2020 Fiat 500L Transmission Guide

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Driving the 2020 Fiat 500L is a fun and nimble experience. Its small size makes it simple to drive through city streets, and the quick handling and exciting engine choices make driving fun. The 500L offers a lively and maneuverable ride, whether you’re negotiating city traffic or cruising down the highway. The 2020 Fiat 500L places a high focus on safety. It includes a variety of cutting-edge safety features, such as several airbags, a rearview camera, and optional driver aid systems like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. These features increase general safety and offer peace of mind. In conclusion, the 2020 Fiat 500L is a little automobile that fuses Italian design with usefulness and functionality. It is an attractive option for people looking for a distinctive and adaptable car due to its distinctive design, roomy cabin, agile performance, cutting-edge technology, and safety features. The Fiat 500L delivers a unique and pleasurable driving experience, whether you’re cruising through city streets or setting off on a road trip.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CAUTION

1. Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
2. Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
3. Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

NOTE:
You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK.

WARNING

1. 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.
2. Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure 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 come to a complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key. Once the key is removed, the transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
3. When leaving the vehicle, always remove the ignition key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
4. 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 transmis-sion gear selector.
5. Do not leave the ignition key in or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to chil-dren). A child could operate power windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.

KEY IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK

This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Interlock system which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the ignition can be turned to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position. The key can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition is in the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position, and once removed, the transmission is locked in PARK.

BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM

This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the transmission gear selector in PARK unless the brakes are applied. To shift the transmission out of PARK, the ignition must be in the MAR (ACC/ON/RUN) mode (engine running or not), and the brake pedal (and the lock button on the gear selector) must be pressed.

SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The transmission gear range (PRND) is displayed both beside the gear selector and in the instrument cluster. To select a gear range, press the lock button on the gear selector and move the selector rearward or forward. You must also press the brake pedal to shift the transmission out of PARK. Select the DRIVE range for normal driving. The electronically-controlled transmission adapts its shift schedule based on driver inputs, along with environmental and road conditions. The transmission electronics are self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles (kilometers).

Transmission Gear Selector

Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector provides PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and AutoStick (+/-) shift positions. Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStick shift control. Moving the gear selector into the AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the DRIVE position) activates AutoStick mode, providing manual shift control and displaying the current gear in the instrument cluster (as 1, 2, 3, etc). Toggling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while in the Autostick position will manually select the transmission gear. Refer to “AutoStick” in this chapter for further information.

NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed forward) it is probably in the AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the DRIVE position). In AutoStick mode, the transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is displayed in the instrument cluster. Move the gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.

Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.

NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating. This is especially important when the engine is cold.

PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range. When parking on a level surface, you may shift the transmission into PARK first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to move the gear selector out of PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.

When exiting the vehicle, always:

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Remove the ignition key.

WARNING

1. Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply the parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle to guard against vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
2. Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not in PARK. Check by trying to move the gear selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released. Make sure the trans-mission is in PARK before exiting the vehicle.
3. 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.
4. Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure 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 come to a complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift the transmission into PARK, turn the engine OFF, and remove the ignition key. Once the key is removed, the transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
5. When exiting the vehicle, always remove the ignition key from the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
6. 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.
7. 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 controls, or move the vehicle.

CAUTION

1. Before moving the transmission gear selector out of PARK, you must turn the igni-tion to the ON/RUN mode, and also press the brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could result.
2. DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can damage the drivetrain.

NOTE:
If the transmission in not correctly shifted into PARK (P) a message on the instrument cluster will be displayed, repeat the procedure as necessary.

The following indicators should be used to ensure that you have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK position:

1. When shifting into PARK, push the lock button on the gear selector and firmly move the gear selector all the way forward until it stops and is fully seated.
2. Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position (P).
3. With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move out of PARK.

REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged periods with the engine running. The engine may be started in this range. Apply the parking brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the vehicle.

WARNING
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices that limit your response to changing traffic or road conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and have a collision.

CAUTION
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for further information.

DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions. When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, or traveling into strong head winds), use the AutoStick shift control refer to AutoStick in this chapter for further information to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal operating limits, the transmission controller will expand the range of torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to prevent transmission damage due to overheating. During cold temperatures, transmission operation may be modified depending on engine coolant temperature. Normal operation will resume once the engine temperature has risen to a suitable level.

Instrument Cluster Messages
Dedicated messages will be displayed in the instrument cluster to alert the driver when certain unusual conditions occur.

Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function are monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission remains in a fixed gear regardless of which forward gear is selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp Home Mode allows the vehicle to be driven to an authorized dealer for service without damaging the transmission. In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the following steps:

1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition off.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal operation.

NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recommend that you visit an authorized dealer at your earliest possible convenience. An autho-rized dealer has diagnostic equipment to assess the condition of your transmission. If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer service is required.

FAQs

Useful Links

View Full pdf: 2020 Fiat 500 Owner’s Manual
2020 Fiat 500L Alarm System Quick Guide