2012 FIAT FREEMONT Owner handbook (in English)

seating position, adjust the head restraint to the up-
ward position and route the tether strap between the
head restraint posts underneath the head restraint.
Then, attach the hook to the tether anchor located on
the back of the seat. Finally, tighten all three straps as
you push the child restraint rearward and downward
into the seat, removing slack in the straps according to
the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
NOTE:
• Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.
• When using the ISOFIX attaching system to install a
child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. Remind all children in the vehicle
that the seat belts are not toys and that they should not
play with them. In addition, never leave unattended
children in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint
to the ISOFIX anchorages can lead to
failure of an infant or child restraint . The child
could be badly injured or killed. Follow the manu-
facturer's directions exactly when installing an
infant or child restraint . Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle
Seat Belt
The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with an Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
or a cinching latch plate to secure a Child Restraint
System (CRS). These types of seat belts are designed to
keep the lap portion of the seat belt tight around the
child restraint so that it is not necessary to use a
locking clip. The ALR will make a ratcheting noise if you
extract the entire belt from the retractor and then
allow the belt to retract into the retractor. For addi-
tional information on ALR, refer to “Automatic Locking
Mode” description under “Seat Belts in Passenger Seat-
ing Positions” section. The chart below defines the
seating positions with an Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) or a cinching latch plate.
Driver Center Passenger
CRS Lock CRS Lock CRS Lock
First Row N/A N/A ALR
Second Row ALR ALR ALR
• N/A — Not Applicable
• ALR — Automatic Locking Retractor
Installing a Child Restraint with a Cinching Latch Plate:
1. To install a child restraint with a cinching latch plate,
first, pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the
retractor to route it through the belt path of the
child. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you
hear a “click.”
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2. Finally, pull on any excess webbing to tighten the lapportion around the child restraint. Any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt
occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.
Installing a Child Restraint with an ALR:
1. To install a child restraint with ALR, first, pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the retractor
to route it through the belt path of the child re-
straint. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you
hear a “click.” Next, extract all the seat belt webbing
out of the retractor and then allow the belt to
retract into the retractor. As the belt retracts, you
will hear a ratcheting sound. This indicates the
safety belt is now in the Automatic Locking mode.
2. Finally, pull on any excess webbing to tighten the lap portion around the child restraint. Any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt
occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.
NOTE: When installing a child restraint, if it inter-
feres with the Head Restraint, recline the seatback
slightly to remove the interference.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
• Route the tether strap to provide the most direct
path for the strap between the anchor and the child
seat, preferably between the head restraint posts un-
derneath the head restraint. For center seating posi-
tion, adjust the head restraint to the upward position
and route the tether strap between the head restraint posts underneath the head restraint. Then, attach the
hook to the tether anchor located on the back of the
seat. (fig. 136)
• If necessary, move the seat forward to provide better
access to the tether anchor. (fig. 137)
• Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to
the tether anchor and remove slack in the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer's instruc-tions.
NOTE:
Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into
the opening between the seatbacks as you remove
slack in the strap.
(fig. 136) Tether Strap Mounting
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WARNING!
 Child Restraint Anchorages are de-
signed to withstand only those loads im-
posed by correctly-fitted child restraints. Under
no circumstances are they to be used for adult
seat belts, harnesses or for attaching other items
or equipment to the vehicle.
 An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead
to increased head motion and possible injury to
the child. Use only the anchor positions directly
behind the child seat to secure a child restraint
top tether strap. SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) — AIR BAGS
This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver's Advanced Front Air
Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger's Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the air bag
covers. (fig. 138)
NOTE:
These air bags are certified to the new
regulations for Advanced Air Bags.
(fig. 137) Seat Track Release Lever
(fig. 138)Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations
1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bags
2 — Knee Bolsters (for versions/markets, where
provided)
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The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the air bag to have different rates of
inflation based on the severity and type of collision.
This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of
the Advanced Front Air Bags.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Side Air Bag
Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the driver, front,
and rear passengers sitting next to a window. The
SABIC air bags are located above the side windows and
their covers are also labeled: SRS AIRBAG.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB). The SABs are marked
with an air bag label sewn into the outboard side of the
front seats.
NOTE:
• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolster (for versions/markets, where
provided)
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
• Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
• Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC)
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch
ADVANCED FRONT AIR BAG FEATURES
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system pro-
vides output appropriate to the severity and type of
collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC), which may receive information
from the front impact sensors.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during
an impact that requires air bag deployment. This low
output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy
output is used for more severe collisions.
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WARNING!
 No objects should be placed over or
near the air bag on the instrument
panel, because any such objects could cause
harm if the vehicle is in a collision severe enough
to cause the air bag to inflate.
 Do not put anything on or around the air bag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You
may damage the air bags and you could be
injured because the air bags may no longer be
functional. The protective covers for the air bag
cushions are designed to open only when the air
bags are inflating.
 Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bol-
ster (for versions/markets, where provided) in any
way.
 Do not mount any accessories to the knee
bolster (for versions/markets, where provided)
such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band radios,
etc . Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
SAB may provide enhanced protection to help protect
an occupant during a side impact. The SAB is marked
with an air bag label sewn into the outboard side of the
front seats. (fig. 139)
When the air bag deploys, it opens the seam between
the front and side of the seat's trim cover. Each air bag
deploys independently; a left side impact deploys the
left air bag only and a right-side impact deploys the
right air bag only.
(fig. 139)
Seat Mounted Side Air Bag Label
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Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC)
SABIC air bags may offer side-impact and vehicle roll-
over protection to front and rear seat outboard occu-
pants in addition to that provided by the body struc-
ture. Each air bag features inflated chambers placed
adjacent to the head of each outboard occupant that
reduce the potential for side-impact head injuries. The
SABIC deploy downward, covering both windows on
the impact side. (fig. 140)
NOTE:
• Should a vehicle rollover occur, the pretensioners
and/or SAB and SABIC air bags on both sides of the
vehicle may deploy.• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• Being too close to the SAB and SABIC air bags during
deployment could cause you to be severely injured orkilled.
The system includes side impact sensors that are cali-
brated to deploy the side air bags during impacts that
require air bag occupant protection.
WARNING!
 Your vehicle is equipped with SABIC
air bags, do not have any accessory items
installed which will alter the roof, including add-
ing a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof
racks that require permanent attachments (bolts
or screws) for installation on the vehicle roof. Do
not drill into the roof of the vehicle for any
reason.
 Your vehicle is equipped with left and right
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC), do not stack luggage or other cargo up
high enough to block the location of the SABIC.
The area where the SABIC is located should
remain free from any obstructions.
(Continued)
(fig. 140)Supplemental Side Curtain Air Bags
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(Continued)
 Do not use accessory seat covers or place ob-
jects between you and the side air bags; the
performance could be adversely affected and/or
objects could be pushed into you, causing serious
injury.
Knee Impact Bolsters (for versions/markets,
where provided)
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of
the driver and the front passenger, and position front
occupants for the best interaction with the Advanced
Front Air Bags.
Along with seat belts and pretensioners, Advanced
Front Air Bags work with the knee bolsters to provide
improved protection for the driver and front passenger.
Side air bags also work with seat belts to improve
occupant protection.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying air bag:
Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.
WARNING!
Infants in rear-facing child restraints
should never ride in the front seat of a
vehicle with a passenger Advanced Front Air Bag.
An air bag deployment can cause severe injury or
death to infants in that position.
Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle
seat belt properly (see Section on Child Restraints)
should be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats. Older children who do
not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster
seats should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat.
Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind
them or under their arm.
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it
properly.
All occupants should always wear their lap and shoul-
der belts properly.
The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the Advanced Front Air
Bags room to inflate.
Do not lean against the door or window. If your vehicle
has side air bags, and deployment occurs, the side air
bags will inflate forcefully into the space between you
and the door. 185
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If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified
to accommodate a disabled person, contact the Cus-
tomer Center. Phone numbers are provided under "If
You Need Assistance".
WARNING!
 Relying on the air bags alone could
lead to more severe injuries in a collision.
The air bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, the air bags
won't deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts
even though you have air bags.
 Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during Advanced Front Air Bag de-
ployment could cause serious injury, including
death. Air Bags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
 Side air bags also need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat .
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SENSORS AND
CONTROLS
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) The ORC is part of a regulated safety system required
for this vehicle. The ORC determines if deployment of the front and/or
side air bags in a frontal or side collision is required.
Based on the impact sensor's signals, a central elec-
tronic ORC deploys the Advanced Front Air Bags,
SABIC air bags, Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air
Bags and front seat belt pretensioners, as required,
depending on the severity and type of impact.
Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide
additional protection by supplementing the seat belts
in certain frontal collisions depending on the severity
and type of collision. Advanced Front Air Bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, side, or
rollover collisions.
The Advanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, including some that may produce
substantial vehicle damage — for example, some pole
collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset collisions.
On the other hand, depending on the type and location
of impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in
crashes with little vehicle front-end damage but that
produce a severe initial deceleration.
The side air bags will not deploy in all side collisions.
Side air bag deployment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.
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