tires FIAT FREEMONT 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other
slippery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the front (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces
is dangerous. Unequal traction can
cause sudden pulling of the front wheels. You
could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet , mud, loose sand, etc .). TRACTION
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for
a wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in
a sudden stop.
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TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-mended:
 Do not tow a trailer at all during the
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
accident . Follow these guidelines to
make your trailer towing as safe as possible:
(Continued)(Continued)
 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.
 Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade.When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
 GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
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(Continued)
 Total weight must be distributed between
the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized.
Towing Requirements – Tires Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact spare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential for the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to “Tires
– General Information” in “Technical Specifications” for
proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General Information” in
“Technical Specifications” for the proper tire inspection
procedures.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Inf orma-
tion” in “Technical Specifications” for proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load car-
rying capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR and
GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes Do not
interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the
trailer. This could cause inadequate braking and pos-
sible personal injury.
When towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic brake controller is
not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 450 kg and required for trailers in excess of 750 kg.
If the trailer weighs more than 450 kg
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and
they should be of adequate capacity. Fail-
ure to do this could lead to accelerated brake
lining wear, higher brake pedal effort , and longer
stopping distances.
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8. Park/Headlight ON Indicator (for
versions/markets, where provided)This indicator will illuminate when the park
lights or headlights are turned on. (Refer to
“Lights” in “Knowing Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information).
9. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light (for
versions/markets, where provided) Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indi-
cated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure
label, you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure tell-
tale light illuminates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s respon-
sibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumina-
tion of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is
not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indica-
tor is combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale
will flash for approximately one minute and then re-
main continuously illuminated. This sequence will con-
tinue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the
malfunction exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or
signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the instal-
lation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning
properly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale
light after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alter-
nate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.
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The TPMS has been optimized for the
original equipment tires and wheels.
TPMS pressures and warning have been
established for the tire size equipped on your
vehicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor
damage may result when using replacement
equipment that is not of the same size, type,
and/or style.Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor
damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result . (Re-
fer to “Tire Inflation Pressures” under “Tires —
General Information” and to “Tire Pressure Moni-
tor System (TPMS)” in “Technical Specifications”
for further information).
10. Seat Belt Reminder Light When the ignition switch is first turned to ON/
RUN, this light will turn on for four to eight
seconds as a bulb check. During the bulb check,
if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will sound.
After the bulb check or when driving, if the driver seat
belt remains unbuckled, the Seat Belt Warning Light
will flash or remain on continuously. Refer to “Occu-
pant Restraints” in “Safety” for further information. 11. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem
with the anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with
the Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock
Brake System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) system. In this case, the light will remain on until
the condition has been corrected. If the problem is
related to the brake booster, the ABS pump will run
when applying the brake and a brake pedal pulsation
may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking
capacity in the event of a failure to a portion of the
hydraulic system. A leak in either half of the dual brake
system is indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which
will turn on when the brake fluid level in the master
cylinder has dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
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JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
 Do not attempt to change a tire on the
side of the vehicle close to moving traf-
fic . Pull far enough off the road to avoid the
danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
 Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never put any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift .
 Never start or run the engine while the vehicle
is on a jack.
 The jack is designed to be used as a tool for
changing tires only.The jack should not be used to
lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle
should be jacked on a firm level surface only.
Avoid ice or slippery areas. JACK LOCATION
The jack and jack-handle are stowed underneath a
cover in the rear storage bin in the cargo area.
(fig. 154)
SPARE TIRE LOCATION
The spare tire is stowed underneath the rear of the
vehicle and is held in place by means of a cable winchmechanism.
PREPARATIONS FOR JACKING
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or
slippery areas.
(fig. 154)
Jack Storage Location
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(Continued)
 Never start or run the engine with the vehicle
on a jack.
 Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on
a jack.
 Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
 Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
 If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic .
 To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
(fig. 157)
Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by
jacking on locations other than those
indicated in the Jacking Instructions for
this vehicle.
(fig. 158)
1. Remove the spare tire, jack, and jack-handle from stowage.
2. Loosen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts on the wheel with the flat tire. Turn the wheel nuts coun-
terclockwise one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.
3. Place the jack underneath the lift area that is closest to the flat tire. Center the jack saddle between the
drain flute formations on the sill flange. Turn the
(fig. 157)
Jack Warning Label
(fig. 158) Jacking Locations
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Be sure to mount the spare tire with the
valve stem facing outward. The vehicle
could be damaged if the spare tire is
mounted incorrectly.
(fig. 161)
NOTE:
• For vehicles so equipped, do not attempt to install a
center cap or wheel cover on the compact spare.
• Refer to “Compact Spare Tire” and to “Limited-Use
Spare” under “Tires — General Information” in “Start-
ing And Operating” for additional warnings, cautions,
and information about the spare tire, its use, andoperation. 7. Install the wheel nuts with the cone-shaped end of
the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the wheel
nuts.
WARNING!
To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle
off the jack, do not tighten the wheel
nuts fully until the vehicle has been lowered.
Failure to follow this warning may result in per-
sonal injury.
8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw coun- terclockwise with the jack handle.
9. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the wrench while at the end of the handle for increased
leverage. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern until
each nut has been tightened twice. The correct
tightness of each lug nut is 130 N

Selecting Air ModeTurn the Mode Select Knob (5) to this posi-
tion for air pump operation only. Use the
Black Air Pump Hose (7) when selecting this
mode.
Selecting Sealant Mode Turn the Mode Select Knob (5) to
this position to inject the TIREFIT
Sealant and to inflate the tire. Use
the Sealant Hose (clear hose) (6)
when selecting this mode.
Using The Power Button Push and release the Power Button (4) once
to turn On the TIREFIT kit. Push and release
the Power Button (4) again to turn Off the
TIREFIT kit.
Using The Deflation Button Press the Deflation Button (2) to reduce the
air pressure in the tire if it becomes
over-inflated.
TIREFIT Usage Precautions
• Replace the TIREFIT Sealant Bottle (1) and Sealant Hose (6) prior to the expiration date (printed on the
bottle label) to assure optimum operation of the
system. Refer to “Sealing a Tire with TIREFIT” sec-
tion (F) “Sealant Bottle and Hose Replacement”. • The Sealant Bottle (1) and Sealant Hose (6) are a one
tire application use. After each use, always replace
these components immediately at an authorized
dealer.
• When the TIREFIT sealant is in a liquid form, clean water, and a damp cloth will remove the material
from the vehicle or tire and wheel components.
Once the sealant dries, it can easily be peeled off and
properly discarded.
• For optimum performance, make sure the valve stem on the wheel is free of debris before connecting the
TIREFIT kit.
• You can use the TIREFIT air pump to inflate bicycle tires. The kit also comes with two needles, located in
the Accessory Storage Compartment (on the bot-
tom of the air pump) for inflating sport balls, rafts, or
similar inflatable items. However, use only the Air
Pump Hose (7) and make sure the Mode Select Knob
(5) is in the Air Mode when inflating such items to
avoid injecting sealant into them. The TIREFIT Seal-
ant is only intended to seal punctures less than 6 mm
diameter in the tread of your vehicle.
• Do not lift or carry the TIREFIT kit by the hoses.
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FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around
the front wheels. Then shift back and forth between
DRIVE and REVERSE (with automatic transmission) or
1st gear and REVERSE (with manual transmission).
Using the least accelerator pedal pressure to maintain
the rocking motion without spinning the wheels is
most effective.
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels
may lead to transmission overheating
and failure. Allow the engine to idle with
the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at least one min-
ute after every five rocking-motion cycles. This
will minimize overheating and reduce the risk of
transmission failure during prolonged efforts to
free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with
Traction Control, turn the system OFF be-
fore attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer
to “Electronic Stability Program (ESP)” in
“Knowing Your Vehicle” for further information.
 When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by mov-
ing between DRIVE/1st gear and RE-
VERSE, do not spin the wheels faster than
24 km/h, or drivetrain damage may result .
 Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too
fast may lead to transmission overheating and
failure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin
the wheels above 48 km/h while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous.
Forces generated by excessive wheel
speeds may cause damage, or even failure, of the
axle and tires. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 48 km/h or for longer than 30 seconds
continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
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