2013 FIAT FREEMONT maintenance

WARNING!
 Us
e 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 techni-
cian.
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 dealer
or other service facilities using recovery and recycling
equipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C system
sealers, stop leak products, seal conditioners, com-
pressor oil, and refrigerants. A/C AIR FILTER
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
WARNING!
Do not remove the A/C air filter while
t
he blower is operating or personal in-
jury may result .
The A/C air filter is located in the fresh air inlet behind
the glove box. Perform the following steps to replace
the filter:
1. Open the glove box and remove all contents.
2. Push the retaining tab on each side of the glove box inward while gently pulling the glove box door
outward until both tabs clear the door opening in
the instrument panel. (fig. 177)
3. Pivot the glove box downward.
4. Disengage the two retaining tabs that secure the
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hood latch, release mechanism and safety catch should
be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice
a year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant directly into the lock
cylinder.
Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
WIPER BLADES
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield and rear window periodically with a sponge
or soft cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will
remove accumulations of salt, waxes, or road film, and
help reduce streaking and smearing.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always
use washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt
or dirt from a dry windshield or rear window.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice
from the windshield or rear window. Make sure that they are not frozen to the glass before turning them on
to avoid damaging the blade. Keep the blade rubber out
of contact with petroleum products such as engine oil,
gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies de-
pending on geographical area and frequency of use.
Poor performance of blades may be present with chat-
tering, marks, water lines or wet spots. If any condition
is present please proceed to clean wiper blades with
humid cloth removing any debris that may be affecting
its function.
Rear Wiper Removal/Installation
1. Lift the pivot cap on the rear wiper arm upward, this will allow the rear wiper blade to be raised off of the
liftgate glass. (fig. 179)
NOTE: The rear wiper arm cannot be raised fully
upward unless the pivot cap is raised first.
2. Lift the rear wiper arm upward to raise the wiper blade off of the liftgate glass.
3. Grab the bottom of the wiper blade and rotate it forward to unsnap the blade pivot pin from the
wiper blade holder. (fig. 180)
4. Install the wiper blade pivot pin into the wiper blade holder at the end of the wiper arm, and firmly press
the wiper blade until it snaps into place.
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The fluid reservoir will hold nearly 4 Liters of washer
fluid when the “Washer Fluid Low” message appears in
the EVIC display.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield
w
asher solvents are flammable. They
could ignite and burn you. Care must be exer-
cised when filling or working around the washer
solution.Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
INTERVENTION REGENERATION
STRATEGY – 2.0L DIESEL ENGINE
This vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art engine
and exhaust system containing a diesel particulate
filter. The engine and exhaust after-treatment system
work together to meet the Emission standards. The
system manages engine combustion to allow the ex-
haust system’s catalyst to trap and burn Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants with no input or interaction on
your part.
Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in “Knowing Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
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 technician in-
spect the complete exhaust system and adjacent body
areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or misposi-
tioned parts. Open seams or loose connections could
permit exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger com-
partment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system each
time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change.
Replace as required.
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Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
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 appearance,
the system should be drained, flushed, and refilled 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.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
If the solution is dirty or contains a considerable
amount of sediment, clean and flush with a reliable
cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly dispose
of the old engine coolant (antifreeze) solution.
Selection Of Coolant – Gasoline Engine
Use only the manufacturer's recommended coolant.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Technical Specifications” for further information.

Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze)
other than specified engine coolant (an-
tifreeze), may result in engine damage
and may decrease corrosion protection. If a non-
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) is intro-
duced into the cooling system in an emergency, it
should be replaced with the specified engine cool-
ant (antifreeze) as soon as possible.
 Do not use plain water alone or alcohol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use
additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as
they may not be compatible with the radiator
engine coolant (antifreeze) and may plug the
radiator.
 This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
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Selection Of Coolant – Diesel Engine
Use only the manufacturer's recommended coolant
(antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for further informa-
tion.
Do not use HOAT (Hybrid Organic
Additive Technology) products in the Die-
sel Engine.
 Do not use OAT (Organic Additive Technology)
products containing 2-EH (2–ethyl hexanol).
 Do not use plain water alone or alcohol base
engine coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use
additional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as
they may not be compatible with the radiator
engine coolant and may plug the radiator.
 This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based coolants. Use of Propyl-
ene Glycol based coolants is not recommended.
Adding Coolant – Gasoline Engine
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This coolant (antifreeze) can be used up to
ten years or 240 000 km before replacement. To
prevent reducing this extended maintenance period, it
is important that you use the same coolant throughout
the life of your vehicle. Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water will
reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of protection against freezing
according to the temperatures occurring in the area
where the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:
Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of
the engine coolant (antifreeze) and will require more
frequent coolant changes.
Adding Coolant – Diesel Engine
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance period, it is important that you use the same
coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to
maintain the proper level of protection against freezing
according to the temperatures occurring in the area
where the vehicle is operated.
NOTE: Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of
the engine coolant (antifreeze) and will require more
frequent coolant changes.
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 Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
 Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in thecoolant 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.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake fail-
ure
and possibly an accident . 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.Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when
performing underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the
brake fluid reservoir.
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Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for further informa-
tion. It is important to maintain the transmission fluid
at the correct level using the recommended fluid. No
chemical flushes should be used in any transmission;
only the approved lubricant should be used.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission. Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and
its performance may be impaired by supplemental ad-
ditives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives to the
transmission. The only exception to this policy is the
use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid leaks. Avoid
using transmission sealers as they may adversely affect
seals.
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can dam-
age your transmission components. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Fluid Level Check – Six-Speed Automatic
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore
the transmission has no dipstick. Your authorized
dealer can check your transmission fluid level using a special service dipstick. If you notice fluid leakage or
transmission malfunction, visit your authorized dealer
immediately to have the transmission fluid level
checked. Operating the vehicle with an improper fluid
level can cause severe transmission damage.
Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter if the transmis-
sion is disassembled for any reason.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (for versions/
markets, where provided)
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect manual transmission for leakage at each
oil change. Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the
proper fluid level.
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Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and
a point not more that 4.7 mm below the bottom of the
hole.
Lubricant Selection
Use only manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid. Do not add any materials (other than leak detec-
tion dyes). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for further informa-
tion.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Change the manual transmission fluid at the intervals
shown in the “Maintenance Schedule” in this manual.
REAR DRIVE ASSEMBLY (RDA) – AWD
MODELS ONLY
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer's recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Technical
Specifications” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect the unit at each oil change for leakage.
If leakage is detected, check the fluid level by removing
the fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained be-
tween the bottom of the fill hole to 4 mm below the fill
hole.Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
POWER TRANSFER UNIT (PTU) – AWD
MODELS ONLY
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer's recommended fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Technical
Specifications” for further information.
Fluid Level Check
Visually inspect the unit at each oil change for leakage.
If leakage is detected, Check the fluid level by removing
the fill plug. The fluid level should be maintained be-
tween the bottom of the fill hole to 4 mm below the fill
hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
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