2011 FIAT FREEMONT tow

Towing Requirements – Tires Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compactspare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential for the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to “Tires
– General Information” in “Technical Specifications” for
proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General Information” in
“Technical Specifications” for the proper tire inspection
procedures.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Inf orma-
tion” in “Technical Specifications” for proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load car-
rying capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR and
GAWR limits.Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes Do not
interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the
trailer. This could cause inadequate braking and pos-
sible personal injury.
When towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic brake controller is
not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 450 kg and required for trailers in excess of 750 kg.
If the trailer weighs more than 450 kg
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and
they should be of adequate capacity. Fail-
ure to do this could lead to accelerated brake
lining wear, higher brake pedal effort , and longer
stopping distances.
WARNING!
 Do not connect trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can
overload your brake system and cause it to fail.
You might not have brakes when you need them
and could have an accident .
 Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for ad-
ditional space between your vehicle and the ve-
hicle in front of you. Failure to do so could result
in an accident .
Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And
Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are
required for motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a sev en-pin or a
thirteen-pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved
trailer harness and connector.
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Pin Number Function Wire Color5 Right Rear Position, Side Marker Lights, andRear Registration Plate Illumination Device.
b
Brown
6 Stoplights Red
7 Left Rear Position, Side Marker Lights, and
Rear Registration Plate Illumination Device.
b
Black
8 Reverse lights Red/Black
9 Permanent Power Supply (+12V) Brown/White
10 Power Supply Controlled by IgnitionSwitch (+12V) Red
11
a
Return for Contact (Pin) 10 White
12 Reserve for Future Allocation Red/Blue
13
a
Return for Contact (Pin) 9 White
Note: The allocation pin 12 has been changed from
“Coding for coupled Trailer” to “Reserve for Future
Allocation.”
aThe three return circuits shall not be connected
electrically in the trailer.bThe rear position registration plate illumination device
shall be connected such that no light of the device has a
common connection with both pins 5 and 7. TOWING TIPS
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Manual Transmission
If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing,
all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid clutch slippage.
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped
Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until you
can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to maximize fuel efficiency.Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over -
heating, take the following actions: City DrivingWhen stopped for short periods, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed. Highway DrivingReduce speed. Air ConditioningTurn off temporarily.
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TRAILER HITCH ATTACHING POINTS
Your vehicle will require extra equipment to tow a
trailer safely and efficiently. The trailer tow hitch must
be attached to your vehicle using the provided attach-
ing points on the vehicle's frame. Refer to the following
chart to determine the accurate attaching points.
Other equipment, such as trailer sway controls and
braking equipment, trailer equalizing (leveling) equip-
ment and low profile mirrors, may also be required or
strongly recommended. (fig. 140)
Trailer Tow Hitch Attaching Points And OverhangDimensions
A N/A
B 366.71 mm
C 501.62 mm
D 628.69 mm
E (maximum overhang) 1051.93 mm
F 472.00 mm
(fig. 140)
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RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE
Towing
Condition Wheels OFF
the Ground Manual
Transmission
Flat Tow NONE• Trans in
NEUTRAL
• Key in ACC
Dolly Tow Front OK
Rear NO
On Trailer ALLOK
NOTE: Vehicles equipped with manual transmissions
may be recreationally towed (flat towed) at any legal
highway speed, for any distance, if the manual transmis-
sion is in NEUTRAL and the ignition key is in the ACCposition. NOTE:
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels are OFF the
ground.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission damage. Damage from im-
proper towing is not covered under the New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty.
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS1. Air Bag Warning LightThis light will turn on for four to eight sec-
onds as a bulb check when the ignition switch
is first turned to ON/RUN. If the light is
either not on during starting, stays on, or
turns on while driving, have the system inspected at an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occu-
pant Restraints” in “Safety” for further information.
2. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is part of
an onboard diagnostic system, called OBD, that
monitors engine and transmission control sys-
tems. The light will illuminate when the key is in the
ON/RUN position, before engine start. If the bulb does
not come on when turning the key from OFF to
ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the MIL
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles.
In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and
will not require towing.
Prolonged driving with the MIL on could
cause damage to the engine control sys-
tem. It also could affect fuel economy
and drivability. If the MIL is flashing, severe cata-
lytic converter damage and power loss will soon
occur. Immediate service is required.
WARNING!
A malfunctioning catalytic converter, as
referenced above, can reach higher tem-
peratures than in normal operating conditions.
This can cause a fire if you drive slowly or park
over flammable substances such as dry plants,
wood, cardboard, etc .This could result in death or
serious injury to the driver, occupants or others.
3. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light — IfEquipped The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON/RUN position. It should go out with the
engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator Light” comes on continuously with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected in the ESC
system. If this light remains on after several ignition
cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several miles
(kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h),
see your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have
the problem diagnosed and corrected.
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NOTE:
• The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” come on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned to
ON/RUN.
• Each time the ignition is turned to ON/RUN, the
ESC system will be ON, even if it was turned off
previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
4. Turn Signal Indicator LightThe left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signal lights
when the turn signal switch is operated. (Refer to
“Lights” in “Knowing Your Vehicle” for further infor-mation).
NOTE:
• A chime will sound if the vehicle is driven more than
1 mile (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
• Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate.
5. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the high beam headlights
are on. Pull the multifunction lever on the left
side of the steering column toward you to switch to
low beam. (Refer to “Lights” in “Knowing Your Vehicle”
for further information). 6. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on. (Refer to “Lights” in “Knowing
Your Vehicle” for further information).
7. Odometer Display / Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) Display
Odometer
The odometer display shows the total distance the
vehicle has been driven.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster. For further information, refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle”.
8. Park/Headlight ON Indicator — If Equipped This indicator will illuminate when the park
lights or headlights are turned on. (Refer to
“Lights” in “Knowing Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information).
9. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — IfEquipped Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
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JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
 Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving traf-
fic . Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
 Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never put any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift .
 Never start or run the engine while the vehicle
is on a jack.
 The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only.The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas.
Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed underneath a
cover in the rear storage bin in the cargo area.
(fig. 143) Spare Tire Location
The spare tire is stowed underneath the rear of the
vehicle and is held in place by means of a cable winchmechanism.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving traf-
fic . Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flashers.
(fig. 143) Jack Storage Location 193
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Spare Tire Stowage
NOTE:Refer to “Spare Tire Removal” for informa-
tion on assembling the winch tools.
1. Place the spare tire near to the winch cable. Hold the spare upright so that the tire's tread is on the
ground and the valve stem is at the top of the wheel
facing away from the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tilt the retainer at the end of the winch cable and drop it through the center of the wheel. Then place
the spare tire with the cable and retainer under-
neath the vehicle. 3. Fit the assembled jack-handle over the winch drive
nut. Rotate the jack-handle assembly clockwise to
raise the spare tire into the storage area. Continue
to rotate the jack-handle assembly until you hear
the winch mechanism click three times. It cannot be
over tightened. Push against the tire several times to
be sure it is held securely in place.
Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing
warnings to help prevent personal injury
or damage to your vehicle:
 Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before rais-
ing the vehicle.
 Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
 Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel
to be raised.
 Set the parking brake firmly and set an auto-
matic transmission in PARK.
 Never start or run the engine with the vehicle
on a jack.
 Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on
a jack.
 Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
(Continued)
(fig. 145)Spare Tire Retainer 195
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