2013 FIAT FREEMONT steering

SAFETY
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
 Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating positions
 Advanced Front Air Bags for driver and front passen- ger
 Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR) located on top of the front seats (integrated into the head
restraint) (for versions/markets, where provided)
 Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) that span the front, second, and third row
seating for the driver and passengers seated next to
a window
 Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags
 An energy-absorbing steering column and steering wheel
 Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
 Front seat belts incorporate pretensioners that may enhance occupant protection by managing occupant
energy during an impact event
If you will be carrying children too small for adult-sized
seat belts, the seat belts or ISOFIX feature also can be used to hold infant and child restraint systems. For
more information, refer to ISOFIX — Child Seat An-
chorage System.
NOTE:
The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multi-
stage inflator design. This allows the air bag to have
different rates of inflation based on several factors,
including the severity and type of collision.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
WARNING!
In a collision, you and your passengers
can
suffer much greater injuries if you
are not properly buckled up. You can strike the
interior of your vehicle or other passengers, or
you can be thrown out of the vehicle. Always be
sure you and others in your vehicle are buckled
up properly.
Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor
driver and cause a collision that includes you. This can
happen far away from home or on your own street.
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NOTE:
 Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into theopening between the seatbacks as you remove slack
in the strap.
 When using the ISOFIX attaching system to install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and
out of reach of children. Remind all children in the
vehicle that the seat belts are not toys and that they
should not play with them. In addition, never leave
unattended children in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint
t
o the ISOFIX anchorages can lead to
failure of an infant or child restraint . The child
could be badly injured or killed. Follow the manu-
facturer's directions exactly when installing an
infant or child restraint .
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
(SRS) — AIR BAGS
This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver's Advanced Front Air
Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger's Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the air bag
covers.
(fig. 134)
NOTE: The Driver and Front Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bags are certified to the new regulations for
Advanced Air Bags.
The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the air bag to have different rates of
inflation based on several factors, including the severity
and type of collision.
(fig. 134) Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bags
2 — Knee Bolsters (for versions/markets, where provided)
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This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of
the Advanced Front Air Bags.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Side Air Bag
Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the driver, front,
and rear passengers sitting next to a window. The
SABIC air bags are located above the side windows and
their covers are also labeled: SRS AIRBAG.
This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Seat-
Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB). The SABs are marked
with an air bag label sewn into the outboard side of the
front seats.
NOTE:
 Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interiortrim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
 After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immediately.
Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:
 Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
 Air Bag Warning Light
 Steering Wheel and Column  Instrument Panel
 Knee Impact Bolster
 Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
 Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
 Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
 Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains
(SABIC)
 Front and Side Impact Sensors
 Front Seat Belt Pretensioners
 Seat Belt Buckle Switch
ADVANCED FRONT AIR BAG FEATURES
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system pro-
vides output appropriate to the severity and type of
collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC), which may receive information
from the front impact sensors.
The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during
an impact that requires air bag deployment. This low
output is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy
output is used for more severe collisions.
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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
193KNOWING
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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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WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury
ac
cident . Follow these guidelines to
make your trailer towing as safe as possible:
 Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that it will not shift during travel.When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts can
occur that may be difficult for the driver to control.
You could lose control of your vehicle and have an
accident .
 All trailer hitches should be professionally
installed on your vehicle.
 When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or
damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmission,
steering, suspension, chassis structure, or tires.
 Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning cor-
ners.
(Continued)(Continued)
 Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on
a grade. When parking, apply the parking brake
on the tow vehicle. Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
 GCWR must not be exceeded.
 Total weight must be distributed between the
tow vehicle and the trailer such that the following
four ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti- lized.
Towing Requirements – Tires
– Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact spare tire.
– Proper tire inflation pressures are essential for the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer
to “Tires – General Information” in “Technical Speci-
fications” for proper tire inflation procedures.
– Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres- sures before trailer usage.
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cycles, and the vehicle has been driven several kilome-
ters at speeds greater than 48 km/h, see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
The “ESC Off Indicator Light” and the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” come on mo-
mentarily each time the ignition switch is turned to
ON/RUN.
Each time the ignition is turned to ON/RUN, the ESC
system will be ON, even if it was turned off previously.
The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
4. Turn Signal Indicator LightThe left or right arrow will flash in unison
with the corresponding front and rear turn
signal lights when the turn signal switch is
operated. (Refer to “Lights” in “Knowing
Your Vehicle” for further information).
NOTE:
A chime will sound if the vehicle is driven more than
1.6 km with either turn signal on. Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate.
5. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the high beam headlights
are on. Pull the multifunction lever on the left
side of the steering column toward you to switch to
low beam. (Refer to “Lights” in “Knowing Your Vehicle”
for further information).
6. Front Fog Light Indicator (for versions/markets,
where provided) This indicator will illuminate when the front fog
lights are on. (Refer to “Lights” in “Knowing
Your Vehicle” for further information).
7. Odometer Display / Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) Display
Odometer
The odometer display shows the total distance the
vehicle has been driven.
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Dis-
play
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display that is located in the
instrument cluster. For further information, refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle”.
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KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
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WARNING LIGHTSAND
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GES
IN AN
EMERGENC
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SERVICING AND
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SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS