FIAT 500C 2015 2.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................223
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped .......223
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .....223
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .223
▫ Cold Weather Operation ................224
▫ Extended Park Starting ..................224
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................225
▫ After Starting ....................... .226
▫ Turbocharger “Cool Down” ..............226
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED . .226 ▫
Five-Speed Manual Transmission ...........226
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............228
▫ Downshifting ....................... .229
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .229
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............231
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .231
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........231
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .233
 AUTOSTICK ......................... .238
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▫Operation .......................... .238
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........239
▫ Acceleration ........................ .239
▫ Traction ........................... .240
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............240
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................241
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................241
 POWER STEERING .....................242
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .244
 SPORT MODE ........................ .246
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........246
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......247
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .248
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .248
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .248
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............250
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............251
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................251
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........252
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................255
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............257
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .257
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........260
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........262
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........263
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........268
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .268
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................269
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .271
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .271
▫ Tire Types .......................... .272
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............274
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............274
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .277
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................277
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .278
▫ Replacement Tires .....................278
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......280
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....281
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
(TPMS) ............................. .282
▫ Base System ........................ .285
▫ Enhanced System — If Equipped ..........288
▫ Premium TPM System ..................288
▫ General Information ...................292
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS — 1.4L Engine .......292
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS — 1.4L Turbo ........293
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................293
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............294
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......294
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................294
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STARTING AND OPERATING 221

▫Materials Added To Fuel ................295
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................295
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............296
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .297
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............297 ▫
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............299
 TRAILER TOWING .....................299
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................299
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .299
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
• Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
• Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children). A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL, and press the clutch pedal before starting the
vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlock-
ing ignition system. It will not start unless the clutch
pedal is pressed to the floor.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223

Turn the ignition switch to the AVV/ACC (START)
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
To prevent possible engine damage while starting at low
temperatures, this vehicle will inhibit engine cranking
when the ambient temperature is less than –22° F (–30° C)
and the oil temperature sensor reading indicates an
engine block heater has not been used. An externally-
powered electric engine block heater is available as
optional equipment or from your authorized dealer.
The message “plug in engine heater” will be displayed in
the instrument cluster when the ambient temperature is
below 5° F (–15° C) at the time the engine is shut off as a
reminder to avoid possible crank delays at the next cold
start.
CAUTION!
Use of the recommended oil and adhering to the
prescribed oil change intervals is important to pre-
vent engine damage and ensure satisfactory starting
in cold conditions.
Extended Park Starting
NOTE:Extended Park condition occurs when the vehicle
has not been started or driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper cables to the battery to ensure a full battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Cycle the ignition in the START position and release it when the engine starts.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. If the engine fails to start within ten seconds, cycle theignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, wait five
seconds to allow the starter to cool, then repeat the
Extended Park Starting procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight attempts, allow the starter to cool for at least 10 minutes, then repeat
the procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not continuously
crank the engine for more than 10 seconds at a time.
Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-
ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at
a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying again.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 225

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
Turbocharger “Cool Down”
This vehicle is equipped with an after-run pump to cool
the turbocharger after the engine is shut off. Depending
on the type of driving and the amount of cargo, the pump
will run for up to 10 minutes after the engine has been
shut off to circulate coolant through the turbocharger.
Although the pump is rubber-mounted for quiet opera-
tion, it is normal to hear it running during this time.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.
NOTE:To shift into REVERSE from NEUTRAL, lift the
ring under the knob and, at the same time move the
gearshift lever to the right and then backward. Use each gear in numerical order; do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transmission is in first gear, not third, when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in third gear.
For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, fifth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal,
and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch
pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear
on the clutch.
REVERSE gear is not synchronized and the vehicle must
be at a complete stop to shift into REVERSE gear. When
selecting REVERSE gear, the driver should pause (ap-
proximately 2 seconds) after pushing in the clutch pedal
and prior to shifting into REVERSE which allows gears to
stop spinning. Should an unwanted clash noise be pro-
duced, the pause length should be increased.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 227

NOTE:
•Clashing REVERSE gear, especially if vehicle is mov-
ing, can result in transmission damage.
• During cold weather, until the transmission lubricant
is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift
efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the trans-
mission.Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel
economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the following
table.
Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds
Units In mph (km/h)
Engine Size Acceleration Rate1to2
2to3 3to4 4to5
1.4L/1.4L Turbo Engine Accel
14
(23) 23
(37) 29
(47) 38
(61)
Cruise 12
(19) 18
(29) 25
(40) 32
(52)
228 STARTING AND OPERATING