2012 FIAT FREEMONT Owner handbook (in English)

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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for your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option refer to
an authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire
rotation pattern.
If your vehicle is not equipped with an original equip-
ment tire and wheel as a spare, a non-matching tem-
porary emergency use spare may be equipped with
your vehicle. Temporary use spares are engineered to
be used only with your vehicle. Your vehicle may be
equipped with one of the following types of non-
matching temporary use spares; compact, full size, or
limited-use. Do not install more than one non-
matching temporary use spare tire/wheel on the ve-
hicle at any given time.
Because of the reduced ground clear-
ance, do not take your vehicle through an
automatic car wash with a compact , full
size or limited-use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result .
COMPACT SPARE TIRE (for versions/markets,
where provided)
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use
only. You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a
compact spare by looking at the spare tire description
on the Tire and Loading Information Placard located on
the driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the
tire. Compact spare tire descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life the original equip-
ment tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled on your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since
the wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare
tire. Do not install more than one compact spare tire
and wheel on the vehicle at any given time
WARNING!
Compact spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares,
do not drive more than 80 km/h. Temporary use
spares have limited tread life. When the tread is
worn to the tread wear indicators, the temporary
use spare tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to
follow the warnings, which apply to your spare.
Failure to do so could result in spare tire failure
and loss of vehicle control.
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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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WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause tire damage or failure. A tire
could explode and injure someone. Do not spin
your vehicle's wheels faster than 48 km/h or for
more than 30 seconds continuously when you are
stuck, and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment
tires to help you in determining when your tires should
be replaced. (fig. 185) These indicators are molded into the bottom of the
tread grooves. They will appear as bands when the
tread depth becomes 2 mm. When the tread is worn to
the tread wear indicators, the tire should be replaced.
LIFE OF TIRE
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
• Driving style
• Tire pressure
• Distance driven
WARNING!
Tires and spare tire should be replaced
after six years, regardless of the remain-
ing tread. Failure to follow this warning can result
in sudden tire failure.You could lose control and
have a collision resulting in serious injury or
death.
Keep dismounted tires in a cool, dry place with as little
exposure to light as possible. Protect tires from con-
tact with oil, grease, and gasoline.
(fig. 185) 1 — Worn Tire
2 — New Tire
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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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FUEL REQUIREMENTS — GASOLINE ENGINE
All engines are designed to meet all emissions regula-
tions and provide excellent fuel economy and perfor-
mance when using high quality unleaded gasoline with a
minimum research octane rating of 91. The use of
premium gasoline is not recommended, as it will not
provide any benefit over regular gasoline in these en-gines.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful
to your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock
at high speeds can cause damage and immediate service
is required. Poor quality gasoline can cause problems
such as hard starting, stalling, and hesitations. If you
experience these symptoms, try another brand of
gasoline before considering service for the vehicle.
Over 40 auto manufacturer's world wide have issued
and endorsed consistent gasoline specifications (the
Worldwide Fuel Charter, WWFC) which define fuel
properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
performance, and durability for your vehicle. The
manufacturer recommends the use of gasoline that
meets the WWFC specifications if they are available. Methanol
(Methyl or Wood Alcohol) is used in a variety of
concentrations when blended with unleaded gasoline.
You may find fuels containing 3% or more methanol
along with other alcohols called cosolvents. Problemsthat result from using methanol/gasoline or E-85 Etha-
nol blends are not the responsibility of the manufac-
turer. While MTBE is an oxygenate made from Metha-
nol, it does not have the negative effects of Methanol.
Do not use gasolines containing Metha-
nol or E-85 Ethanol. Use of these blends
may result in starting and driveability
problems and may damage critical fuel system
components.
Ethanol
The manufacturer recommends that your vehicle be
operated on fuel containing no more than 10% ethanol.
Purchasing your fuel from a reputable supplier may
reduce the risk of exceeding this 10% limit and/or of
receiving fuel with abnormal properties. It should also
be noted that an increase in fuel consumption should
be expected when using ethanol-blended fuels, due to
the lower energy content of ethanol. Problems that
result from using methanol/gasoline or E-85 ethanol
blends are not the responsibility of the manufacturer.
While MTBE is an oxygenate made from Methanol, it
does not have the negative effects of Methanol.
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