2012 FIAT FREEMONT warning

The front bumper assembly may affect proper opera-
tion of the Active Hood system. The front bumper
components should be inspected for damage and re-
placed if necessary in the event of a frontal impact, even
if it occurs at a low rate of speed.
NOTE:After any Active Hood deployment, the ve-
hicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immedi-
ately.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam
the rear of the hood to reset it . Press the
rear of the hood down until it is approxi-
mately 5 mm above the fender.This should secure
both hood hinge reset mechanisms.
WARNING!
 Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in
your instrument panel or the “SERVICE
ACTIVE HOOD” message in the EVIC could mean
you won’t have the Active Hood to enhance pe-
destrian protection. If the light does not come on
as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it
comes on as you drive, see your authorized
dealer.
 Modifications to any part of the Active Hood
system could cause it to fail when you need it . Do
not modify the components or wiring. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add an aftermarket front bumper or cover.
 It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
Active Hood system yourself. Be sure to tell any-
one who works on your vehicle that it has an
Active Hood system.
 Do not attempt to modify any part of your
Active Hood system.The Active Hood may deploy
accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer for any hood service.
(Continued)
(fig. 128)
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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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CHILD RESTRAINTS
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, including babies and children.
Children 12 years or younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seats rather than in the front. (fig. 129)
WARNING!
 “Extreme Hazard! Do not use a
rearward-facing child restraint on a seat
protected by an air bag in front of it!” Refer to
visor and door shut face mounted labels for infor-
mation.
 In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a projectile inside the vehicle.
The force required to hold even an infant on your
lap could become so great that you could not
hold the child, no matter how strong you are.The
child and others could be badly injured. Any child
riding in your vehicle should be in a proper re-
straint for the child's size.
(fig. 129)
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Mass GroupSeating Position (or other site)
Front Passenger Rear Outboard Rear Center Intermediate
Outboard Intermediate
Center
Group — up to 10 kg X *U N/A **U U
Group 0+ — up to 13 kg X *U N/A **U U
Group 1 – 9 to 18 kg X *U N/A **U U
Group II – 15 to 25 kg X *U N/A **U U
Group III — 22 to 36 kg X *U N/A **U U
Key of letters used in the table above:
U = Suitable for “universal” category restraints ap-
proved for use in this mass group.
UF = Suitable for forward-facing “universal” category
restraints approved for use in this mass group.
L = Suitable for particular child restraints given on
attached list. These restraints may be of the “specific
vehicle,” “restricted” or “semi-universal” categories.
B = Built-in restraint approved for this mass group.
X = Seat position not suitable for children in this mass
group. * = If a child seat is to be used in the third row, the
second row seat back directly in front of the child seat
must be folded flat if the seat back can not be locked in
a upright position.
** = If a child seat is to be used in the second row, the
first row seat directly in front of the child seat may
need to be limited in its rearward travel to avoid any
contact with the child seat.
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Vehicle ISOFIX Positions Chart
Mass Group Size
Class Fixture Front
Passenger Rear
Outboard Rear
Center Intermediate
Outboard Right / Left Intermediate
Center Other
Sites
Carrycot F ISO/L1 X X X **IUF / X **IUF X
G ISO/L2 X X X X / **IUF X X (1) X X X X X X
0 — up to 10 kg E ISO/R1 X X X *IUF / *IUF *IUF X
(1) X X X X X X
0+ — up to 13 kg E ISO/R1 X X X *IUF / *IUF *IUF X
D ISO/R2 X X X *IUF / *IUF *IUF X C ISO/R3 X X X *IUF / *IUF *IUF X (1) X X X X X X
I – 9 to 18 kg D ISO/R2 X X X *IUF / *IUF *IUF X
C ISO/R3 X X X *IUF / *IUF *IUF X B ISO/F2 X X X IUF / IUF IUF X
B1 ISO/F2X X X X IUF / IUF IUF X
A ISO/F3 X X X IUF / IUF IUF X (1) X X X X X X
II – 15 to 25 kg (1) X X X X X X
III – 22 to 36 kg (1) X X X X X X
Key of letters used in the table above:
(1) = For the CRS which do not carry the ISO/XX size
class identification (A to G), for the applicable mass
group, the car manufacturer shall indicate the vehicle specific ISOFIX child restraint system(s) recommended
for each position.
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IUF = Suitable for ISOFIX forward child restraints
systems of universal category approved for use in the
mass group.
IL = Suitable for particular ISOFIX child restraint sys-
tems (CRS) given in the attached list. These ISOFIX
CRS are those of the “specific vehicle”, “restricted” or
“semi-universal” catagories.
X = ISOFIX position not suitable for ISOFIX child
restraint systems in this mass group and / or this sizeclass.
* = Seats in front of child restraint seats may need to be
adjusted forward to install the child restraint seat.
** = No access to 3rd row seating positions if Carrycot
is installed in vehicle.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner's Manual to ensure you have the correct
seat for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for
your child.
Infants And Child Restraints
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are two years
old or until they reach either the height or weight limit
of their rear facing child safety seat. Two types of child
restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant carriers
and convertible child seats.
The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children from birth untilthey reach the weight or height limit of the infant
carrier. Convertible child seats can be used either
rearward-facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Con-
vertible child seats often have a higher weight limit in
the rearward-facing direction than infant carriers do, so
they can be used rearward-facing by children who have
outgrown their infant carrier but are still less than at
least two years old. Children should remain rearward-
facing until they reach the highest weight or height
allowed by their convertible child seat. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt or the ISOFIX child restraint anchor
system. Refer to “ISOFIX — Child Seat Anchorage
System”.
WARNING!
Rearward-facing child seats must never
be used in the front seat of a vehicle with
the front passenger air bag unless the air bag is
turned off. An air bag deployment could cause
severe injury or death to infants in this position.
Older Children And Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown
their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride
forward-facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child
seats and convertible child seats used in the forward-
facing direction are for children who are over two years
old or who have outgrown the rear-facing weight or
height limit of their rear-facing convertible child seat. 173
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Children should remain in a forward-facing child seat
with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest
weight or height allowed by the child seat. These child
seats are also held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder
belt or the ISOFIX child restraint anchorage system.
Refer to “ISOFIX — Child Seat Anchorage System”.
All children whose weight or height is above the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat
belts fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent
over the vehicle's seat cushion while the child's back is
against the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning
booster seat. The child and belt-positioning booster
seat are held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.
Integrated Child Booster Seat (for
versions/markets, where provided)
The Integrated Child Booster Seat is located in each
outboard second-row passenger seat. The Booster
Seat is designed for children weighing between 22 and
39 kg and between 119 cm and 145 cm tall.
To position a child into the Integrated Child Booster
Seat follow these steps:
1. Slide the second row seat to the full rear position touse the Integrated Child Booster Seat.
NOTE: The second row bench with Integrated Child
Booster Seat must remain in the full rear position
during use. 2. Pull the release loop forward to release the latch
and seat cushion. (fig. 130)
3. Lift the seat cushion up and push back to lock it in the booster seat position. (fig. 131)
4. Place the child upright in the seat with their back firmly against the seatback.
5. Grasp the latch plate and pull out the seat belt.
6. Slide the latch plate up the webbing as far as neces- sary to allow the seat belt to go around the child's
lap.
NOTE: The lap portion of the seat belt should be low
on the hips and as snug as possible.
7. Once the seat belt is long enough to fit properly,
insert the latch plate into the buckle until you hear
a “click.” (fig. 132)
(fig. 130) Release Loop
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8. To remove the slack from the lap belt, pull upwardon the shoulder portion of the seat belt. 9. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the
buckle.
WARNING!
Be certain that the seat cushion is
locked securely into position before us-
ing the seat . Otherwise, the seat will not provide
the proper stability for child seats and/or passen-
gers. An improperly latched seat cushion could
cause serious injury.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder
belt comfortably and whose legs are long enough to
bend over the front of the seat when their back is
against the seatback should use the lap/shoulder belt in
a rear seat.
• Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
• The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug as possible.
• Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or slouching can move the belt out of position.
• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never
allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or
behind their back.
(fig. 131) Booster Seat(fig. 132)
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