2012 FIAT FREEMONT stop start

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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MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmainte-
nance services determined by the engineers who de-
signed your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components
which may require servicing or replacement in the
future.
 Failure to properly maintain your ve-
hicle or perform repairs and service when
necessary could result in more costly re-
pairs, damage to other components or negatively
impact vehicle performance. Immediately have
potential malfunctions examined by an autho-
rized dealership or qualified repair center.
 Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended mainte-
nance intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in
these components as the chemicals can damage
your engine, transmission, power steering or air
conditioning. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure. ENGINE OIL
Checking Oil Level – Gasoline Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil
must be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil
level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground
and only when the engine is hot, will improve the
accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level
between the range markings on the dipstick. Either the
range markings consist of a crosshatch zone marked
SAFE or a crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low
end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
Adding 1 Liter of oil when the reading is at the low end
of the range marking will raise the oil level to the high
end of the range marking.
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the
engine will cause oil aeration, which can
lead to loss of oil pressure and an in-
crease in oil temperature.This could damage your
engine.Also, be sure the oil fill cap is replaced and
tightened after adding oil.
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Checking Oil Level – Diesel Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil
must be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil
level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off or
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on
the dipstick. Adding 1 Liter of oil when the reading is at
the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on theseengines.
Change Engine Oil – Gasoline Engine
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Change Engine Oil – Diesel Engine
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Engine Oil Viscosity – 3.6L Gasoline Engine
SAE 5W-30 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low tempera-
ture starting and vehicle fuel economy.The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your vehicle. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in “Servicing And Care” for further information.
Engine Oil Viscosity – 2.0L Diesel Engine
For best performance and maximum protection under
all types of operating conditions, the manufacturer
recommends Fully Synthetic Low Ash 5W-30 engine
oils that meet the requirements of FIAT 9.55535-S1
spec and ACEA C1/C2.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
Do not add any supplemental materials, other than leak
detection dyes, to the engine oil. Engine oil is an
engineered product and its performance may be im-
paired by supplemental additives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to
the environment. Contact your authorized dealer, ser-
vice station, or governmental agency for advice on how
and where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded
in your area.
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 It is essential when replacing the cables
on the battery that the positive cable is
attached to the positive post and the
negative cable is attached to the negative post .
Battery posts are marked positive (+) and nega-
tive (-) and identified on the battery case. Cable
clamps should be tight on the terminal posts and
free of corrosion.
 If a “fast charger ” is used while the battery is in
the vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do
not use a “fast charger ” to provide starting volt-
age as battery damage can result .
AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized
dealer at the start of each warm season. This service
should include cleaning of the condenser fins and a
performance test. Drive belt tension should also be
checked at this time.Do not use chemical flushes in your air
conditioning system as the chemicals can
damage your air conditioning compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
 Use only refrigerants and compressor
lubricants approved by the manufac-
turer for your air conditioning system. Some un-
approved refrigerants are flammable and can
explode, injuring you. Other unapproved refrig-
erants or lubricants can cause the system to fail,
requiring costly repairs.
 The air conditioning system contains refriger-
ant under high pressure.To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refriger-
ant or any repair requiring lines to be discon-
nected should be done by an experienced
technician.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product.
However, the manufacturer recommends that air con-
ditioning service be performed by authorized dealers
or other service facilities using recovery and recyclingequipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
sealers, stop leak products, seal conditioners, com-
pressor oil, and refrigerants.
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NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if
you park over materials that can burn.
Such materials might be grass or leaves coming
into contact with your exhaust system. Do not
park or operate your vehicle in areas where your
exhaust system can contact anything that canburn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the engine
OFF, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter, obtain
service, including a tune-up to manufacturer's specifi-
cations immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
• Do not shut OFF the engine or interrupt the ignition when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any ignition coil connec- tors disconnected for prolonged periods. COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING!
 When working near the radiator cool-
ing fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.The
fan is temperature controlled and can start at
any time the ignition switch is in the ON position.
 You or others can be badly burned by hot
coolant or steam from your radiator. If you see or
hear steam coming from under the hood, do not
open the hood until the radiator has had time to
cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot .
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather,
where applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appear-
ance, the system should be drained, flushed, and re-
filled with fresh coolant. Check the front of the A/C
condenser for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If
dirty, clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle
rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the con-
nection at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
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 Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result .
Disposal Of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based engine coolant is a regu-
lated substance requiring proper disposal. Check with
your local authorities to determine the disposal rules
for your community. To prevent ingestion by animals or
children, do not store ethylene glycol-based engine
coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child, contact a
physician immediately. Clean up any ground spills
immediately.
Coolant Level
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there
is no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking
for coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise
your service attendant of this. As long as the engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month. When
additional coolant is needed to maintain the proper
level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do not
overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE: When the vehicle is stopped after a few
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor com- ing from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant
to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows
no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may
be safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
• Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also
be protected against freezing.
• If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop
when the engine cools, the cooling system should be
pressure tested for leaks.
• Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
• Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Win- ter operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs
may result in unsatisfactory coolant performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
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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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Use of fuel with Ethanol content higher
than 10% may result in engine malfunc-
tion, starting and operating difficulties,
and materials degradation.These adverse effects
could result in permanent damage to your vehicle.
Clean Air Gasoline
Many gasolines are now being blended to contribute to
cleaner air, especially in those areas where air pollution
levels are high. These new blends provide a cleaner
burning fuel and some are referred to as “reformulated
gasoline.”
The manufacturer supports these efforts toward
cleaner air. You can help by using these blends as they
become available.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase octane. Gaso-
line blended with MMT provides no performance ad-
vantage beyond gasoline of the same octane number
without MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT reduces
spark plug life and reduces emission system perfor-
mance in some vehicles. The manufacturer recom-
mends that gasoline without MMT be used in your
vehicle. The MMT content of gasoline may not be
indicated on the gasoline pump; therefore, you should
ask your gasoline retailer whether or not his/her gaso-
line contains MMT. Materials Added To Fuel
Besides using unleaded gasoline with the proper octane
rating, gasolines that contain detergents, corrosion and
stability additives are recommended. Using gasolines
that have these additives will help improve fuel
economy, reduce emissions, and maintain vehicle per-
formance.
Indiscriminate use of fuel system cleaning agents should
be avoided. Many of these materials intended for gum
and varnish removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients. These can harm fuel system gasket
and diaphragm materials.
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases
is deadly. Follow the precautions below
to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
 Do not inhale exhaust gases.They contain car-
bon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas,
which can kill. Never run the engine in a closed
area, such as a garage, and never sit in a parked
vehicle with the engine running for an extended
period. If the vehicle is stopped in an open area
with the engine running for more than a short
period, adjust the ventilation system to force
fresh, outside air into the vehicle.
(Continued)
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