2012 FIAT FREEMONT ECU

WARNING!
 It is dangerous to move the shift lever
out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine
speed is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone
or something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
 Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply
the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, and turn the engine off.When the ignition
is in the OFF position, the shift lever is locked in
PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement .
 When leaving the vehicle, always lock your
vehicle.
 Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
(Continued)(Continued)
 Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended
is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
 Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle,
and do not leave Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC
or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
KEY IGNITION PARK INTERLOCK
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
before the engine can be turned off. This helps the
driver avoid inadvertently leaving the vehicle without
placing the transmission in PARK.
This system also locks the shift lever in PARK when-
ever the ignition switch is in the OFF position.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK
SYSTEM
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position unless the brakes are applied. To move
the shift lever out of the PARK position, the ignition
switch must be turned to the ON/RUN position (en-
gine running or not) and the brake pedal must be
pressed.
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the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
 Never use the PARK position as a sub-
stitute for the parking brake. Always ap-
ply the parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
 Your vehicle could move and injure you and
others if it is not completely in PARK. Check by
trying to move the shift lever rearward (with the
brake pedal released) after you have placed it in
PARK. Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
 It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of
PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse.You could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling
normally and your foot is firmly pressing the
brake pedal.
(Continued)(Continued)
 Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always apply
the parking brake, shift the transmission into
PARK, and turn the engine off.When the ignition
is in the OFF position, the shift lever is locked in
PARK, securing the vehicle against unwanted
movement .
 When leaving the vehicle, always lock your
vehicle.
 Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
 Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended
is dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.
 Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle,
and do not leave Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC
or ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
206
KNOWING YOUR
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TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-mended:
 Do not tow a trailer at all during the
first 805 km the new vehicle is driven.The
engine, axle or other parts could be dam-
aged.
 Then, during the first 805 km that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury
accident . Follow these guidelines to
make your trailer towing as safe as possible:
(Continued)(Continued)
 Make certain that the load is secured in the
trailer and that it will not shift during travel.
When trailering cargo that is not fully secured,
dynamic load shifts can occur that may be diffi-
cult for the driver to control.You could lose con-
trol of your vehicle and have an accident .
 All trailer hitches should be professionally in-
stalled on your vehicle.
 When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or
damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmission,
steering, suspension, chassis structure, or tires.
 Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning cor-
ners.
 Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade.When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
 GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
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14. Rear Fog Light Indicator (for versions/
markets, where provided)This indicator will illuminate when the rear fog
lights are on. (Refer to “Rear Fog Lights” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion).
15. Vehicle Security Light (for versions/markets,
where provided)
This light will flash rapidly for approximately
16 seconds when the vehicle security system
is arming and then flash slowly when the
system is armed. The light will also turn on
for about three seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned to ON/RUN. (Refer to “Vehicle Security
Alarm” or “Premium Security System” in “Knowing
Your Vehicle” for further information).
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KNOWING YOUR
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The winch mechanism is designed for use
with the jack-handle only. Use of an air
wrench or other power tools is not rec-
ommended and it can damage the winch.
3. Pull the spare tire out from underneath the vehicle and raise it upright so the tire's tread is on the
ground.
4. Tilt the retainer at the end of the winch cable and remove it from the center of the wheel. (fig. 156)
SPARE TIRE STOWAGE
NOTE: Refer to “Spare Tire Removal” for informa-
tion on assembling the winch tools.
1. Place the spare tire near to the winch cable. Hold
the spare upright so that the tire's tread is on the ground and the valve stem is at the top of the wheel
facing away from the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tilt the retainer at the end of the winch cable and drop it through the center of the wheel. Then place
the spare tire with the cable and retainer under-
neath the vehicle.
3. Fit the assembled jack-handle over the winch drive nut. Rotate the jack-handle assembly clockwise to
raise the spare tire into the storage area. Continue
to rotate the jack-handle assembly until you hear
the winch mechanism click three times. It cannot be
over tightened. Push against the tire several times to
be sure it is held securely in place.
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing
warnings to help prevent personal injury
or damage to your vehicle:
 Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before rais-
ing the vehicle.
 Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
 Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel
to be raised.
 Set the parking brake firmly and set an auto-
matic transmission in PARK.
(Continued)
(fig. 156)Spare Tire Retainer
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(Continued)
 Never start or run the engine with the vehicle
on a jack.
 Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on
a jack.
 Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
 Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
 If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic .
 To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
(fig. 157)
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by
jacking on locations other than those
indicated in the Jacking Instructions for
this vehicle.
(fig. 158)
1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and jack-handle from stowage.
2. Loosen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts on the wheel with the flat tire. Turn the wheel nuts coun-
terclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.
3. Place the jack underneath the lift area that is closest to the flat tire. Center the jack saddle between the
drain flute formations on the sill flange. Turn the
(fig. 157)
Jack Warning Label
(fig. 158) Jacking Locations
237
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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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KNOWING YOUR
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A/C AIR FILTER (for versions/markets, where
provided)
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Do not remove the A/C air filter while
the blower is operating or personal in-
jury may result .
The A/C air filter is located in the fresh air inlet behind
the glove box. Perform the following steps to replace
the filter:
1. Open the glove box and remove all contents.
2. Push the retaining tab on each side of the glove box inward while gently pulling the glove box door
outward until both tabs clear the door opening in
the instrument panel. (fig. 179)
3. Pivot the glove box downward.
4. Disengage the two retaining tabs that secure the filter cover to the HVAC housing and remove the
cover. (fig. 180)
5. Remove the A/C air filter by pulling it straight out of the housing.
6. Install the A/C air filter with the arrow on the filter pointing toward the floor. When installing the filter
cover, make sure the retaining tabs fully engage the
cover.
(fig. 179) Glove Box Removal(fig. 180)
A/C Air Filter Replacement
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KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCYSERVICING AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS