2012 FIAT FREEMONT Owner handbook (in English)

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around
the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between
DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or
1st gear and REVERSE (with manual transmission).
Using the least accelerator pedal pressure to maintain
the rocking motion without spinning the wheels is
most effective.
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating
and failure. Allow the engine to idle with
the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least one min-
ute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This
will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to
free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with
Traction Control, turn the system OFF be-
fore attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer
to “Electronic Stability Program (ESP)” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle” for further information.
 When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by mov-
ing between DRIVE/1st gear and RE-
VERSE, do not spin the wheels faster than
24 km/h, or drivetrain damage may result .
 Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too
fast may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin
the wheels above 48 km/h while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure, of the
axle and tires. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 48 km/h or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
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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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TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing Condition Wheels OFF The Ground MANUAL TRANSMISSIONFlat Tow NONE • Trans in NEUTRAL
• Ignition key in ACC
Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow Rear
NO
Front OK
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to pre-
vent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and
other equipment designed for the purpose, following
equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety
chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing
device to main structural members of the vehicle, not
to bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
applying to vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters,
etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN position, not the ACC position.
 Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Damage to the fascia will occur.
 When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
 Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result .
 If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not in
the LOCK or ACC position.
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MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle
with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
Your vehicle may also be towed in a forward direction,
with all four wheels on the ground, the shift lever in the
NEUTRAL position, and the ignition key in the ACC
position. If the transmission is not operative, the ve-
hicle must be towed with the front wheels OFF the
ground (using a flatbed truck, towing dolly, or wheel lift
equipment with the front wheels raised).WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flatbed towing
is the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing equip-
ment may be used. Rear towing (with the front wheels
on the ground) is not allowed, as transmission damage
will occur. If rear towing is the only alternative, the
front wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to
the vehicle.
Failure to follow these towing methods
could result in severe damage to the
transmission. Such damage is not covered
by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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SERVICING AND CARE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE – GASOLINE ENGINE
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following pages for the required maintenance intervals.
Thousands Of Kilometers 24 48 72 96 120 144 168 192
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
Flush and replace the engine coolant (or at 60 months). •
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. •
Check battery charge status and possibly recharge. • • • • • • • •
Check tire condition/wear and adjust pressure, if
necessary. • • • • • • • •
Check operation of lighting system (headlamps, direction
indicators, hazard warning lights, luggage compartment,
passenger compartment, glove compartment, instrument
panel warning lights, etc.). • • • • • • • •
Check windshield/rear window wiper blade position/wear. • • • • • • • •
Check cleanliness of hood and tailgate locks and
cleanliness and lubrication of linkages. • • • • • • • •
Visually inspect condition of: exterior bodywork,
underbody protection, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel
system - brakes), rubber elements (boots, sleeves, bushes,
etc.). • • • • • • • •
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Thousands Of Kilometers24 48 72 96 120 144 168 192
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
Check condition and wear of front disc brake pads and
operation of pad wear indicator. • • • • • • • •
Check condition and wear of rear disc brake pads and
operation of pad wear indicator. • • • • • • • •
Check and, if necessary, top up fluid levels
(brakes/hydraulic clutch, windshield washer, battery,
engine coolant, etc.). • • • • • • • •
Visually inspect the condition of accessory drive belt/s. •
Check the handbrake lever stroke and adjust it, if
necessary. • • • •
Check exhaust gas emissions. • • • • • • • •
Check engine management system operation (via
diagnostic socket). • • • • • • • •
Replace the automatic transmission fluid and filter (*). •
Replace spark plugs. •
Replace accessory drive belt/s. •
Replace air filter cartridge. • • • •
Change engine oil and replace oil filter. every 12.000 km or every 6 months
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months). • •
Replace pollen filter. • • • • • • • •
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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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KNOWING YOUR
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WARNING LIGHTSAND
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