2013 FIAT FREEMONT ECU

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 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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NOTE:When removing the fuel filler cap, lay the cap
tether in the hook, located on the fuel filler door
reinforcement.

Damage to the fuel system or emis-
sions control system could result from
using an improper fuel tank filler tube
cap (gas cap).
 A poorly fitting gas cap could let impurities into
the fuel system.
 A poorly fitting gas cap may cause the “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” to turn on.
 To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not
“top off ” the fuel tank after filling.When the fuel
nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
WARNING!
 N
ever have any smoking materials lit
in or near the vehicle when the gas cap is
removed or the tank is being filled.
 Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine
is running.
 A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle.You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
 Failure to follow this warning may result in
serious injury or death.
NOTE:
 Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound. This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened
properly. The MIL in the instrument cluster may turn
on if the gas cap is not secured properly. Make sure
that the gas cap is tightened each time the vehicle is
refueled.
 When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
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approximately 5 mm above the fender surface.
(fig. 126)
The front bumper assembly may affect proper opera-
tion of the Active Hood system. The front bumper
components should be inspected for damage and re-
placed if necessary in the event of a frontal impact, even
if it occurs at a low rate of speed.
NOTE:After any Active Hood deployment, the ve-
hicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immedi-
ately.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam
the rear of the hood to reset it . Press the
rear of the hood down until it is approxi-
mately 5 mm above the fender.This should secure
both hood hinge reset mechanisms.
WARNING!
 Ign
oring the Air Bag Warning Light in
your instrument panel or the “SERVICE
ACTIVE HOOD” message in the EVIC could mean
you won’t have the Active Hood to enhance pe-
destrian protection. 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, see your authorized
dealer.
 Modifications to any part of the Active Hood
system could cause it to fail when you need it . Do
not modify the components or wiring. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add an aftermarket front bumper or cover.
 It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
Active Hood system yourself. Be sure to tell any-
one who works on your vehicle that it has an
Active Hood system.
(Continued)
(fig. 126)Temporary Hood Reset Position
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(Continued)
 Do not attempt to modify any part of your
Active Hood system.The Active Hood may deploy
accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your vehicle to an
authorized dealer for any hood service.
 Drivers must be aware of pedestrians. Always
be sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other
vehicles, and obstructions.You are responsible for
safety and must continue to pay attention to
your surroundings. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
ENHANCED SEAT BELT USE REMINDER
SYSTEM (BELTALERT
®)
BeltAlert
®is a feature intended to remind the driver
and front passenger (if equipped with front passenger
BeltAlert®) to fasten their seatbelts. The feature is
active whenever the ignition is on. If the driver or front
seat passenger is unbelted, the Seat Belt Reminder
Light will turn on and remain on until both front
seatbelts are fastened.
The BeltAlert
®
warning sequence begins after the
vehicle speed is over 8 km/h, by blinking the Seat Belt
Reminder Light and sounding an intermittent chime.
Once the sequence starts, it will continue for the
entire duration or until the respective seatbelts are
fastened. After the sequence completes, the Seatbelt Reminder Light remains illuminated until the respective
seatbelts are fastened. The driver should instruct all
other occupants to fasten their seatbelts. If a front
seatbelt is unbuckled while traveling at speeds greater
than 8 km/h, BeltAlert
®will provide both audio and
visual notification.
The front passenger seat BeltAlert
®is not active when
the front passenger seat is unoccupied. BeltAlert
®may
be triggered when an animal or heavy object is on the
front passenger seat or when the seat is folded flat (if
equipped). It is recommended that pets be restrained
in the rear seat in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are
secured by seat belts, and cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert
®can be enabled or disabled by your autho-
rized dealer. FIAT Group Automobiles S.p.A. does not
recommend deactivating BeltAlert
®.
NOTE: Although BeltAlert
®has been deactivated,
the Seat Belt Reminder Light will continue to illuminate
while the driver’s or front passenger (if equipped with
BeltAlert
®) seat belt remains unfastened.
SEAT BELTS AND PREGNANT WOMEN
We recommend that pregnant women use the seat
belts throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother
safe is the best way to keep the baby safe.
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WARNING!
Be certain that the seat cushion is
lock
ed securely into position before us-
ing the seat . Otherwise, the seat will not provide
the proper stability for child seats and/or passen-
gers. An improperly latched seat cushion could
cause serious injury.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder
belt comfortably and whose legs are long enough to
bend over the front of the seat when their back is
against the seatback should use the lap/shoulder belt in
a rear seat.  Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
 The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
 Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or slouching can move the belt out of position.
 If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never
allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or
behind their back.
WARNING!
 Impro
per installation can lead to fail-
ure of an infant or child restraint . It
could come loose in a collision.The child could be
badly injured or killed. Follow the manufacturer's
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint .
 A rearward-facing child restraint should only
be used in a rear seat . A rearward-facing child
restraint in the front seat may be struck by a
deploying passenger air bag, which may cause
severe or fatal injury to the infant .
Here are some tips on getting the most out of
your child restraint:
 Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
(fig. 130) Seat Belts Latched With Booster Seat(s)
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Standards. FIAT also recommends that you make
sure that you can install the child restraint in the
vehicle where you will use it before you buy it.
 The restraint must be appropriate for your child's weight and height. Check the label on the restraint
for weight and height limits.
 Carefully follow the instructions that come with the restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
 Buckle the child into the seat according to the child restraint manufacturer's directions.
WARNING!
When your child restraint is not in use,
s
ecure it in the vehicle with the seat belt
or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave it
loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or collision,
it could strike the occupants or seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.
ISOFIX — Child Seat Anchorage System
Your vehicle's second row passenger seats are
equipped with the child restraint anchorage system
called ISOFIX. The ISOFIX system provides for the
installation of the child restraint without using the
vehicle's seat belts, instead securing the child restraint using lower anchorages and upper tether straps from
the child restraint to the vehicle structure.
ISOFIX-compatible child restraint systems are now
available. However, because the lower anchorages are
to be introduced over a period of years, child restraint
systems having attachments for those anchorages will
continue to have features for installation using the
vehicle's seat belts. Child restraints having tether straps
and hooks for connection to the top tether anchorages
have been available for some time. For some older child
restraints, many child restraint manufacturers offer
add-on tether strap kits or retrofit kits. You are urged
to take advantage of all the available attachments pro-
vided with your child restraint in any vehicle.
All three second-row passenger seating positions have
lower anchorages that are capable of accommodating
ISOFIX-compatible child seats. You should never install
ISOFIX-compatible child seats so that two seats share
a common lower anchorage. If installing child seats in
adjacent seating positions, or if your child restraints are
not ISOFIX-compatible, install the restraints using the
vehicle's seat belts. (fig. 131)
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