the engine. Therefore, never top up with oil when the warning
light starts flashing.
48)If the warning light
(or the amber warning light, for versions/markets, where provided) switches on, the degraded engine oil
must be changed as soon as possible, and never more than 500 km from the first time that the warning light switches on. Failure to observe
the above may result in severe damage to the engine and invalidate the warranty. The activation of this warning light is not related to the
amount of oil in the engine. Therefore, never top up with oil when the warning light starts flashing.
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WARNING
32)To avoid damaging the engine it is advisable to change the engine oil when thewarning light flashes. In this case, contact a Fiat
Dealership.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

MESSAGES ON INSTRUMENT PANEL
Messages What it means
CITY“DUALDRIVE” ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM ACTIVATION
The indication CITY switches on when the "Dualdrive" electric power steering system is activated by
pressing the "CITY" button on the dashboard. The CITY indication goes off when the button is pressed
again.
ECOTURNING ON THE ECO FUNCTION
ECO is shown on the display with the "ECO" function is turned on by pressing the corresponding button on
the dashboard. Pressing the button again, the message ECO will be switched off until the engine is started
again. The ECO function will be on when the engine is started again. A dedicated screen instead of the
"ECO" indication is displayed on some versions.
DUALOGIC GEARBOX
MESSAGESFor versions equipped with "Dualogic" gearbox, the following messages can be displayed:
Reduce gear changes
Manual mode unavailable
Automatic method unavailable
Clutch overheating
Depress brake pedal
Depress brake pedal - delayed ignition
Gear not available
Manoeuvre not allowed
Depress brake pedal and repeat operation
Positioning of the gear lever at N (neutral).
33) 34)
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WARNING
33)If the messages continue to be shown in the display, contact a Fiat Dealership.
34)In order to safeguard the efficiency of the clutch, do not use the accelerator to keep the car stationary (e.g. when stopped on an incline); if
the clutch overheats it could damage it; use the brake pedal instead and only use the accelerator pedal when you decide to set off.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

SAFETY
The chapter that you are about to read
is very important: it describes the
safety systems with which the vehicle is
equipped and provides instructions on
how to use them correctlyACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS ............ 68
DRIVING ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS .. 72
OCCUPANT PROTECTION
SYSTEMS ....................................... 73
SEAT BELTS ................................... 74
SBR SYSTEM (SEAT BELT
REMINDER) .................................... 75
PRE-TENSIONERS ......................... 75
CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEMS ..... 77
SUPPLEMENTARY RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SRS) - AIRBAG................ 89
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ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The vehicle has the following active
safety systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution);
MSR (Motor Schleppmoment
Regelung);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control);
HH (Hill Holder);
ASR (Antislip Regulation);
HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist);
For the operation of the systems, see
the following description.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in any road surface condition,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking thus optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes during braking
when the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent.The system also improves control and
stability of the car when braking on a
surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes.
49) 50) 51) 52) 53) 54) 55) 56) 57)
EBD (Electronic
Brakeforce Distribution)
SYSTEM
This system (which cannot be
deactivated) recognises emergency
braking conditions according to the
speed of operation of the brake pedal
and provides an additional hydraulic
braking pressure to support that
provided by the driver. This allows
faster and more powerful operation of
the braking system.MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment
Regelung) SYSTEM
The MSR system is an integral part of
the ABS, that intervenes, if there is a
sudden change to a lower gear,
restoring torque to the engine, thereby
preventing excessive drive at the drive
wheels which, especially in poor grip
conditions, could lead to a loss in
stability of the vehicle.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
This is an electronic system that
controls vehicle stability in the event of
tyre grip loss, helping maintain
directional control.
The system is capable of recognising
potentially dangerous situations in
terms of the stability and intervenes
automatically on the brakes in a
differentiated manner for the four
wheels in order to provide a stabilising
torque.
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
System intervention
This is indicated by the flashing of the
warning light
on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.
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SAFETY