towing FIAT 500L 2015 2.G User Guide

WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near the
vehicle when the fuel door is open or the tank is
being filled.
•Never add fuel when the engine is running. This is
in violation of most state and federal fire regula-
tions and may cause the “Malfunction Indicator
Light” to turn on.
•A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a portable
container that is inside of a vehicle. You could be
burned. Always place fuel containers on the
ground while filling.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 305

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.
5
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

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
NOTE:This section describes procedures for towing a
disabled vehicle using a commercial towing service.
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling-type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
•When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defroster, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON/RUN
position.
Shift Lever Override
340 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Manual Transmission
•Vehicle can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
•Vehicle can be towed with the front wheels elevated.
•Vehicle can be towed on a flatbed truck (all wheels off
the ground).
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Euro Twin Clutch Transmission
•Vehicle can be flat towed (all four wheels on the
ground) with the transmission in NEUTRAL.
•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 vehicle’s battery
is discharged, refer to#Shift Lever Override#in this
section for instructions on shifting the transmission out of
PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•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.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 341

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

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and Euro Twin
Clutch Transmission control systems. When these sys-
tems are operating properly, your vehicle will provide
excellent performance and fuel economy, as well as
engine emissions well within current government regu-
lations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine parts for normal/scheduled maintenance
and repairs is highly recommended to ensure the de-
signed performance. Damage or failures caused by the
use of parts which are not quality-equivalent to genuine
parts for maintenance and repairs will not be covered by
the manufacturer ’s warranty.
348 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
364 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000100,000110,000120,000130,000140,000150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,00048,00064,00080,00096,000112,000128,000144,000160,000176,000192,000208,000224,000240,000
Change the transmission fluid(manual, or Euro Twin Clutch) ifusing your vehicle for any of thefollowing: trailer towing, heavyloading, taxi, police, delivery ser-vice (commercial service), off-road, desert operation or morethan 50% of your driving is atsustained speeds during hotweather, above 90°F (32°C).
XX X
Flush and replace the enginecoolant at 10 years or 150,000miles (240,000 km) whichevercomes first.
XX
406 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES