2011 FIAT FREEMONT tow

 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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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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WARNING!
Do not remove the A/C air filter while
the blower is operating or personal in-
jury may result .
The A/C air filter is located in the fresh air inlet behind
the glove box. Perform the following steps to replace
the filter:
1. Open the glove box and remove all contents.
2. Push the retaining tab on each side of the glove box inward while gently pulling the glove box door
outward until both tabs clear the door opening in
the instrument panel. (fig. 166)
3. Pivot the glove box downward. 4. Disengage the two retaining tabs that secure the
filter cover to the HVAC housing and remove the
cover. (fig. 167)
5. Remove the A/C air filter by pulling it straight out of the housing.
6. Install the A/C air filter with the arrow on the filter pointing toward the floor. When installing the filter
cover, make sure the retaining tabs fully engage the
cover.
The A/C air filter is identified with an
arrow to indicate airflow direction
through the filter. Failure to install the
filter properly will result in the need to replace it
more often.
(fig. 166) Glove Box Removal
(fig. 167)A/C Air Filter Replacement
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Rear Wiper Removal/Installation – If Equipped
1. Lift the pivot cap on the rear wiper arm upward, thiswill allow the rear wiper blade to be raised off of the
liftgate glass. (fig. 168)
NOTE: The rear wiper arm cannot be raised fully
upward unless the pivot cap is raised first.
2. Lift the rear wiper arm upward to raise the wiper blade off of the liftgate glass.
3. Grab the bottom of the wiper blade and rotate it forward to unsnap the blade pivot pin from the
wiper blade holder. (fig. 169)
4. Install the wiper blade pivot pin into the wiper blade holder at the end of the wiper arm, and firmly press
the wiper blade until it snaps into place.
5. Lower the wiper blade and snap the pivot cap into place. ADDING WASHER FLUID
The windshield washer and the rear window washer
share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment. Be sure to check
the fluid level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill
the reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not
radiator antifreeze) and operate the system for a few
seconds to flush out the residual water.
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply some
washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the wiper
blades clean. This will help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets
or exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This(fig. 168)
1 — Wiper Arm
2 — Pivot Cap
(fig. 169)1 — Wiper Blade
2 — Blade Pivot Pin
3 — Wiper Arm
4 — Wiper Blade Holder
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To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
• Do not shut OFF the engine or interrupt the ignitionwhen the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any ignition coil connec- tors disconnected for prolonged periods.
COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING!
 When working near the radiator cool-
ing fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.The
fan is temperature controlled and can start at
any time the ignition switch is in the ON position.
 You or others can be badly burned by hot
coolant 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 is hot .
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather,
where applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appear-
ance, the system should be drained, flushed, and re-
filled with fresh coolant. Check the front of the A/C
condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle
rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the con-
nection at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable
cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing
to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose
of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Selection Of Coolant – 2.0L Diesel Engine
Use only the manufacturer's recommended coolant
(antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for further informa-tion.
 Do not use HOAT (Hybrid Organic Ad-
ditive Technology) products in the Diesel
Engine.
 Do not use OAT (Organic Additive Technology)
products containing 2-EH (2–ethyl hexanol).
(Continued)
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• It is important that the drain holes in the lower edgesof the doors, rocker panels, and cargo area be kept
clear and open.
• If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint, touch them up immediately. The cost of such
repairs is considered the responsibility of the owner.
• If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or similar cause, which destroys the paint and protec-
tive coating, have your vehicle repaired as soon as
possible. The cost of such repairs is considered the
responsibility of the owner.
• If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertiliz- ers, de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are
well packaged and sealed.
• If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome-plated wheels should be cleaned regularly with
a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use a nonabra-
sive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel
wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Do not use
oven cleaner. Avoid automatic car washes that use
acidic solutions or harsh brushes that may damage the
wheels’ protective finish.
Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning Procedure – If
Equipped
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in the following
manner: • Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
• Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
• For tough stains, apply a mild soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and remove the stain. Use a fresh,
damp towel to remove soap residue.
• For grease stains, apply a Multi-Purpose Cleaner or equivalent to a clean, damp cloth and remove the
stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to remove soap
residue.
• Do not use any harsh solvents or any other form of protectants on Stain Repel products.
Interior Care
Instrument Panel Cover
The instrument panel cover has a low glare surface,
which minimizes reflections in the windshield. Do not
use protectants or other products, which may cause
undesirable reflections. Use soap and warm water to
restore the low glare surface.
Cleaning Interior Trim
Interior trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth. Do not use harsh cleaners.
Cleaning Leather Upholstery
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by
regular cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles
of dirt can act as an abrasive and damage the leather
upholstery and should be removed promptly with a
damp cloth. Stubborn soils can be removed easily with
a soft cloth. Care should be taken to avoid soaking your 231
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leather upholstery with any liquid. Please do not use
polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, detergents, or
ammonia-based cleaners to clean your leather uphol-
stery. Application of a leather conditioner is not re-
quired to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning
purposes. Many are potentially flam-
mable, and if used in closed areas they may cause
respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution
followed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents,
steel wool or other aggressive material to clean thelenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning the inside rear window equipped with an electric defroster. Do not use scrapers or other sharp
instruments that may scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray cleaner on
the towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray
cleaner directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may
be used, but do not use high alcohol content or
abrasive cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a
clean damp rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye, or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the
fabric. Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car
to wash them. Dry with a soft cloth.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
CLEANING THE CUP HOLDERS
Clean with a damp cloth or towel using a mild
detergent.
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Dimmer Switch, Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 DipsticksOil (Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Disabled Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Door Locks, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Downshifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170Driving
On Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 22
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) . . . . . . 128
Electric Remote Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) . . . . . . . . 82
Electrical Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Electronic Brake Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Anti-Lock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Brake Assist System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Electronic Roll Mitigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Electronic Stability Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Traction Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) . . . . . . . . 75
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . . 18,124
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Jacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193 Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166,218 Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Break-In Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Checking Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Coolant (Antifreeze) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226,242
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Exhaust Gas Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,163
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219,241,242
Oil Change Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,219
Oil Filler Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218,219
Oil Filter Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Oil Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Overheating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Engine Oil Viscosity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Enhanced Accident Response Feature . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Entry System, Illuminated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Event Data Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Exhaust Gas Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99,163,225
Exhaust System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163,225
Express Down Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Exterior Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Exterior Light Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Exterior Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165,201
Fabric Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Filters
Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 249
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