traction control FIAT 500E 2013 2.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................208
▫ Single-Speed Transmission ...............208
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .208
 SINGLE–SPEED TRANSMISSION ...........209
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............212
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .212
▫ Auto Park .......................... .215
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........216
▫ Acceleration ........................ .216
▫ Traction ........................... .216
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............217
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................217
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................217
 POWER STEERING .....................219
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .220
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .222
▫ Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . .223
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .224
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............224
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............224
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▫Traction Control System (TCS) ............225
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........225
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ............228
▫ Regenerative Braking ...................229
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............230
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .230
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........233
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........235
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........236
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........240
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .240
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................241 ▫
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .243
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .243
▫ All Season Tires – If Equipped ............244
▫ Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped. .244
▫ Snow Tires ......................... .244
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .245
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................246
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .246
▫ Replacement Tires .....................247
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) ........249
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....250
 PREMIUM TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR
SYSTEM ............................ .251
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Driver’s door is ajar
Mode of operation with Key OFF:
Auto Park will be engaged when the transmission is in
DRIVE, NEUTRAL or REVERSE and the vehicle speed is
less than 2 mph (3 km/h).
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are slushy.
216 STARTING AND OPERATING

Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Four-Wheel ABS is designed to aid the driver in
maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking con-
ditions. The system operates with a separate computer to
modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent wheel lock-up
and to help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces.
The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to
provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor
makes a low humming noise during operation, which is
normal.
The ABS includes an amber ABS Warning Light. When
the light is illuminated, the ABS is not functioning. The
system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes. Turning
the ignition Off and On again may reset the ABS if the
fault detected was only momentary.
WARNING!
•Pumping 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 Anti-Lock Brake System (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 hydroplaning.
• The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223

When you are in a severe braking condition involving the
use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop as
the vehicle comes to a stop. This is the result of the
system reverting to the base brake system.
Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a
pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.
These occurrences are normal and indicate that the
system is functioning properly.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with a advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Con-
trol System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).
All systems work together to enhance vehicle stability
and control in various driving conditions and are com-
monly referred to as ESC.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Start-
ing and Operating” for further information.
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 applycontinuousbrak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence (do not
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

“pump” the brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
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,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevail-
ing road conditions.
• The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning.
• The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety or
the safety of others.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and vehicle
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited-slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more torque
to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This
feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in the
Partial Off mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control
(ESC)” in this section for further information.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor-
rects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 225

applying the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the oversteering or understeering condi-
tion. Vehicle power may also be reduced to help the
vehicle maintain the desired path. ESC uses sensors in
the vehicle to determine the vehicle path intended by the
driver and compares it to the actual path of the vehicle.
When the actual path does not match the intended path,
ESC applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist
in counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
NOTE: The ESC Off switch is located on the instrument
panel.WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent all
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent collisions
resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappro-
priate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety
of others.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body
clearance. Follow these recommendations to guard
against damage.
•Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer
• Install on Front Tires
• Due to limited clearance, a 185/55R15 tire with a
Security Chain Company (SCC) Super Z6 low profile
traction device or equivalent is recommended
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
• Because of restricted chain clearance between tires
and other suspension components, it is important
that only chains in good condition are used. Broken
chains can cause serious damage. Stop the vehicle
immediately if noise occurs that could indicate
chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the
chain before further use.
• Install chains on the front wheels as tightly as
possible and then retighten after driving about ½
mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 249

All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
334 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)............159
Traction Control ....................... .228
Turn Signal ............................94
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......152
Loading Vehicle Tires ............................... .236
Locks Automatic Door .........................41
Door .................................39
Power Door ............................41
Lubrication, Body ........................ .297
Maintenance Free Battery ....................295
Maintenance, General ..................... .287
Maintenance Procedures ....................287
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .322
Manual, Service ......................... .332
Master Cylinder (Brakes) ....................299
Mirrors .................................98 Automatic Dimming
......................99
Electric Powered ....................... .100
Heated .............................. .101
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ...............8
Multi-Function Control Lever .................119
Occupant Restraints ........................63
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) ..................44
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) .............4
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .............4
Paint Care ............................. .301
Parking Brake ........................... .220
Passing Light ........................... .120
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ..........236
Power Door Locks ............................41
Mirrors ............................. .100
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ...........140
342 INDEX