2013 FIAT FREEMONT Owner handbook (in English)

(Continued)
 Unintended movement of a vehicle could in-
jure 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 remove the key fob. Once the key
fob is removed, the shift lever is locked in the
PARK position, securing the vehicle against un-
wanted movement . Furthermore, you should
never leave unattended children inside a vehicle.
 Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leav-
ing unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous
for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the
key fob in the vehicle. A child could operate
power windows, other controls, or move the ve-
hicle.
 Before moving the shift lever out of
PARK, you must turn the ignition switch
from the LOCK/OFF position to the ON/
RUN position, and also press the brake pedal.
Otherwise, damage to the shift lever could result .
 DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as
this can damage the drivetrain. The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the shift lever into the PARK posi-
tion:
 When shifting into PARK, firmly move the shift lever
all the way forward and to the left until it stops and is
fully seated.
 Look at the shift lever position display and verify that it indicates the PARK position.
 With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with the engine running. The engine
may be started in this range. Apply the parking brake
and shift the transmission into PARK if you must leave
the vehicle.
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WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never
t
urn off the ignition to coast down a hill.
These are unsafe practices that limit your re-
sponse to changing traffic or road conditions.You
might lose control of the vehicle and have a
collision.Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving
for any other reason with the transmis-
sion in NEUTRAL can result in severe
transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational Tow-
ing” in “Starting and Driving” and “Towing A Dis-
abled Vehicle” in “In An Emergency” for further
information.
DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through underdrive first, second,
third, and fourth gears, direct fifth gear and overdrive
sixth gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driv-
ing characteristics under all normal operating condi-
tions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi- tions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds,
or while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick
®
shift control (refer to “AutoStick
®” in “Starting And
Driving” for further information) to select a lower gear.
Under these conditions, using a lower gear will im-
prove performance and extend transmission life by
reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature
improves warm up time of the engine and transmission
to achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the
torque converter clutch is inhibited until the transmis-
sion fluid is warm (refer to the “Note” under “Torque
Converter Clutch” in this section). During extremely
cold temperatures (­27°C or below), operation may
briefly be limited to third gear only. Normal operation
will resume once the transmission temperature has
risen to a suitable level.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that
could result in transmission damage, Transmission
Limp Home Mode is activated. In this mode, the trans-
mission remains in third gear regardless of which for-
ward gear is selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL
will continue to operate. The Malfunction Indicator
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Light (MIL) may be illuminated. Limp Home Mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to an authorized dealer
for service without damaging the transmission.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing
the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Turn the engine OFF.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is nolonger detected, the transmission will return to
normal operation.
NOTE: Even if the transmission can be reset, we
recommend that you visit your authorized dealer at
your earliest possible convenience. Your authorized
dealer has diagnostic equipment to determine if the
problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required. Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission includes an electronically
controlled Overdrive (sixth gear). The transmission
will automatically shift into Overdrive if the following
conditions are present:
 the shift lever is in the DRIVE position,
 the transmission fluid has reached an adequate tem-
perature,
 the engine coolant has reached an adequate tem- perature, and
 vehicle speed is sufficiently high.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
included in the automatic transmission on your vehicle.
A clutch within the torque converter engages auto-
matically at calibrated speeds. This may result in a
slightly different feeling or response during normal
operation in the upper gears. When the vehicle speed
drops or during some accelerations, the clutch auto-
matically disengages.
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NOTE:The torque converter clutch will not engage
until the transmission fluid and engine coolant are
warm [usually after 2 to 5 km of driving]. Because the
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmission
is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is normal.
Using the AutoStick
®shift control, when the transmis-
sion is sufficiently warm, will demonstrate that the
transmission is able to shift into and out of Overdrive. ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
This feature provides on-demand All-Wheel Drive
(AWD). The system is automatic with no driver inputs
or additional driving skills required. Under normal
driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,
power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will
be sent to the rear in a pre-emptive effort to improve
vehicle launch and performance characteristics.
All wheels must have the same size and
type tires. Unequal tire sizes must not be
used. Unequal tire size may cause failure
of the power transfer unit .
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DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other
slippery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces
is
dangerous. Unequal traction can
cause sudden pulling of the front wheels. You
could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet , mud, loose sand, etc .). TRACTION
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for
a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in
a sudden stop.
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DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few centimeters
deep will require extra caution to ensure safety and
prevent damage to your vehicle.
FLOWING/RISING WATER
WARNING!
Do not drive on, or cross, a road or a
pat
h where water is flowing and/or rising
(as in storm run-off ). Flowing water can wear
away the road or path's surface and cause your
vehicle to sink into deeper water. Furthermore,
flowing and/or rising water can carry your vehicle
away swiftly. Failure to follow this warning may
result in injuries that are serious or fatal to you,
your passengers, and others around you.
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Caution
and Warning before doing so.
 Always check the depth of the stand-
ing water before driving through it . Never
drive through standing water that is
deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted
on the vehicle.
 Determine the condition of the road or the
path that is under water and if there are any
obstacles in the way before driving through the
standing water.
 Do not exceed 8 km/h when driving through
standing water.This will minimize wave effects.
 Driving through standing water may cause
damage to your vehicle’s drivetrain components.
Always inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine
oil, transmission, axle, etc .) for signs of contami-
nation (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appear-
ance) after driving through standing water. Do not
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid ap-
pears contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
 Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out , and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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WARNING!
 Dr
iving through standing water limits
your vehicle’s traction capabilities. Do
not exceed 8 km/h when driving through standing
water.
 Driving through standing water limits your
vehicle’s braking capabilities, which increases
stopping distances. Therefore, after driving
through standing water, drive slowly and lightly
press on the brake pedal several times to dry the
brakes.
 Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out , and leave you
stranded.
 Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you. TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the require-
ments and recommendations in this manual concerning
vehicles used for trailer towing.
COMMON TOWING DEFINITIONS
The following trailer towing related definitions will
assist you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your
vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo, and
tongue weight. The total load must be limited so that
you do not exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of
all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or
temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its "loaded and
ready for operation" condition. The recommended way
to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on
a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
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Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your
vehicle and trailer when weighed in combination.
NOTE:The GCWR rating includes a 68 kg allowance
for the presence of a driver.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and
rear axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear
axles evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either
front or rear GAWR.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed
t
he maximum front or rear GAWR. A
dangerous driving condition can result if either
rating is exceeded. You could lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident .
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on
the hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases, it should not
be less than 7% or more than 10% of the trailer load.
Tongue weight must not exceed the lesser of either the
hitch certification rating, or the trailer tongue chassis
rating. It should never be less than 4% of the trailer load, and not less than 25 kg. You must consider tongue
load as part of the load on your vehicle and its’ GAWR.
WARNING!
An improperly adjusted hitch system
m
ay reduce handling, stability and brak-
ing performance and could result in an accident .
Consult with your hitch and trailer manufacturer
or a reputable trailer/dealer for additional infor-
mation.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by
the maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
Refer to “TSC (Trailer Sway Control)” under “Knowing
Your Vehicle/Electronic Brake Control System” for
further information.
BREAKAWAY CABLE ATTACHMENT
European braking regulations for braked trailers up to
3,500 kg require trailers to be fitted with either a
secondary coupling or breakaway cable.
The recommended location for attaching the normal
trailer's breakaway cable is in the stamped slot located
on the sidewall of the hitch receiver.
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