2016 FIAT FREEMONT Owners Manual

The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side collisions,
including some collisions at certain angles, or some
side collisions that do not impact the area of the
passenger compartment. The Side Air Bags may deploy
during angled or offset frontal collisions where the
Advanced Front Air Bags deploy.
Rollover Events
Side Air Bags are designed to activate in certain roll-
over events. The ORC determines whether the de-
ployment of the Side Air Bags in a particular rollover
event is appropriate, based on the severity and type of
collision. Vehicle damage by itself is not a good indica-
tor of whether or not Side Air Bags should have
deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all rollover events.
The rollover sensing-system determines if a rollover
event may be in progress and whether deployment is
appropriate. A slower-developing event may deploy the
seat belt pretensioners on both sides of the vehicle. A
faster-developing event may deploy the seat belt pre-
tensioners as well as the SABs and SABICs on both
sides of the vehicle. The rollover sensing-system may
also deploy the seat belt pretensioners, with or with-
out the SABs and SABICs, on both sides of the vehicle
if the vehicle experiences a near rollover event.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 air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions and/or skin reddening to the occupants 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 gymnasium floor. They are not
caused by contact with chemicals. They are not
permanent and normally heal quickly. However, if you
haven’t healed significantly 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-
sion er

s cannot protect you in another
collision. Have the air bags, seat belt pretension-
ers, and the seat belt retractor assemblies re-
placed by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller Sys-
tem serviced as well.
NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an authorized dealer immediately. ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE
SYSTEM
In the event of an impact, if the communication net-
work 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 following functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power
or until the ignition switch is turned to the “OFF”
position.
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as the battery has power or until the ignition switch
is turned to the “OFF” position.
• Unlock the doors automatically.
SYSTEM RESET PROCEDURE
In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response
System functions after an event, the ignition switch
must be changed from ignition START or ON/RUN to
ignition OFF.
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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTThe air bags must be ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. The Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC) monitors the inter-
nal circuits and interconnecting wiring asso-
ciated with air bag system electrical components.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the air bag system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or ON/RUN position. If the
ignition switch 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.
The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light
in the
instrument panel for approximately four to eight sec-
onds for a self-check when the ignition switch is first
turned to the ON/RUN position. 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 to alert you if
the light comes on again after initial startup. The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate
the instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a mal-
function is detected that could affect the air bag sys-
tem. The diagnostics also record the nature of the
malfunction. 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 immedi-
ately.
• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned to the ON/RUN position.
• 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. In this
condition the air bags may not be ready to inflate for
your protection. Have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
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WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in
your ins

trument 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR AIR BAG SYSTEM
WARNING!
• Modifications to any part of the air
bag sys

tem could cause it to fail when
you need it . You could be injured if the air bag
system is not there to protect you. Do not modify
the components or wiring, including adding any
kind of badges or stickers to the steering wheel
hub trim cover or the upper right side of the
instrument panel. Do not modify the front bum-
per, vehicle body structure, or add aftermarket
side steps or running boards.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
air bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone
who works on your vehicle that it has an air bag
system.
• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air
bag system.The air bag may inflate accidentally
or may not function properly if modifications are
made.Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer
for any air bag system service. If your seat , includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion, needs to be
serviced in any way (including removal or
loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),
take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be
used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.
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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 beltswere buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator 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.
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CHILD RESTRAINTS - CARRYING
CHILDREN SAFELY
(fig. 141)
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times, including babies and children. EC directive 2003/
20/EC requires proper use of restraints in all EC
countries.
Children less than 1.5 meters tall and 12 years or
younger should ride properly buckled up in a rear seat,
if available. According to crash statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear seats rather
than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child can
becom e

a projectile inside the vehicle.
The force required to hold even an infant on your
lap could become so great that you could not
hold the child, no matter how strong you are.The
child and others could be badly injured. Any child
riding in your vehicle should be in a proper re-
straint for the child's size.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Children should ride
rearward facing as long as possible; this is the most
protected position for a child in the event of a crash.
Always check the child seat Owner’s Manual to make
sure you have the correct seat for your child. Carefully
read and follow all the instructions and warnings in the
child restraint Owner’s Manual and on all the labels
attached to the child restraint.
(fig. 141)
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In Europe, children restraint systems are defined by
regulation ECE-R44, which divides them into five
weight groups:
Restraint GroupWeight Group
Group0 upto10kg
Group 0+ up to 13 kg
Group 1 9-18 kg
Group 2 15-25 kg
Group 3 22-36 kg
Check the label of your child restraint. All approved
child restraints must include type-approval data and
the control mark on its label. The label must be
permanently secured to the child restraint system. You
should not remove this label from the child restraint.
WARNING!
Extreme Hazard! Do not place rearward
facin g

infant seat in front of an active air
bag. Refer to visor and door shut face mounted
labels for information. Deployment of the air bag
in an accident could cause fatal injuries to the
baby regardless of the severity of the collision. It
is advisable to always carry children in a child
restraint system on the rear seat , which is the
most protected position in the event of a colli-
sion.
“UNIVERSAL” CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS
The figures in the following sections are examples of
each type of universal child restraint system. Typical
installations are shown. Always install your child re-
straint system according to the child restraint manu-
facturer’s instructions, which must be included with
this type of restraint system.
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Group 0 And 0+
(fig. 142)
Safety experts recommend that children ride rearward
facing in the vehicle as long as possible . Infants up to
13 kg must be restrained in a rear-facing seat like the
child seat shown in fig. A. This type of child restraint
supports the child’s head and does not induce stress on
the neck in the event of sudden decelerations or a
crash.
The rear-facing child restraint is restrained by the
vehicle’s seat belts, as shown in fig. A. The child seat
restrains the child with its own harness.
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 a rear-facing child restraint in a ve-
hicle with a rear seat .
(fig. 142)
fig. A
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