Get Starting And Operating -> Driving Tips Guide for Fiat 500 L 4 Door First Generation (2012-2022)

200 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING TIPS

Traction

When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a

wedge of water to build up between the tire and road

surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or

complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To

reduce this possibility, the following precautions should be

observed:

Driving On Slippery Surfaces

Information in this section will aid in safe controlled

launches in adverse conditions.

Acceleration

Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery

surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to

the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a

difference in the surface traction under the front (driving)

wheels.

• Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are

slushy.

• Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.

• Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first be-

come visible.

WARNING!

• Keep tires properly inflated.

Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.

Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the front

wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and

possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and care-

fully whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,

snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).

• Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and

the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a

sudden stop.

Driving Through Water

Driving through water more than a few inches/centimeters

deep will require extra caution to ensure safety and pre-

vent damage to your vehicle.

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Flowing/Rising Water

WARNING!

WARNING! (Continued)

• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s

braking capabilities, which increases stopping dis-

tances. Therefore, after driving through standing

water, drive slowly and lightly press on the brake

pedal several times to dry the brakes.

• Failure to follow these warnings may result in inju-

ries that are serious or fatal to you, your passengers,

and others around you.

Do not drive on or across a road or path where water is

flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flowing

water can wear away the road or path’s surface and

cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water. Further-

more, flowing and/or rising water can carry your ve-

hicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this warning may

result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your

passengers, and others around you.

6

CAUTION!

Shallow Standing Water

• Always check the depth of the standing water before

driving through it. Never drive through standing

water that is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims

mounted on the vehicle.

Although your vehicle is capable of driving through shal-

low standing water, consider the following Cautions and

Warnings before doing so.

• Determine the condition of the road or the path that

is under water and if there are any obstacles in the

way before driving through the standing water.

• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through

standing water. This will minimize wave effects.

WARNING!

• Driving through standing water limits your vehicle’s

traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h)

when driving through standing water.

(Continued)

202 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)

• Driving through standing water may cause damage

to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always in-

spect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmis-

sion, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e., fluid

that is milky or foamy in appearance) after driving

through standing water. Do not continue to operate

the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as this

may result in further damage. Such damage is not

covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause

it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious internal

damage to the engine. Such damage is not covered by

the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Starting And Operating -> Driving Tips for Your Fiat 500 L 4 Door First Generation (2012-2022)

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