maintenance FIAT 500L 2018 Owner handbook (in English)

This Owner Handbook is intended to show the vehicle's operating conditions.
For the enthusiast user who wants to have insights, curiosities and detailed information about the characteristics and functions
of the vehicle, Fiat gives the opportunity to consult a dedicated section which is available in electronic format.
ONLINE VEHICLE OWNER HANDBOOK
The following symbol  is reported within the text of the Owner Handbook, next to the subjects for which details are provided.
Go to the www.mopar.eu/owner
website and access your personal area.
The “Maintenance and care” page includes all the information about your vehicle and the link to access eLUM, where you will find
all the details of the Owner Handbook.
Alternatively, to access this information, go to the Internet website at http://aftersales.fiat.com/elum/
.
The eLUMwebsite is free and will allow you, among many other things, to easily consult the on-board documents
of all the other vehicles of the Group.
Have a nice reading and happy motoring!

READ THIS CAREFULLY
REFUELLING
Petrol engines: only refuel with unleaded petrol with octane rating (RON) not less than 95 in compliance with the European specification
EN228. Do not use petrol containing methanol or ethanol E85. Using these mixtures may cause misfiring and driving issues, as well as
damage fundamental components of the supply system.
Diesel engines: refuel only with diesel fuel motor vehicles conforming to the European specification EN590. The use of other products or
mixtures may damage the engine beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to the damage caused.
LPG engines: refuel only with LPG for motor vehicles conforming to the European specification EN589. The use of other products or
mixtures may damage the engine beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to the damage caused.
Refuelling with methane: refuel only with methane for motor vehicles. The use of other products or mixtures may damage the engine
beyond repair and consequently invalidate the warranty, due to the damage caused.
For further details on the use of the correct fuel see the "Refuelling the car" paragraph in the "Starting and driving" chapter.
STARTING THE ENGINE
Version with manual transmission (petrol engines): make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gear lever to neutral; fully depress
the clutch pedal without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
Versions with manual transmission (Diesel engines): make sure that the handbrake is engaged; set the gear lever to neutral, fully
depress the clutch pedal without pressing the accelerator, then turn the ignition key to MAR and wait for the
warning light to switch off.
Turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine has started.
Versions with Dualogic gearbox: make sure that the handbrake is engaged and that the gear lever is in P (Park) or N (Neutral). Then
depress the brake pedal, turn the ignition key to AVV and release it as soon as the engine starts.
PARKING ON FLAMMABLE MATERIAL
The catalytic converter develops high temperatures during operation. Do not park the car on grass, dry leaves, pine needles or other
flammable material: fire hazard.
RESPECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
The vehicle is fitted with a system that carries out a continuous diagnosis of the emission-related components in order to help protect the
environment.
ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES
If, after buying the vehicle, you decide to add electrical accessories (with the risk of gradually draining the battery), contact a Fiat Dealership.
They can calculate the overall electrical requirement and check that the vehicle's electric system can support the required load.
SCHEDULED SERVICING
Correct maintenance of the car is essential for ensuring that it maintains its performance and its safety features, its environmental friendliness
and low running costs for a long time to come.

When the power steering is on, the
steering wheel effort is lighter, making
parking easier: therefore, this function is
particularly useful for driving in city
centres.
WARNING
32)It is absolutely forbidden to carry out
any after-market operation involving
steering system or steering column
modifications (e.g. installation of anti-theft
device) that could adversely affect
performance and safety, invalidate the
warranty and also result in the car not
meeting type-approval requirements.
33)Before performing any maintenance
operations, always turn off the engine and
remove the key from the ignition to lock the
steering column (especially when the car
wheels are not touching the ground). If this
is not possible (for example if the key
needs to be turned to MAR or the engine
must be running), remove the main fuse
that protects the electric power steering.
VERSION WITH LPG
SYSTEM
34) 35) 36)
16) 17) 18) 19) 20) 21) 22)
INTRODUCTION
The LPG version features two fuel
supply systems: one for petrol and one
for LPG.
PASSIVE SAFETY /
ACTIVE SAFETY
If the car is parked for a long time or
needs to moved in an emergency
(because of a fault or an accident),
proceed as follows:
undo the fixing devices A fig. 52,
then remove the cover B;
close the LPG cock rotating the ring
nut C fig. 53 clockwise. Refit the cover
and retighten the fastening devices A.LPG TANK
The car has a (pressurised) tank A fig.
54 for storing LPG in a liquid state
located in the spare wheel
compartment with suitable protection.
LPG tank certification
The LPG tank is certified in accordance
with the regulations in force.
52F0Y0424C
53F0Y0720C
54F0Y0423C
39

Symbol What it means
START&STOP SYSTEM/PRESS CLUTCH
The symbol lights up to alert the driver to press the clutch pedal in order to start the
engine. The display will show a dedicated message, with an audible alert in some
conditions.
SPEED LIMITER FAILURE
(for versions/markets, where provided)
The symbol switches on in the case of failure of the Speed Limiter device. If the problem
persists, contact a Fiat Dealership.
SCHEDULED SERVICING (SERVICE)
The "Service Schedule" includes car maintenance at fixed intervals (refer to the
"Maintenance and care" chapter). When the next scheduled service deadline is
approaching, the symbol will be displayed, followed by the number of kilometres/miles or
days (where provided) left, when the ignition device is turned to MAR.
This is displayed automatically, with ignition device at MAR, 2000 km before servicing or,
where provided, 30 days before servicing. It is also displayed each time the ignition device
is turned to MAR or, for some versions, every 200 km. Below this threshold servicing
indications are more frequent. The display will be in km or miles according to the unit of
measurement set.
Go to a Fiat Dealership, where the "Service Schedule" operations will be performed and
the message will be reset.
CLUTCH PEDAL
The symbol lights up to alert the driver to press the clutch pedal in order to start the
engine.
ENABLING CRUISE CONTROL
(for versions/markets, where provided)
This white symbol lights up when the Cruise Control is enabled. On some versions, a
specific message is shown on the display.
68
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING
64)The system is an aid for the driver, who
must always pay full attention while
driving. The responsibility always rests with
the driver, who must take into account
the traffic conditions in order to drive
in complete safety. The driver must always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle
in front.
65)If the driver depresses the brake pedal
fully or carries out a fast steering during
system operation, the automatic braking
function may stop (e.g. to allow a possible
manoeuvre to avoid the obstacle).
66)The laser beam is not visible at the
naked eye. Do not look directly, or with
optical instruments (e.g. lenses), at the
laser beam from a distance lower than 10
cm: this may cause damage to the sight.
The laser beam is also present when
the key is at MAR but its operation is off,
not available or manually deactivated
with the display Setup Menu.
67)The system intervenes on vehicles
travelling in the same lane. Small sized
vehicles (e.g. bicycles or motorbikes)
or people, animals and things (e.g.
pushchairs) and more in general all those
obstacles with a low reflection of the light
emitted by the laser (e.g. vehicles soiled
with mud) are not taken into consideration.68)If the car must be placed on a roller
bench (at a speed within 5 and 30 km/h)
for maintenance interventions or if it is
washed in an automatic roller washing
tunnel with an obstacle in the front part
(e.g. another car, a wall or another
obstacle), the system may detect its
presence and activate. In this case the
system must be deactivated through the
display Setup Menu.
WARNING
35)The laser sensor may have limited or
absent operation due to weather
conditions such as: heavy rain, hail, thick
fog, heavy snow, formation of ice layers on
the windscreen.
36)Sensor operation may also be
compromised by the presence of dust,
condensation, dirt or ice on the
windscreen, by traffic conditions (e.g.
vehicles that are driving not aligned with
your car, vehicle driving in a transverse or
opposite way on the same lane, bend with
a small radius of curvature), by road
surface conditions and by driving
conditions (e.g. off-road driving). Make sure
the windscreen is always clean. Use
specific detergents and clean cloths to
avoid scratching the windscreen. The
sensor operation may also be limited or
absent in some driving, traffic and road
surface conditions.
37)Projecting loads on the roof of the car
may interfere with the correct operation
of the sensor. Before starting make sure
the load is correctly positioned, in order not
to cover the sensor operating range.38)If the windscreen must be replaced
due to scratches, chipping or breakage,
contact exclusively a Fiat Dealership.
Do not replace the windscreen on your
own, risk of malfunction! It is advisable to
replace the windscreen if it is damaged
in the laser sensor area.
39)Do not tamper nor operate on the laser
sensor. Do not close the openings in the
aesthetic cover located under the interior
rear view mirror. In the event of a sensor
failure, contact a Fiat Dealership.
40)If you are driving on roads close to
trees with protruding branches it is
advisable to deactivate the system to
prevent the branches at the height of the
bonnet or the windscreen from interfering
with the system.
41)Do not cover the operating range of the
sensor with stickers or other objects. Also
pay attention to other objects on the
bonnet (e.g. a layer of snow) and make
sure they do not interfere with the light
emitted by the laser.
42)If a trailer or a vehicle is towed the
system must be deactivated with the
display Setup Menu.
43)If the system signals a loss of pressure
on a specific tyre, it is recommended to
check the pressure on all four tyres.
44)The iTPMS does not relieve the driver
from the obligation to check the tyre
pressure every month; it is not even to be
considered a replacement system for
maintenance or a safety system.
79

SBR (Seat Belt
Reminder) SYSTEM
This system consists of a device which
by means of the warning light
on
the instrument panel displayfig. 73,
warns the driver and front passenger if
their seat belts have not been fastened.
When the ignition key is turned to
MAR, the warning light
comes on for
a few seconds to indicate the warning
light is operating correctly.
The warning light is switched off if the
driver and passenger seat belt (the
latter, if present) are correctly fastened.
To deactivate the acoustic warning
permanently go to a Fiat Dealership.
The acoustic warning can be
reactivated at any time through the
display Setup Menu.DRIVER
If the driver is the only occupant and
the seat belt is not fastened, when 20
km/h is exceeded or when travelling
at a speed from 10 to 20 km/h for
longer than 5 seconds, a buzzer
sequence will be started for the front
seats (intermittent acoustic warning
lasting for approximately 105 seconds).
The warning lightwill flash.
At the end of the cycle, the warning
lights stays on with fixed light and the
engine is stopped. The acoustic signal
is interrupted immediately when the
driver and passenger seat belt is
fastened.
If the seat belt is unfastened again
when driving the car, the acoustic signal
and the flashing warning light resume
as described previously.
PASSENGER
A similar solution applies for the
passenger, but the indication is
interrupted when the passenger leaves
the car as well.
It both front seat belts are unfastened
while the car is travelling a few seconds
apart, the acoustic warning and the
warning light will refer to the most
recent event.
PRE-TENSIONERS
71) 72) 73) 74)48)
The car is equipped with front seat belt
pretensioners, which draw back the
seat belts by several centimetres in the
event of a severe frontal collision. This
guarantees the perfect adherence of
the seat belts to the occupant's bodies
before the retention action begins.
It is evident that the pretensioners have
been activated when the belt withdraws
toward the retractor.
This car is also equipped with a second
pretensioner (fitted in the kick plate
area). Its activation is signalled by the
shortening of the metal cable.
A slight discharge of smoke may be
produced during the activation of the
pretensioner which is not harmful and
does not involve any fire hazard.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or lubrication: any
changes to its original conditions will
invalidate its efficiency.
If, due to unusual natural events (floods,
sea storms, etc.), the device has been
affected by water and/or mud, contact
a Fiat Dealership to have it replaced.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioner, wear the seat belt
tight to the chest and pelvis.
73F0Y0612C
82
SAFETY

LOAD LIMITERS
To increase safety in the event of an
accident, the front seat belt retractors
contain a device which controls the
force acting on the chest and shoulders
during the belt restraining action in the
event of a frontal collision.
GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USING THE SEAT BELTS
Seat belts must also be worn by
pregnant women: the risk of injury in
the event of an accident is reduced for
them and the unborn child if they are
wearing a seat belt.
Pregnant women must position the
lower part of the belt very low down so
that it passes over the pelvis and under
the abdomen fig. 74. While pregnancy
increases, the driver must adjust both
seat and steering wheel to have full
control over the vehicle (pedals and
steering wheel should be easily
accessed). The maximum clearance
should be kept between the abdomen
and the steering wheel.The seat belt strap must not be twisted.
The upper part must pass over the
shoulder and cross the chest diagonally
fig. 75. The lower part must adhere to
the pelvis, not to the abdomen of
the occupant. Never use devices (clips,
clamps, etc.) that hold the seat belt
away from your body.Each seat belt must be used by only
one person. Never travel with a child
sitting on the passenger's lap and
a single belt to protect them both fig.
76. In general, do not place any objects
between the person and the belt.
SEAT BELTS
MAINTENANCE
For keeping the seat belts in efficient
conditions, carefully observe the
following warnings:
always use the seat belt with the
strap well stretched and not twisted;
make sure that it is free to run without
obstructions;
check seat belt operation as follows:
attach the seat belt and pull it hard;
replace the seat belt after an
accident of a certain severity even if it
does not appear to be damaged.
Always replace the seat belt if
the pretensioners were deployed;
74F0Y0700C
75F0Y0701C
76F0Y0702C
83

HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
CONTROL
Press the button fig. 119 to switch the
lights on/off. When the hazard warning
lights are on, the
andwarning
lights flash.
Emergency braking
In the event of emergency braking the
hazard warning lights switch on
automatically as well as warning lights
andin the instrument panel.
The lights switch off automatically when
emergency braking ceases.
REPLACING A
WHEEL
122) 123) 124) 125) 128) 127) 126)62)
JACK
Please note that:
the jack weight is 1,76 kg;
the jack requires no adjustment;
the jack cannot be repaired and in
the event of a fault it must be replaced
by another genuine one;
no tool other than its cranking
device may be fitted on the jack.
Maintenance
prevent any dirt from depositing on
the "worm screw";
keep the "worm screw" lubricated;
never modify the jack.
Conditions for non-use
temperatures below −40°C;
on sandy or muddy ground;
on uneven ground;
on steep roads;
in extreme weather conditions:
thunderstorms, typhoons, hurricanes,
blizzards, storms, etc...
in direct contact with the engine or
for repairs under the car;
on boats.WHEEL REPLACEMENT
PROCEDURE
Proceed as follows:
stop the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic where
you can change the wheel safely. The
car must be stopped in a lay-by,
car-park or parking or service area, and
the ground must be as level as possible
and sufficiently compact;
switch off the engine, pull up the
handbrake and engage the 1stgear or
reverse. Make sure that any passengers
get out of the car and go to a safe
place where they will not obstruct traffic
or be exposed to the risk of injury.
Wear the reflective safety jacket
(compulsory by law) before getting out
of the car;
500L versions: open the luggage
compartment and lift up the mat;
500L WAGON versions: open the
luggage compartment and lift up the
"Cargo Magic Space" load platform,
holding it with one hand while you take
out the tool bag.
500L versions: using the wrench A
fig. 120 located in the tool box, loosen
the locking device, take the tool box
B and place it close to the wheel to be
replaced. Then take the space-saver
wheel C;
119F0Y0649C
123

If you are on a slope or uneven surface,
place the wedge provided under the wheel
(see the instructions on the next pages).
124)The vehicle's driving characteristics
will be modified with the space-saver wheel
fitted. Avoid violent acceleration and
braking, abrupt steering and fast cornering.
The overall duration of the space-saver
wheel is of about 3000 km, after which the
relevant tyre must be replaced with another
one of the same type. Never install a
standard tyre on a rim that is designed for
use with a space-saver wheel. Have the
wheel repaired and refitted as soon as
possible. Using two or more space-saver
wheels at the same time is forbidden.
Do not grease the threads of the stud bolts
before fitting them: they might slip out.
125)The jack is a tool developed and
designed only for changing a wheel, if a
tyre gets punctured or damaged, on the
vehicle with which it is supplied or on other
vehicles of the same model. Any other
use, e.g. to jack up other vehicle models or
different things, is strictly prohibited. Never
use it to carry out maintenance or repairs
under the vehicle or to change summer/
winter wheels and vice versa: we advise
you to contact a Fiat Dealership. Never go
under the raised vehicle: use it only in
the positions indicated. Do not use the jack
for loads higher than the one shown on
its label. Never start the engine with car
raised. If the vehicle is raised more than
necessary, everything can become more
unstable, with the risk of the vehicle
dropping violently. Thus, lift the car only as
needed in order to access the space-saver
spare wheel.126)The space-saver wheel cannot be
fitted with snow chains. If a front (drive) tyre
is punctured and chains are needed, use
a standard wheel from the rear axle and
install the space-saver wheel on the rear
axle. In this way, with two normal drive
wheels at the front axle, it is possible to use
snow chains.
127)When turning the jack handle make
sure that it can turn freely without scraping
your hand against the ground. The moving
components of the jack ("worm screw"
and joints) can also cause injuries: do not
touch them. If you come into contact
with lubricating grease, clean yourself
thoroughly.
128)If the hub cap is not fitted correctly, it
may come off when the car is travelling.
Never tamper with the inflation valve. Never
introduce tools of any kind between rim
and tyre. Check tyre and space-saver
wheel pressures regularly, complying with
the values given in the "Technical
specifications" chapter.
129)At the end of the operation of
raising/locking the space-saver wheel
device, the spanner must be extracted,
taking care NOT to turn it in the wrong
direction to facilitate the extraction of the
spanner itself, so as to prevent the
attachment device from being released and
the lack of safe restraint.
WARNING
62)Contact a Fiat Dealership as soon as
possible to have the correct tightening
of the wheel stud bolts checked.
“Fix&Go Automatic”
KIT
130) 131)
63)2)
DESCRIPTION
The Fix&Go Automatic kit is located in
the boot, inside a dedicated container.
The container is also equipped with
a screwdriver, the tow hook and the
funnel for refuelling in an emergency. To
access the kit, open the boot door,
remove the load platform and lift the
covering carpet.
LPG versions
The kit is located in a bag fixed to the
boot lining by means of Velcro.
The kit fig. 130 contains:
one cartridge A containing sealant
and fitted with: transparent tube for
injecting the sealant 4 and sticker
C with the wording MAX 80 km/h / 50
mph to be placed in a clearly visible
position (e.g. on the dashboard) after
repairing the tyre;
a compressor B;
one leaflet containing instructions for
using the kit;
127

IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
under 50% for a long time, the battery
is damaged by sulphation, reducing
its capacity and efficiency at start-up.
CLIMATE CONTROL
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
In winter, the climate control system
must be turned on at least once a
month for about 10 minutes. Before
summer, have the system checked at a
Fiat Dealership.
WARNING
149)Never smoke while working in the
engine compartment: gas and inflammable
vapours may be present, with the risk of
fire.
150)Be very careful when working in the
engine compartment when the engine
is hot: you may get burned. Remember
that the fan may start up if the engine
is hot: this could injure you. Scarves, ties
and other loose clothing might be pulled by
moving parts.
151)When topping up, take care not to
mix up the various types of fluids: they are
not compatible with each other and could
seriously damage the car.
152)If the engine oil is being topped up,
wait for the engine to cool down before
loosening the filler cap, particularly for
vehicles with aluminium cap (where
provided). WARNING: risk of burns!153)The cooling system is pressurised. If
necessary, only replace the plug with
another original or the operation of the
system may be adversely affected. Do not
remove the reservoir plug when the engine
is hot: you risk scalding yourself.
154)Do not travel with the windscreen
washer fluid reservoir empty: the
windscreen washer is essential for
improving visibility. Repeated operation of
the system without fluid could damage
or cause rapid deterioration of some
system components.
155)Some commercial additives for
windscreen washer fluid are flammable.
The engine compartment contains hot
components which may start a fire.
156)Brake fluid is poisonous and highly
corrosive. In the event of accidental
contact, immediately wash the affected
parts with water and neutral soap. Then
rinse thoroughly. Call a doctor immediately
if swallowed.
157)The symbol
, on the brake fluid
container indicates if a brake fluid is
synthetic or mineral­based. Use of mineral
type fluids will damage the special rubber
seals of the braking system beyond repair.
158)Battery fluid is poisonous and
corrosive. Avoid contact with the skin and
eyes. Keep open flames away from the
battery and do not use objects that might
create sparks: risk of explosion and fire.
159)Using the battery with low fluid will
irreparably damage the battery and may
cause an explosion.160)If the vehicle must remain unused for
a long time at a very low temperature,
remove the battery and take it to a warm
place, to avoid freezing.
161)When performing any operation on
the battery or near it, always protect your
eyes with special goggles.
WARNING
69)Be careful not to confuse the various
types of fluids while topping up: they
are not compatible with each other!
Topping up with an unsuitable fluid could
severely damage your car.
70)The oil level must never exceed the
MAX reference.
71)Do not add oil with specifications other
than those of the oil already in the engine.
72)PARAFLU
UPanti-freeze fluid is used
in the engine cooling system; use the same
fluid type as that already in the cooling
system when topping up. PARAFLU
UP
may not be mixed with other types of
anti-freeze fluids. In the event of topping up
with an unsuitable product, under no
circumstances start the engine and contact
a Fiat Dealership.
73)Prevent brake fluid, which is highly
corrosive, from coming into contact with
painted parts. Should it happen,
immediately wash with water.
167