2014 FIAT FREEMONT ESP

The front bumper assembly may affect proper opera-
tion of the Active Hood system. The front bumper
components should be inspected for damage and re-
placed if necessary in the event of a frontal impact, even
if it occurs at a low rate of speed.
NOTE:After any Active Hood deployment, the ve-
hicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immedi-
ately.
To prevent possible damage, do not slam
the rear of the hood to reset it . Press the
rear of the hood down until an audible
and tactile detent is detected (approximately 5 mm
above the fender). This should secure both hood
hinge reset mechanisms.
WARNING!
•
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in
your instrument panel or the “SERVICE
ACTIVE HOOD” message in the EVIC could mean
you won’t have the Active Hood to enhance pedes-
trian protection. 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, see your authorized dealer.
(Continued) (Continued)
• Modifications to any part of the Active Hood
system could cause it to fail when you need it . Do
not modify the components or wiring. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add an aftermarket front bumper or cover.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
Active Hood system yourself. Be sure to tell any-
one who works on your vehicle that it has an
Active Hood system.
• 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.
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Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert®)
BeltAlert® is a feature intended to remind the driver
and front passenger (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided 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 thefront passenger seat or when the seat is folded flat (for
versions/markets, where provided). 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.
NOTE:
Although BeltAlert® has been deactivated,
the Seat Belt Reminder Light will continue to illuminate
while the driver’s or front passenger (for versions/
markets, where provided 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.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as pos-
sible. Keep the belt low so that it does not come across
the abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips
will take the force if there is a collision.
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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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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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MANUAL TRANSMISSION
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave
the vehicle unattended without having
the parking brake fully applied.The parking brake
should always be applied when the driver is not in
the vehicle, especially on an incline.
Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelera-
tor pedal.
(fig. 153)
Use each gear in numerical order, do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transmission is in first gear, (not third), when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in third.
For most city driving you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, sixth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal,
or try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
To shift into REVERSE, pull up on the ring just below
the gear shift knob and then move into the REVERSE
(R) position.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
NOTE: During cold weather, until the transmission
lubricant is warm, you may experience slightly higher
shift efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the
transmission.
(fig. 153)
Shift Pattern (Six-Speed)
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DOWNSHIFTING
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
If you skip a gear while downshifting or
downshift at too high of a vehicle speed,
these conditions may cause the engine to
overspeed if too low of a gear is selected and the
clutch pedal is released. Damage to the clutch and
the transmission can result from skipping a gear
while downshifting or downshifting at too high of
a vehicle speed even if the clutch pedal is held
pressed (i.e., not released).
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to second or first when descending a steep
grade.
When turning a corner, or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur-
dened.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
(for versions/markets, where
provided)
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not ob-
served:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come
to a complete stop.
• Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the
engineisatidlespeed.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting out of PARK.
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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 moment
to allow the selected gear to engage before accelerat-
ing. This is especially important when the engine is
cold.
PARK (P)
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 shift the
transmission into PARK first, and then apply the park-
ing brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK, otherwise the load
on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult 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!
• NeverusethePARKpositionasasub-
st i

tute for the parking brake. Always ap-
ply 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 out of PARK with
the brake pedal released. Make sure the trans-
mission is in PARK before leaving the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEU-
TRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly for-
ward or in reverse. You could lose control 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.
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