New 500L - First Impressions and a few "surprises"

[Andree]

It gets the speed limits from the map database loaded in the navigation system. It doesn't have it for all roads, but it does for most of the main ones.
It also includes a feature where you can set it to remind you of the speed limit if you go over it by any set amount you set. For example: I have mine set to remind me if I go over the speed limit by 10mph. It works well and isn't too annoying as it will only remind you one time or until the speed limit changes.

In the regular Fiat, I have a speed alert, but it's only for one set speed. I have mine set at 65, which is the freeway speed. I'm always curious as to how many people are speeding, and anytime I try to "keep up with traffic" my speed limit alert goes off, flashing "speed limit exceeded" a few times in the EVIC. When it flashes the words, it also hides everything else, including my current speed (I never use the gauges, just the EVIC readout of the speed in mph).

I like your tool better, since you can set it to alert you anytime you exceed ANY speed limit a certain amount.

[RedHaven]

In the regular Fiat, I have a speed alert, but it's only for one set speed. I have mine set at 65, which is the freeway speed. I'm always curious as to how many people are speeding, and anytime I try to "keep up with traffic" my speed limit alert goes off, flashing "speed limit exceeded" a few times in the EVIC. When it flashes the words, it also hides everything else, including my current speed (I never use the gauges, just the EVIC readout of the speed in mph).

I like your tool better, since you can set it to alert you anytime you exceed ANY speed limit a certain amount.

I like this feature as well. You can set it to warn you if you are going over the speed limit by say 15mph which is where mine is set. That way it isn't always warning me if I am just a little over but since it rides so smoothly, I regularly get a heavy foot and go 70 in a 55 and the woman warns me.

[MaxPower]

Mine is doing the same thing. I can't get any help from SiriusXM. They say to take it back to the dealer which is 30 minutes from my house and I have to work. I definitely should get SiriusXM. The salesman said it was included and I got a brochure with the owner's manual that said it is included. Keep us posted. If I can get it to the dealer tomorrow, I will let you know what they say.

Try calling Uconnect directly. Their link is a few posts above. They were looking into it as well.

[MaxPower]

Yes, I have the SiriusXM radio, the dealer set it up for me and it was already working when I took it home.

Did yours come with the Beats Audio package? Does your window sticker say SiriusXM on the listing of included options?

[Andree]

I like this feature as well. You can set it to warn you if you are going over the speed limit by say 15mph which is where mine is set. That way it isn't always warning me if I am just a little over but since it rides so smoothly, I regularly get a heavy foot and go 70 in a 55 and the woman warns me.

YES! Yes to the part of "it rides so smoothly"...and I just have a regular Fiat 500. I had watched a video on the 500e, and because it has NO ENGINE SOUNDS AT ALL, the Fiat rep lady said she'd gotten a speeding ticket. She couldn't TELL from sounds that the car was going faster than she realized.

It's something we are going to have to watch, for ourselves, even with the reminders. I'm thinking of all the older cars I'd driven or had, and they all made it pretty clear when I was going 10 miles faster than what I should be. There were higher revs, and the cars weren't nearly as quiet as today's cars are. I knew what speed I was going from the sound of the engine.

Fiat has my little automatic 500 shifting smooth, driving smooth, just whispering coming from the engine compartment. Which I like. But, MAN, is it ever hard to tell how fast I'm going!!

[sbulla]

MaxPower, Yes, I have the beats audio package and SiurusXM was listed among included options. Hope they get this problem sorted out for you soon. Would love to see a picture of your new ride.

[Andree]

Just checking in to see if the SiriusXM is hooked up for everyone. Yes? No?

[MaxPower]

Just checking in to see if the SiriusXM is hooked up for everyone. Yes? No?

Here is the latest I have found out. I received an email from Fiat/Chrsler customer assitance center basically stating the the 500L Easy Fiats do NOT include SiriusXM. I am still working to resolve this with them and here is why I feel it should, at least in my case:

My dealer advertised on their website that my specific vehicle included SiriusXM.
My sales person at Fiat told me it was included and even scheduled service the next day for me to have it activated.
My Fiat included a brochure with the owners manual specifically stating that my Uconnect unit includes one year free SiriusXM.
I contacted uConnect directly and they looked up my VIN and stated that it was included with my vehicle as well.

It is still unclear if the Uconnect and vehicle have the capability to do SiriusXM and that it was just not activated on the unit because they dont want to give the one year subscription or if there is actually something missing from the vehicle that prevents it from getting SiriusXM (either in the Uconnect or antenna)

[ciddyguy]

Here is the latest I have found out. I received an email from Fiat/Chrsler customer assitance center basically stating the the 500L Easy Fiats do NOT include SiriusXM. I am still working to resolve this with them and here is why I feel it should, at least in my case:

My dealer advertised on their website that my specific vehicle included SiriusXM.
My sales person at Fiat told me it was included and even scheduled service the next day for me to have it activated.
My Fiat included a brochure with the owners manual specifically stating that my Uconnect unit includes one year free SiriusXM.
I contacted uConnect directly and they looked up my VIN and stated that it was included with my vehicle as well.

It is still unclear if the Uconnect and vehicle have the capability to do SiriusXM and that it was just not activated on the unit because they dont want to give the one year subscription or if there is actually something missing from the vehicle that prevents it from getting SiriusXM (either in the Uconnect or antenna)

Technically, from what I've read, Sat radio is in the head unit itself for either unit, but has to be activated and clearly something is not right, either your unit was miss programmed or something because that is what I've read too.

[Thad]

I was at a dealership yesterday and they were struggling with the exact same situation of trying to activate Sirrius and the display had no serial number. They were trying to tell the customer that it wasn't included but I would think the smarter thing, if in fact the car doesn't have it, would be to remove all references to Sirrius from the software. The sales person was saying it had it. Techs were saying it didn't. I don't know the real story. Just relaying something that is obviously happening at more than one dealer.

[Andree]

Here is the latest I have found out. I received an email from Fiat/Chrsler customer assitance center basically stating the the 500L Easy Fiats do NOT include SiriusXM. I am still working to resolve this with them and here is why I feel it should, at least in my case:

My dealer advertised on their website that my specific vehicle included SiriusXM.
My sales person at Fiat told me it was included and even scheduled service the next day for me to have it activated.
My Fiat included a brochure with the owners manual specifically stating that my Uconnect unit includes one year free SiriusXM.
I contacted uConnect directly and they looked up my VIN and stated that it was included with my vehicle as well.

It is still unclear if the Uconnect and vehicle have the capability to do SiriusXM and that it was just not activated on the unit because they dont want to give the one year subscription or if there is actually something missing from the vehicle that prevents it from getting SiriusXM (either in the Uconnect or antenna)

Just got off the phone with Uconnect.

SiriusXM is ONLY on models that specifically have the BEATS audio system. If it doesn't have Beats, it doesn't have SiriusXM.

It will say Beats and SiriusXM on the window sticker. This is an example of a 500L Easy model window sticker that has the Beats package along with the Premier Package and Popular Equipment:

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Customer Preferred Package 22D
Popular Equipment Group
$ 700
Dual Zone Automatic Temperature
Control
Power Driver 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
Rear Seat with Armrest and Cup Holder
Easy Premier Package Plus Beats(TM)
Audio/SiriusXM
$ 700
Beats (TM) Audio 6 Premium Speakers
Plus Subwoofer
SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ 1-Yr Radio
Subscription
Black / Cementite Seats
Cementite (Gray) Instrument Panel
Bezels
6-Speed Euro Twin Clutch Transmission
$ 1,350
Heated Front Seats
$ 350
Nero Roof (Black)
$ 500
Premier Package Value: $1,745
Includes Uconnect 6.5" Touch Screen
Radio with GPS Navigation System,
RearView Back-up Camera, and
ParkSense Rear Park Assist.
Compliments of FIAT.
DESTINATION CHARGE $ 800

_______________________

This is an example of a 500L Easy with the Premier package and popular equipment group, and does not have Beats/SiriusXM:

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Customer Preferred Package 22D
Popular Equipment Group
$ 700
Dual Zone Automatic Temperature
Control
Power Driver 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
Rear Seat with Armrest and Cup Holder
Easy Premier Package
Red / Cementite Seats with Gray
Instrument Panel
Cementite (Gray) Instrument Panel
Bezels
6-Speed Euro Twin Clutch Transmission
$ 1,350
Premier Package Value: $1,745
Includes Uconnect 6.5" Touch Screen
Radio with GPS Navigation System,
RearView Back-up Camera, and
ParkSense Rear Park Assist.
Compliments of FIAT.
DESTINATION CHARGE $ 800

____________________________

Asking if it's just a matter of activation, I was told "no". There are parts that are not in the unit if the Beats package is not ordered and it apparently can't currently be retrofitted.

BUT, due to the confusion, the matter has been escalated to Engineering, and they are currently working on a future update/parts.

From what I understand, there have been not only confused customers, but confused studios and sales personnel and techs and studio managers too. Because the unit without Beats still has the Sirius thing, as shown in the photo from MaxPower. It LOOKS like it should have Sirius. But it's something more related to keeping the units uniform (cheaper to produce).

And a Service Bulletin went out to all dealerships within the last week or so (this is what I was told on the phone), explaining the Sirius confusion. My phone representative was unable to find the contents of, or the number of, the Service Bulletin specifics.

From this point on, there should be no confusion at the dealership/studio level. Remember, the vehicle was new to everyone, not just customers, but all the people at the Studio hadn't seen one before either. So everyone may have thought all the cars had it, thanks to the unit showing SiriusXM, even though it didn't work and wasn't included on the window sticker.

When the "fix" comes out, some dealers may well do the work for the customers who had been promised SiriusXM and didn't get it (who thought they WERE getting it). I'm thinking of you, MaxPower.

Obviously, the fix/upgrade will be available for all customers, so even though a person bought the car and knew it didn't come with Sirius, they can upgrade later.

That's the info I was able to glean from a phone conversation and I hope it helps. I even "tested" the VIN system, and only the vehicles that SHOW the Beats/SiriusXM on the window sticker are the ones with the ability to activate/use SiriusXM. If it doesn't say it on the window sticker, it's not on the vehicle. That applies to the Easy, Trekking, Lounge.

If they looked up your VIN, and it has the SiriusXM, then it should be on your window sticker. Is it on your window sticker?

Edit: And do you have Beats?

Edit2: Reread original post, you don't have Beats, so it wouldn't be on the window sticker. No idea why you would have been told that the vehicle should have Sirius access via the Uconnect VIN look-up, unless some of the confusion also resided at that level. Perhaps they were telling everyone with the 6.5 that the audio included Sirius.

I also pointed out to the customer service person how the description on their site is somewhat misleading. If it says Sirius is "available" and doesn't qualify in what cases it is or is not available, then one would think it's available one way or another on all units of the 6.5 type.

To be told that it is NOT available on non-Beats units isn't of any help to someone who bought a non-Beats unit and expected the Sirius to be "available".

[Andree]

I was at a dealership yesterday and they were struggling with the exact same situation of trying to activate Sirrius and the display had no serial number. They were trying to tell the customer that it wasn't included but I would think the smarter thing, if in fact the car doesn't have it, would be to remove all references to Sirrius from the software. The sales person was saying it had it. Techs were saying it didn't. I don't know the real story. Just relaying something that is obviously happening at more than one dealer.

If you want, I'll call that dealership, they probably have a toll-free number. It would be nice to have all the dealers saying the same thing.

[ciddyguy]

Just got off the phone with Uconnect.

SiriusXM is ONLY on models that specifically have the BEATS audio system. If it doesn't have Beats, it doesn't have SiriusXM.

It will say Beats and SiriusXM on the window sticker. This is an example of a 500L Easy model window sticker that has the Beats package along with the Premier Package and Popular Equipment:

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Customer Preferred Package 22D
Popular Equipment Group
$ 700
Dual Zone Automatic Temperature
Control
Power Driver 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
Rear Seat with Armrest and Cup Holder
Easy Premier Package Plus Beats(TM)
Audio/SiriusXM
$ 700
Beats (TM) Audio 6 Premium Speakers
Plus Subwoofer
SiriusXM Satellite Radio w/ 1-Yr Radio
Subscription
Black / Cementite Seats
Cementite (Gray) Instrument Panel
Bezels
6-Speed Euro Twin Clutch Transmission
$ 1,350
Heated Front Seats
$ 350
Nero Roof (Black)
$ 500
Premier Package Value: $1,745
Includes Uconnect 6.5" Touch Screen
Radio with GPS Navigation System,
RearView Back-up Camera, and
ParkSense Rear Park Assist.
Compliments of FIAT.
DESTINATION CHARGE $ 800

_______________________

This is an example of a 500L Easy with the Premier package and popular equipment group, and does not have Beats/SiriusXM:

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
Customer Preferred Package 22D
Popular Equipment Group
$ 700
Dual Zone Automatic Temperature
Control
Power Driver 4-Way Lumbar Adjust
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
115-Volt Auxiliary Power Outlet
Rear Seat with Armrest and Cup Holder
Easy Premier Package
Red / Cementite Seats with Gray
Instrument Panel
Cementite (Gray) Instrument Panel
Bezels
6-Speed Euro Twin Clutch Transmission
$ 1,350
Premier Package Value: $1,745
Includes Uconnect 6.5" Touch Screen
Radio with GPS Navigation System,
RearView Back-up Camera, and
ParkSense Rear Park Assist.
Compliments of FIAT.
DESTINATION CHARGE $ 800

____________________________

Asking if it's just a matter of activation, I was told "no". There are parts that are not in the unit if the Beats package is not ordered and it apparently can't currently be retrofitted.

BUT, due to the confusion, the matter has been escalated to Engineering, and they are currently working on a future update/parts.

From what I understand, there have been not only confused customers, but confused studios and sales personnel and techs and studio managers too. Because the unit without Beats still has the Sirius thing, as shown in the photo from MaxPower. It LOOKS like it should have Sirius. But it's something more related to keeping the units uniform (cheaper to produce).

And a Service Bulletin went out to all dealerships within the last week or so (this is what I was told on the phone), explaining the Sirius confusion. My phone representative was unable to find the contents of, or the number of, the Service Bulletin specifics.

From this point on, there should be no confusion at the dealership/studio level. Remember, the vehicle was new to everyone, not just customers, but all the people at the Studio hadn't seen one before either. So everyone may have thought all the cars had it, thanks to the unit showing SiriusXM, even though it didn't work and wasn't included on the window sticker.

When the "fix" comes out, some dealers may well do the work for the customers who had been promised SiriusXM and didn't get it (who thought they WERE getting it). I'm thinking of you, MaxPower.

Obviously, the fix/upgrade will be available for all customers, so even though a person bought the car and knew it didn't come with Sirius, they can upgrade later.

That's the info I was able to glean from a phone conversation and I hope it helps. I even "tested" the VIN system, and only the vehicles that SHOW the Beats/SiriusXM on the window sticker are the ones with the ability to activate/use SiriusXM. If it doesn't say it on the window sticker, it's not on the vehicle. That applies to the Easy, Trekking, Lounge.

If they looked up your VIN, and it has the SiriusXM, then it should be on your window sticker. Is it on your window sticker?

Edit: And do you have Beats?

Edit2: Reread original post, you don't have Beats, so it wouldn't be on the window sticker. No idea why you would have been told that the vehicle should have Sirius access via the Uconnect VIN look-up, unless some of the confusion also resided at that level. Perhaps they were telling everyone with the 6.5 that the audio included Sirius.

I also pointed out to the customer service person how the description on their site is somewhat misleading. If it says Sirius is "available" and doesn't qualify in what cases it is or is not available, then one would think it's available one way or another on all units of the 6.5 type.

To be told that it is NOT available on non-Beats units isn't of any help to someone who bought a non-Beats unit and expected the Sirius to be "available".

Thank you for that info. That is good to know. I know the sat nav is retroactive later, as long as the dealer does the activation for a customer that bought the car with it never activated by the original owner. That much is clear, as is the fact that Nav is already available on the 5" unit, though not enhanced in any way, but it is available.

I was lead to believe that the satellite radio was available too, whether you activated it, or not as I don't care for sat radio so I don't really care if I get it, or not, and if it's part of a package then I won't activate it, if it hasn't been done by the dealer, and I'd say, don't even bother before I drove it off the lot in the first place.

[Andree]

Thank you for that info. That is good to know. I know the sat nav is retroactive later, as long as the dealer does the activation for a customer that bought the car with it never activated by the original owner. That much is clear, as is the fact that Nav is already available on the 5" unit, though not enhanced in any way, but it is available.

I was lead to believe that the satellite radio was available too, whether you activated it, or not as I don't care for sat radio so I don't really care if I get it, or not, and if it's part of a package then I won't activate it, if it hasn't been done by the dealer, and I'd say, don't even bother before I drove it off the lot in the first place.

Also remember that I'm assuming the person I talked to has the correct and most up-to-date info there is. It may not be (correct or up-to-date). LOL!

The only part I can verify is inputting VINs into the system at their end won't show Sirius available on vehicles that did not come with the Beats system.

[Spancho]

Just picked up our my Trekking yesterday, and so glad I found this forum and thread! It's my first new car and I'm delighted with the ride and styling, but yes there are a few quirks.

I agree with what others have said - that the dealers really don't know the model yet and are giving inaccurate information. My salesperson told me I'd have free Sirius XM for a year, when Sirius didn't even come with the car! I did not get the beats package. Yes, there is a Sirius bottom on the touchscreen, but no radio ID. I will continue to watch this thread to see if anyone gets some positive new on a free upgrade or module allowing it to be activated.

The blinking lock light is annoying. Glad to hear it can be fixed. Is there a specific TB number I can let my service department know about?