ESP FIAT 500X 2018 Owner handbook (in English)

ACTIVE SAFETY
SYSTEMS
The vehicle has the following active
safety systems:
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);
DTC (Drag Torque Control);
ESC (Electronic Stability Control);
TC (Traction Control);
PBA (Panic Brake Assist);
HHC (Hill Hold Control);
DST (Dynamic Steering Torque);
ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation);
TSC (Trailer Sway Control).
For the operation of the systems, see
the following description.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking
System)
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 vehicle
can be controlled even during
emergency braking and optimising
stopping distances.
The system intervenes during braking
when the wheels are about to lock,
typically in emergency braking or
low-grip conditions, when locking may
be more frequent. The system also improves control and
stability of the vehicle when braking on
a surface where the grip of the left and
right wheels varies, or on corners.
The Electronic Braking Force
Distribution (EBD) system completes
the system allowing the brake force to
be distributed between the front and
rear wheels.
System intervention
The driver can feel that the ABS system
has come into action because the
brake pedal pulsates slightly and the
system gets noisier: this is entirely
normal with the system operating.
34) 35) 36) 37) 38) 39) 40)
DTC (Drag Torque
Control) SYSTEM
The DTC (Drag Torque Control) system
prevents the drive wheels from possibly
locking, which could happen, for
example, if the accelerator pedal is
released suddenly or in the case of a
sudden downshifting in conditions of
poor grip. In this conditions, the engine
braking effect could cause the drive
wheels to slip, resulting in a loss of car
stability. In these situations, the DTC
system intervenes, restoring torque to
the engine in order to conserve car
stability and increase car safety.
ESC (Electronic Stability
Control) SYSTEM
The ESC system improves the
directional control and stability of the
vehicle in various driving conditions.
The ESC system corrects the vehicle’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 vehicle.
The ESC system uses sensors installed
on the vehicle to determine the
trajectory that the driver intends to
follow and compares it with the
vehicle’s effective trajectory. When the
real trajectory deviates from the desired
trajectory, the ESC system intervenes to
counter the vehicle’s understeer or
oversteer.
Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is
turning more than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
Understeer: occurs when the vehicle
is turning less than it should according
to the angle of the steering wheel.
74
SAFETY

DST SYSTEM (Dynamic
Steering Torque)
The DST function uses the integration
of the ESC system with the electric
power steering to increase the safety
level of the whole vehicle.
In critical situations (braking on surfaces
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 the driver.
The coordinated action of the brakes
and steering increases the sensation of
safety and control of the vehicle.
56)
ERM (Electronic Rollover
Mitigation) SYSTEM
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.
57)
TSC (Trailer Sway
Control) SYSTEM
The system employs a series of sensors
located on the vehicle to identify
excessive swerving of the trailer and
take the necessary precautions to
eliminate it.
To counteract the effect of trailer sway,
the system can reduce the engine
power and intervene on the wheels
involved. The TSC system activates
automatically once excessive sway of
the trailer is detected.System intervention
When the system is active, the
warning light flashes on the
instrument panel, the engine power is
reduced and braking can be felt on the
individual wheels, following the attempt
to eliminate the swerving of the trailer.
58) 59)
WARNING
34) 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.
35) 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.
36) 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.
37) The ABS cannot overrule the natural
laws of physics, and cannot increase the
grip available according to the condition of
the road.
38) The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those due to excessive speed on
corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or
aquaplaning.
76
SAFETY

39)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.
40) 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.
41) The ESC system cannot alter the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase grip, which depends on the
condition of the road.
42) The ESC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
43) 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.
44) For the correct operation of the ESC
system, the tyres must necessarily be of
the same make and type on all wheels, in
perfect condition and, above all, of the
prescribed type and size.
45) ESC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary or
unwarranted 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.
46) For the correct operation of the TC
system, 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. 47)
TC performance features must not
induce the driver to take unnecessary or
unwarranted 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.
48) The TC system cannot overrule the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
49) The TC system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
50) The capability of the TC must never be
tested irresponsibly and dangerously, in
such a way as to compromise personal
safety and the safety of others.
51) The PBA system cannot overrule the
natural laws of physics, and cannot
increase the grip available according to the
condition of the road.
52) The PBA system cannot prevent
accidents, including those due to excessive
speed on corners, driving on low-grip
surfaces or aquaplaning.
53) The capability of the PBA system must
never be tested irresponsibly and
dangerously, in such a way as to
compromise the safety of the driver, the
other occupants of the vehicle or any other
road user.
54) The Hill Hold Control system is not a
parking brake; therefore, never leave the
vehicle without having engaged the electric
parking brake, turned the engine off and
engaged first gear, so that it is parked in
safe conditions (for further information read
the "Parking" paragraph in the "Starting
and driving" chapter). 55)
There may be situations on small
gradients (less than 8%), with vehicle
laden, in which the Hill Hold Control system
may not activate, causing a slight reversing
motion and increasing the risk of collision
with another vehicle or object. The driver is,
in any case, responsible for safe driving.
56) DST is an aid for driving and does not
relieve the driver of responsibility for driving
the vehicle.
57) 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.
58) When towing trailers, the utmost
caution at the wheel is recommended.
Never exceed the maximum permitted
loads (see the description in the "Weights"
paragraph in the "Technical Specifications"
chapter).
59) The TSC system cannot prevent
swerving for all trailers. If the system
activates during driving, reduce the speed,
stop the vehicle in a safe place and arrange
the load correctly to prevent the trailer from
swerving.
77

IMPORTANT The system does not
signal the presence of fixed object (e.g.
safety barriers, poles, walls, etc.).
However, in some circumstances, the
system may activate in the presence of
these objects. This is normal and does
not indicate a system malfunction.
IMPORTANT The system does not
warn the driver about the presence of
vehicles coming from the opposite
direction, in the adjacent lanes.
60)
Important notes
If a trailer is connected to the car, to
avoid false indications this system must
be manually deactivated using the
relative menu.
For the system to operate correctly, the
rear bumper area where the radar
sensors are located must stay free from
snow, ice and dirt gathered from the
road surface.
Do not cover the rear bumper area
where the radar sensors are located
with any object (e.g. adhesives, bike
rack, etc.).Rear-view
The system detects vehicles coming
from the rear part of your vehicle on
both sides and entering the rear
detection area with a difference in
speed of less than 50 km/h with
respect to your vehicle.
Overtaking vehicles
If another vehicle is overtaken slowly
(with a difference in speed of less than
about 25 km/h) and this stays in the
blind spot for about 1.5 seconds, the
warning light on the door mirror of the
corresponding side lights up.
If the speed delta between the two
vehicles is higher than about 25 km/h,
the warning light does not light up.
RCP (Rear Cross Path detection)
system
This system helps the driver during
reverse manoeuvres in the case of
reduced visibility.
The RCP system monitors the rear
detection areas on both sides of the
vehicle, to detect objects moving
towards the sides of the vehicle at a
minimum speed between about 1 km/h
and 3 km/h and objects moving at a
maximum speed of 35 km/h, as
generally happens in parking areas.The system activation is signalled to the
driver by means of a visual and acoustic
warning.
IMPORTANT If the sensors are covered
by objects or vehicles, the system will
not warn the driver.
Operating mode
The system can be activated/
deactivated by operating on the display
Menu, or via the
Uconnect™system
(for further information see the
dedicated Supplement).
Blind Spot Assist "Visual" mode
When this mode is active, the BSA
system sends a visual warning to the
door mirror relating to the object
detected.
However, when operating in "RCP"
mode, the system produces acoustic
and visual warnings when if the
presence of an object is detected.
When an acoustic warning is sent,
theUconnect™ volume is lowered.
Blind Spot Assist "Visual &
acoustic" mode
When this mode has been activated,
the BSA system sends a visual warning
to the door mirror relating to the object
detected.
79

WARNING
60)The system is an aid for vehicle driving,
it DOES NOT warn the driver about
incoming vehicles outside of the detection
areas. The driver must always maintain a
sufficient level of attention to the traffic and
road conditions and for controlling the
trajectory of the vehicle.
61) 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.
62) 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).
63) The system intervenes on vehicles
travelling in the same lane. People, animals
and things (e.g. pushchairs) are not taken
into consideration.
64) If the car must be placed on a roller
bench 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
settings of the Uconnect™system.
65) If the iTPMS system signals a pressure
decrease on the tyres, it is recommended
to check the pressure on all four tyres. 66)
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 replacing system for
maintenance or a safety system.
67) Tyre pressure must be checked with
tyres cold. Should it become necessary for
whatever reason to check pressure with
warm tyres, do not reduce pressure even
though it is higher than the prescribed
value, but repeat the check when tyres are
cold
68) The iTPMS cannot indicate sudden tyre
pressure drops (e.g. if a tyre bursts). In this
case, stop the vehicle, braking with caution
and avoiding abrupt steering.
69) The system only warns that the tyre
pressure is low: it is not able to inflate
them.
70) Insufficient tyre inflation increases fuel
consumption, reduces the tread duration
and may affect the capacity to drive safely.
IMPORTANT
32) The system may have limited or absent
operation due to weather conditions such
as: heavy rain, hail, thick fog, heavy snow.
33) The section of the bumper before the
sensor must not be covered with
adhesives, auxiliary headlights or any other
object.
34) System intervention might be
unexpected or delayed when other vehicles
transport loads projecting from the side,
above or from the rear, with respect to the
normal size of the vehicle. 35)
Operation can be adversely affected by
any structural change made to the vehicle,
such as a modification to the front
geometry, tyre change, or a heavier load
than the standard load of the vehicle.
36) Incorrect repairs made on the front part
of the vehicle (e.g. bumper, chassis) may
alter the position of the radar sensor, and
adversely affect its operation. Go to a Fiat
Dealership for any operation of this type.
37) Do not tamper with nor carry out any
intervention on the radar sensor or on the
camera on the windscreen. In the event of
a sensor failure, contact a Fiat Dealership.
38) When towing a trailer (with modules
installed after purchasing the vehicle), a
vehicle or during loading manoeuvres on a
vehicle transporter (or in vehicle for
transport), the system must be deactivated
via the Uconnect™system.
39) Do not wash with high-pressure jets in
the bumper lower area: in particular do not
operate on the system's electrical
connector.
40) Be careful in the case of repairs and
new paintings in the area around the
sensor (panel covering the sensor on the
left side of the bumper). In the event of a
frontal impact the sensor may automatically
deactivate and display a warning to indicate
that the sensor needs to be repaired. Even
without a malfunction warning, deactivate
the system operation if you think that the
position of the radar sensor has changed
(e.g. due to low-speed frontal impact as
during parking manoeuvres). In these
cases, go to a Fiat Dealership to have the
radar sensor realigned or replaced.
86
SAFETY

OCCUPANT
PROTECTION
SYSTEMS
The most important safety equipment
of the vehicle comprises the following
protection systems:
seat belts;
SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) system;
head restraints;
child restraint systems;
front airbags and side bags.
Read the information given the following
pages with the utmost care. It is of
fundamental importance that the
protection systems are used in the
correct way to guarantee the maximum
possible safety level for the driver and
the passengers.
For the description of the head restraint
adjustment see paragraph "Head
restraints" in chapter "Knowing your
vehicle".
SEAT BELTS
All vehicle seats are equipped with seat
belts with three anchor points and a
retractor.
The retractor mechanism operates
locking the belt in the event of sharp
braking or strong deceleration due to
an impact. This allows the belt strap to
slide freely and to adapt to the body of
the occupant. In the event of an
accident, the belt will lock reducing the
risk of impact inside the passenger
compartment and of being projected
outside the vehicle.
The driver is responsible for respecting,
and ensuring that all the other
occupants of the vehicle also respect,
the local laws in force in relation to the
use of the seat belts.
Always fasten the seat belts before
setting off.
USING THE SEAT BELTS
The seat belt should be worn keeping
the torso straight and rested against the
backrest.
To fasten the seat belts, hold tongue A
fig. 68 and insert it into buckle B, until it
clicks into place. On removal of the belt, if it jams, let it
rewind for a short stretch, then pull it
out again without jerking.
To unfasten the seat belts, press button
C fig. 68 and guide the seat belt with
your hand while it is rewinding, to
prevent it from twisting.
71) 72)
The retractor may lock when the vehicle
is parked on a steep slope: this is
perfectly normal. Furthermore, the
retractor mechanism locks the belt if it
is pulled sharply or in the event of
sudden braking, collisions or
high-speed bends.
Once seated, wear the rear seat belts
as shown in fig. 69.
68F1B0101C
87

The icons on the display represent the
following (as applicable):
A: rear left seat belt fastened;
B: rear central seat belt fastened;
C: rear right seat belt unfastened.
The icons are displayed according to
the corresponding seat belts in the rear
seats, and stay on for about 30 seconds from the last seat belt
status change:
if the seat belt is fastened
the
corresponding icon will appear as
shown in A and B (green on the colour
display);
if the seat belt is unfastened the
corresponding icon will appear as
shown in C (red on the colour display);
If a rear seat belt is unfastened, an
acoustic warning (3 "beeps") will be
activated along with the relevant icon
lighting up in the display.
Furthermore the icons will light up again
for 30 seconds each time one of the
doors is closed.
The icon will turn green after the
corresponding seat belt has been
fastened.
The rear seat icons will go out,
regardless of the state of the belt (red
icon or green icon), approximately
30 seconds after the last warning. IMPORTANT NOTES
As far as the rear seats are concerned,
the SBR system will only indicate
whether the seat belts are unfastened
(red icon) or fastened (green icon), not
the presence of any passengers.
For the rear seats, the icons will activate
a few seconds after the ignition device
has been turned to MAR, regardless of
the status of the seat belts (even if the
seat belts are all fastened).
All the warning lights/icons will come on
when at least one belt changes from
fastened to unfastened status or vice
versa.
73F1B0106C
90
SAFETY

Group 2
Children from 15 to 25 kg may use the
vehicle seat belts directly fig. 79.
In this case, the child restraint system is
used to position the child correctly with
respect to the seat belts so that the
diagonal belt section crosses the child’s
chest and not the neck, and the lower
part is snug on the pelvis not the
abdomen.Group 3
For children between 22 and 36 kg,
there are dedicated restraint systems
that allow the seat belt to be worn
correctly.
The fig. 80 shows the correct child
positioning on the rear seat.
Children over 1.50 m in height can wear
seat belts like adults.
79F1B0112C
80F1B0113C
95

Main recommendations to carry
children safely
Install the child restraint systems on
the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in a crash.
Keep children in rearward-facing
child restraint systems for as long as
possible, ideally until they are 3–4 years
old.
If the passenger's front airbag is
deactivated always check the
dedicated warning light on the trim
located on the dashboard to make sure
that it has actually been deactivated.
Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with the child restraint system.
Keep the instructions in the car along
with the other documents and this
handbook. Do not use second-hand
child restraint systems without
instructions.
Only one child is to be strapped into
each restraint system; never carry two
children using one child restraint
system.
Always check that the seat belts do
not rest on the child’s neck.
Always check that the seat belt is
well fastened by pulling on it.
While travelling, do not let the child
sit incorrectly or unfasten the belts.
Never allow a child to put the belt's
diagonal section under an arm or
behind their back.
Never carry children on your lap,
even newborns. No-one can hold a
child in the case of a crash.
If the car has been involved in a road
accident, replace the child restraint
system with a new one. In addition, and
depending on the type of child restraint
system installed, replace the Isofix
anchorages or the seat belt with which
the child restraint system was
connected.
For any child restraint system
mounted facing the direction of travel of
the vehicle on the external rear seats,
independently of its weight group,
mount it after removing the
corresponding rear seat head restraint.
This does not apply to child restraint
systems that consist only of a cushion
(without backrest). You should install
such child restraint systems when the
corresponding head restraint is
mounted. Any removed head restraints
must be kept in the car are refitted if the
seat is used by an adult occupant.
WARNING
79) SEVERE DANGER When a front
passenger airbag is fitted, do not install
rearward facing child restraint systems on
the front passenger seat. Deployment of
the airbag in an accident could cause fatal
injuries to the child regardless of the
severity of the collision. It is advisable to
always carry children in a child restraint
system on the rear seat, which is the most
protected position in the event of a
collision.
80) On the sun visor there is a label with
suitable symbols reminding the user that it
is compulsory to deactivate the airbag if a
rearward facing child restraint system is
fitted. Always comply with the instructions
on the passenger side sun visor (see the
"Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) -
Airbag" paragraph).
81) Should it be necessary to carry a child
on the passenger side front seat in a rear
facing child restraint system, the passenger
side front airbag and side bag must be
deactivated through the display main menu
(see the "Display" paragraph, "Knowing the
instrument panel" chapter), verifying
deactivation by checking whether the
OFF LED has switched on in the trim
located on the dashboard. Move the
passenger's seat as far back as possible to
avoid contact between the child seat and
the dashboard.
82) Do not move the front or rear seat if a
child is seated on it or on the dedicated
child restraint system
105

STARTING THE
ENGINE
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
If necessary, messages indicating the
starting procedure can be shown on
the display.
LPG versions
The engine always starts up on petrol
independently of the previously selected
mode.
42)
ENGINE STARTING
PROCEDURE
106) 107) 108) 109)
43) 44) 45) 46)
Versions with manual gearbox
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake
and place the gear lever in neutral;
bring the ignition device to MAR. On
Diesel versions, warning light
lights
up in the instrument panel: wait for the
warning light to switch off;
fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator;
turn the ignition device to AVV and
release it as soon as the engine starts;
if the engine does not start within
10 seconds, bring the ignition device
back to STOP and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
after the manoeuvre has been
repeated, if the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
Versions with automatic
transmission
Proceed as follows:
engage the electric parking brake
and set the gear lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral);
fully depress the brake pedal without
touching the accelerator;
set the ignition device to AVV;
if the engine does not start, bring
the ignition device back to STOP and
wait for 10-15 seconds before
repeating the starting procedure;
after the manoeuvre has been
repeated, if the problem persists,
contact a Fiat Dealership.
ENGINE STARTING
FAILURE
Starting the engine with electronic
key battery (Keyless Go) run down
or flat
If the ignition device does not respond
when the relevant button is pressed the
electronic key battery might be run
down or flat. Therefore, the system
does not detect the presence of the
electronic key on board the vehicle and
displays a dedicated message. In this
case, rest the rounded edge of the
electronic key (the side opposite the
metal insert) on the ignition device and
press the button using the electronic
key. The ignition device is thus activated
and the engine can be started.
WARNING
106) Do not try to start the engine pouring
fuel or other flammable fluid inside the
throttle body air intake: this might damage
the engine and injury people nearby.
107) It is dangerous to run the engine in
enclosed areas. The engine takes in
oxygen and releases carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide and other toxic gases.
108) The brake servo is not active until the
engine is started, so you would need to
apply much more force than usual to the
brake pedal.
114
STARTING AND DRIVING