Fiat 500c (2018 year). Instruction

4. Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable from

the positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.

If frequent jump starting is required to start your vehicle,
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at an authorized dealer.

CAUTION!

Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if plugged
in long enough without engine operation, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.

GEAR SELECTOR OVERRIDE

If a malfunction occurs and the gear selector cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the following
procedure to temporarily move the gear selector:

1. Turn the engine OFF.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.

3. Remove the gear selector override access cover (located

on the right side of the gear selector housing) by prying
at the bottom edge of the cover.

4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.

5. Insert a small screwdriver or similar tool into the access

hole, and push and hold the override release lever in.

6. Move the gear selector to the NEUTRAL position.

7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.

8. Reinstall the gear selector override access cover.

Gear Selector Override Access Hole

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS

In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in

NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.

NOTE:

There are steps that you can take to slow down an

impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C

system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.

• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum

heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.

WARNING!

You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If you
see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.

CAUTION!

Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your
vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark, the
instrument cluster will sound a chime. When safe, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle. Turn
off the air conditioning and wait until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the H (red) mark for more than a minute,
turn the engine off immediately and call for service.

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or SECOND

218

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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GEAR and REVERSE (with instruction transmission), while
gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least amount of
accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain the rocking
motion, without spinning the wheels, or racing the engine.

NOTE:

Push the

⬙ESC Off⬙ switch, to place the Electronic

Stability Control (ESC) system in

⬙Partial Off⬙ mode, before

rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in
“Safety” for further information. Once the vehicle has been
freed, push the

⬙ESC Off⬙ switch again to restore ⬙ESC On⬙

mode.

WARNING!

Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.

CAUTION!

• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead

to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the
engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of clutch or transmission failure
during prolonged efforts to free a stuck vehicle.

• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between

DRIVE/SECOND GEAR and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drive-
train damage may result.

• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast

may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

219

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TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.

Towing Condition

Wheels OFF The

Ground

Automatic Transmis-

sion

Instruction Transmission

Flat Tow

NONE

NOT ALLOWED

If transmission is operable:

• Transmission in NEUTRAL

• 65 mph (104 km/h) max speed

Wheel Lift Or

Dolly Tow

Rear

NOT ALLOWED

Front

Flatbed

ALL

BEST METHOD

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 equipment
manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. 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.

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode.

CAUTION!

• Do not use sling type equipment when towing.

Vehicle damage may occur.

(Continued)

220

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

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CAUTION! (Continued)

• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not

attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

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 vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Gear Selector 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 an

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 require-

ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Instruction 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 covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

221

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SCHEDULED SERVICING

Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.

Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or
350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The
350 hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.

Severe Duty All Models

Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment or is
operated predominantly at idle or only very low engine
RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:

Check engine oil level.

Check windshield washer fluid level.

Check the tire inflation pressures and look for unusual
wear or damage.

Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir and brake
master cylinder, and fill as needed.

Check function of all interior and exterior lights.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

225

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Maintenance Plan

Required Maintenance Intervals

Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page
for the required maintenance intervals.

At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil

Change Indicator System:

Change oil and filter.

Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregular

wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator system

turns on.

Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as

required.

Inspect brake pads, rotors, drums and park brake.

Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses.

Inspect exhaust system.

Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or off-road

conditions.

Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following pages
for the required maintenance intervals.

226

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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Mileage or time passed

(whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Additional Inspections

Inspect the CV joints.

Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends and
boot seals, and replace if necessary.

Inspect the brake linings. Replace as
necessary.

Inspect park brake function. Adjust as
necessary.

Additional Maintenance

Replace engine air filter.

Replace cabin air filter.

Clean and lube sun roof tracks.

Replace spark plugs. **

Flush and replace the engine coolant at
10 years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km)
whichever comes first.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

227

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Mileage or time passed

(whichever comes first)

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

10,000

120,000

130,000

140,000

150,000

Or Years:

Or Kilometers:

32,000

48,000

64,000

80,000

96,000

12,000

128,000

144,000

160,000

176,000

192,000

208,000

224,000

240,000

Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary.

Replaced accessory drive belt and tensioner.

Replace the timing belt.

** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.

WARNING!

• You can be badly injured working on or around a

motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Failure to properly inspect and maintain your vehicle

could result in a component malfunction and effect
vehicle handling and performance. This could cause
an accident.

228

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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Checking Oil Level

To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be
maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is approximately five minutes
after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil
level before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will give
you an incorrect reading.

Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground, and
approximately five minutes after a fully warmed engine is
shut off, will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.
Maintain the oil level between the range markings on the
dipstick. The safe range is indicated by a crosshatch zone.
Adding 1 quart (1 Liter) of oil when the reading is at the
low end of the indicated range will result in the oil level at
the full end of the indicator range.

CAUTION!

Do not overfill the engine with oil. Overfilling the
engine with oil will cause oil aeration, which can lead
to loss of oil pressure and an increase in oil tempera-
ture. This loss of oil pressure and increased oil tem-
perature could damage your engine.

Adding Washer Fluid

The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
engine compartment, and the fluid level should be checked
at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield washer
solvent (not engine coolant/ antifreeze). Refer to “Engine
Compartment” in this section for further information.

WARNING!

Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around the
washer solution.

230

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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Maintenance-Free Battery

Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic mainte-
nance required.

WARNING!

• Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can

burn or even blind you. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Do not lean over
a battery when attaching clamps. If acid splashes in
eyes or on skin, flush the area immediately with
large amounts of water. Refer to “Jump Starting
Procedure” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further
information.

• Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep flame

or sparks away from the battery. Do not use a booster
battery or any other booster source with an output
greater than 12 Volts. Do not allow cable clamps to
touch each other.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain

lead and lead compounds. Wash hands after handling.

• The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that

should not be disconnected and should only be
replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).

CAUTION!

• It is essential when replacing the cables on the

battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to the
negative post. Battery posts are marked positive (+)
and negative (-) and are identified on the battery
case. Cable clamps should be tight on the terminal
posts and free of corrosion.

• If a “fast charger” is used while the battery is in the

vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables before
connecting the charger to the battery. Do not use a
“fast charger” to provide starting voltage.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

231

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DEALER SERVICE

An authorized dealer has the qualified service personnel,
special tools, and equipment to perform all service opera-
tions in an expert manner. Service Instructions are available
which include detailed service information for your ve-
hicle. Refer to these Service Instructions before attempting any
procedure yourself.

NOTE:

Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-

tems may void your warranty and could result in civil
penalties being assessed against you.

WARNING!

You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a service
job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.

Engine Oil

Change Engine Oil

The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” for further information.

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or
350 hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The
350 hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a
concern for fleet customers.

Engine Oil Selection — 1.4L LA Engine

For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only rec-
ommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet the
requirements of FCA Material Standard FPW9.55535-G1.

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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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Fiat 500c (2018 year). Instruction - part 14