2012 FIAT FREEMONT ESP

ROOF LUGGAGE RACK (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
The roof rack side rails on your vehicle are NOT
designed to carry a load without the addition of cross-
bars. Metal Crossbars can be purchased from your
FIAT dealer to provide a functional roof rack system.
External racks do not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure that the total occupant
and luggage load inside the vehicle plus the load on the
luggage rack do not exceed the maximum vehicle load
capacity.
The roof rack cross rails and side rails together are
designed to carry cargo weight. The load must not
exceed 68 kg, and it should be distributed uniformly
over the cross rails.
 To avoid damage to the roof rack and
vehicle, do not exceed the maximum roof
rack load capacity of 68 kg. Always dis-
tribute loads as evenly as possible and secure the
load appropriately.
 Long loads, which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
 Place a blanket or other protection between
the surface of the roof and the load.
 Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners care-
fully when carrying large or heavy loads on the
roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes or
nearby truck traffic , can add sudden upward lift
to loads.This is especially true on large flat loads
and may result in damage to the cargo or your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driv-
ing your vehicle. Improperly secured
loads can fly off the vehicle, particularly at high
speeds, resulting in personal injury or property
damage. Follow the Roof Rack Cautions when
carrying cargo on your roof rack.
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ELECTRONIC ROLL MITIGATION (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the
rate of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle's
speed are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it
then applies the appropriate brake and may also reduce
engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will
occur. ERM will only intervene during very severe or
evasive driving maneuvers. ERM can only reduce the
chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or evasive
driving maneuvers. It cannot prevent wheel lift due to
other factors, such as road conditions, leaving the
roadway, or striking objects or other vehicles.
WARNING!
Many factors, such as vehicle loading,
road conditions, and driving conditions,
influence the chance that wheel lift or rollover
may occur. ERM cannot prevent all wheel lift or
rollovers, especially those that involve leaving the
roadway or striking objects or other vehicles.The
capabilities of an ERM-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability
of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC
corrects for over-steering and under-steering the ve-
hicle by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel.
Engine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
The ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the
path that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and
compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the
actual path does not match the intended path, the ESC
applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the condition of over-steer or under-
steer.
• Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
• Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than appropriate for the steering wheel position.
WARNING!
 Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
the traction afforded by prevailing road condi-
tions.
(Continued)
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LOOSE FUEL FILLER CAP MESSAGE
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the
fuel filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
the word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to
turn off the message. If the problem persists, the
message will appear the next time the vehicle is
started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it
will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these
conditions, you will observe a substantial increase in
steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
• Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
• Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power
steering pump may make noise for a short amount of
time. This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced
power steering assist could pose a safety
risk to yourself and others. Service should be
obtained as soon as possible.
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NOTE:
• The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance, or to provide warning of a tire failure
or condition.
• The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure
gauge while adjusting your tire pressure.
• Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-
inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability.
• The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure using an accurate tire pressure
gauge, even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light.
• Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pres-
sure, and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pres-
sure in the tire.
BASE SYSTEM
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wire-
less technology with wheel rim mounted electronic
sensors to monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors,
mounted to each wheel as part of the valve stem,
transmit tire pressure readings to the receiver module.NOTE:
It is particularly important for you to check
the tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle
monthly and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
• Receiver Module
• Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster and a chime
will sound when tire pressure is low in one or
more of the four active road tires. Should this occur,
you should stop as soon as possible, check the inflation
pressure of each tire on your vehicle, and inflate each
tire to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard pres-
sure value. Once the system receives the updated tire
pressures, the system will automatically update and the
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off.
The vehicle may need to be driven for up to 20 minutes
above 25 km/h in order for the TPMS to receive this
information.
Check TPMS Warning
When a system fault is detected, the Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light will flash on and off for 75 sec-
onds and then remain on solid. The system fault will
also sound a chime. If the ignition switch is cycled, this
sequence will repeat, providing the system fault still
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• When you move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position and ParkSense
®is turned off, the EVIC will
display the “PARK ASSIST OFF” message for as long as
the vehicle is in REVERSE.
• Clean the ParkSense
®sensors regularly, taking care
not to scratch or damage them. The sensors must not
be covered with ice, snow, slush, mud, dirt or debris.
Failure to do so can result in the system not working
properly. The ParkSense®system might not detect an
obstacle behind the fascia/bumper, or it could provide a
false indication that an obstacle is behind the fascia/
bumper.
• Objects such as bicycle carriers, trailer hitches, etc.,
must not be placed within 30 cm from the rear fascia/
bumper while driving the vehicle. Failure to do so can
result in the system misinterpreting a close object as a
sensor problem, causing the “SERVICE PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM” message to be displayed in the EVIC.
 ParkSense
®is only a parking aid and it
is unable to recognize every obstacle,
including small obstacles. Parking curbs
might be temporarily detected or not detected at
all. Obstacles located above or below the sensors
will not be detected when they are in close prox-
imity.
 The vehicle must be driven slowly when using
ParkSense
®
in order to be able to stop in time
when an obstacle is detected. It is recommended
that the driver looks over his/her shoulder when
using ParkSense
®.
WARNING!
 Drivers must be careful when backing
up even when using the ParkSense
®
Rear Park Assist system. Always check carefully
behind your vehicle, look behind you, and be sure
to check for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles,
obstructions, and blind spots before backing up.
You are responsible for safety and must continue
to pay attention to your surroundings. Failure to
do so can result in serious injury or death.
(Continued)
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WARNING!
Drivers must be careful when backing up
even when using the ParkView
®
Rear
Back Up Camera. Always check carefully behind
your vehicle, and be sure to check for pedestri-
ans, animals, other vehicles, obstructions, or blind
spots before backing up. You are responsible for
the safety of your surroundings and must con-
tinue to pay attention while backing up. Failure
to do so can result in serious injury or death.
 To avoid vehicle damage, ParkView
®
should only be used as a parking aid.The
ParkView
®camera is unable to view ev-
ery obstacle or object in your drive path.
 To avoid vehicle damage, the vehicle must be
driven slowly when using ParkView
®to be able to
stop in time when an obstacle is seen. It is recom-
mended that the driver look frequently over his/
her shoulder when using ParkView®. NOTE:
If snow, ice, mud, or any foreign substance
builds up on the camera lens, clean the lens, rinse with
water, and dry with a soft cloth. Do not cover the lens.
TURNING PARKVIEW
®ON OR OFF —
WITH TOUCH SCREEN RADIO
1. Turn the Radio on.
2. Press the “More” soft-key.
3. Press the “Settings” soft-key.
4. Press the “Safety & Driving Assistance” soft-key.
5. Press the check box soft key next to “Parkview
®
Backup Camera” to enable/disable.
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(Continued)
 Drivers must be aware of pedestrians. Always
be sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other
vehicles, and obstructions.You are responsible for
safety and must continue to pay attention to
your surroundings. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
ENHANCED SEAT BELT USE REMINDER
SYSTEM (BELTALERT
®)
BeltAlert
®is a feature intended to remind the driver
and front passenger (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided with front passenger BeltAlert
®) to fasten their
seat belts. This feature is active whenever the ignition is
on. If the driver or front seat passenger is unbelted, the
Seat Belt Reminder Light will turn on and remain on
until both front seat belts are fastened. BeltAlert
®
triggers within 60 seconds of vehicle speed over
8 km/h. The reminder sequence lasts for 96 seconds or
until the respective seat belts are fastened. After the
sequence completes, the Seat Belt Reminder Light
remains illuminated until front belts are fastened. The
driver should instruct all other occupants to fasten
their seat belts. If a front seat belt is unbuckled while
traveling at speeds greater than 8 km/h, BeltAlert
®will
chime as a single notification and illuminate the Seat
Belt Reminder Light, then will proceed to the 96 sec-
ond reminder sequence. The front passenger seat BeltAlert
®is not active when
the front passenger seat is unoccupied. BeltAlert
®may
be triggered when an animal or heavy object is on the
front passenger seat or when the seat is folded flat (for
versions/markets, where provided). It is recommended
that pets be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts, and cargo
is properly stowed.
NOTE:
• The BeltAlert
®can be enabled or disabled by your
authorized dealer.
• The manufacturer of this vehicle does not recom-
mend deactivating the BeltAlert
®.
• If the BeltAlert
®
is deactivated, the Seat Belt Re-
minder Light will continue to illuminate as long as the
driver's seat belt is unbuckled/retracted.
SEAT BELTS AND PREGNANT WOMEN
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat
belts throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother
safe is the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as pos-
sible. Keep the belt low so that it does not come across
the abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips
will take the force if there is an accident.
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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.
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag
(SAB) Inflator Units
The Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
are designed to activate only in certain side collisions.
The ORC determines if a side collision requires the
side air bags to inflate, based on the severity and type ofcollision.
Based on the severity and type of collision, the side air
bag inflator on the crash side of the vehicle may be
triggered, releasing a quantity of non-toxic gas. The
inflating SAB exits through the seat seam into the space
between the occupant and the door. The SAB fully
inflate in about 10 milliseconds. The side air bag moves
at a very high speed and with such a high force that it
could injure you if you are not seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the side air bag
inflates. This especially applies to children.
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) Inflator Units
During collisions where the impact is confined to a
particular area of the side of the vehicle, the ORC may
deploy the SABIC air bags, depending on the severity
and type of collision. In these events, the ORC will
deploy the SABIC only on the impact side of the
vehicle.A quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
side curtain air bag. The inflating side curtain air bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the way
and covers the window. The air bag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one-quarter of the time that it
takes to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure
you if you are not belted and seated properly, or if
items are positioned in the area where the side curtain
air bag inflates. This especially applies to children. The
side curtain air bag is only about 9 cm thick when it is
inflated.
Because air bag sensors estimate deceleration over
time, vehicle speed and damage are not good indicators
of whether or not an air bag should have deployed.
NOTE:
In a rollover the pretensioners and/or SAB
and SABIC air bags may deploy on both sides of the
vehicle.
Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, impact sensors can aid the
ORC in determining appropriate response to impact
events.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the fol-
lowing functions:
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