2013 FIAT FREEMONT engine overheat

rises to the “H” mark, safely pull over and stop the
vehicle. If the Air Conditioning A/C system is on, turn
it off. Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and
idle the vehicle. If the needle remains on the “H” mark,
turn the engine OFF immediately and call for service.
Do not leave your vehicle unattended
with the engine running, as you would not
be able to react to the temperature indi-
cator light if the engine overheats. A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
Your vehicle uses a keyless ignition system. This system
consists of a Key Fob with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter and a Keyless Ignition Node (KIN).
Keyless Enter-N-Go Feature™
This vehicle is equipped with the Keyless Enter-N-
Go™ feature, refer to “Starting Procedures” in “Start-
ing And Driving” for further information.
KEYLESS IGNITION NODE (KIN)
This feature allows the driver to operate the ignition
switch with the push of a button, as long as the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is in the passenger
compartment.
The Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) has four operating
positions, three of which are labeled and will illuminate
when in position. The three positions are OFF, ACC,
and ON/RUN. The fourth position is START. During
start RUN will illuminate.
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KNOWING YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
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TARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS

EVIC RED TELLTALE LIGHTS
This area will show reconfigurable red telltales. These
telltales include:
 Door AjarThis light will turn on to indicate that one or
more doors may be ajar.
 Oil Pressure Warning Light This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the
light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle and
shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will
sound for four minutes when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
 Charging System Light This light shows the status of the electrical
charging system. The light should come on when
the ignition is first cycled ON and remain on briefly as
a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle's non-essential
electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system light remains on, it means that the
vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging
system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. See an autho-
rized dealer. If jump starting is required, refer to “Jump Starting
Procedures” in “In An Emergency”.
 Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
The light will come on when the ignition is
first turned ON and remain on briefly as a
bulb check. If the light does not come on during
starting, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while
the engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the
vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is
placed in the PARK position (for versions/markets,
where provided). The light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable. However, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light
is flashing when the engine is running, immediate ser-
vice is required. You may experience reduced perfor-
mance, an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your
vehicle may require towing.
 Engine Temperature Warning Light This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. As temperatures rise and the gauge ap-
proaches H,this indicator will illuminate and a
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TARTING AND
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WARNING LIGHTSAND
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IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS

single chime will sound after reaching a set threshold.
Further overheating will cause the temperature gauge
to passH,the indicator will continuously flash and a
continuous chime will occur until the engine is allowed
to cool.
If the light turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off.
Also, shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the
vehicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
 Transmission Temperature Warning Light (for
versions/markets, where provided) This light indicates that the transmission fluid
temperature is running hot. This may occur
with severe usage, such as trailer towing. If
this light turns on, safely pull over and stop
the vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
turns off.
Continuous driving with the Transmission
Temperature Warning Light illuminated
will eventually cause severe transmission
damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If the Transmission Temperature Warning
L
ight is illuminated and you continue
operating the vehicle, in some circumstances you
could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact
with hot engine or exhaust components and
cause a fire.
OIL CHANGE DUE
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The “Oil Change Due” message will
flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10 seconds
after a single chime has sounded to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent
upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position.
To turn off the message temporarily, press and release
the BACK button. To reset the oil change indicator
system please refer to a Fiat Dealership.
25KNOWING
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Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze cool-
ant to provide proper corrosion protection and to
protect against engine overheating. A solution of 50%
ethylene glycol antifreeze coolant and 50% water is
recommended. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in
“Servicing And Care” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during Winter
months is not recommended because it may cause
window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in
the fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started
again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The
Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear
windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes a problem, increase the blowerspeed. Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in
mild but rainy or humid weather.
NOTE:
Recirculation mode without A/C should not
be used for long periods, as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves.
Leaves collected in the air intake may reduce airflow,
and if they enter the plenum, they could plug the water
drains. In winter months, make sure the air intake is
clear of ice, slush, and snow.
A/C Air Filter
The climate control system filters outside air contain-
ing dust, pollen and some odors. Strong odors cannot
be totally filtered out. Refer to “Maintenance Proce-
dures” in “Servicing And Care” for filter replacement
instructions.
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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.
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KNOWING
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WARNING
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AND
MESSAGES
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EMERGENCY
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AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS

4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
5. Insert a screwdriver or similar small tool into theaccess port, and push and hold the override release
lever forward.
6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the shift lever override access cover. FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around
the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between
DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or
2nd gear and REVERSE (with manual transmission),
while gently pressing the accelerator. Use the least
amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will maintain
the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine.
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating
and failure. Allow the engine to idle with
the transmission in NEUTRAL for at least one
minute after every five rocking-motion cycles.
This will minimize overheating and reduce the
risk of transmission failure during prolonged ef-
forts to free a stuck vehicle.
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KNOWING YOUR
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SAFETY
STARTING AND
DRIVING
WARNING LIGHTSAND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENC
Y
SERVICING AND
C

ARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS

NOTE:Press the "ESC Off" switch, to place the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system in
"Partial Off" mode, before rocking the ve-
hicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the "ESC
Off" switch again to restore "ESC On" mode.
 When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by
shifting between DRIVE and REVERSE,
do not spin the wheels faster than
15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result .
 Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too
fast may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin
the wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear
(no transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
F
orces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure, of the
axle and tires. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 48 km/h or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
277KNOWING
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C ARETECHNICAL
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WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They
c
ontain carbon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless and odorless. Breathing it can make you
unconscious and can eventually poison you. To
avoid breathing CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust
Gas” in “Safety” for further information.
NOTE: Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if
y
ou park over materials that can burn.
Such materials might be grass or leaves coming
into contact with your exhaust system. Do not
park or operate your vehicle in areas where your
exhaust system can contact anything that can
burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the engine
OFF, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter, obtain
service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifi-
cations immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
 Do not shut OFF the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
 Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
 Do not idle the engine with any ignition coil connec- tors disconnected for prolonged periods.
COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING!
 Wh
en working near the radiator cool-
ing fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.The
fan is temperature controlled and can start at
any time the ignition switch is in the ON position.
 You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until the
radiator has had time to cool. Never try to open a
cooling system pressure cap when the radiator is
hot .
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KNOWING
YOUR
VEHICLE
SAFETY
STARTING
AND
DRIVING
WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS