automatic transmission FIAT 500L 2015 2.G User Guide

WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, or traveling into strong head
winds), use the AutoStick shift control (refer to AutoStick
in this section for further information) to select a lower
gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will
improve performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the transmission controller will expand the
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing manual shift control, giving you more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
and many other situations.
Operation
When the shift lever is in the AutoStick position (beside
the Drive position), it can be moved forward and rear-
ward. This allows the driver to manually select the
transmission gear being used. Moving the shift lever
forward (-) triggers a downshift, and rearward (+) an
upshift. The current gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster.
NOTE:In AutoStick mode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when the driver moves the shift lever
rearward (+) or forward (-), except as described below.
•The transmission will automatically upshift when nec-
essary to prevent engine over-speed.
•The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
•With six-speed automatic (Aisin F21-250 HD) trans-
mission, you can start out (from a stop) in first, second,
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

or third gear. Starting out in second or third gear can
be helpful in snow or icy conditions. To select second
or third gear after the vehicle is brought to a stop, tap
the shift lever rearward (+) once or twice.
•If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
over-speed, that shift will not occur.
•The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
•Avoid using speed control when AutoStick is engaged
because the transmission will not shift automatically.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
•The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a
fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the shift lever to the
DRIVE position. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick
position at any time without taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 251

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing ConditionWheels OFF the
Ground
Manual
Transmission
Euro Twin Clutch
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
(Aisin F21-250 HD
Transmission )
Flat TowNONETransmission in
NEUTRAL
Transmission in
NEUTRAL
NOT ALLOWED
Dolly TowFrontOKOKOK
RearNOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED NOT ALLOWED
On TrailerALLOKOKOK
NOTE:When recreationally towing your vehicle, always
follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state
and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional
details.
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle trailer
provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.
This vehicle may also be towed using a tow dolly (with
the front wheels OFF the ground).
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

Vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, or a Euro
Twin Clutch transmission, may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) at any legal highway speed,
for any distance, if the transmission is in NEUTRAL.
To place the Euro Twin Clutch transmission in NEU-
TRAL, follow the procedure below:
1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position, without start-
ing the engine.
2. Press the brake pedal and shift the transmission to
NEUTRAL.
3. Turn the key to the OFF position. The key will remain
in the ignition switch (it cannot be removed, since the
transmission is not in PARK). Leave the key in the OFF
position while being towed.
4. Release the brake pedal only when the parking brake
is applied, or the vehicle is securely connected to a tow
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with a
conventional automatic transmission. Damage to
the drivetrain will result. If these vehicles require
towing, make sure all drive wheels are OFF the
ground.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 307

!FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE.............337
!SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE................339
!TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE...........340
▫Manual Transmission...................341
▫Euro Twin Clutch Transmission............341
▫Automatic Transmission.................342
!IGNITION KEY REMOVAL OVERRIDE.......342
!CAP-LESS FUEL FILL FUNNEL............344
310 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Follow these steps to connect the negative(-)battery
cable:
1. Connect the negative(-)battery terminal to the nega-
tive(-)post of the battery.
2. Push inward on the negative(-)battery cable terminal
release lever to the closed position.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle,
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE (with Automatic or Euro Twin Clutch
Transmission) or 2nd gear and REVERSE (with manual
transmission), while gently pressing the accelerator. Use
the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will
maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, or racing the engine.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 337

Automatic Transmission
•Vehicle can be towed with the front wheels elevated.
•Vehicle can be towed on a flatbed truck (all wheels off
the ground).
If the ignition key is unavailable, or the battery is
discharged, refer to “Shift Lever Override” in this section
for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK
in order to move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with a
conventional automatic transmission. Damage to
the drivetrain will result. If these vehicles require
towing, make sure all drive wheels are OFF the
ground.
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
IGNITION KEY REMOVAL OVERRIDE
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the transmission to be in PARK
before the ignition switch can be turned to the LOCK/
OFF (key removal) position. To remove the key manually,
proceed as follows:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake
2. Remove the Allen Key located in the rear cargo area, in
the tool bag (if equipped) or on the left side in the
cargo box.
342 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

▫Automatic Transmission — Aisin F21-250 HD
Transmission — If Equipped.............375
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................377
!FUSES..............................384
▫Underhood Fuses......................385
▫Interior Fuses........................388
▫Rear Interior Fuses.....................388
!VEHICLE STORAGE....................389
!REPLACEMENT BULBS.................390
!BULB REPLACEMENT..................392
▫Headlamps Low Beam and High Beam......392
▫Front Turn Signal, Parking And Daytime Running
Lamps.............................395
▫Front Fog Lamps......................395
▫Front, Rear Roof Lamps.................395
▫Rear Tail, Stop, Backup And Turn Signal
Lamps.............................396
▫Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) . .396
!FLUID CAPACITIES....................397
!FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PA R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..398
▫Engine.............................398
▫Chassis............................400
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

tools. If you notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunc-
tion, visit your authorized dealer immediately to have
the transmission fluid level checked. Operating the ve-
hicle with an improper fluid level can cause severe
transmission damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe transmission dam-
age may occur. Your authorized dealer has the proper
tools to adjust the fluid level accurately.
Fluid Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the
life of the vehicle. However, if the vehicle is used for
police, fleet, taxi, etc., change the fluid as indicated in the
Maintenance Schedule. In addition, change the fluid if it
becomes contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the trans-
mission is disassembled for any reason.
Automatic Transmission — Aisin F21-250 HD
Transmission — If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer ’s specified transmission fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain
the transmission fluid at the correct level using the
recommended fluid. No chemical flushes should be used
in any transmission; only the approved lubricant should
be used.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 375