2012 FIAT FREEMONT service

You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
• The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for ashort time after the stop),
• The clicking sound of solenoid valves,
• Brake pedal pulsations, and
• A slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
 The ABS contains sophisticated elec-
tronic equipment that may be suscep-
tible to interference caused by improperly in-
stalled or high output radio transmitting
equipment . This interference can cause possible
loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation
of such equipment should be performed by quali-
fied professionals.
 Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident .
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need
to slow down or stop.
(Continued)(Continued)
 The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it
increase braking or steering efficiency beyond
that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
 The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing.
 The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner, which could jeopardize the user's
safety or the safety of others.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
Anti-Lock Brake Light The Anti-Lock Brake Light monitors the ABS.
The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS Light remains on or comes on while driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake
system is not functioning and that service is required.
However, the conventional brake system will continue
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to operate normally if the Brake System Warning Light
is not on.
If the ABS Light is on, the brake system should be
serviced as soon as possible to restore the benefits of
Anti-Lock brakes. If the ABS Light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position,
have the light repaired as soon as possible.
If both the Brake System Warning Light and the ABS
Light remain on, the ABS and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) systems are not functioning. Imme-
diate repair to the ABS system is required.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
ABS. Applying the brakes very quickly results in the
best BAS assistance. To receive the benefit of the
system, you must apply continuous braking pressure
during the stopping sequence, (do not “pump” the
brakes). Do not reduce brake pedal pressure unless
braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal is
released, the BAS is deactivated.
WARNING!
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. BAS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped ve-
hicle must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner, which could jeopardize the
user's safety or the safety of others.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
of the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration
and stability. A feature of the TCS functions similar to a
limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more
engine torque to be applied to the wheel that is not
spinning. This feature remains active even if TCS and
ESC are in the “Partial Off ” mode. Refer to “Electronic
Stability Control (ESC)” for further information.
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individual wheels in an attempt to stop the trailer from
swaying.
NOTE:The TSC is disabled when the ESC system is
in the “Partial Off ” mode.
WARNING!
 TSC cannot stop all trailers from
swaying. Always use caution when tow-
ing a trailer and follow the tongue weight recom-
mendations. Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting
and Driving” for further information.
 If TSC activates while towing a trailer, stop the
vehicle at the nearest safe location and adjust
the trailer load to eliminate the trailer sway.
 Failure to follow these warnings can result in an
accident or serious personal injury. ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM —
OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and auto-
matic transmission control systems. When these sys-
tems are operating properly, your vehicle will provide
excellent performance and fuel economy, as well as
engine emissions well within current government regu-lations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II
system will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light”
(MIL). It will also store diagnostic codes and other
information to assist your service technician in making
repairs. Although your vehicle will usually be drivable
and not need towing, see your authorized dealer for
service as soon as possible.
 Prolonged driving with the MIL on
could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect
fuel economy and drivability.The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
 If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
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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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Prolonged operation of the steering sys-
tem at the end of the steering wheel
travel will increase the steering fluid tem-
perature and it should be avoided when possible.
Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as an-
ticipated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an
authorized dealer.Do not use chemical flushes in your
power steering system as the chemicals
can damage your power steering compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level
surface and with the engine off to pre-
vent injury from moving parts and to ensure
accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use
only manufacturer's recommended power steer-
ing fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indi-
cated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid
from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for the
correct fluid type.
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ENABLING AND DISABLING PARKSENSE
®
ParkSense
®
can be enabled and disabled using the
Uconnect Touch™ System. The available choices are:
Off, Sound Only, or Sound and Display. Refer to
“Uconnect Touch™ Settings” for further information.
When the ParkSense
®soft-key is pressed to disable
the system, the EVIC will display the “PARK ASSIST
OFF” message for approximately five seconds. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” for
further information. When the shift lever is moved to
REVERSE and the system is disabled, the EVIC will
display the “PARK ASSIST OFF” message for as long as
the vehicle is in REVERSE.
The ParkSense
®system uses four sensors located in
the rear bumper fascia to scan for obstacles up to
200 cm away from the rear bumper fascia. ParkSense
®
provides both visual and audible warnings to indicate
the range of the object.
SERVICE THE PARKSENSE
®REAR PARK
ASSIST SYSTEM
When the ParkSense
®
Rear Park Assist system is
malfunctioning, the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) will actuate a single chime, once per
ignition cycle, and it will display the “CLEAN PARK
ASSIST SENSORS” or the “SERVICE PARK ASSIST
SYSTEM” message. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)” for further information. When
the shift lever is moved to REVERSE and the system has
detected a fault condition, the EVIC will display the “CLEAN PARK ASSIST SENSORS” or the “SERVICE
PARK ASSIST SYSTEM” message for as long as the
vehicle is in REVERSE. Under this condition, Park-Sense
®will not operate.
If “CLEAN PARK ASSIST SENSORS” appears in the
EVIC and the rear fascia/bumper is clean and clear of
snow, ice, mud, dirt or other obstruction, see your
authorized dealer.
If “SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM” appears in the
EVIC, see your authorized dealer.
CLEANING THE PARKSENSE
®SYSTEM
Clean the ParkSense
®
sensors with water, car wash
soap and a soft cloth. Do not use rough or hard cloths.
Do not scratch or poke the sensors. Otherwise, you
could damage the sensors.
PARKSENSE
®SYSTEM USAGE
PRECAUTIONS
NOTE:
• Ensure that the rear bumper is free of snow, ice,
mud, dirt and debris to keep the ParkSense
®system
operating properly.
• Jackhammers, large trucks, and other vibrations
could affect the performance of ParkSense
®.
• When you turn ParkSense
®off, the EVIC will display
“PARK ASSIST OFF.” Furthermore, once you turnParkSense
®off, it remains off until you turn it on again,
even if you cycle the ignition key.
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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!
 The belt and retractor assembly must
be replaced if the seat belt assembly
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) feature or
any other seat belt function is not working prop-
erly when checked according to the procedures in
the Service Manual.
 Failure to replace the belt and retractor assem-
bly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS
The seat belts for both front seating positions are
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed
to remove slack from the seat belt in the event of an
accident. These devices may improve the performance
of the seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight about
the occupant early in an accident. Pretensioners work
for all size occupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE: These devices are not a substitute for proper
seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still
must be worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC). Like the air bags, the preten-
sioners are single use items. A deployed pretensioner
or a deployed air bag must be replaced immediately. SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVE HEAD
RESTRAINTS (AHR) (for versions/markets,
where provided)
These head restraints are passive, deployable compo-
nents, and vehicles with this equipment cannot be
readily identified by any markings, only through visual
inspection of the head restraint. The head restraint will
be split in two halves, with the front half being soft
foam and trim, the back half being decorative plastic.
How The Active Head Restraints (AHR) Work
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
whether the severity, or type of rear impact will require
the Active Head Restraints (AHR) to deploy. If a rear
impact requires deployment, both the driver and front
passenger seat AHRs will be deployed.
When AHRs deploy during a rear impact, the front half
of the head restraint extends forward to minimize the
gap between the back of the occupant’s head and the
AHR. This system is designed to help prevent or
reduce the extent of injuries to the driver and front
passenger in certain types of rear impacts.
NOTE:
The Active Head Restraints (AHR) may or
may not deploy in the event of a front or side impact.
However if during a front impact, a secondary rear
impact occurs, the AHR may deploy based on the
severity and type of the impact. (fig. 123)
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