REAR WINDOW DEFROSTERThe rear window defroster button is located on
the climate control panel. Press this button to
turn on the rear window defroster and the heated
outside mirrors (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided). An indicator in the button will illuminate when
the rear window defroster is on. The rear window
defroster automatically turns off after approximately
10 minutes.
NOTE: To prevent excessive battery drain, use the
rear window defroster only when the engine is oper-
ating.
Failure to follow these cautions can
cause damage to the heating elements:
•Use care when washing the inside of
the rear window. Do not use abrasive window
cleaners on the interior surface of the window.
Use a soft cloth and a mild washing solution,
wiping parallel to the heating elements. Labels
can be peeled off after soaking with warm water.
• Do not use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abra-
sive window cleaners on the interior surface of
the window.
• Keep all objects a safe distance from the win-
dow.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
When engaged, the Electronic Speed Control takes
over accelerator operations at speeds greater than
40 km/h.
(fig. 71)
NOTE: In order to ensure proper operation, the
Electronic Speed Control System has been designed to
shut down if multiple Speed Control functions are
operated at the same time. If this occurs, the Electronic
Speed Control System can be reactivated by pushing
the Electronic Speed Control ON/OFF button and
resetting the desired vehicle set speed.
(fig. 71)
Electronic Speed Control Buttons
1 — ON/OFF 3 — SET -
2 — RES + 4 — CANCEL
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ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
A 12 Volt (13 Amp) power outlet is located in the
center console below the radio. The power outlet has
power available when the ignition switch in the ON/
RUN or ACC position.
(fig. 85)
This power outlet will also operate a conventional cigar
lighter unit.To preserve the heating element, do
not hold the lighter in the heating position.
A second 12 Volt (13 Amp) power outlet is located
inside the center console storage area. Power is avail-
able with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN, ACC or
LOCK position.
(fig. 86)
(fig. 85)
Front 12 Volt Power Outlet(fig. 86)Center Console 12 Volt Power Outlet
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(Continued)
• On seven passenger models, do not allow a
passenger to sit in a third row seat with the
second row seatback(s) folded flat . In a collision,
the passenger could slide underneath the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They
contain car
bon monoxide (CO), which is
colorless and odorless. Breathing it can make you
unconscious and can eventually poison you. To
avoid breathing (CO), follow these safety tips:
•Donotruntheengineinaclosedgarageorin
confined areas any longer than needed to move
your vehicle in or out of the area.
• If you are required to drive with the trunk/
liftgate/rear doors open, make sure that all win-
dows are closed and the climate control
BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT use
the recirculation mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with
the engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set
the blower at high speed. 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 mechanic inspect
the complete exhaust system and adjacent body areas
for broken, damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned
parts. Open seams or loose connections could permit
exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger compart-
ment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system each time
the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil change.
Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent
retractor, torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question
regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the seat
belt.
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REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with the engine running. The engine
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
turn of f
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 (D)
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 for
further information) to select a lower gear. Under
these conditions, using a lower gear will improve per-
formance and extend transmission 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.
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Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
TRAILER HITCH ATTACHING POINTS
Your vehicle will require extra equipment to tow a
trailer safely and efficiently. The trailer tow hitch must
be attached to your vehicle using the provided attach-
ing points on the vehicle's frame. Refer to the following
chart to determine the accurate attaching points.
Other equipment, such as trailer sway controls and
braking equipment, trailer equalizing (leveling) equip-
ment and low profile mirrors, may also be required or
strongly recommended.
(fig. 161)
Trailer Tow Hitch Attaching Points And OverhangDimensions
AN /A
B 366.71 mm
C 501.62 mm
D 628.69 mm
E (maximum overhang) 1051.93 mm
F 472.00 mm
(fig. 161)
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•Racing the engine or spinning the
wheels may lead to transmission over-
heating and failure. Allow the engine to
idle with the shift lever 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
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting be-
tween DRIVE/2nd gear and REVERSE, do not spin
the wheels faster than 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 48 km/h while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces gen
erated 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.
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WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if
you par k
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 SYSTEMWARNING!
•
When 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 tr y to open a
cooling system pressure cap when the radiator is
hot .
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.
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TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
Safety
WARNING!
• Improperly inflated tires are danger-
ous an d
can cause collisions.
• Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in over-heating and tire failure.
• Over-inflation reduces a tire's ability to cush-
ion shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes
can cause damage that result in tire failure.
• Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting
in loss of vehicle control.
• Unequal tire pressures can cause steering
problems.You could lose control of your vehicle.
• Unequal tire pressures from one side of the
vehicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift
totherightorleft.
• Always drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure. Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnor-
mal wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a
need for earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also
increases tire rolling resistance resulting in higher fuel
consumption.
Ride Comfort And Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride. Both under-inflation and over-inflation affect the
stability of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of
sluggish response or over responsiveness in the steer-
ing.
NOTE:
• Unequal tire pressures from side to side may cause
erratic and unpredictable steering response.
• Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the vehicle to drift left or right.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver's side B-Pillar or rear edge of the driver's side
door.
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