Get Starting And Operating -> Electronic Brake Control System Guide for Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

STARTING AND OPERATING 205

during application, greater pedal force required to slow

or stop, and potential activation of the “Brake System

Warning Light”.

to modulate hydraulic pressure, to prevent wheel

lock-up and to help avoid skidding on slippery sur-

faces.

The system’s pump motor runs during an ABS stop to

provide regulated hydraulic pressure. The pump motor

makes a low humming noise during operation, which is

normal.

In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,

repeated brake applications with the engine off), the

brakes will still function. However, the effort required

to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that

required with the power system operating.

5

The ABS includes an amber ABS Warning Light. When

the light is illuminated, the ABS is not functioning. The

system reverts to standard non-anti-lock brakes. Turn-

ing the ignition Off and On again may reset the ABS if

the fault detected was only momentary.

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM

Your vehicle is equipped with a advanced electronic

brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake

System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction

Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and

Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All systems work

together to enhance vehicle stability and control in

various driving conditions and are commonly referred

to as ESC.

WARNING!

• Pumping the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish

their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.

Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just

press firmly on your brake pedal when you need

to slow down or stop.

Four-Wheel Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)

• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot pre-

vent the natural laws of physics from acting on

the vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering

The Four-Wheel ABS is designed to aid the driver in

maintaining vehicle control under adverse braking con-

ditions. The system operates with a separate computer

(Continued)

206 STARTING AND OPERATING

Brake Assist System (BAS)

WARNING! (Continued)

The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking

capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The

system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-

ing the rate and amount of brake application and then

applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help

reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes

very quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To

receive the benefit of the system, you must apply

continuous braking pressure during the stopping se-

quence (do not “pump” the brakes). Do not reduce

brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer de-

sired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is

deactivated.

efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition

of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction

afforded.

• The ABS cannot prevent collisions, including

those resulting from excessive speed in turns,

following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-

planing.

• The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle

must never be exploited in a reckless or danger-

ous manner, which could jeopardize the user’s

safety or the safety of others.

When you are in a severe braking condition involving

the use of the ABS, you will experience some pedal drop

as the vehicle comes to a stop. This is the result of the

system reverting to the base brake system.

WARNING!

Engagement of the ABS may be accompanied by a

pulsing sensation. You may also hear a clicking noise.

These occurrences are normal and indicate that the

system is functioning properly.

• The Brake Assist System (BAS) cannot prevent

the natural laws of physics from acting on the

vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded

by prevailing road conditions.

• The BAS cannot prevent collisions, including

those resulting from excessive speed in turns,

(Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING 207

Hill Start Assist (HSA)

WARNING! (Continued)

The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when

starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will

maintain the level of brake pressure the driver applied

for a short period of time after the driver takes his foot

off the brake pedal. If the driver does not apply the

throttle during this short period of time, the system will

release brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down

the hill. The system will release brake pressure in

proportion to the amount of throttle applied as the

vehicle starts to move in the intended direction of

travel.

driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydroplan-

ing.

• The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must

never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous

manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety

or the safety of others.

5

Traction Control System (TCS)

This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each

of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake

pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine

power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and

stability. A feature of the TCS system, Brake Limited

Differential (BLD), functions similar to a limited slip

differential and controls the wheel spin across a driven

axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster

than the other, the system will apply the brake of the

spinning wheel. This will allow more engine torque to

be applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This feature

remains active even if TCS and ESC are in the Partial

Off mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability Control (ESC)”

in this section for further information.

HSA Activation Criteria

The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to

activate:

• Vehicle must be stopped.

• Vehicle must be on a 2.5% (manual transmission) or

7% grade or greater (automatic transmission) hill.

• Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,

vehicle in NEUTRAL (manual transmission), vehicle

facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle backing

uphill is in REVERSE gear).

208 STARTING AND OPERATING

compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the

actual path does not match the intended path, ESC

applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in

counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition.

WARNING!

There may be situations on minor hills with a

loaded vehicle, or while pulling a trailer, when the

system will not activate and slight rolling may

occur. This could cause a collision with another

vehicle or object. Always remember the driver is

responsible for braking the vehicle.

• Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than

appropriate for the steering wheel position.

• Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than

appropriate for the steering wheel position.

Disabling/Enabling HSA

If you wish to turn the HSA system on or off, it can be

done using the Customer Programmable Features in the

Uconnect Settings. Refer to “Uconnect Settings” in for

further information.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system enhances

directional control and stability of the vehicle under

various driving conditions. ESC corrects for oversteer-

ing or understeering of the vehicle by applying the

brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting

the oversteering or understeering condition. Engine

power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain

the desired path. ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to

determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and

ESC Off Switch (Automatic Transmission)

STARTING AND OPERATING 209

WARNING! (Continued)

slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. ESC also can-

not prevent collisions resulting from loss of ve-

hicle control due to inappropriate driver input for

the conditions. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful

driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of

an ESC equipped vehicle must never be exploited

in a reckless or dangerous manner which could

jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others.

• Vehicle modifications, or failure to properly

maintain your vehicle, may change the handling

characteristics of your vehicle, and may nega-

tively affect the performance of the ESC system.

Changes to the steering system, suspension, brak-

ing system, tire type and size or wheel size may

adversely affect ESC performance. Improperly

inflated and unevenly worn tires may also de-

grade ESC performance. Any vehicle modifica-

tion or poor vehicle maintenance that reduces the

effectiveness of the ESC system can increase the

risk of loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover,

personal injury and death.

5

ESC Off Switch (Manual Transmission)

NOTE: The ESC Off switch is located left of the steering

column (Manual Transmission Only).

WARNING!

• The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot

prevent the natural laws of physics from acting on

the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction af-

forded by prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot

prevent all accidents, including those resulting

from excessive speed in turns, driving on very

(Continued)

210 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESC Operating Modes

NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving

with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or

gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the Partial Off

mode by pushing the switch. Once the situation requir-

ing ESC to be switched to the Partial Off mode is

overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily pushing

the switch. This may be done while the vehicle is in

motion.

The ESC system has two available operating modes.

Full On

This is the normal operating mode for ESC. Whenever

the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in On

mode. This mode should be used for most driving

situations. ESC should only be turned to Partial Off for

specific reasons as noted below.

WARNING!

Partial Off

• When in “Partial Off” mode, the TCS functional-

ity of ESC, (except for the limited slip feature

described in the TCS section), has been disabled

and the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will be illumi-

nated. When in “Partial Off” mode, the engine

power reduction feature of TCS is disabled, and

the enhanced vehicle stability offered by the ESC

system is reduced.

This mode is entered by momentarily pushing the ESC

Off switch. This mode is intended to be used if the

vehicle is in deep snow, sand or gravel conditions and

more wheel spin than ESC would normally allow is

required to gain traction.

To turn ESC on again, momentarily pushing the switch

again. This will restore the normal ESC On mode of

operation.

STARTING AND OPERATING 211

ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And

ESC OFF Indicator Light

active. The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light

also flashes when TCS is active. If the ESC Activation/

Malfunction Indicator Light begins to flash during

acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as

little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed

and driving to the prevailing road conditions.

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator

Light in the instrument cluster will come on

when the ignition switch is turned to the

MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position for four sec-

NOTE:

onds. If the ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator

Light comes on continuously with the engine running, a

malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this

light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the

vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at

speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-

rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem

diagnosed and corrected.

5

• The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and

the ESC OFF Indicator Light come on momentarily

each time the ignition switch is turned ON.

• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system

will be ON even if it was turned off previously.

The ESC OFF Indicator Light indicates the

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is partially

off.

The ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light (lo-

cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as

the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes

212 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION

NOTE:

• P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.

design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P”

molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-

tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H.

Tire Markings

• European — Metric tire sizing is based on European

design standards. Tires designed to this standard

have the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning

with the section width. The letter ЉPЉ is absent from

this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.

• LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.

design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric

tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the

letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-

ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.

1 — U.S. DOT Safety

Standards Code (TIN)

2 — Size Designation

4 — Maximum Load

5 — Maximum Pressure

• Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary

emergency use only. Temporary high pressure com-

pact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S” molded into

the sidewall preceding the size designation.

Example: T145/80D18 103M.

3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction

and Temperature Grades

• High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design

standards and it begins with the tire diameter

molded into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.

Starting And Operating -> Electronic Brake Control System for Your Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

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