2013 FIAT FREEMONT warning

If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified
to accommodate a disabled person, contact the Cus-
tomer Center. Phone numbers are provided under "If
You Need Assistance".
WARNING!
 R
elying on the air bags alone could
lead to more severe injuries in a collision.
The air bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, the air bags
won't deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts
even though you have air bags.
 Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during Advanced Front Air Bag de-
ployment could cause serious injury, including
death. Air Bags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
 Side air bags also need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright in
the center of the seat .
Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The ORC is part of a regulated safety system required
for this vehicle. The ORC determines if deployment of the front and/or
side air bags in a frontal or side collision is required.
Based on the impact sensor's signals, a central elec-
tronic ORC deploys the Advanced Front Air Bags,
SABIC air bags, Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air
Bags, Supplemental Driver Side Knee Air Bag, and front
seat belt pretensioners, as required, depending on
several factors, including the severity and type of im-
pact.
The Advanced Front Air Bags and Supplemental Driver
Side Knee Air Bag are designed to provide additional
protection by supplementing the seat belts in certain
frontal collisions depending on several factors, includ-
ing the severity and type of collision. Advanced Front
Air Bags are not expected to reduce the risk of injury in
rear, side, or rollover collisions.
The Advanced Front Air Bags and Supplemental Driver
Side Knee Air Bag will not deploy in all frontal colli-
sions, including some that may produce substantial
vehicle damage — for example, some pole collisions,
truck underrides, and angle offset collisions. On the
other hand, depending on the type and location of
impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a
severe initial deceleration.
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The side air bags will not deploy in all side collisions.
Side air bag deployment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.
Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all
collisions, and also are needed to help keep you in
position, away from an inflating air bag.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the air bag system whenever the ignition is in
the ON/RUN position. If the ignition is in the OFF
position, or in the ACC position, the air bag system is
not on and the air bags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power
or it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the self-
check, the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it
turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the
instrument cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunc-
tion is noted that could affect the air bag system. The
diagnostics also record the nature of the malfunction.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in
y
our instrument panel could mean you
won't have the air bags to protect you in a
collision. If the light does not come on as a bulb
check when the ignition is first turned on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as
you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate
the Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation
rates are possible, based on several factors, including
the collision type and severity. The steering wheel hub
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on your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's
instructions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have
deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the
air bags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
si
oners cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the air bags, seat belt pretension-
ers, and the front seat belt retractor assemblies
replaced by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) system serviced as well.
Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the
air bag system is designed to be maintenance free. If any
of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately.  The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition is first
cycled to the ON/RUN.
 The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four to eight-second interval.
 The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or remains on while driving.
NOTE: If the speedometer, tachometer, or any en-
gine related gauges are not working, the Occupant
Restraint Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The
air bags may not be ready to inflate for your protection.
Promptly check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to
the label located on the inside of the fuse block cover
for the proper air bag fuses. See your authorized dealer
if the fuse is good.
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EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
 This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an
air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s sys-
tems performed. The EDR is designed to record data
related to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a
short period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such
data as:
 How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
 Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
 How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
 How fast the vehicle was traveling.
 These data can help provide a better understanding of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries
occur. NOTE:
EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if
a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are re-
corded by the EDR under normal driving conditions
and no personal data (e.g. name, gender, age, and crash
location) are recorded. However, other parties, such as
law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
the type of personally identifying data routinely ac-
quired during a crash investigation.
 To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer,
other parties such as law enforcement, that have the
special equipment, can read the information if they
have access to the vehicle or the EDR.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your
pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and
possibly injured, or injure a passenger during panic
braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet har-
nesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
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SAFETY TIPS
TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
 Do
not leave children or animals in-
side parked vehicles in hot weather. In-
terior heat build-up may cause serious injury or
death.
 It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
 Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
 Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat
and using a seat belt properly.
(Continued)(Continued)
 On seven passenger models, do not drive the
vehicle with the second row passenger seat in the
easy entry/exit position (seat cushion flipped up-
ward and seat moved forward), as this position is
only intended for entering and exiting the third
row seats. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury.
 On seven passenger models, do not allow a
passenger to sit in a third row seat with the
second row seatback(s) folded flat . In a collision,
the passenger could slide underneath the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured.
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EXHAUST GAS
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They
c
ontain carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless and odorless. Breathing it can make you
unconscious and can eventually poison you. To
avoid breathing (CO), follow these safety tips:
 Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to move your
vehicle in or out of the area.
 If you are required to drive with the trunk/
liftgate open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is
set at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation
mode.
 If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with
the engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set
the blower at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine
exhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the
exhaust system, when exhaust fumes can be detected
inside the vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the
vehicle is damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas
for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned
parts. Open seams or loose connections could permit
exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compart-
ment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time
the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change.
Replace as required.
SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD MAKE
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify
the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent
retractor, torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question
regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the seat
belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should turn on and remain on for
four to six seconds as a bulb check when the
ignition switch is first turned ON. If the light
is not lit during starting, or if the light stays
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on, flickers, or turns on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should be
able to feel the air directed against the windshield. See
your authorizeddealerfor service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of
your vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal
area unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that
they cannot slip out of position and interfere with the
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other
ways.
WARNING!
Pedals that cannot move freely can
caus
e loss of vehicle control and increase
the risk of serious personal injury.
 Always make sure that floor mats are properly
attached to the floor mat fasteners.
(Continued)(Continued)
 Never place or install floor mats or other floor
coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly
secured to prevent them from moving and inter-
fering with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
 Never put floor mats or other floor coverings
on top of already installed floor mats. Additional
floor mats and other coverings will reduce the
size of the pedal area and interfere with the
pedals.
 Check mounting of mats on a regular basis.
Always properly reinstall and secure floor mats
that have been removed for cleaning.
 Always make sure that objects cannot fall into
the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.
Objects can become trapped under the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal causing a loss of
vehicle control.
 If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation
or mounting can cause interference with the
brake pedal and accelerator pedal operation
causing loss of control of the vehicle.
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PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD
MAKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven
wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other
objects lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the
tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks and bulges. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper cold infla-
tion pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights
and exterior lights while you work the controls. Check
turn signal and high beam indicator lights on the instru-
ment panel.Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering
fluid, or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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