2013 FIAT FREEMONT tow

5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it iscomfortable and not resting on your neck. The
retractor will withdraw any slack in the belt.
6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle. The belt will automatically retract to its
stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate
down the webbing to allow the belt to retract fully.
WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a
c
ollision and leave you with no protec-
tion. Inspect the belt system periodically, check-
ing for cuts, frays, or loose parts. Damaged parts
must be replaced immediately. Do not disas-
semble or modify the system. Seat belt assem-
blies must be replaced after a collision if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc .).
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the driver's seat and front passenger's seat, the
shoulder belt can be adjusted upward or downward to
position the belt away from your neck. Push and fully
depress the button above the webbing to release the
anchorage, then move it up or down to the position
that fits you best. (fig. 120) As a guide, if you are shorter than average you will
prefer a lower position and if you are taller than
average you will prefer a higher position. When you
release the anchorage try to move it up and down to
make sure that it is locked in position.
In the rear seat, move toward the center of the seat to
position the belt away from your neck.
LAP/SHOULDER BELT UNTWISTING
PROCEDURE
Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted
lap/shoulder belt.
1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the
anchor point.
(fig. 120) Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt
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3. Pulldownthenrearward towards the rear of the
vehicle then downto engage the locking mecha-
nism. (fig. 123) (fig. 124)
4. The AHR front soft foam and trim half should lock into the back decorative plastic half. (fig. 125)
NOTE:
 If you have difficulties or problems resetting the Active Head Restraints, see an authorized dealer.
 For safety reasons, have the Active Head Restraints checked by a qualified specialist at an authorized
dealer.(fig. 123)1 — Downward Movement
2 — Rearward Movement
(fig. 124)3 — Final Downward Movement To Engage Locking
Mechanism(fig. 125) AHR In 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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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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NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or
RUN (engine not running) position and the transmis-
sion is in PARK, the system will automatically time out
after 30 minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch
to the OFF position.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions –
With Driver’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In
PARK Or NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to
an ignition switch. It has four positions, OFF, ACC,
RUN and START. To change the ignition switch posi-
tions without starting the vehicle and use the accesso-
ries follow these steps.
 Starting with the ignition switch in the OFF position:
 Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to change the ignition switch to the ACC position,
 Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to change the ignition switch to the RUN
position,
 Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition switch to the OFF position. EXTREME COLD WEATHER (BELOW
29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use
of an externally powered electric engine block heater is
recommended.
IF ENGINE FAILS TO START
WARNING!
 N
ever pour fuel or other flammable
liquids into the throttle body air inlet
opening in an attempt to start the vehicle. This
could result in a flash fire causing serious per-
sonal injury.
 Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to
get it started. Unburned fuel could enter the
catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and
vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
a booster battery or the battery in another ve-
hicle.This type of start can be dangerous if done
improperly. Refer to “Jump Starting” in “In An
Emergency” for further information.
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park brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To
release the parking brake, press the park brake pedal a
second time and let your foot up as you feel the brake
disengage. (fig. 138)
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch ON, the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:
 When the parking brake is applied and the automatictransmission is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning
Light” will flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime
will sound to alert the driver. Fully release the park-
ing brake before attempting to move the vehicle.  This light only shows that the parking brake is ap-
plied. It does not show the degree of brake applica-
tion.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission, apply the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied whenever
the driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
 N
ever use PARK position on an auto-
matic transmission as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
 Before exiting a vehicle, always apply the park-
ing brake, shift the automatic transmission into
PARK and first gear or REVERSE for a manual
transmission, and remove the key fob from the
ignition. When leaving the vehicle, always lock
your vehicle.
(Continued)
(fig. 138)Parking Brake
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turned to the ON/RUN position (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
GEAR RANGES
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE:After selecting any gear range, wait a mo-
ment to allow the selected gear to engage before
accelerating. This is especially important when the
engine is cold.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking
the transmission. The engine can be started in this
range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is
in motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the
shift lever in PARK first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on
the transmission locking mechanism may make it diffi-
cult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added
precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
WARNING!
 N
ever use the PARK position as a
substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply the parking brake fully when parked to
guard against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
 Your vehicle could move and injure you and
others if it is not completely in PARK. Check by
trying to move the shift lever rearward (with the
brake pedal released) after you have placed it in
PARK. Make sure the transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
 It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of
PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse.You could lose con-
trol of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling
normally and your foot is firmly pressing the
brake pedal.
(Continued)
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may be started in this range. Apply the parking brake
and shift the transmission into PARK if you must leave
the vehicle.
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 all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions. 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 this section) to
select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a
lower gear will improve performance and extend trans-
mission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat
buildup.
If the transmission temperature exceeds normal oper-
ating limits, the powertrain controller will modify the
transmission shift schedule and expand the range of
torque converter clutch engagement. This is done to
prevent transmission damage due to overheating.
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 second gear only. Normal opera-
tion will resume once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
215
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