2012 FIAT FREEMONT belt

WARNING!
 Be certain that the seatback is locked
securely into position. Otherwise, the
seat will not provide the proper stability for
passengers. An improperly latched seat could
cause serious injury.
 Do not allow a passenger to sit in a third row
seat without having the head restraint unfolded
and locked in place. Failure to follow this warning
may result in personal injury to the passenger in
the event of a collision.
 Do not allow a passenger to sit in a third row
seat with the second row seatback(s) folded flat .
In a collision, the passenger could slide under-
neath the seat belt and be seriously or even
fatally injured. TILT/TELESCOPING STEERING
COLUMN
This feature allows you to tilt the steering column
upward or downward. It also allows you to lengthen or
shorten the steering column. The tilt/telescoping con-
trol handle is located below the steering wheel at the
end of the steering column. (fig. 36)
To unlock the steering column, push the control handle
downward. To tilt the steering column, move the steer-
ing wheel upward or downward as desired. To lengthen
or shorten the steering column, pull the steering wheel
outward or push it inward as desired. To lock the
steering column in position, pull the control handle
upward until fully engaged.
(fig. 36)
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Control Handle
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POWER SUNROOF (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
The power sunroof switch is located between the sun
visors on the overhead console. (fig. 80)
WARNING!
 Never leave children in a vehicle with
the key in the ignition switch. Occu-
pants, particularly unattended children, can be-
come entrapped by the power sunroof while op-
erating the power sunroof switch. Such
entrapment may result in serious injury or death.
(Continued)(Continued)
 In a collision, there is a greater risk of being
thrown from a vehicle with an open sunroof.You
could also be seriously injured or killed. Always
fasten your seat belt properly and make sure all
passengers are also properly secured.
 Do not allow small children to operate the
sunroof. Never allow your fingers, other body
parts, or any object to project through the sun-
roof opening. Injury may result .
OPENING SUNROOF — EXPRESS
Press the switch rearward and release it within one-half
second and the sunroof will open automatically from
any position. The sunroof will open fully and stop
automatically. This is called “Express Open”. During
Express Open operation, any movement of the sunroof
switch will stop the sunroof.
OPENING SUNROOF — MANUAL MODE
To open the sunroof, press and hold the switch rear-
ward to full open. Any release of the switch will stop
the movement and the sunroof will remain in a partially
opened condition until the switch is pushed and held
rearward again.
CLOSING SUNROOF — EXPRESS
Press the switch forward and release it within one-half
second and the sunroof will close automatically from
any position. The sunroof will close fully and stop
(fig. 80) Power Sunroof Switch
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CARGO TIE-DOWNS
WARNING!
Cargo tie-downs are not safe anchors for
a child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop
or collision, a tie-down could pull loose and allow
the child seat to come loose. A child could be
badly injured. Use only the anchors provided for
child seat tethers.
Cargo tie-downs are located on both rear trim panels.
These tie-downs should be used to secure loads safely
when the vehicle is moving. (fig. 94)
WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and
passengers can change the vehicle cen-
ter of gravity and vehicle handling.To avoid loss of
control resulting in personal injury, follow these
guidelines for loading your vehicle:
• Do not carry loads that exceed the load limits de- scribed on the label attached to the left door or left
door center pillar.
• Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
• Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the vehicle to
sway.
• Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
• To help protect against personal injury, passengers should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
(fig. 94)
Cargo Tie-Downs
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SAFETY
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
• Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating positions
• Advanced Front Air Bags for driver and front passen- ger
• Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) located on top of the front seats (integrated into the head
restraint) (for versions/markets, where provided)
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) that span the front, second, and third row
seating for the driver and passengers seated next to
a window
• Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags
• An energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel
• Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants (for versions/markets, where provided)
• Front seat belts incorporate pretensioners that may enhance occupant protection by managing occupant
energy during an impact event
• All seat belt systems (except the driver’s) include Automatic Locking Retractors (ALRs), which lock
the seat belt webbing into position by extending the
belt all the way out and then adjusting the belt to the
desired length to restrain a child seat or secure a large item in a seat (for versions/markets, where
provided)
If you will be carrying children too small for adult-sized
seat belts, the seat belts or ISOFIX feature also can be
used to hold infant and child restraint systems. For
more information, refer to ISOFIX — Child Seat An-
chorage System.
NOTE: The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multi-
stage inflator design. This allows the air bag to have
different rates of inflation based on the severity and
type of collision.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
WARNING!
In an accident , you and your passengers
can suffer much greater injuries if you
are not properly buckled up. You can strike the
interior of your vehicle or other passengers, or
you can be thrown out of the vehicle. Always be
sure you and others in your vehicle are buckled
up properly.
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Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor
driver and cause an accident that includes you. This can
happen far away from home or on your own street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in an accident.
Some of the worst injuries happen when people are
thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possi-
bility of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking
the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle
should be belted at all times.
LAP/SHOULDER BELTS
All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with
a combination lap/shoulder belts.
The belt webbing retractor is designed to lock during
very sudden stops or impacts. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the belt to move freely with you under
normal conditions. However, in an accident, the belt
will lock and reduce your risk of striking the inside of
the vehicle or being thrown out.
WARNING!
 It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In an acci-
dent , people riding in these areas are more likely
to be seriously injured or killed.
(Continued)(Continued)
 Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
 Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
 No modifications or additions should be made
by the user, which will either prevent the seat belt
adjusting devices from operating to remove
slack, or prevent the seat belt assembly from
being adjusted to remove slack.
 Seat belts are designed to bear upon the bony
structure of the body, and should be worn low
across the front of the pelvis or the pelvis, chest
and shoulders, as applicable; wearing the lap
section of the belt across the abdominal area
must be avoided.
 Seat belts should be adjusted as firmly as pos-
sible, consistent with comfort , to provide the
protection for which they have been designed. A
slack belt will greatly reduce the protection af-
forded to the wearer.
 Each belt assembly must only be used by one
occupant ; it is dangerous to put a belt around a
child being carried on an occupant's lap.
(Continued)
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(Continued)
 Two people should never be belted into a single
seat belt . People belted together can crash into
one another in an accident , hurting one another
badly. Never use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt
for more than one person, no matter what their
size.
 Belts should not be worn with straps twisted.
 Care should be taken to avoid contamination
of the webbing with polishes, oils and chemicals,
and particularly battery acid. Cleaning may be
safely carried out using mild soap and water.The
belt should be replaced if webbing becomes
frayed, contaminated, or damaged.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions
1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and adjust the front seat.
2. The seat belt latch plate is along side the pillar near the back of your seat. Grasp the latch plate and pull
out the belt. Slide the latch plate up the webbing as
far as necessary to make the belt go around your lap.
(fig. 119)
3. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”
(fig. 120)
(fig. 119) Pulling Out Lap/Shoulder Belt(fig. 120)
Connecting Latch Plate To Buckle
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WARNING!
 A belt that is buckled into the wrong
buckle will not protect you properly.The
lap portion could ride too high on your body,
possibly causing internal injuries. Always buckle
your belt into the buckle nearest you.
 A belt that is too loose will not protect you
properly. In a sudden stop, you could move too far
forward, increasing the possibility of injury.Wear
your seat belt snugly.
 A belt that is worn under your arm is danger-
ous.Your body could strike the inside surfaces of
the vehicle in an accident , increasing head and
neck injury. A belt worn under the arm can cause
internal injuries. Ribs aren't as strong as shoulder
bones. Wear the belt over your shoulder so that
your strongest bones will take the force in a
collision.
 A shoulder belt placed behind you will not
protect you from injury during an accident . You
are more likely to hit your head in a collision if
you do not wear your shoulder belt .The lap and
shoulder belt are meant to be used together.
4. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt portion,
pull up a bit on the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap
belt if it is too tight, tilt the latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug belt reduces the risk of sliding
under the belt in an accident. (fig. 121)
WARNING!
 A lap belt worn too high can increase
the risk of internal injury in an accident .
The belt forces won't be at the strong hip and
pelvic bones, but across your abdomen. Always
wear the lap belt as low as possible and keep it
snug.
 A twisted belt will not protect you properly. In
a collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure the
belt is straight . If you can't straighten a belt in
your vehicle, take it to your authorized dealer
immediately and have it fixed.
(fig. 121) Removing Slack From Belt
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5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it iscomfortable and not resting on your neck. The
retractor will withdraw any slack in the belt.
6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle. The belt will automatically retract to its
stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate
down the webbing to allow the belt to retract fully.
WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in
an accident and leave you with no pro-
tection. Inspect the belt system periodically,
checking for cuts, frays, or loose parts. Damaged
parts must be replaced immediately. Do not dis-
assemble or modify the system. Seat belt assem-
blies must be replaced after an accident if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc .).
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the driver's seat and front passenger's seat, the
shoulder belt can be adjusted upward or downward to
position the belt away from your neck. Push and fully
depress the button above the webbing to release the
anchorage, then move it up or down to the position
that fits you best. (fig. 122)
As a guide, if you are shorter than average you will
prefer a lower position and if you are taller than
average you will prefer a higher position. When you release the anchorage try to move it up and down to
make sure that it is locked in position.
In the rear seat, move toward the center of the seat to
position the belt away from your neck.
LAP/SHOULDER BELT UNTWISTING
PROCEDURE
Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted
lap/shoulder belt.
1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the
anchor point.
2. At about 15 to 30 cm above the latch plate, grasp and twist the belt webbing 180 degrees to create a
fold that begins immediately above the latch plate.
(fig. 122)
Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt
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