Fiat 500 Gucci (2012 year). Manual

Air Bag Warning Light

You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated

with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.

• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during

the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned to the ON/RUN position.

• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to

eight-second interval.

• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or

remains on while driving.

NOTE:

If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine

related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The air bags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the Body Control Module (BCM) fuse block inside
the vehicle for blown fuses. Refer to the label located on
the inside of the fuse block cover for the proper air bag
fuses. See your authorized dealer if the fuse is good.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Event Data Recorder (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air
bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle
is designed to record such data as:

• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts

were buckled/fastened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the

accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.

These data can help provide a better understanding of
the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE:

EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by
the EDR under normal driving conditions and no per-
sonal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location)
are recorded. However, other parties, such as law en-
forcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a
crash investigation.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed.
In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties,
such as law enforcement, that have the special equip-
ment, can read the information if they have access to the
vehicle or the EDR.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Restraints

Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States, and all Canadian provinces, require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.

Children 12 years or younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.

There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner’s Manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a projectile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child’s
size.

Infants And Child Restraints
Safety experts recommend that children ride rearward-
facing in the vehicle until they are two years old or until
they reach either the height or weight limit of their rear
facing child safety seat. Two types of child restraints can
be used rearward-facing: infant carriers and convertible
child seats.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children from birth until
they reach the weight or height limit of the infant carrier.
Convertible child seats can be used either rearward-
facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child
seats often have a higher weight limit in the rearward-
facing direction than infant carriers do, so they can be
used rearward-facing by children who have outgrown
their infant carrier but are still less than at least two years
old. Children should remain rearward-facing until they
reach the highest weight or height allowed by their
convertible child seat. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the
LATCH child restraint anchor system. Refer to “Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)”.

WARNING!

Rearward-facing child seats must never be used in
the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger air
bag. An air bag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.

Older Children And Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown
their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-
facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and
convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc-
tion are for children who are over two years old or who
have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of
their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should
remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for
as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height
allowed by the child seat. These child seats are also held

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH
child restraint anchorage system. Refer to “Lower An-
chors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)”.

All children whose weight or height is above the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belts
fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent over
the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is against
the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning booster
seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat are held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING!

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.

• A rearward-facing child restraint should only be

used in a rear seat. A rearward-facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger air bag which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.

• Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
• The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug

as possible.

• Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or

slouching can move the belt out of position.

• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the

child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:

• Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. FIAT Group Automobiles also recommends
that you make sure that you can install the child
restraint in the vehicle where you will use it, before
you buy it.

• The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s

weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.

• Carefully follow the instructions that come with the

restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.

NOTE:

For

additional

information,

refer

www.seatcheck.org or call 1–866–SEATCHECK. Cana-
dian residents should refer to Transport Canada’s web-
site for additional information: http://www.tc.gc.ca/
roadsafety/safedrivers/childsafety/index.htm

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

LATCH — Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren)
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren. The LATCH system
provides for the installation of the child restraint without
using the vehicle’s seat belts, instead securing the child
restraint using lower anchorages and upper tether straps
from the child restraint to the vehicle structure.

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchorages are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those anchorages will continue to
have features for installation using the vehicle’s seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for

connection to the top tether anchorages have been avail-
able for some time. For some older child restraints, many
child restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether strap
kits or retrofit kits. You are urged to take advantage of all
the available attachments provided with your child re-
straint in any vehicle.

Child seats with fixed lower attachments must be in-
stalled in the outboard positions only. If you are installing
LATCH-compatible child restraints in adjacent rear seat-
ing positions, you can use the LATCH anchors or the
vehicle’s seat belt for the outboard position. If your child
restraints are not LATCH-compatible, you can only in-
stall the child restraints using the vehicle’s seat belts.
Please refer to “Installing Child Restraints Using The
Vehicle Seat Belt” for typical installation instructions.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

You should never install LATCH-compatible child
seats so that two seats share a common anchorage. If
installing seats in adjacent seating positions, or if
your child restraints are not LATCH-compatible, in-
stall the restraints using the vehicle’s seat belts.

Installing The LATCH – Compatible Child
Restraint System
We urge you to carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
are provided with the child restraint system.

Rear Seat LATCH Anchorages

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The lower anchorages are round bars which are
part of the seat and body structure. They are
located at the rear of the seat cushion where it
meets the seatback and just visible when you

lean into the rear seat to install the child restraint. You
will easily feel them if you run your finger along the
intersection of the surfaces. The lower strap hooks are
passed over the top of each bar, pushing aside the seat
cover material.

In addition, there are tether strap anchorages behind each
rear seating position, located in the rear surface of the
seatback.

The lower strap hooks are passed over the top of each
bar, pushing aside the seat cover material.

Many, but not all, restraint systems will be
equipped with separate straps on each side,
with each having a hook or connector for
attachment to the lower anchorage and a

means of adjusting the tension in the strap. Forward-
facing toddler restraints and some rear-facing infant
restraints will also be equipped with a tether strap, a
hook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension of the strap.

You will first loosen the child seat adjusters on the lower
straps and on the tether strap so that you can more easily
attach the hook or connectors to the vehicle anchorages.
Next, attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top
of the seat cover material. Then attach the tether strap to
the anchorage directly behind the seat where you are
placing the child restraint, being careful to route the
tether strap to provide the most direct path between the
anchor and the child restraint, preferably between the
head restraint posts underneath the head restraint. Fi-
nally, tighten all three straps as you push the child
restraint rearward and downward into the seat, remov-
ing slack in the straps according to the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

• Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the

opening between the seatbacks as you remove the
slack in the strap.

• When using the LATCH attaching system to install a

child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint. This
should stow the seat belt out of the reach of an
inquisitive child. Remind all children in the vehicle
that the seat belts are not toys and that they should not
play with them. In addition, never leave unattended
children in the vehicle.

WARNING!

Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt
The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with an Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) to
secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). These types of
seat belts are designed to keep the lap portion of the seat
belt tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. The ALR will make a
ratcheting noise if you extract the entire belt from the
retractor and then allow the belt to retract into the

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

retractor. For additional information on ALR, refer to
“Automatic Locking Mode” description under “Occu-
pant Restraints.”

The chart below defines the seating positions with an
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) or a cinching latch plate.

Driver

Passenger

CRS Lock

First Row

N/A

ALR

Second Row

ALR

Installing a Child Restraint with an ALR:

1. To install a child restraint with ALR, first, pull enough
of the seat belt webbing from the retractor to route it
through the belt path of the child restraint. Slide the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.” Next,
extract all the seat belt webbing out of the retractor and
then allow the belt to retract into the retractor. As the belt
retracts, you will hear a ratcheting sound. This indicates
the safety belt is now in the Automatic Locking mode.

2. Finally, pull on any excess webbing to tighten the lap
portion around the child restraint. Any seat belt system
will loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally, and
pull it tight if necessary.

• In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the

lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt
several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle with the release button facing out.

• If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if pulling and

pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can’t make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To attach a child restraint tether strap:

• Route the tether strap under the head restraint to

provide the most direct path for the strap between the
anchor and the child seat.

• If necessary, move the seat forward to provide better

access to the tether anchor.

• Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to the

tether anchor. Remove slack in the tether strap accord-
ing to the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTE:

Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the

opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.

WARNING!

An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.

Tether Straps Routed To Tether Anchors

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or could injure a passenger during panic braking
or in a collision.

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.

Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.

While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.

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 Ve-
hicle”.

CAUTION!

Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.

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 an indication of difficulty.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

SAFETY TIPS

Transporting Passengers

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.

• 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 seri-
ously injured or killed.

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

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.

WARNING! (Continued)

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

using a seat belt properly.

Exhaust Gas

WARNING!

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
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.

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate

open, make sure that all windows 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.

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.

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 com-
plete 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.

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle

Seat Belts
Inspect the 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 belt
or retractor condition, replace the belt.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Bag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.

Defroster
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.

Floor Mat Safety Information
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.

WARNING!

Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of
vehicle control and increase the risk of serious per-
sonal injury.
• Always make sure that floor mats are properly

attached to the floor mat fasteners.

• Never place or install floor mats or other floor

coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly
secured to prevent them from moving and inter-
fering with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Fiat 500 Gucci (2012 year). Manual - part 4