towing FIAT 500X 2014 2.G Owners Manual

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. Although 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 emis-
sions tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing, while the engine is run-
ning, severe catalytic converter damage and
power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II)
Cybersecurity
Your vehicle is required to have an Onboard Diagnostic
system (OBD II) and a connection port to allow access to
information related to the performance of your emis-
sions controls. Authorized service technicians may need to access this information to assist with the diagnosis
and service of your vehicle and emissions system.
WARNING!
•
ONLY an authorized service technician should
connect equipment to the OBD II connection port
in order to diagnose or service your vehicle.
• If unauthorized equipment is connected to the
OBD II connection port, such as a driver-behavior
tracking device, it may:
• Be possible that vehicle systems, including
safety related systems, could be impaired or a
loss of vehicle control could occur that may
result in an accident involving serious injury or
death.
• Access, or allow others to access, information
stored in your vehicle systems, including per-
sonal information.
For further information, refer to “Privacy Practices” and
“Uconnect CyberSecurity” in “All About Uconnect Ac-
cess” in your Owner ’s Manual Radio Supplement and
“Cybersecurity” in “Multimedia”.
122 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Vehicle Security Warning Light — If Equipped
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Vehicle Security Warning Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approximately 15 seconds when the vehicle security
alarm is arming, and then will flash slowly until the vehicle is disarmed.
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Warning Light
This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. If a
problem is detected while the engine is running, the light will either stay on or flash de-
pending on the nature of the problem. Cycle the ignition key when the vehicle is safely and
completely stopped and the transmission is placed in the PARK position. The light should
turn off. If the light remains on with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be driv-
able; however, see an authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light continues to flash when the engine is running, immediate service is required and
you may experience reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle, or engine stall and your
vehicle may require towing. The light will come on when the ignition is first placed in the
MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position and remain on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not
come on during starting, have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 139

Yellow Telltale Indicator Lights
Low Fuel Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Low Fuel Indicator Light
When the fuel level reaches approximately 1.3–1.8 gal (5–7 L) this light will turn on, and
remain on until fuel is added.
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Yellow Telltale
Light What It Means
Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a part of an Onboard Diagnostic
System called OBD II that monitors engine and automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate when the ignition is in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position before en-
gine start. If the bulb does not come on when turning the key from STOP (OFF/LOCK) to
MAR (ACC/ON/RUN), have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor quality fuel, etc., may illuminate
the light after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through sev-
eral typical driving styles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
140 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Transmission Temperature Indicator Light
Yellow TelltaleLight What It Means
Transmission Temperature Indicator Light
This light indicates that the transmission fluid temperature is running hot. This may occur
with severe usage, such as trailer towing. If this light turns on, safely pull over and stop the
vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and run the engine at idle or faster un-
til the light turns off.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is illumi-
nated you could cause the fluid to boil over, come in
contact with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tem-
perature Warning Light illuminated will eventually
cause severe transmission damage or transmission
failure.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 143

▫CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications . . . .263
▫ MMT In Gasoline ....................263
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ...............264
▫ Fuel System Cautions ..................264
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............265
 ADDING FUEL ...................... .265
 VEHICLE LOADING ...................268
▫ Certification Label ...................268
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES ........270
▫ Acceleration ....................... .270
▫ Traction .......................... .270
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER ............271
▫ Flowing/Rising Water .................271 ▫
Shallow Standing Water ................271
 POWER STEERING ....................272
 TRAILER TOWING ....................273
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............273
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ..............276
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) .....................277
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight .............277
▫ Towing Requirements .................278
▫ Towing Tips ....................... .283
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ..................284
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle .284
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STARTING AND OPERATING 213

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 “In Case Of
Emergency” 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 con-
ditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head
winds or while towing a heavy trailer), 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 im-
prove performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup. If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operat-
ing limits, the transmission controller may modify the
transmission shift schedule, reduce engine torque,
and/or expand the range of torque converter clutch
engagement. This is done to prevent transmission dam-
age due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the “Trans-
mission Temperature Warning Light” may illuminate
and the transmission may operate differently until the
transmission cools down.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature
improves warm up time of the engine and transmission
to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the
torque converter clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear,
are inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm.
Normal operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
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,
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driv-
ing, trailer towing and many other situations.
Operation
When the gear selector is in the AutoStick position
(beside the DRIVE position), it can be moved forward
and rearward. This allows the driver to manually select
the transmission gear being used. Moving the gear
selector 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 gear
selector rearward (+) or forward (-), except as described
below.
• The transmission will automatically upshift when
necessary to prevent engine overspeed.
• 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 or second gear (depending on model) when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver should
manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle
is accelerated.
• You can start out (from a stop) in first or second gear.
Starting out in second gear can be helpful in snow or
icy conditions. Tap the gear selector forward or
rearward to select the desired gear after the vehicle is
brought to a stop.
• If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
overspeed, 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 en-
gaged because the transmission will not shift auto-
matically.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is enabled.
• The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a
fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear selector
to the DRIVE position. You can shift in or out of the
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STARTING AND OPERATING 233

•Clean the Rear ParkSense sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must
not be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or
debris. Failure to do so can result in the system not
working properly. The Rear ParkSense system might
not detect an obstacle behind the fascia/bumper, or it
could provide a false indication that an obstacle is
behind the fascia/bumper.
• Objects such as bicycle carriers, etc., must not be
placed within 12 inches (30 cm) from the rear fascia/
bumper while driving the vehicle. Failure to do so
can result in the system misinterpreting a close object
as a sensor problem, causing a failure indication to be
displayed in the instrument cluster.
WARNING!
• Drivers must be careful when backing up even
when using ParkSense. Always check carefully
behind your vehicle, look behind you, and be
sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other ve-
hicles, obstructions, and blind spots before back-
ing up. You are responsible for safety and must
continue to pay attention to your surroundings.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.
• Before using ParkSense, it is strongly recom-
mended that the ball mount and hitch ball assem-
bly is disconnected from the vehicle when the
vehicle is not used for towing. Failure to do so can
result in injury or damage to vehicles or obstacles
because the hitch ball will be much closer to the
obstacle than the rear fascia when the loud-
speaker sounds the continuous tone. Also, the
sensors could detect the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly, depending on its size and shape, giving
a false indication that an obstacle is behind the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
• ParkSense is only a parking aid and it is unable to
recognize every obstacle, including small ob-
stacles. Parking curbs might be temporarily de-
tected or not detected at all. Obstacles located
(Continued)
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the “SERVICE POWER STEERINGOR
POWER STEERING ASSIST OFF - SERVICE
SYSTEM” message and a steering wheel icon
are displayed on the instrument cluster screen, it indi-
cates that the vehicle needs to be taken to the dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost power steering
assistance. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in
“Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
NOTE:
• Even if the power steering assistance is no longer
operational, it is still possible to steer the vehicle.
Under these conditions there will be a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
• If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer
for service.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible. To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty cover-
age, follow the requirements and recommendations in
this manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will
assist you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do
not exceed the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/
Vehicle Certification Label” in “Starting And Operat-
ing” for further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of
all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or
temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its
loaded and
ready for operation condition.
The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your
fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight
of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 273

Trailer Hitch Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class
can tow and should be used to assist you in selecting
the correct trailer hitch for your intended towing con-
dition.
Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
Class Max. Trailer Hitch Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy Duty 10,000 lbs (4,535 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)” chart for the Maximum Gross Trailer
Weight (GTW) towable for your given drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on your vehicle.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING