2011 FIAT FREEMONT Owner handbook (in English)

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around
the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between
DRIVE/1st and REVERSE. Using the least accelerator
pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion without
spinning the wheels is most effective.
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating
and failure. Allow the engine to idle with
the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least one min-
ute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This
will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to
free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with
Traction Control, turn the system OFF be-
fore attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer
to “Electronic Stability Program (ESP)” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle” for further information.
 When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by mov-
ing between DRIVE/1st and REVERSE, do
not spin the wheels faster than 24 km/h,
or drivetrain damage may result .
 Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too
fast may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin
the wheels above 48 km/h while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure, of the
axle and tires. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 48 km/h or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
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TOW EYE
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow eye that can be
used to rescue your vehicle, should it become stranded
off road. (fig. 162)
Tow eyes are for emergency use only, to
rescue a vehicle stranded off road. Do not
use tow eyes for tow truck hookup or
highway towing. You could damage your vehicle.
Tow straps are recommended when towing the
vehicle; chains may cause vehicle damage.
WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with
tow eyes. Tow straps and chains may
break, causing serious injury. FRONT TOW EYE USAGE
The front tow eye receptacle is located on the lower
right side of the front fascia.
To install the tow eye, remove the rubber plug and
thread the tow eye into the receptacle.
Insert the flat end of the jack handle through the eye
and tighten, refer to “Jacking and Tire Changing” for
further information. The tow hook must be fully seated
to the attaching bracket through the lower front fascia
as shown. If the tow hook is not fully seated to the
attaching bracket, the vehicle should not be towed.
(fig. 163)
(fig. 162)
Tow Eye
(fig. 163)Front Tow Eye Installed 211
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REAR TOW EYE USAGE
The rear tow eye receptacle is located behind a door,
located on the left rear bumper fascia.
To install the tow eye, open the door using the vehicle
key or a small screwdriver, and thread the tow eye into
the receptacle.
Insert the flat end of the jack handle through the eye
and tighten, refer to “Jacking and Tire Changing” for
further information. The tow hook must be fully seated
to the attaching bracket through the lower front fascia
as shown. If the tow hook is not fully seated to the
attaching bracket, the vehicle should not be towed.
(fig. 164)IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate
action.
• On the highways — Slow down.
• In city traffic — While stopped, put the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
Driving with a hot cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature
gauge reads “H,” safely pull over and stop
the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the A/C turned
off until the pointer drops back into the normal
range. If the pointer remains on the “H,” and you
hear continuous chimes, turn the engine OFF im-
mediately, and call for service.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow
down an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The
A/C system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor and the blower
control to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
(fig. 164) Rear Tow Eye Installed
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WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam
from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, do not open the
hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot .
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLETowing Condition Wheels OFF The Ground MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Flat Tow NONE • Trans in NEUTRAL
• Ignition key in ACC
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow Rear
NO
Front OK
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to pre-
vent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and
other equipment designed for the purpose, following
equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety
chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing
device to main structural members of the vehicle, not
to bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
applying to vehicles under tow must be observed. If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters,
etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN position, not the ACC position.
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 Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Damage to the fascia will occur.
 When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
 Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result .
 If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not in
the LOCK or ACC position.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle
with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
Your vehicle may also be towed in a forward direction,
with all four wheels on the ground, the shift lever in the
NEUTRAL position, and the ignition key in the ACC
position. If the transmission is not operative, the ve-
hicle must be towed with the front wheels OFF the
ground (using a flatbed truck, towing dolly, or wheel lift
equipment with the front wheels raised). WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flatbed towing
is the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing equip-
ment may be used. Rear towing (with the front wheels
on the ground) is not allowed, as transmission damage
will occur. If rear towing is the only alternative, the
front wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to
the vehicle.
Failure to follow these towing methods
could result in severe damage to the
transmission. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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SERVICING AND CARE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Required Maintenance IntervalsThousands of kilometers 30 60 90 120 150 180
Months 24 48 72 96 120 144
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pressure if required. • • • • • •
Check lighting system operation (headlights, direction indicators,
hazard lights, passenger compartment lights, instrument panel
warning lights, etc.). • • • • • •
Check windshield wiper/washer operation. • • • • • •
Check the position/wear of the windshield/rear window wiper
blades. • • • • • •
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and operation
of pad wear indicator. • • • • • •
Check rear disc brake pad condition and wear. • • • • • •
Conditions and visual check: bodywork exterior, underbody
protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - braking
system), rubber elements (boots - sleeves - etc.), CV joints, front
suspension, tie rod ends and boot seals, and replace if necessary. • • • • • •
Check cleanliness of hood latches, as well as cleanliness and
lubrication of linkages. • • • • • •
Check all fluid levels (engine coolant, brake/hydraulic clutch fluid,
windshield washer fluid, battery fluid, etc.), add if necessary. • • • • • •
Check the parking brake lever travel and adjust it, if necessary. • • • • • •
Check exhaust fumes/emissions. • • • • • •
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Thousands of kilometers30 60 90 120 150 180
Months 24 48 72 96 120 144
Check battery charge status and possibly recharge. • • • • • •
Check engine control system operation (via diagnostic socket). • • • • • •
Visually inspect the condition of the auxiliary drive belt. • •
Replace auxiliary drive belts. •
Check timing belt conditions. • •
Replace the timing belt (*). •
Replace fuel filter (Or at least change every 24 months). • • •
Replace air filter cartridge (Or at least change every 24 months). • • •
Change engine oil and oil cartridge (**) (***).
Change brake fluid. • • •
Change pollen filter. • • • • • •
* Regardless of the distance covered, the timing belt
must be changed every 4 years for particularly demand-
ing use (cold climates, city driving, long periods of
idling) or at least every 5 years.
** If the car is used for less than 10 000 km per year, it
is necessary to replace engine oil and cartridge every
12 months. *** The actual interval for replacement of engine oil
and cartridge depends by vehicle usage conditions and
is shown through a gauge or a message (if available) on
the dashboard or at least every 24 months.
Failure to perform the required mainte-
nance items may result in damage to the
vehicle.
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Regular Checks
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top
up the following if necessary:
• engine coolant fluid, brake fluid, windshield washerfluid and power steering fluid;
• tire pressure and condition;
• operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights, etc.);
• operation of the windshield wiper/washer system, position and wear of windshield/rear window wiper
blades;
• Check and add, if required, the engine oil level every 3,000 km.
Use Of The Car Under Heavy Conditions
If you use the car mainly under one of the followingconditions:
• trailer or caravan towing;
• dusty roads;
• short (less than 7-8 km) and repeated journeys in sub-zero temperatures;
• frequent engine idling, travelling long distances at low speeds or long term inactivity, perform the following
inspections more frequently than shown on the
Maintenance Schedule;
• check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
• check cleanliness of hood latches, as well as cleanli- ness and lubrication of linkages; • visually inspect the conditions of: engine, transmis-
sion, pipes and tubes (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber
parts (boots, sleeves, etc.);
• check battery charge and liquid level (electrolyte);
• visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drive belts;
• check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter;
• check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
• check air filter and replace, if required.
• check fuel filter and replace, if required.
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