2011 FIAT FREEMONT steering wheel

Prolonged operation of the steering sys-
tem at the end of the steering wheel
travel will increase the steering fluid tem-
perature and it should be avoided when possible.
Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as an-
ticipated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an
authorized dealer.Do not use chemical flushes in your
power steering system as the chemicals
can damage your power steering compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level
surface and with the engine off to pre-
vent injury from moving parts and to ensure
accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use
only manufacturer's recommended power steer-
ing fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indi-
cated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid
from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for the
correct fluid type.
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STEERING WHEEL AUDIO
CONTROLS — IF EQUIPPED
The remote sound system controls are located on the
rear surface of the steering wheel. The left and right-
hand controls are rocker-type switches with a pushbut-
ton in the center of each switch. Reach behind the
steering wheel to access the switches. (fig. 108)
RIGHT-HAND SWITCH FUNCTIONS
• Press the top of the switch to increase the volume.
• Press the bottom of the switch to decrease thevolume.
• Press the button in the center of the switch to change modes (i.e., AM, FM, etc.). LEFT-HAND SWITCH FUNCTIONS FOR
RADIO OPERATION
• Press the top of the switch to SEEK the next listen-
able station up from the current setting.
• Press the bottom of the switch to SEEK the next listenable station down from the current setting.
• Press the button in the center of the switch to tune to the next preset that you have programmed.
LEFT-HAND SWITCH FUNCTIONS FOR
MEDIA (I.E., CD) OPERATION
• Press the top of the switch once to listen to the next track.
• Press the bottom of the switch once either to listen to the beginning of the current track or to listen to
the beginning of the previous track if it is within one
second after the current track begins to play.
• Press the switch up or down twice to listen to the second track, three times to listen to the third track,
and so forth.
• Press the button located in the center of the switch to change to the next preset that you have
programmed.(fig. 108)Remote Sound Controls (Back View Of Steering Wheel) 127
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SAFETY
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
• Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating positions
• Advanced Front Air Bags for driver and front passen- ger
• Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) located on top of the front seats (integrated into the head
restraint)
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) that span the front, second, and third row
seating for the driver and passengers seated next to
a window
• Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags
• An energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel
• Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
• Front seat belts incorporate pretensioners that may enhance occupant protection by managing occupant
energy during an impact event
• All seat belt systems (except the driver’s) include Automatic Locking Retractors (ALRs), which lock
the seat belt webbing into position by extending the
belt all the way out and then adjusting the belt to the
desired length to restrain a child seat or secure a
large item in a seat — if equipped If you will be carrying children too small for adult-sized
seat belts, the seat belts or ISOFIX feature also can be
used to hold infant and child restraint systems. For
more information, refer to ISOFIX — Child Seat An-
chorage System.
NOTE:
The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multi-
stage inflator design. This allows the air bag to have
different rates of inflation based on the severity and
type of collision.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
WARNING!
In an accident , you and your passengers
can suffer much greater injuries if you
are not properly buckled up. You can strike the
interior of your vehicle or other passengers, or
you can be thrown out of the vehicle. Always be
sure you and others in your vehicle are buckled
up properly.
Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor
driver and cause an accident that includes you. This can
happen far away from home or on your own street.
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SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) — AIR BAGS
This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver's Advanced Front Air
Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger's Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the air bag
covers. (fig. 129)
NOTE:These air bags are certified to the new
regulations for Advanced Air Bags.
The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the air bag to have different rates of
inflation based on the severity and type of collision. This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of
the Advanced Front Air Bags.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Side Air Bag
Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the driver, front,
and rear passengers sitting next to a window. The
SABIC air bags are located above the side windows and
their covers are also labeled: SRS AIRBAG.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB). The SABs are marked
with an air bag label sewn into the outboard side of the
front seats.
NOTE:
• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolster
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag(fig. 129)
Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations
1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bags
2 — Knee Bolsters 153
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If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified
to accommodate a disabled person, contact the Cus-
tomer Center. Phone numbers are provided under "If
You Need Assistance".
WARNING!
 Relying on the air bags alone could
lead to more severe injuries in a collision.
The air bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, the air bags
won't deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts
even though you have air bags.
 Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during Advanced Front Air Bag de-
ployment could cause serious injury, including
death. Air Bags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
 Side air bags also need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat .
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SENSORS AND
CONTROLS
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) The ORC is part of a regulated safety system required
for this vehicle.
The ORC determines if deployment of the front and/or
side air bags in a frontal or side collision is required. Based on the impact sensor's signals, a central elec-
tronic ORC deploys the Advanced Front Air Bags,
SABIC air bags, Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air
Bags and front seat belt pretensioners, as required,
depending on the severity and type of impact.
Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide
additional protection by supplementing the seat belts
in certain frontal collisions depending on the severity
and type of collision. Advanced Front Air Bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, side, or
rollover collisions.
The Advanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, including some that may produce
substantial vehicle damage — for example, some pole
collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and location
of impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in
crashes with little vehicle front-end damage but that
produce a severe initial deceleration.
The side air bags will not deploy in all side collisions.
Side air bag deployment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all
accidents, and also are needed to help keep you in
position, away from an inflating air bag.
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The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the air bag system whenever the ignition is in
the ON/RUN position. If the ignition is in the OFF
position, or in the ACC position, the air bag system is
not on and the air bags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power
or it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the
instrument cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunc-
tion is noted that could affect the air bag system. The
diagnostics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in
your instrument panel could mean you
won't have the air bags to protect you in a
collision. If the light does not come on as a bulb
check when the ignition is first turned on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as
you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate
the Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation
rates are possible, based on the collision type and
severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to their full
size. The air bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 millisec-
onds. This is about half of the time it takes to blink your
eyes. The air bags then quickly deflate while helping to
restrain the driver and front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
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• Unlock the doors automatically.
If A Deployment Occurs
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.
NOTE:Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:
• The nylon air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags deploy and unfold.
The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or
those you might get sliding along a carpet or gymna-
sium floor. They are not caused by contact with
chemicals. They are not permanent and normally
heal quickly. However, if you haven't healed signifi-
cantly within a few days, or if you have any blistering,
see your doctor immediately.
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like particles. The particles are a normal by-product of
the process that generates the non-toxic gas used for
air bag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate
the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye
irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or
throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation
continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle
on your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's
instructions for cleaning. Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have
deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the
air bags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
sioners cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the air bags, seat belt pretension-
ers, and the front seat belt retractor assemblies
replaced by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) system serviced as well.
Maintaining Your Air Bag System
WARNING!
 Modifications to any part of the air
bag system could cause it to fail when
you need it . You could be injured if the air bag
system is not there to protect you. Do not modify
the components or wiring, including adding any
kind of badges or stickers to the steering wheel
hub trim cover or the upper right side of the
instrument panel. Do not modify the front bum-
per, vehicle body structure, or add aftermarket
side steps or running boards.
(Continued)
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PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD
MAKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
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 nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper cold infla-
tion pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and
High Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
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, or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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