2011 FIAT FREEMONT service interval

KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new FIAT vehicle. Be
assured that it represents precision workmanship, dis-
tinctive styling, and high quality - all essentials that are
traditional to our vehicles.
Before you start to drive this vehicle, read this Owner's
Manual and all the supplements. Be sure you are familiar
with all vehicle controls, particularly those used for
braking, steering, and transmission shifting. Learn how
your vehicle handles on different road surfaces. Your
driving skills will improve with experience, but as in
driving any vehicle, take it easy as you begin. Always
observe local laws wherever you drive.
NOTE: After reviewing the owner information,
it should be stored in the vehicle for convenient
referencing and remain with the vehicle whensold.
Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control or a collision. Operating this vehicle at excessive speeds or while
intoxicated may result in loss of control, collision with
other vehicles or objects, going off the road, or over-
turning; any of which may lead to serious injury or
death. Also, failure to use seat belts subjects the driver
and passengers to a greater risk of injury or death.
To keep your vehicle running at its best, have your
vehicle serviced at recommended intervals by an au-
thorized dealer who has the qualified personnel, special
tools, and equipment to perform all service.
The manufacturer and its distributors are vitally inter-
ested in your complete satisfaction with this vehicle. If
you encounter a service or warranty problem, which is
not resolved to your satisfaction, discuss the matter
with your dealer's management.
Your authorized dealer will be happy to assist you with
any questions about your vehicle.
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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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(Continued)
 It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
air bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone
who works on your vehicle that it has an air bag
system.
 Do not attempt to modify any part of your air
bag system.The air bag may inflate accidentally
or may not function properly if modifications are
made.Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be
serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.
Air Bag Warning Light You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associ-
ated with air bag system electrical components. While
the air bag system is designed to be maintenance free.
If any of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately. • The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition is first
cycled to the ON/RUN position.
• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to eight-second interval.
• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or remains on while driving.
NOTE: If the speedometer, tachometer, or any en-
gine related gauges are not working, the Occupant
Restraint Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The
air bags may not be ready to inflate for your protection.
Promptly check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to
the label located on the inside of the fuse block cover
for the proper air bag fuses. See your authorized dealer
if the fuse is good.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an
air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that
will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems
performed. The EDR is designed to record data related
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in
this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts
were buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
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MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmainte-
nance services determined by the engineers who de-
signed your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components
which may require servicing or replacement in the
future.
 Failure to properly maintain your ve-
hicle or perform repairs and service when
necessary could result in more costly re-
pairs, damage to other components or negatively
impact vehicle performance. Immediately have
potential malfunctions examined by an autho-
rized dealership or qualified repair center.
 Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended mainte-
nance intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in
these components as the chemicals can damage
your engine, transmission, power steering or air
conditioning. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure. ENGINE OIL
Checking Oil Level – 2.0L Diesel Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil
must be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil
level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off or
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on
the dipstick. Adding 1.0 qt (1.0 l) of oil when the
reading is at the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading
on these engines.
Change Engine Oil – 2.0L Diesel Engine
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Viscosity – 2.0L Diesel Engine
For best performance and maximum protection under
all types of operating conditions, the manufacturer
recommends Fully Synthetic Low Ash 5W-30 engine
oils that meet the requirements of FIAT 9.55535-S1
spec and ACEA C1/C2.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
Do not add any supplemental materials, other than leak
detection dyes, to the engine oil. Engine oil is an
engineered product and its performance may be im-
paired by supplemental additives.
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Disposing of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to
the environment. Contact your authorized dealer, ser-
vice station, or governmental agency for advice on how
and where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded
in your area.
ENGINE AIR CLEANER FILTER
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc .) can provide a measure of
protection in the case of engine backfire. Do not
remove the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc .) unless such removal is necessary for
repair or maintenance. Make sure that no one is
near the engine compartment before starting the
vehicle with the air induction system (air cleaner,
hoses, etc .) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be
used to assure most efficient service. MAINTENANCE-FREE BATTERY
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic
maintenance required.
NOTE:
The battery is stored in a compartment that
is located behind the left front fender and is accessible
through the wheel well. The wheel and tire assemble
do not need to be removed to access the compart-
ment. Remote battery terminals are located in the
engine compartment for jump-starting.
To access the battery, turn the steering wheel fully to
the right and remove the access panel from the inner
fender shield.
WARNING!
 Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solu-
tion and can burn or even blind you. Do
not allow battery fluid to contact your eyes, skin,
or clothing. Do not lean over a battery when
attaching clamps. If acid splashes in eyes or on
skin, flush the area immediately with large
amounts of water.
 Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not
use a booster battery or any other booster source
with an output greater than 12 Volts. Do not
allow cable clamps to touch each other.
 Battery posts, terminals, and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds. Wash
hands after handling.
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 It is essential when replacing the cables
on the battery that the positive cable is
attached to the positive post and the
negative cable is attached to the negative post .
Battery posts are marked positive (+) and nega-
tive (-) and identified on the battery case. Cable
clamps should be tight on the terminal posts and
free of corrosion.
 If a “fast charger ” is used while the battery is in
the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do
not use a “fast charger ” to provide starting volt-
age as battery damage can result .
AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized
dealer at the start of each warm season. This service
should include cleaning of the condenser fins and a
performance test. Drive belt tension should also be
checked at this time.Do not use chemical flushes in your air
conditioning system as the chemicals can
damage your air conditioning compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
 Use only refrigerants and compressor
lubricants approved by the manufac-
turer for your air conditioning system. Some un-
approved refrigerants are flammable and can
explode, injuring you. Other unapproved refrig-
erants or lubricants can cause the system to fail,
requiring costly repairs.
 The air conditioning system contains refriger-
ant under high pressure.To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refriger-
ant or any repair requiring lines to be discon-
nected should be done by an experienced
technician.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product.
However, the manufacturer recommends that air con-
ditioning service be performed by authorized dealers
or other service facilities using recovery and recyclingequipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
sealers, stop leak products, seal conditioners, com-
pressor oil, and refrigerants.
A/C AIR FILTER — IF EQUIPPED
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals. 221
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Coolant Level
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there
is no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking
for coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise
your service attendant of this. As long as the engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month. When
additional coolant is needed to maintain the proper
level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do not
overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment.
This is normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or
high humidity accumulating on the radiator and being
vaporized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot
coolant to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows
no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may
be safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
• Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also
be protected against freezing.
• If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop
when the engine cools, the cooling system should be
pressure tested for leaks. • Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Win- ter operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs
may result in unsatisfactory coolant performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake fail-
ure and possibly an accident . Driving
with your foot resting or riding on the brake
pedal can result in abnormally high brake tem-
peratures, excessive lining wear, and possible
brake damage.You would not have your full brak-
ing capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when
performing underhood services.
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SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS

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
KNOWING
YOURVEHICLE SAFETY
STARTING ANDDRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS