Get Starting And Operating -> Manual Transmission ? If Equipped Guide for Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

188 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!

WARNING! (Continued)

brake fully applied. The parking brake should

always be applied when the driver is not in the

vehicle, especially on an incline.

• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get

it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic

transmission cannot be started this way. Un-

burned fuel could enter the catalytic converter

and once the engine has started, ignite and dam-

age the converter and vehicle.

• To prevent damage to the starter, do not continu-

ously crank the engine for more than 15 seconds

at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds before trying

again.

After Starting

The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will

decrease as the engine warms up.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED

Five-Speed Manual Transmission

Gear Selector

Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As

you release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelera-

tor pedal.

WARNING!

You or others could be injured if you leave the

vehicle unattended without having the parking

NOTE: To shift into REVERSE from NEUTRAL, lift the

ring under the knob and, at the same time move the

gear selector to the right and then backward.

(Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING 189

Use each gear in numerical order; do not skip a gear. Be

sure the transmission is in first gear, not third, when

starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch

can result from starting in third gear.

When selecting REVERSE gear, the driver should pause

(approximately 2 seconds) after pushing in the clutch

pedal and prior to shifting into REVERSE which allows

gears to stop spinning. Should an unwanted clash noise

be produced, the pause length should be increased.

For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only

the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light

accelerations, fifth gear is recommended.

NOTE:

• Clashing REVERSE gear, especially if vehicle is mov-

5

Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal,

and never try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the

clutch pedal partially engaged. This will cause abnor-

mal wear on the clutch.

ing, can result in transmission damage.

• During cold weather, until the transmission lubricant

is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift

efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the trans-

mission.

REVERSE gear is not synchronized and the vehicle

must be at a complete stop to shift into REVERSE gear.

190 STARTING AND OPERATING

Recommended Shift Speeds

To use your manual transmission for optimal fuel

economy, it should be upshifted as listed in the follow-

ing table.

Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Speeds

Units In mph (km/h)

Engine Size

1.4L Engine

Acceleration

Rate

1 to 2

2 to 3

3 to 4

4 to 5

Accel

14

23

29

38

(23)

(37)

(47)

(61)

Cruise

12

18

25

32

(19)

(29)

(40)

(52)

Downshifting

CAUTION! (Continued)

Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and

prolong engine life.

selected and the clutch pedal is released. Damage to

the clutch and the transmission can result from

skipping a gear while downshifting or downshift-

ing at too high of a vehicle speed even if the clutch

pedal is held pressed (i.e., not released).

CAUTION!

If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift

at too high of a vehicle speed, these conditions may

cause the engine to overspeed if too low of a gear is

To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift

down to second or first gear when descending a steep

grade.

(Continued)

STARTING AND OPERATING 191

When turning a corner or driving up a steep grade,

downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur-

dened.

WARNING! (Continued)

• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the

ignition key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with

access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children

to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a

number of reasons. A child or others could be

seriously or fatally injured. Children should be

warned not to touch the parking brake, brake

pedal or the transmission gear selector.

• Do not leave the ignition key in or near the

vehicle (or in a location accessible to children). A

child could operate power windows, other con-

trols, or move the vehicle.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION — IF EQUIPPED

WARNING!

5

• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL

if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If

your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal,

the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in

reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and

hit someone or something. Only shift into gear

when the engine is idling normally and your foot

is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure

CAUTION!

those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,

you should never exit a vehicle while the engine

is running. Before exiting a vehicle always apply

the parking brake, shift the transmission into

PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the

ignition key. Once the key is removed, the trans-

mission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle

against unwanted movement.

Damage to the transmission may occur if the

following precautions are not observed:

• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after

the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

(Continued)

Starting And Operating -> Manual Transmission ? If Equipped for Your Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

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