ESP FIAT 500L 2019 Owner handbook (in English)

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.
For further details on the use of the correct fuel see the "Refuelling the vehicle" 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 transmission: make sure that the handbrake is engaged. 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.

USE OF THE OWNER HANDBOOK
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Each time direction instructions (left/right or forwards/backwards) about the car are given, these must be understood as
regarding an occupant in the driver's seat. Special cases not complying with this rule will be specified as appropriate in the text.
The figures in the Owner Handbook are provided by way of example only: this might imply that some details of the image do
not correspond to the actual arrangement of your car. In addition, the Handbook has been conceived considering vehicles with
steering wheel on the left side; it is therefore possible that on vehicles with steering wheel on the right side, the position or
construction of some controls is not exactly mirror-like with respect to the figure.
To identify the chapter with the information needed you can consult the index at the end of this Owner Handbook.
Chapters can be rapidly identified with dedicated graphic tabs, at the side of each odd page. A few pages further there is a key
for getting to know the chapter order and the relevant symbols in the tabs. There is in any case a textual indication of the
current chapter at the side of each even page.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
While reading this Owner Handbook you will find a series ofWARNINGSto prevent procedures that could damage your
vehicle.
There are alsoPRECAUTIONSthat must be carefully followed to prevent incorrect use of the components of the vehicle,
which could cause accidents or injuries.
Therefore, allWARNINGSandPRECAUTIONSmust always be followed carefully.
WARNINGSandPRECAUTIONSare recalled in the text with the following symbols:
personal safety;
vehicle safety;
environmental protection.
NOTE These symbols, when necessary, are indicated besides the title or at the end of the line and are followed by a number.
That number recalls the corresponding warning at the end of the relevant section.

DOORS
DOOR CENTRAL
LOCKING/UNLOCKING
Locking from the outside
With doors closed, press the
button
on the remote control or turn the metal
insert (located inside the key) in the
driver side door lock. Door locking is
carried out with all doors shut,
irrespective of the luggage
compartment open/closed status.
Door unlocking from the outside
Press the
button on the remote
control or turn the metal insert (located
inside the key) in the driver side door
lock.
Door locking/unlocking from the
inside
Press the
button on the
dashboard.fig. 37
LED on button on: doors locked /
LED on button off: doors unlocked.
IMPORTANT With central locking
active, pulling the internal opening lever
of the passenger side door unlocks
the door (the LED stays on). Pulling the
internal opening lever of the driver
side door activates central unlocking.CHILD SAFETY DEVICE
24)
This system prevents the rear doors
from being opened from the inside. The
device B fig. 38 can be activated only
with the doors open.
Position 1: device on (door locked) /
Position 2: device off (door can be
opened from the inside).
The device remains engaged even if the
doors are electrically unlocked.
IMPORTANT The rear doors cannot be
opened from the inside when the child
safety device is engaged.PASSENGER SIDE FRONT
DOOR AND REAR DOOR
EMERGENCY LOCKING
DEVICE
12)
Used to lock the doors when there is
no electrical power supply. Insert the
metal insert of the ignition key in
position A fig. 39 (passenger side front
door) or A fig. 38 (rear doors) and
then turn the key clockwise and then
remove it from position A.
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33

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.
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KNOWING YOUR CAR

CONTROL PANEL AND ON-BOARD INSTRUMENTS
The instrument background colour and type may vary according to the versions.
A. Speedometer / B. Digital fuel level gauge / C. Display / D. Digital engine coolant thermometer / E. Tachometer
The warning lights on the instrument panel may change according to the version/trim level (e.g. Dualogic gearbox, etc.) of the
vehicle. The
warning light is present on Diesel versions only. On Diesel versions, the maximum engine speed (red range
on the rev counter) corresponds to 7000 rpm.
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42
KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

RIGHT-HAND DRIVE VERSIONS
A. Speedometer / B. Digital fuel level gauge / C. Display / D. Digital engine coolant thermometer / E. Tachometer
The warning lights on the instrument panel may change according to the version/trim level (e.g. LPG, Natural Power, Dualogic
gearbox, etc.) of the vehicle. The
warning light is present on Diesel versions only. On Diesel versions, the maximum engine
speed (red range on the rev counter) corresponds to 7000 rpm.
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43

Symbol What it means
redTAILGATE NOT PROPERLY SHUT
The symbol switches on when the tailgate is not properly shut. Close the tailgate correctly.
redDOOR OPEN
The symbol switches on when one or more doors are not completely shut. The display also shows the
outline of the car with the door open. An acoustic signal is activated with the doors open and the car
moving. Close the doors properly.
redALTERNATOR FAILURE
The switching on of the symbol with engine on corresponds to an alternator failure. Contact a Fiat
Dealership as soon as possible.
whiteSPEED LIMIT EXCEEDED
The (white) symbol switches on when the speed limit (e.g. 110 km/h) set through the Setup Menu of the
display is exceeded (the inner value updates according to the set speed).
WARNING
17)Driving the vehicle with this symbol on may severely damage the gearbox, with resulting breakage. The oil may also overheat: contact
with hot engine or with exhaust components at high temperature could cause fires.
18)If the symbol switches on while driving, stop the engine immediately and contact a Fiat Dealership.
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KNOWING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The car has the following active safety
systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control)
system;
HH (Hill Holder) system;
ASR (AntiSlip Regulation) system;
DST (Dynamic Steering Torque
or steering corrector) system;
ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation)
system.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)
36) 37) 38) 39) 40) 41) 42)
This system, which is an integral part of
the braking system, prevents one or
more wheels from locking and slipping
in all road surface conditions,
irrespective of the intensity of the
braking action, ensuring that the car
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The ABS also integrates the following
systems: EBD (Electronic Braking Force
Distribution), MSR (Motor
Schleppmoment Regelung) and HBA
(Hydraulic Brake Assist).IMPORTANT To obtain the maximum
efficiency of the braking system, a
bedding-in period of about 500 km is
needed: during this period it is better to
avoid sharp, repeated and prolonged
braking.
43) 44) 45)
System intervention
A slight pulsing of the brake pedal and
noise indicates the intervention of the
ABS: this is completely normal when
the system intervenes.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
46) 47) 48) 49) 50) 51)
The ESC system corrects the car’s
understeer and oversteer, distributing
the brake force on the wheels
appropriately. The torque supplied by
the engine can also be reduced in order
to maintain control of the car.
System intervention
The intervention of the system is
indicated by the flashing of the
warning light on the instrument
panel, to inform the driver that the car is
in critical stability and grip conditions.Switching the system on
The ESC system switches on
automatically when the engine is
started and cannot be switched off.
GRAVITY CONTROL
(for versions/markets, where provided)
56)
It is an integral part of the ESC system
and is aimed at keeping the car at a
constant speed during a descent,
operating autonomously on the brakes
in various ways at the same time.
In this way, the “Gravity Control”
function assists the drive on steep
gradients in low-grip conditions and/or
on rough terrain.
For more information on system
operation, see the “Driving assistance
systems” paragraph in this chapter.
HH (Hill Holder) SYSTEM
52) 53)
This system is an integral part of the
ESC system and facilitates starting on
slopes.
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The system is automatically activated in
the following conditions:
uphill: vehicle stationary on a road
with a gradient higher than 5%, engine
running, brake pressed and
transmission in neutral or gear other
than reverse engaged;
downhill: car stationary on a road
with a gradient of more than 5%,
engine running, brake pressed and
reverse gear engaged.
ASR (AntiSlip
Regulation) SYSTEM
The system automatically operates in
the event of slipping, loss of grip on wet
roads (aquaplaning) and acceleration
on slippery, snowy or icy roads, etc. on
one or more drive wheels.
Engagement/disengagement of the
system
The system switches on automatically
each time the engine is started. The
ASR can be turned off and then turned
back on again whilst driving by pressing
the button located in the dashboard
fig. 56.
When travelling on snowy roads with
snow chains, it may be helpful to turn
the ASR off: in fact, in these conditions,
the driving wheels skidding when
moving off gives you better traction.DST (Dynamic Steering
Torque or steering
corrector) system
54)
The DST (steering corrector) system
function uses the integration of the ESC
system with the electric power steering
to increase the safety level of the whole
car. In critical situations (e.g.
understeering, oversteering, braking
with different grip conditions), through
the DST function the ESC system
controls the steering to implement an
additional torque contribution on the
steering wheel, to suggest the most
correct manoeuvre to be performed to
the driver.ERM (Electronic Rollover
Mitigation) SYSTEM
55)
The system monitors the tendency of
the wheels to rise from the ground if the
driver performs extreme manoeuvres
like quick steering to avoid an obstacle,
especially in poor road conditions.
If these conditions occur, the system
intervenes on the brakes and engine
power to reduce the possibility that the
wheels are raised from the ground. It
is not possible to avoid tendency to roll
over if the phenomenon is due to
reasons such as driving on high side
gradients, collision with objects or other
vehicles.
WARNING
36)When the ABS intervenes and you feel
the brake pedal pulsating, do not reduce
the pressure, but hold it down firmly and
confidently; in doing so you will brake
in the shortest distance possible,
depending on the current road conditions.
37)For maximum efficiency of the braking
system, a bedding-in period of about
500 km is needed: during this period it is
better to avoid sharp, repeated and
prolonged braking.
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72
SAFETY

38)If the ABS intervenes, this indicates
that the grip of the tyres on the road is
nearing its limit: you must slow down to a
speed compatible with the available grip.
39)The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase
the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
40)The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
41)The capability of the ABS must never
be tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
42)For the correct operation of the ABS,
the tyres must of necessity be the same
make and type on all wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, of the prescribed
type and dimensions.
43)The HBA system cannot increase tyre
grip on the road over the limits imposed by
laws of physics: always drive carefully
according to the conditions of the road
surface.
44)The HBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on bends, travelling on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
45)The HBA system is an aid for the driver,
who must always pay full attention while
driving. The responsibility always rests with
the driver. The features of the HBA system
must never be tested in imprudent or
dangerous ways, with the possibility of
putting the safety of the driver, occupants
or other road users at risk.46)The ESC system cannot alter the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase grip, which depends on the
condition of the road.
47)The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
48)The capability of the ESC system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise personal safety and the safety
of others.
49)For the correct operation of the ESC
and ASR systems it is extremely important
that the tyres are the same brand and
the same type on all the wheels, in perfect
condition and, above all, the
recommended type and size.
50)The performance of the ESC and ASR
systems must not encourage the driver
to take unnecessary risks. Your driving style
must always be suited to the road
conditions, visibility and traffic. The driver
is, in any case, responsible for safe driving.
51)The ESC functions even when the
space-saver wheel is being used. Always
remember that the space-saver wheel,
being smaller than the original wheel,
provides less grip.
52)The Hill Holder system is not a parking
brake; therefore, never leave the car
without having engaged the handbrake,
turned the engine off and engaged the first
gear, so that the car is parked in safe
conditions (for further information read
paragraph "When parked" in the chapter
"Starting and driving").53)There may be situations on small
gradients (less than 5%), with car laden, in
which the Hill Holder system may not
activate, causing a slight reversing motion
and increasing the risk of collision with
another car or object. The driver is, in any
case, responsible for safe driving.
54)DST is a driving assistance system and
does not relieve the driver of responsibility
for driving the car.
55)The performance of a vehicle with ERM
must never be tested in imprudent or
dangerous ways, with the possibility of
putting the safety of the driver or other
people at risk.
56)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.
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