2013 FIAT FREEMONT Owner handbook (in English)

Insert the spring-loaded post on the opposite end of
the cover housing into the attachment point on the
opposite side of the vehicle.
Grab the cover handle and pull it toward you. As the
cover nears the liftgate opening, guide the rear attach-
ment posts (on both ends of the cover) into the
notches in the trim panels. Lower the cover to position
the posts into the bottom of the notches and release
the handle. (fig. 96)
WARNING!
A cargo cover that is unsecured in the
v
ehicle could cause injury in a collision. It
could become airborne during a sudden stop and
strike someone inside the vehicle. Do not store
the cargo cover on the cargo floor or in the
passenger compartment . Remove the cover from
the vehicle when taken from its mounting. Do not
store it in the vehicle.
(fig. 95) Installing Retractable Cargo Area Cover
(fig. 96)Positioning Retractable Cargo Area Cover
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TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
Two latches must be released to open the hood.
1. Pull the hood release lever located under the leftside of the instrument panel. (fig. 97)
2. Outside of the vehicle, locate the safety latch lever near the center of the grille between the grille and
hood opening. Push the safety latch lever to the
right and then raise the hood. (fig. 98)
Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position. Place the upper end of the prop rod in the
hole on the underside of the hood. (fig. 99)(fig. 97) Hood Release
(fig. 98)Underhood Safety Latch(fig. 99)
Hood Prop Rod
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To prevent possible damage:
Before closing hood, make sure the
hood prop rod is fully seated into its
storage retaining clips.
 Do not slam the hood to close it . Use a firm
downward push at the center front edge of the
hood to ensure that both latches engage. Never
drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before
dr
iving your vehicle. If the hood is not
fully latched, it could open when the vehicle is in
motion and block your vision. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious injury or
death. ROOF LUGGAGE RACK (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
The roof rack side rails on your vehicle are NOT
designed to carry a load without the addition of cross-
bars. Metal Crossbars can be purchased from your
FIAT dealer to provide a functional roof rack system.
External racks do not increase the total load carrying
capacity of the vehicle. Be sure that the total occupant
and luggage load inside the vehicle plus the load on the
luggage rack do not exceed the maximum vehicle load
capacity.
The roof rack cross rails and side rails together are
designed to carry cargo weight. The load must not
exceed 68 kg, and it should be distributed uniformly
over the cross rails.
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To avoid damage to the roof rack and
vehicle, do not exceed the maximum roof
rack load capacity of 68 kg. Always dis-
tribute loads as evenly as possible and secure the
load appropriately.
 Long loads, which extend over the windshield,
such as wood panels or surfboards, or loads with
large frontal area should be secured to both the
front and rear of the vehicle.
 Place a blanket or other protection between
the surface of the roof and the load.
 Travel at reduced speeds and turn corners
carefully when carrying large or heavy loads on
the roof rack. Wind forces, due to natural causes
or nearby truck traffic , can add sudden upward
lift to loads. This is especially true on large flat
loads and may result in damage to the cargo or
your vehicle.
WARNING!
Cargo must be securely tied before driv-
in
g your vehicle. Improperly secured
loads can fly off the vehicle, particularly at high
speeds, resulting in personal injury or property
damage. Follow the roof rack cautions when
carrying cargo on your roof rack. BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining system
will still function. However, there will be some loss of
overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident by
increased pedal travel during application and greater
pedal force required to slow or stop the vehicle. In
addition, if the malfunction is caused by a leak in the
hydraulic system, the “Brake System Warning Light”
will turn on as the brake fluid level drops in the master
cylinder.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine OFF) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required
to brake the vehicle will be much greater than that
required with the power system operating.
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WARNING!
 Ri
ding the brakes can lead to brake
failure and possibly a collision. Driving
with your foot resting or riding on the brake
pedal can result in abnormally high brake tem-
peratures, excessive lining wear, and possible
brake damage.You would not have your full brak-
ing capacity in an emergency.
 Driving a vehicle with the “Brake Warning
Light” on is dangerous. A significant decrease in
braking performance or vehicle stability during
braking may occur. It will take you longer to stop
the vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to
control. You could have a collision. Have the ve-
hicle checked immediately.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle con-
trol under adverse braking conditions. The system
controls hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel
lock-up to help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces
during braking. Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS)” under “Knowing Your Vehicle/Electronic Brake
Control System” for further information.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws
of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing.The capabilities of an ABS-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.
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ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL
SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system commonly referred to as ESC.
This system includes Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS),
Brake Assist System (BAS), Traction Control System
(TCS), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), and Trailer Sway Control
(TSC). These systems work together to enhance both
vehicle stability and control in various driving condi-
tions.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system automatically “pumps”
the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
When the vehicle is driven over 11 km/h, you may also
hear a slight clicking sound as well as some related
motor noises. These noises are the system performing
its self check cycle to ensure that the ABS is working
properly. This self check occurs each time the vehicle is
started and accelerated past 11 km/h.
ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
 The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop)
 The clicking sound of solenoid valves
 Brake pedal pulsations
 A slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end of the stop
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
 Th
e 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.
(Continued)
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(Continued)
 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.
 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
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.
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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
ph
ysics 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.
ELECTRONIC ROLL MITIGATION (ERM)
This system anticipates the potential for wheel lift by
monitoring the driver’s steering wheel input and the
speed of the vehicle. When ERM determines that the
rate of change of the steering wheel angle and vehicle's
speed are sufficient to potentially cause wheel lift, it
then applies the appropriate brake and may also reduce
engine power to lessen the chance that wheel lift will
occur. ERM will only intervene during very severe or
evasive driving maneuvers. ERM can only reduce the
chance of wheel lift occurring during severe or evasive
driving maneuvers. It cannot prevent wheel lift due to
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