Get SAFETY -> ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS Guide for Fiat 500 X 4 Door First Generation (2014-2024)

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

ESC (Electronic Stability

Control) SYSTEM

ACTIVE SAFETY

SYSTEMS

The ESC system improves the

directional control and stability of the

vehicle in various driving conditions.

The vehicle has the following active

safety systems:

❒ ABS (Anti-lock Braking System);

❒ DTC (Drag Torque Control);

❒ ESC (Electronic Stability Control);

❒ TC (Traction Control);

Distribution (EBD) system completes

the system allowing the brake force to

be distributed between the front and

rear wheels.

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

❒ PBA (Panic Brake Assist);

System intervention

❒ HHC (Hill Hold Control);

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.

❒ DST (Dynamic Steering Torque);

❒ ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation);

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.

❒ TSC (Trailer Sway Control).

For the operation of the systems, see

the following description.

31) 32) 33) 34) 35) 36) 37)

ABS (Anti-lock Braking

System)

DTC (Drag Torque

Control) 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,

The system intervenes in the event of

sudden downshifting, or during ABS

braking, restoring torque to the engine

and thus preventing excessive drag

at the drive wheels, which may lead the

wheels to lock and a loss of vehicle

stability, above all in low-grip

❒ Oversteer: occurs when the vehicle is

turning more than it should according

to the angle of the steering wheel.

irrespective of the intensity of the

braking action, ensuring that the vehicle

can be controlled even during

❒ Understeer: occurs when the vehicle

is turning less than it should according

to the angle of the steering wheel.

emergency braking and optimising

stopping distances.

conditions.

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.

System intervention

❒ if the slipping only involves one of the

drive wheels, the BLD (Brake Limited

Differential) function is activated,

automatically braking the wheel which

is slipping (the behaviour of a

The system detects emergency braking

by monitoring the speed and force

with which the brake pedal is pressed,

and consequently applies the optimal

brake pressure. This can reduce the

braking distance: the PBA system

therefore completes the ABS.

The intervention of the system is

indicated by the flashing of the

warning light on the instrument

panel, to inform the driver that

the vehicle is in critical stability and grip

conditions.

self-locking differential is simulated).

This will increase the engine torque

transferred to the wheel which isn't

slipping. This function remains active

even if the "Systems partially disabled"

and "Systems disabled" modes are

selected (see description in the

following pages).

Maximum assistance from the PBA

system is obtained by pressing the

brake pedal very quickly. In addition,

the brake pedal should be pressed

continuously during braking, avoiding

intermittent presses, to get the most

out of the system. Do not reduce

pressure on the brake pedal until

braking is not necessary anymore.

The PBA system is deactivated when

the brake pedal is released.

38) 39) 40) 41) 42)

TC (Traction Control)

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. Depending

on the slipping conditions, two different

control systems are activated:

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 vehicle is in critical stability and grip

conditions.

48) 49) 50)

❒ if the slipping involves both drive

wheels, the system intervenes,

reducing the power transmitted by the

engine;

HHC (Hill Hold Control)

SYSTEM

43) 44) 45) 46) 47)

This is an integral part of the ESC

system and facilitates starting on

slopes, activating automatically in the

following cases:

PBA (Panic Brake

Assist) SYSTEM

The PBA system is designed to

improve the vehicle’s braking capacity

during emergency braking.

❒ 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: vehicle stationary on a road

with a gradient higher than 5%, engine

running, brake pressed and reverse

gear engaged.

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.

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.

When setting off, the ESC system

control unit maintains the braking

pressure on the wheels until the engine

torque necessary for starting is

reached, or in any case for a maximum

of 2 seconds, allowing your right foot

to be moved easily from the brake

pedal to the accelerator.

The coordinated action of the brakes

and steering increases the sensation of

safety and control of the vehicle.

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.

53)

ERM (Electronic Rollover

Mitigation) SYSTEM

When two seconds have elapsed,

without starting, the system is

automatically deactivated, gradually

releasing the braking pressure. During

this release stage it is possible to hear a

typical mechanical brake release noise,

indicating the imminent movement of

the vehicle.

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.

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.

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.

51) 52)

DST SYSTEM (Dynamic

Steering Torque)

55) 56)

The DST function uses the integration

of the ESC system with the electric

power steering to increase the safety

level of the whole vehicle.

WARNING

31) 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,

54)

depending on the current road conditions.

32) 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.

40) 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.

48) The PBA system can’t overrule the

natural laws of physics, and can’t increase

the grip available according to the

condition of the road.

49) The PBA system cannot prevent

accidents, including those due to excessive

speed on corners, driving on low-grip

surfaces or aquaplaning.

33) If the ABS system intervenes, this

indicates that the traction of the tyres on

the road is about to reach its limit. You

must slow down to a speed compatible

with the available grip.

41) For the correct operation of the ESC

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.

50) 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.

34) The ABS cannot overrule the natural

laws of physics, and cannot increase

the grip available according to the

condition of the road.

42) 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.

35) The ABS cannot prevent accidents,

including those due to excessive speed on

corners, driving on low-grip surfaces or

aquaplaning.

51) 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).

43) 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.

36) 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.

44) 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.

52) There may be situations on small

gradients (less than 8%), with vehicle

37) For the correct operation of the ABS, it

is essential that the tyres are of the same

make and type on all wheels, in perfect

condition and, above all, of the specified

type and dimensions.

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.

45) The TC system cannot overrule the

natural laws of physics, and cannot

increase the grip available according to the

condition of the road.

38) The ESC system can’t alter the natural

laws of physics, and can’t increase grip

which depends on the condition of the

road.

53) DST is an aid for driving and does not

relieve the driver of responsibility for driving

the vehicle.

46) The TC system cannot prevent

accidents, including those due to excessive

speed on corners, driving on low-grip

surfaces or aquaplaning.

39) The ESC system cannot prevent

accidents, including those due to excessive

speed on corners, driving on low-grip

surfaces or aquaplaning.

54) 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.

47) 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.

SAFETY -> ACTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS for Your Fiat 500 X 4 Door First Generation (2014-2024)

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