Get Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle -> Safety Tips Guide for Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a

high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil

changes should be consistent with anticipated climate

conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.

For the recommended viscosity and quality grades,

refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining

Your Vehicle.”

SAFETY TIPS

Transporting Passengers

NOTE: Never transport passengers in the cargo area.

WARNING!

• Do not leave children or animals inside parked

vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up

may cause serious injury or death.

CAUTION!

Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral

Oil in the engine or damage may result.

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,

people riding in these areas are more likely to be

seriously injured or killed.

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat

belts.

NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its

first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This

should be considered a normal part of the break-in and

not interpreted as a problem. Please check your oil level

with the engine oil indicator often during the break in

period. Add oil as required.

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and

using a seat belt properly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63

Exhaust Gas

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the

exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can be detected

inside the vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the

vehicle is damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect

the complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas

for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned

parts. Open seams or loose connections could permit

exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compartment.

In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time the

vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change. Replace as

required.

WARNING!

2

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain

carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odor-

less. Breathing it can make you unconscious and

can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing

(CO), follow these safety tips:

• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in

confined areas any longer than needed to move

your vehicle in or out of the area.

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The

Vehicle

• If you are required to drive with the trunk/

liftgate/rear doors open, make sure that all win-

dows are closed and the climate control BLOWER

switch is set at high speed. DO NOT use the

recirculation mode.

• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the

engine running, adjust your heating or cooling

controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set

the blower at high speed.

Seat Belts

Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for

cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be

replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify

the system.

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a

collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced

after a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent

retractor, torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question

regarding seat belt or retractor condition, replace the

seat belt.

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into

the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine ex-

haust system.

64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Bag Warning Light

Floor Mat Safety Information

The Air Bag Warning Light

will turn on for four to

Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of

your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal

area unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that

they cannot slip out of position and interfere with the

pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other

ways.

eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition is

first placed in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) position. If

the light is either not on during starting, stays on, or

turns on while driving, have the system inspected at

an authorized dealer as soon as possible. This light

will illuminate with a single chime when a fault with

the Air Bag Warning Light has been detected, it will

stay on until the fault is cleared. If the light comes on

intermittently or remains on while driving, have an

authorized dealer service the vehicle immediately.

Refer to “Occupant Restraints Systems” for further

information.

WARNING!

An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or

stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners

may cause your floor mat to interfere with the

accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and cause a loss

of vehicle control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or

DEATH:

Defroster

• ALWAYS securely attach

your floor mat using

Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and

place the blower control on high speed. You should be

able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See

your authorized dealer for service if your defroster is

inoperable.

the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your

floor mat upside down or turn your floor mat

over. Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured using

the floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.

• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR

MAT FROM THE VEHICLE

before installing

any other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65

WARNING! (Continued)

accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and could

cause a loss of vehicle control.

additional floor mat on top of an existing floor

mat.

2

• NEVER place any objects under the floor mat

(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could

change the position of the floor mat and may

cause interference with the accelerator, brake, or

clutch pedals.

• If the vehicle carpet has been removed and re-

installed, always properly attach carpet to the

floor and check the floor mat fasteners are secure

to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each pedal to

check for interference with the accelerator, brake,

or clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.

• It is recommended to only use mild soap and

water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,

always check your floor mat has been properly

installed and is secured to your vehicle using the

floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.

• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your

vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that cannot be

properly attached and secured to your vehicle. If a

floor mat needs to be replaced, only use a FCA

approved floor mat for the specific make, model,

and year of your vehicle.

• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the

driver’s side floor area. To check for interference,

with the vehicle properly parked with the engine

off, fully depress the accelerator, the brake, and

the clutch pedal (if present) to check for interfer-

ence. If your floor mat interferes with the opera-

tion of any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,

remove the floor mat from the vehicle and place

the floor mat in your trunk.

• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on the

passenger’s side floor area.

• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide

into the driver’s side floor area when the vehicle

is moving. Objects can become trapped under

(Continued)

66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make

Outside The Vehicle

Door Latches

Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.

Fluid Leaks

Tires

Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear

patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects

lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for

cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and

bulges. Check the wheel bolts for tightness. Check the

tires (including spare) for proper cold inflation pres-

sure.

Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for

fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if

gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering

fluid (if equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected.

The cause should be located and corrected immediately.

Lights

Have someone observe the operation of brake lights

and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check

turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the

instrument panel.

Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle -> Safety Tips for Your Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

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