2014 FIAT FREEMONT Owners Manual

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC)
SABIC air bags may offer side-impact and vehicle roll-
over protection to front and rear seat outboard occu-
pants in addition to that provided by the body struc-
ture. Each air bag features inflated chambers placed
adjacent to the head of each outboard occupant that
reduce the potential for side-impact head injuries. The
curtains deploy downward, covering both windows on
the impact side.
(fig. 150)
NOTE:
• Should a vehicle rollover occur, the pretensionersand/or SAB and SABIC air bags on both sides of the
vehicle may deploy.
• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• Being too close to the SAB and SABIC air bags during deployment could cause you to be severely injured
or killed.
The system includes side impact sensors that are cali-
brated to deploy the SAB and SABIC air bags during
impacts that require air bag occupant protection.
WARNING!
• Your vehicle is equipped with left and
righ t

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflat-
able Curtain (SABIC), do not stack luggage or
other cargo up high enough to block the location
of the SABIC. The area where the SABIC is lo-
cated should remain free from any obstructions.
• Do not use accessor y seat covers or place ob-
jects between you and the side air bags; the
performance could be adversely affected and/or
objects could be pushed into you, causing serious
injury.
(Continued)
(fig. 150)Supplemental Side Curtain Air Bags
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(Continued)
• Your vehicle is equipped with SABIC air bags,
do not have any accessory items installed which
will alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to
your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require
permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for in-
stallation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the
roof of the vehicle for any reason.
SAB and SABIC air bags are a supplement to the seat
belt restraint system. Occupants, including children
who are up against or very close to SAB or SABIC air
bags can be seriously injured or killed. Occupants,
especially children, should not lean on or sleep against
the door, side windows, or area where the SAB or
SABIC air bags inflate, even if they are in an infant or
child restraint.
Always sit upright as possible with your back against
the seat back, use the seat belts properly, and use the
appropriate sized child restraint, infant restraint or
booster seat recommended for the size and weight of
the child.
Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of
the driver and front passenger, and position the front
occupants for the best interaction with the Advanced
Front Air Bags. Along with seat belts and pretensioners, Advanced
Front Air Bags and the Supplemental Driver Side Knee
Air Bag work with the knee impact bolsters to provide
improved protection for the driver and front passenger.
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 electronic
ORC deploys the Advanced Front Air Bags, SABIC air
bags, Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags, and
front seat belt pretensioners, as required, depending on
several factors, including the severity and type of impact.
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide
additional protection by supplementing the seat belts
in certain frontal collisions depending on several fac-
tors, including the severity and type of collision. Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags are not expected to reduce the
risk of injury in rear, side, or rollover collisions.
The Advanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, 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
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of impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in
crashes with little vehicle front-end damage but that
produce a severe initial deceleration.
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
your ins t

rument 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 Infla-
tor 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 Advanced Front
Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of
non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the Advanced Front
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Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates are possible,
based on several factors, including the collision type and
severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the
upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the air bags inflate to their full size.
The air bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The air bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag
(SAB) Inflator Units
The Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SAB)
are designed to activate only in certain side collisions.
The ORC determines if a side collision requires the
side air bags to inflate, based on the severity and type of
collision.
Based on the severity and type of collision, the side air
bag inflator on the crash side of the vehicle may be
triggered, releasing a large quantity of non-toxic gas.
The inflating SAB exits through the seat seam into the
space between the occupant and the door. The SAB
fully inflates in about 10 milliseconds. The side air bag
moves at a very high speed and with such a high force
that it could injure you if you are not seated properly,or if items are positioned in the area where the side air
bag inflates. This especially applies to children.
Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) Inflator Units
During collisions where the impact is confined to a
particular area of the side of the vehicle, the ORC may
deploy the SABIC air bags, depending on the severity and
type of collision. In these events, the ORC will deploy
the SABIC only on the impact side of the vehicle.
A quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
side curtain air bag. The inflating side curtain air bag
pushes the outside edge of the headliner out of the way
and covers the window. The air bag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one-quarter of the time that it takes
to blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you
are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side curtain air bag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The side
curtain air bag is only about 9 cm thick when it is inflated.
Because air bag sensors estimate deceleration over
time, vehicle speed and damage are not good indicators
of whether or not an air bag should have deployed.
NOTE:
In a rollover the pretensioners and/or SAB and
SABIC air bags may deploy on both sides of the vehicle.
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Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, impact sensors can aid the ORC
in determining appropriate response to impact events.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the fol-
lowing functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has poweror until the ignition is cycled off.
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.
• Unlock the doors automatically.
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response
System functions after an event, the ignition switch
must be changed from IGN ON to IGN OFF.
If A Deployment Occurs
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment. NOTE:
Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all
collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with
the air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:
• The nylon air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags deploy and unfold.
The abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or
those you might get sliding along a carpet or gymna-
sium floor. They are not caused by contact with
chemicals. They are not permanent and normally
heal quickly. However, if you haven't healed signifi-
cantly within a few days, or if you have any blistering,
see your doctor immediately.
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like particles. The particles are a normal by-product of
the process that generates the non-toxic gas used for
air bag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate
the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye
irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or
throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation
continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle
on your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer's
instructions for cleaning.
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Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have
deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the
air bags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
sioner s

cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the air bags, seat belt pretension-
ers, and the front seat belt retractor assemblies
replaced by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller
(ORC) system serviced as well.
Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the
air bag system is designed to be maintenance free. If any
of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately.
• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during the four to eight seconds when the ignition is first
cycled to the ON/RUN. • The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four
to eight-second interval.
• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or remains on while driving.
NOTE: If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The air
bags may not be ready to inflate for your protection.
Promptly check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to
“Fuses” in “In An Emergency” for the proper air bag
fuses. See your authorized dealer if the fuse is good.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an
air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that
will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems
performed. The EDR is designed to record data related
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in
this vehicle is designed to record such data as:
• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
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• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing theaccelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of
the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.
NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if
a non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are re-
corded by the EDR under normal driving conditions
and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash
location) are recorded. However, other parties, such as
law enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
the type of personally identifying data routinely ac-
quired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is
needed. In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other
parties, such as law enforcement, that have the special
equipment, can read the information if they have access
to the vehicle or the EDR.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your
pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and
possibly injured, or injure a passenger during panic
braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet har-
nesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
• Do not leave children or animals inside
park ed

vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury or death.
• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.
• Donotallowpeopletorideinanyareaofyour
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
• On seven passenger models, do not drive the
vehicle with the second row passenger seat in the
easy entry/exit position (seat cushion flipped up-
ward and seat moved forward), as this position is
only intended for entering and exiting the third
row seats. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury.
(Continued)
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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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