2016 FIAT FREEMONT starting

LIFTGATE
The liftgate can be unlocked or locked pushing the
UNLOCK or LOCK button on the Remote Keyless
Entry (RKE) transmitter, the Keyless Enter-N-Go™
(Passive Entry) LOCK/UNLOCK button underneath
the left side of the accent bar, which is located on the
liftgate below the glass or by activating the power door
lock switch located on either front door trim panel.
For further information on Keyless Enter-N-Go™
(Passive Entry), refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go™” in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle”.
NOTE:The liftgate cannot be unlocked or locked with
the manual door lock plungers on the door trim panels
or the door lock cylinder on the driver's door.
To open the unlocked liftgate, squeeze the handle and
pull the liftgate toward you. Gas props will raise and
support the liftgate in the open position. NOTE:
• In the event of a power malfunction to the liftgate, an
emergency liftgate latch release can be used to open
the liftgate. The emergency liftgate latch release can
be accessed through a snap-in cover located on the
liftgate trim panel.
• If liftgate is left open for an extended period of time, the liftgate may need to be closed manually to reset
power liftgate functionality.
(fig. 102)
NOTE: Because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
(fig. 102)
Liftgate Release
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Partial Off
The “ESC OFF” button is located in the switch bank
above the climate control. To enter the “Partial Off ”
mode, momentarily press the “ESC OFF” button and
the “ESC OFF” Indicator Light will illuminate. To turn
the ESC on again, momentarily press the “ESC OFF”
button and the “ESC OFF” Indicator Light will turn off.
This will restore the normal “ESC On” mode of opera-
tion.
(fig. 112)
NOTE:To improve the vehicle's traction when driving
with snow chains, or when starting off in deep snow,
sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the
“Partial Off ” mode by momentarily pressing the “ESC
OFF” button. Once the situation requiring “Partial
Off ” mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momen-
tarily pressing the “ESC OFF” button. This may be
done while the vehicle is in motion.
WARNING!
• When in “Partial Off ” mode, the TCS
fun ct

ionality of ESC (except for the lim-
ited slip feature described in the TCS section) has
been disabled and the “ESC Off Indicator Light”
will be illuminated.When in “Partial Off ” mode,
the engine power reduction of TCS is disabled,
and the enhanced vehicle stability offered by the
ESC system is reduced.
• Trailer Sway Control (TSC) is disabled when
the ESC system is in the “Partial Off ” mode.
(fig. 112)
ESC OFF Button
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ESC ACTIVATION/MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LIGHT AND ESC OFF
INDICATOR LIGHTThe “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. It should go out with the engine
running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” comes on continuously with the engine running,
a malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If
this light remains on after several ignition cycles, and
the vehicle has been driven several kilometers at
speeds greater than 48 km/h, see your authorized
dealer as soon as possible to have the problem diag-
nosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon
as the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes
active. The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash
during acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and
apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions. NOTE:
• The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
• Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
• The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is in Partial
OFF mode.
HILL START ASSIST (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will
maintain the level of brake pressure the driver applied
for a short period of time after the driver takes their
foot off of the brake pedal. If the driver does not apply
the throttle during this short period of time, the
system will release brake pressure and the vehicle will
roll down the hill. The system will release brake pres-
sure in proportion to the amount of throttle applied as
the vehicle starts to move in the intended direction of
travel.
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HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
• Vehicle must be stopped.
• Vehicle must be on a 6% (approximate) grade orgreater hill.
• Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e., vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle backing
uphill is in REVERSE gear).
WARNING!
There may be situations on minor hills
wit h

a loaded vehicle, or while pulling a
trailer where the system will not activate and
slight rolling may occur, which could cause a
collision with another vehicle or object . Always
remember the driver is responsible for braking
the vehicle.
HSA will work in REVERSE and all forward gears when
the activation criteria have been met. The system will
not activate if the vehicle is placed in NEUTRAL or
PARK.
Towing With HSA
HSA will provide assistance when starting on a grade
when pulling a trailer.
WARNING!
• If you use a trailer brake controller
wi t

h your trailer, your trailer brakes may
be activated and deactivated with the brake
switch. If so, when the brake pedal is released,
there may not be enough brake pressure to hold
the vehicle and trailer on a hill and this could
cause a collision with another vehicle or object
behind you. In order to avoid rolling down the hill
while resuming acceleration, manually activate
the trailer brake prior to releasing the brake
pedal. Always remember the driver is responsible
for braking the vehicle.
• HSA is not a parking brake. If you stop the
vehicle on a hill without putting the transmission
in PARK and using the parking brake, it will roll
down the hill and could cause a collision with
another vehicle or object . Always remember to
use the parking brake while parking on a hill, and
that the driver is responsible for braking the
vehicle.
HSA Off
If you wish to turn off the HSA system, it can be done
using the Customer Programmable Features in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
“Knowing your vehicle” for further information.
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TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (TSC)
TSC uses sensors in the vehicle to recognize an exces-
sively swaying trailer. TSC activates automatically once
the excessively swaying trailer is recognized. When
TSC is functioning, the “ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light” will flash, the engine power will be
reduced, and you will feel the brake being applied to
individual wheels in an attempt to stop the trailer from
swaying.
NOTE:The TSC is disabled when the ESC system is in
the “Partial Off ” mode.
WARNING!
• TSC cannot stop all trailers from
s w

aying. Always use caution when tow-
ing a trailer and follow the tongue weight recom-
mendations. Refer to “Trailer Towing” in “Starting
and Driving” for further information.
• If TSC activates while towing a trailer, stop the
vehicle at the nearest safe location and adjust
the trailer load to eliminate the trailer sway.
• Failure to follow these warnings can result in an
accident or serious personal injury.
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM —
OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and auto-
matic transmission control systems. When these sys-
tems are operating properly, your vehicle will provide
excellent performance and fuel economy, as well as
engine emissions well within current government regu-
lations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II
system will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light”
(MIL). It will also store diagnostic codes and other
information to assist your service technician in making
repairs. Although your vehicle will usually be drivable
and not need towing, see your authorized dealer for
service as soon as possible.
• Prolonged driving with the MIL on
could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect
fuel economy and driveability.The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
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SAFETY
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
• Seat Belt Systems
• Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air Bags
• Supplemental Active Head Restraints
• Active Hood System
• Child Restraints
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as
possible.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying air bag:
1. Children 12 years old and under should always ridebuckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat. (fig. 127)
2. If a child from 2 to 12 years old (not in a rear-facing child restraint) must ride in the front passenger seat,
move the seat as far back as possible and use the
proper child restraint. (Refer to “Child Restraints”) 3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle
seat belt properly (Refer to "Child Restraints")
should be secured in a vehicle with a rear seat in
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats.
Older children who do not use child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats should ride properly
buckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat.
4. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
5. You should read the instructions provided with your child restraint to make sure that you are using it
properly.
(fig. 127)
Warning Label On Front Passenger Sun Visor
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6. All occupants should always wear their lap andshoulder belts properly.
7. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved back as far as practical to allow the Advanced
Front Air Bags room to inflate.
8. Do not lean against the door or window. If your vehicle has side air bags, and deployment occurs, the
side air bags will inflate forcefully into the space
between you and the door and you could be injured.
9. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified to accommodate a disabled person, con-
tact the Customer Center. Phone numbers are
provided under "If You Need Assistance."
WARNING!
• Never place a rear-facing child re-
s t

raint in front of an air bag. A deploying
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag can cause
death or serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint .
• Only use rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat . SEAT BELT SYSTEMS
Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor
driver and could cause a collision that includes you.
This can happen far away from home or on your own
street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision.
Some of the worst injuries happen when people are
thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possi-
bility of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking
the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle
should be belted at all times.
ENHANCED SEAT BELT USE REMINDER
SYSTEM (BeltAlert)BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the driver
and outboard front passenger (if equipped with out-
board front passenger BeltAlert) to buckle their seat
belts. The feature is active whenever the ignition switch
is in the START or ON/RUN position. If the driver or
outboard front seat passenger is unbelted, the Seat
Belt Reminder Light will turn on and remain on until
both outboard front seat belts are buckled.
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The BeltAlert warning sequence begins after the ve-
hicle 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 seat belts are
buckled. After the sequence completes, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light remains illuminated until the respective
seat belts are buckled. The driver should instruct all
other occupants to buckle their seat belts. If an out-
board front seat belt is unbuckled while traveling at
speeds greater than 8 km/h, BeltAlert will provide both
audio and visual notification.
The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is not
active when the outboard front passenger seat is un-
occupied. BeltAlert may be triggered when an animal
or heavy object is on the outboard front passenger seat
or when the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is
recommended that pets be restrained in the rear seat
(if equipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are
secured by seat belts, and cargo is properly stowed.
BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by your
authorized dealer. Fiat Group does not recommend
deactivating BeltAlert.NOTE:
If BeltAlert has been deactivated, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will continue to illuminate while the
driver’s or outboard front passenger’s (if equipped with
BeltAlert) seat belt remains unbuckled.
LAP/SHOULDER BELTS
All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with
lap/shoulder belts.
The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only during
very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the
shoulder part of the seat belt to move freely with you
under normal conditions. However, in a collision the
seat belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking the
inside of the vehicle or being thrown out of the vehicle.
WARNING!
• Relying on the air bags alone could
lead to

more severe injuries in a collision.
The air bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, the air bags
won’t deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt
even though you have air bags.
(Continued)
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