2014 FIAT FREEMONT suspension

TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
•Donottowatraileratallduringthe
first 805 km the new vehicle is driven.The
engine, axle or other parts could be dam-
aged.
• Then, during the first 805 km that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury
acciden t

. Follow these guidelines to
make your trailer towing as safe as possible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the
trailer and that it will not shift during travel.
When trailering cargo that is not fully secured,
dynamic load shifts can occur that may be diffi-
cult for the driver to control.You could lose con-
trol of your vehicle and have an accident .
• All trailer hitches should be professionally in-
stalled on your vehicle.
• When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or
damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmission,
steering, suspension, chassis structure, or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning cor-
ners.
(Continued)
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Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to pre-
vent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and
other equipment designed for this purpose, following
equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety
chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing
device to main structural members of the vehicle, not
to bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
regarding vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters,
etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle's battery is discharged, refer to "Shift Lever
Override" in this section for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
•Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Damage to the fascia will occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
• Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result .
• If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignitionswitchmustbeintheACCorON/RUN
position, not in the LOCK/OFF position. WITHOUT THE KEY FOB
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the OFF position. Flatbed towing is
the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing equip-
ment may be used. Rear towing (with the front wheels
on the ground) is not allowed, as transmission damage
will occur. If rear towing is the only alternative, the
front wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to
the vehicle.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) MODELS
The manufacturer requires towing with all four wheels
OFF
the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed, or with one end of vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission and/or power transfer unit
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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KNOWING
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AND
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AND CARE
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Thousands Of Kilometers30 60 90 120 150 180
Months 24 48 72 96 120 144
Check lighting system operation
(headlights, direction indicators, hazard
lights, passenger compartment lights,
instrument panel warning lights, etc.). ••••••
Check the position/wear of the
windshield/rear window wiper blades. ••••••
Check operation of windscreen washer
system and adjust jets if necessary. ••••••
Check condition and wear of front disc
brake pads. ••••••
Check condition and wear of rear disc
brake pads. ••••••
Conditions and visual check: bodywork
exterior, underbody protection, pipes and
hoses (exhaust - fuel system - braking
system), rubber elements (boots - sleeves
- etc.), CV joints, front suspension, tie rod
ends and boot seals, and replace if
necessary. ••••••
Check cleanliness of hood latches, as well
as cleanliness and lubrication of linkages. ••••••
Check all fluid levels (engine coolant,
brake/hydraulic clutch fluid, windshield
washer fluid, battery fluid, etc.), add if
necessary. ••••••
Check exhaust fumes/emissions. • • • • • •
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Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of
many characteristics. They should be inspected regu-
larly for wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure.
The manufacturer strongly recommends that you use
tires equivalent to the originals in size, quality and
performance when replacement is needed. Refer to the
paragraph on “Tread Wear Indicators”. Refer to the
Tire and Loading Information placard or the Vehicle
Certification Label for the size designation of your tire.
The Load Index and Speed Symbol for your tire will be
found on the original equipment tire sidewall. See the
Tire Sizing Chart example found in the Tire Safety
Information section of this manual for more informa-
tion relating to the Load Index and Speed Symbol of a
tire.
It is recommended to replace the two front tires or
two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously affect your vehicle’s handling. If you ever
replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifica-
tions match those of the original wheels.
It is recommended you contact your authorized tire
dealer or original equipment dealer with any questions
you may have on tire specifications or capability. Failure
to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely af-
fect the safety, handling, and ride of your vehicle.WARNING!
• Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating
oth er

than that specified for your ve-
hicle. Some combinations of unapproved tires
and wheels may change suspension dimensions
and performance characteristics, resulting in
changes to steering, handling, and braking of your
vehicle. This can cause unpredictable handling
and stress to steering and suspension compo-
nents.You could lose control and have a collision
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the
tire and wheel sizes with load ratings approved
for your vehicle.
•
Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false speed-
ometer and odometer readings.
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TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body
clearance. Follow these recommendations to guard
against damage.
• Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, asrecommended by the traction device manufacturer.
• Install on Front Tires Only.
• Due to limited clearance, on a 225/65R17 102h tire, use reduced size snow chains or traction devices
with a maximum projection of 6 mm beyond the tire
profile.
WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type
(M+S, Sn o

w) between front and rear
axles can cause unpredictable handling.You could
lose control and have a collision.
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires,
observe the following precautions:
•Because of restricted traction device
clearance between tires and other suspension
components, it is important that only traction
devices in good condition are used. Broken devices
can cause serious damage. Stop the vehicle imme-
diately if noise occurs that could indicate device
breakage. Remove the damaged parts of the de-
vice before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then
retighten after driving about 0.8 km.
• Do not exceed 48 km/h.
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and
large bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pave-
ment .
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s in-
structions on the method of installation, operat-
ing speed, and conditions for use. Always use the
suggested operating speed of the device manufac-
turer ’s if it is less than 48 km/h.
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare
tire.
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KNOWING
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WARNING
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