brake fluid FIAT FREEMONT 2015 1.G User Guide

Thousands Of Kilome-
ters20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
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Visually inspect the
condition of timing belt.••
Visually inspect the
condition of accessory drive
belt(s).
••
Replace the timing belt (#).
Replace auxiliary drive belts
(#).
Change engine oil and
replace oil filter (*).
Change the automatic
transmission fluid and filter
(for versions/markets, where
provided) (**).
•
Replace fuel filter (***). • • •
Replace engine air filter (or
at least change every 2
years) (##).
•••
Change brake fluid. • • • • •
Replace rear drive assembly
(RDA) fluid (for
versions/markets, where
provided).
••
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KNOWING YOURVEHICLE
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WARNING LIGHTSANDMESSAGES
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TECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS
Years

Failure to perform the required mainte-
nance items may result in damage to the
vehicle.
Periodic Checks
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if
necessary, restore:
• engine coolant;
• brake fluid;
• power steering fluid;
• windshield washer fluid level;
• tire inflation pressure and condition;
• operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard warning lights, etc.);
• operation of windshield washer/wiper system and positioning/wear of windshield/rear window wiper
blades.
Every 3,000 km, check and top up, if required, the
engine oil level.
Heavy-Duty Use Of The Car
If the car is used mainly under one of the following
conditions:
• towing a trailer or caravan; • dusty roads;
• short, repeated journeys (less than 7-8 km) at sub-
zero outside temperatures;
• engine often idling or driving long distances at low speeds or long periods of idleness.
You should perform the following inspections more
frequently than shown on the Scheduled Servicing Plan:
• check front disc brake pad conditions and wear;
• check cleanliness of hood and trunk locks, cleanli- ness and lubrication of linkage;
• visually inspect conditions of: engine, transmission, pipes and hoses (exhaust - fuel system - brakes) and
rubber elements (boots - sleeves - bushes - etc.);
• check battery charge and battery fluid level (electro- lyte);
• visually inspect condition of the accessory drive belts;
• check and, if necessary, change engine oil and replace oil filter;
• check and, if necessary, replace pollen filter;
• check and, if necessary, replace air cleaner.
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
(fig. 197)
(fig. 197)
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir7 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 8 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Engine Oil Fill 9 — Automatic Transmission Dipstick (4–Speed Only)
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 11 — Coolant Reservoir Cap
6 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post) 12 — Engine Oil Dipstick
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
(fig. 198)
(fig. 198)
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 8 — Engine Oil Fill
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CONTENTS

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L DIESEL
(fig. 199)
(fig. 199)
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses)
3 — Engine Oil Fill 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
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Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor com-
ing from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant
to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows
no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may
be safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
• Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also
be protected against freezing.
• If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop
when the engine cools, the cooling system should be
pressure tested for leaks.
• Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean. • Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Win-
ter operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs
may result in unsatisfactory coolant performance,
poor gas mileage, and increased emissions.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake fail-
ure an d

possibly an accident . Driving
with your foot resting or riding on the brake
pedal can result in abnormally high brake tem-
peratures, excessive lining wear, and possible
brake damage.You would not have your full brak-
ing capacity in an emergency.
Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
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KNOWING
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AND
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WARNING
LIGHTS
AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING
AND C ARE
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
CONTENTS

Master Cylinder — Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the “Brake Warning Light” indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when
performing underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the
brake fluid reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads
wear. Brake fluid level should be checked when pads are
replaced. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual
transmission, the brake fluid reservoir supplies fluid
to both the brake system and the clutch release sys-
tem. The two systems are separated in the reservoir,
and a leak in one system will not affect the other
system. The manual transmission clutch release
system should not require fluid replacement during the
life of the vehicle. If the brake fluid reservoir is low and
the brake system does not indicate any leaks or other
problems, it may be a result of a leak in the hydraulic
clutch release system. See your local authorized dealer
for service.
Use only manufacturer's recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Technical Specifications” for further information.
WARNING!
• Use only manufacturer's recom-
m en

ded brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lu-
bricants, and Genuine Parts” in “Technical Speci-
fications” for further information. Using the
wrong type of brake fluid can severely damage
your brake system and/or impair its perfor-
mance. The proper type of brake fluid for your
vehicle is also identified on the original factory
installed hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
(Continued)
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KNOWINGYOUR
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WARNING! (Continued)
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all
times. Brake fluid in a open container absorbs
moisture from the air resulting in a lower boiling
point . This may cause it to boil unexpectedly
during hard or prolonged braking, resulting in
sudden brake failure. This could result in a acci-
dent .
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result
in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should
be taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to con-
taminate the brake fluid. Brake seal components
could be damaged, causing partial or complete
brake failure.This could result in an accident . AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (for
versions/markets, where provided)
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life.
Use only the manufacturer’s specified transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts”
in “Technical Specifications” for fluid specifications. It is
important to maintain the transmission fluid at the
correct level using the recommended fluid. No chemi-
cal flushes should be used in any transmission; only the
approved lubricant should be used.
Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturer ’s recommended fluid may
cause deterioration in transmission shift
quality and/or torque converter shudder, and will
require more frequent fluid and filter changes.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
"Technical Specifications" for fluid specifica-
tions.
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Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using any
special additives in the transmission. Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and its perfor-
mance may be impaired by supplemental additives. There-
fore, do not add any fluid additives to the transmission.
The only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes
for diagnosing fluid leaks. Avoid using transmission sealers
as they may adversely affect seals.
Do not use chemical flushes in your
transmission as the chemicals can dam-
age your transmission components. Such
damage is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Fluid Level Check - Six-Speed Transmission
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore
the transmission filler tube is capped and no dipstick is
provided. Your authorized dealer can check your trans-
mission fluid level using a special service dipstick. If you
notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction, visit
your authorized dealer immediately to have the trans-
mission fluid level checked. Operating the vehicle with
an improper fluid level can cause severe transmission
damage.
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit
your authorized dealer immediately. Se-
vere transmission damage may occur.
Your authorized dealer has the proper tools to
adjust the fluid level accurately.
Car maintenance should be done at a
FIAT Dealership. For routine and minor
maintenance operations you wish to
carry out yourself, we do recommend you have
the proper equipment , genuine FIAT spare parts
and the necessary fluids; do not however carry out
these operations if you have no experience.
Fluid Level Check — Four-Speed Automatic
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60 seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
3. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brake pedal.
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4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gearposition (allowing time for the transmission to fully
engage in each position), ending with the transmis-
sion in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt from entering the transmission.
6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 82° C, which
is the normal operating temperature after the ve-
hicle is driven at least 24 km. Hot fluid cannot be
held comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid
is at a temperature of approximately 27° C.
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated. Then, remove the dipstick and note the fluid level
on both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if
there is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the
dipstick. Note that the holes in the dipstick will be
full of fluid if the actual level is at or above the hole.
• If the fluid is hot, the fluid level should be in the crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the up-
per two holes in the dipstick).
• If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.” • If the fluid level is low, add fluid through the dipstick
tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill.
After adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick
tube, wait at least two minutes for the oil to fully
drain into the transmission before rechecking the
fluid level.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmis-
sion after checking or replenishing fluid, make sure that
the dipstick cap is properly re-seated.
• Using a transmission fluid other than
the manufacturer ’s recommended fluid
may cause deterioration in transmission
shift quality and/or torque converter shudder, and
will require more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in "Technical Specifications" for fluid
specifications.
• Dirt and water in the transmission can cause
serious damage. To prevent dirt and water from
entering the transmission after checking or re-
plenishing fluid, make sure that the dipstick cap is
re-seated properly.
353
KNOWING
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WARNING
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