2012 FIAT FREEMONT flat tire

TOW EYE
Your vehicle is equipped with a tow eye that can be
used to rescue your vehicle, should it become stranded
off road. (fig. 174)
Tow eyes are for emergency use only, to
rescue a vehicle stranded off road. Do not
use tow eyes for tow truck hookup or
highway towing. You could damage your vehicle.
Tow straps are recommended when towing the
vehicle; chains may cause vehicle damage.
WARNING!
Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with
tow eyes. Tow straps and chains may
break, causing serious injury.
FRONT TOW EYE USAGE
The front tow eye receptacle is located on the lower
right side of the front fascia.
To install the tow eye, remove the rubber plug and
thread the tow eye into the receptacle.
Insert the flat end of the jack handle through the eye
and tighten, refer to “Jacking and Tire Changing” for
further information. The tow hook must be fully seated
to the attaching bracket through the lower front fascia
as shown. If the tow hook is not fully seated to the
attaching bracket, the vehicle should not be towed.
(fig. 175)
(fig. 174) Tow Eye
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REAR TOW EYE USAGE
The rear tow eye receptacle is located behind a door,
located on the left rear bumper fascia.
To install the tow eye, open the door using the vehicle
key or a small screwdriver, and thread the tow eye into
the receptacle.
Insert the flat end of the jack handle through the eye
and tighten, refer to “Jacking and Tire Changing” for
further information. The tow hook must be fully seated
to the attaching bracket through the lower front fascia
as shown. If the tow hook is not fully seated to the
attaching bracket, the vehicle should not be towed.
(fig. 176)(fig. 175)Front Tow Eye Installed
(fig. 176) Rear Tow Eye Installed
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(*) Change the automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter(s) at 96 000 km or 48 months if using your vehicle
for any of the following: city driving, short (less than
7-8 km) and repeated journeys, or frequent trailer or
caravan towing.
Periodic Checks
Every1 000 km or before long journeys, check and, if
necessary, restore:
• engine coolant;
• brake fluid;
• windshield washer fluid level;
• tire inflation pressure and condition;
• operation of lighting system (headlights, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, etc.);
• operation of windshield washer/wiper system and positioning/wear of windshield/rear window wiper
blades.
Every 3 000 km , check and top up, if required, the
engine oil level. Heavy-Duty Use Of The Car
If the car is used mainly under one of the followingconditions:
• towing a trailer or caravan;
• dusty roads;
• short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at sub-
zero outside temperatures;
• engine often idling or driving long distances at low speeds or long periods of idleness.
You should perform the following inspections more
frequently than shown on the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
• check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
• check cleanliness of hood and trunk locks, cleanli- ness and lubrication of linkage;
• visually inspect conditions of: engine, transmission, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes) and
rubber elements (boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.);
• check battery charge and battery fluid level (electro- lyte);
• visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belts;
• check and, if necessary, change engine oil and replace oil filter;
• check and, if necessary, replace pollen filter;
• check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is on the left
front corner of the instrument panel and is visible from
outside of the vehicle through the windshield. This
number also appears stamped on the right front door
sill under the sill moulding and printed on the Automo-
bile Information Disclosure Label affixed to a window
on your vehicle, the vehicle registration and title.
(fig. 183) (fig. 184) TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
TIRE PRESSURE
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
(fig. 183)
VIN Location
(fig. 184)Stamped VIN Location
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Safety
WARNING!
 Improperly inflated tires are danger-
ous and can cause collisions.
 Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can
result over-heating and in tire failure.
 Over-inflation reduces a tire's ability to cush-
ion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes
can cause damage that result in tire failure.
 Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting
in loss of vehicle control.
 Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems.You could lose control of your vehicle.
 Unequal tire pressures from one side of the
vehicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift
to the right or left .
 Always drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnor-
mal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a
need for earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation, also
increases tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuelconsumption. Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride.
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver's side B-Pillar or rear edge of the driver's side
door.
The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at
least once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type
gauge to check tire pressure. Do not make a visual
judgement when determining proper inflation. Radial
tires may look properly inflated even when they are
under-inflated.
After inspecting or adjusting the tire
pressure, always reinstall the valve stem
cap. This will prevent moisture and dirt
from entering the valve stem, which could damage
the valve stem.
Inflation pressures specified on the placard are always
“cold tire inflation pressure.” Cold tire inflation pres-
sure is defined as the tire pressure after the vehicle has
not been driven for at least three hours, or driven less
than 1.6 km after a three hour period. The cold tire
inflation pressure must not exceed the maximum infla-
tion pressure molded into the tire sidewall.
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Check tire pressures more often if subject to a wide
range of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary
with temperature changes.
Tire pressures change by approximately 0.07 BAR per
7°C of air temperature change. Keep this in mind when
checking tire pressure inside a garage, especially in the
winter.
Example: If garage temperature = 20°C and the outside
temperature = 0°C then the cold tire inflation pressure
should be increased by 0.21 BAR, which equals 0.07
BARfor every 7°C for this outside temperature condi-tion.
Tire pressure may increase from 0.13 to 0.4 BAR during
operation. DO NOT reduce this normal pressure build
up or your tire pressure will be too low.
Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or
conditions are such that the vehicle can be driven at
high speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure
is very important. Increased tire pressure and reduced
vehicle loading may be required for high-speed vehicle
operation. Refer to original equipment or an autho-
rized tire dealer for recommended safe operating
speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle un-
der maximum load is dangerous. The
added strain on your tires could cause them to
fail. You could have a serious collision. Do not
drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capacity
at continuous speeds above 120 km/h.
RADIAL-PLY TIRES
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other
types of tires on your vehicle will cause
your vehicle to handle poorly. The instability
could cause a collision. Always use radial ply tires
in sets of four. Never combine them with other
types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
SPARE TIRE MATCHING ORIGINAL
EQUIPPED TIRE AND WHEEL (for
versions/markets, where provided)
Your vehicle may be equivalent with a spare tire and
wheel in look and function as the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation 293
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FULL SIZE SPARE (for versions/markets,
where provided)
The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only.
This tire may look like the original equipped tire on the
front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This
spare tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is
worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary use
full size spare tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not
the same as your original equipment tire, replace (or
repair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
LIMITED-USE SPARE (for versions/markets,
where provided)
The limited-use spare tire is for temporary emergency
use only. This tire is identified by a label located on the
limited-use spare wheel. This label contains the driving
limitations for this spare. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited-use
spare tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the
same as your original equipment tire, replace (or re-
pair) the original equipment tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Limited-use spares are for emergency
use only. Installation of this limited-use
spare tire affects vehicle handling.With this tire,
do not drive more than the speed listed on the
limit-use spare wheel. Keep inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on your Tire and
Loading Information Placard located on the driv-
er ’s side door opening. Replace (or repair) the
original equipment tire at the first opportunity
and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so
could result in loss of vehicle control.
TIRE SPINNING
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or icy conditions, do
not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 48 km/h or
for longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-ping.
Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “In An Emer-
gency” for further information.
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REPLACEMENT TIRES
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of
many characteristics. They should be inspected regu-
larly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure.
The manufacturer strongly recommends that you use
tires equivalent to the originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is needed (refer to the
paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicators”). Refer to the
“Tire and Loading Information” placard for the size
designation of your tire. The Load Index and Speed
Symbol for your tire will be found on the original
equipment tire sidewall. See the Tire Sizing Chart
example found in the Tire Safety Information section of
this manual for more information relating to the Load
Index and Speed Symbol of a tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or
two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever
replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifica-
tions match those of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact your original equip-
ment or an authorized tire dealer with any questions
you may have on tire specifications or capability. Failure
to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely af-
fect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.
WARNING!
 Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating
other than that specified for your ve-
hicle. Some combinations of unapproved tires
and wheels may change suspension dimensions
and performance characteristics, resulting in
changes to steering, handling, and braking of your
vehicle. This can cause unpredictable handling
and stress to steering and suspension compo-
nents.You could lose control and have a collision
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the
tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved
for your vehicle.
 Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally
equipped on your vehicle. Using a tire with a
smaller load index could result in tire overloading
and failure. You could lose control and have a
collision.
 Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false speed-
ometer and odometer readings.
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