power steering fluid FIAT FREEMONT 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

LOOSE FUEL FILLER CAP MESSAGE
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the
fuel filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
the word “gASCAP” will display in the odometer. If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap until a “clicking” sound
is heard and press the TRIP ODOMETER button to
turn off the message. If the problem persists, the
message will appear the next time the vehicle is
started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it
will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these
conditions, you will observe a substantial increase in
steering effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds
and during parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
• Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
• Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power
steering pump may make noise for a short amount of
time. This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced
power steering assist could pose a safety
risk to yourself and others. Service should be
obtained as soon as possible.
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Prolonged operation of the steering sys-
tem at the end of the steering wheel
travel will increase the steering fluid tem-
perature and it should be avoided when possible.
Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
POWER STEERING FLUID CHECK
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as an-
ticipated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an
authorized dealer.Do not use chemical flushes in your
power steering system as the chemicals
can damage your power steering compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level
surface and with the engine off to pre-
vent injury from moving parts and to ensure
accurate fluid level reading. Do not overfill. Use
only manufacturer's recommended power steer-
ing fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indi-
cated level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid
from all surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in “Technical Specifications” for the
correct fluid type.
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(Continued)
 Never place or install floor mats or other floor
coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly
secured to prevent them from moving and inter-
fering with the pedals or the ability to control the
vehicle.
 Never put floor mats or other floor coverings
on top of already installed floor mats. Additional
floor mats and other coverings will reduce the
size of the pedal area and interfere with the
pedals.
 Check mounting of mats on a regular basis.
Always properly reinstall and secure floor mats
that have been removed for cleaning.
 Always make sure that objects cannot fall into
the driver footwell while the vehicle is moving.
Objects can become trapped under the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal causing a loss of
vehicle control.
 If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation
or mounting can cause interference with the
brake pedal and accelerator pedal operation
causing loss of control of the vehicle. PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD
MAKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven
wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other
objects lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the
tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks and bulges. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper cold infla-
tion pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and
High Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering
fluid, or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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** If the car is used for less than 10 000 km per year, it
is necessary to replace engine oil and cartridge every
12 months.
*** The actual interval for replacement of engine oil
and cartridge depends by vehicle usage conditions and
is shown through a gauge or a message (if available) on
the dashboard or at least every 24 months.
Failure to perform the required mainte-
nance items may result in damage to the
vehicle.
Regular Checks
Every 1,000 km or before long journeys, check and top
up the following if necessary:
• engine coolant fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid and power steering fluid;
• tire pressure and condition;
• operation of lighting system (headlights, direction indicators, hazard lights, etc.);
• operation of the windshield wiper/washer system, position and wear of windshield/rear window wiper
blades;
• Check and add, if required, the engine oil level every 3,000 km. Use Of The Car Under Heavy Conditions
If you use the car mainly under one of the followingconditions:
• trailer or caravan towing;
• dusty roads;
• short (less than 7-8 km) and repeated journeys in
sub-zero temperatures;
• frequent engine idling, travelling long distances at low speeds or long term inactivity, perform the following
inspections more frequently than shown on the
Maintenance Schedule;
• check front disc brake pad condition and wear;
• check cleanliness of hood latches, as well as cleanli- ness and lubrication of linkages;
• visually inspect the conditions of: engine, transmis- sion, pipes and tubes (exhaust - fuel - brakes), rubber
parts (boots, sleeves, etc.);
• check battery charge and liquid level (electrolyte);
• visually inspect the condition of auxiliary drive belts;
• check and if necessary change engine oil and oil filter;
• check pollen filter and replace it, if required;
• check air filter and replace, if required;
• check fuel filter and replace, if required.
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L (fig. 177)(fig. 177)1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Engine Oil Fill
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.0L DIESEL (fig. 178)(fig. 178)1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 5 — Brake Fluid Reservoir
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Totally Integrated Power Module (Fuses)
3 — Engine Oil Fill 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Engine Oil Dipstick 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
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MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmainte-
nance services determined by the engineers who de-
signed your vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
maintenance schedule, there are other components
which may require servicing or replacement in the
future.
 Failure to properly maintain your ve-
hicle or perform repairs and service when
necessary could result in more costly re-
pairs, damage to other components or negatively
impact vehicle performance. Immediately have
potential malfunctions examined by an autho-
rized dealership or qualified repair center.
 Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended mainte-
nance intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in
these components as the chemicals can damage
your engine, transmission, power steering or air
conditioning. Such damage is not covered by the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure. ENGINE OIL
Checking Oil Level – Gasoline Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil
must be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil
level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not
check oil level before starting the engine after it has sat
overnight. Checking engine oil level when the engine is
cold will give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground
and only when the engine is hot, will improve the
accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level
between the range markings on the dipstick. Either the
range markings consist of a crosshatch zone marked
SAFE or a crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low
end of the range and MAX at the high end of the range.
Adding 1 Liter of oil when the reading is at the low end
of the range marking will raise the oil level to the high
end of the range marking.
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the
engine will cause oil aeration, which can
lead to loss of oil pressure and an in-
crease in oil temperature.This could damage your
engine.Also, be sure the oil fill cap is replaced and
tightened after adding oil.
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CHASSISComponent Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission (for
versions/markets, where provided)TUTELA TRANSMISSION FORCE4 Totally synthetic lubricant that meets FIAT
Classification 9.55550- AV4
Manual Transmission (for
versions/markets, where provided) Grade SAE 75W synthetic lubricant that meets Qualification FIAT
9.55550-MZ6 (TUTELA TRANSMISSION GEARFORCE Contractual Technical
Reference No. F002.F10).
Wheel-Side Constant Velocity Joints Molybdenum disulphide grease, for use at high temperatures. FIAT 9.55580
certification. NL.GI. 1-2 consistency (TUTELA ALL STAR Contractual
Technical Reference No. F702.G07)
Differential-Side Constant Velocity
Joints Grease for constant-velocity joints with low friction coefficient. FIAT 9.55580
certification. NL.GI. 0-2 consistency (TUTELA STAR 700 Contractual Technical
Reference No. F701.C07)
Brake/Clutch Master Cylinder Synthetic fluid, FMVSS no. 116, DOT 4, ISO 4925 SAE J-1704. Qualification
FIAT 9.55597 (TUTELA TOP 4 Contractual Technical Reference No. F001.A93)
Power Steering Reservoir Please refer to your Dealership.
Windshield/Rear Window Washer Fluid Mixture of alcohol, water and surfactants CUNA NC 956-II FIAT 9.55522
certification (TUTELA PROFESSIONAL SC35 Contractual Technical Reference
No. F201.D02)
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Brake Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113,284Anti-Lock (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113,114
Fluid Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284,303
Master Cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Warning Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Brake, Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Brake/Transmission Interlock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113,284
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle . . . . . . . . 195
Brightness, Interior Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248,249
Bulbs, Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,248
Camera, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Capacities, Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Caps, Filler Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Oil (Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271,273
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Car Washes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Carbon Monoxide Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cargo Area Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Cargo Area Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Cargo Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Luggage Carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Cargo Load Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cargo Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 Rollaway Tonneau Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Tri-Fold Load Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Cargo Tie-Downs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Cellular Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Changing A Flat Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Checks, Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Child Booster Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Child Restraint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170,173,175,177,179
Child Restraint Tether Anchors . . . . . . . . . . . . 176,177
Child Safety Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Clean Air Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299Cleaning Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Windshield Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Climate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Coin Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Cold Weather Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Compact Spare Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
Computer, Trip/Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Connector UCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) . . . . . . . . . . 154
Conserving Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Console, Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Console, Overhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Cool Down, Turbo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) . . . . . . . . . . . . 281,282
Coolant Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280,283
Diesel Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
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Exhaust Gas Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,192
Fails to Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Flooded, Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272,301,302
Oil Change Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,273
Oil Filler Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271,273
Oil Filter Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Oil Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Engine Oil Viscosity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Enhanced Accident Response Feature . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Entry System, Illuminated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Ethanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Event Data Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Exhaust Gas Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106,192,279
Exhaust System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192,279
Exterior Folding Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Exterior Light Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Exterior Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Exterior Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194,249
Fabric Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
Filler Location Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Filters Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,276
Automatic Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 Engine Oil Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Flash-To-Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73Flashers Hazard Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Turn Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73,194,226
Flooded Engine Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Floor Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Fluid Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Fluid Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284,303
Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272,273
Manual Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122,303
Fluid, Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303
Fluids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Fog Light Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249,250
Fog Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72,226,249,250
Fog Lights, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230,250
Folding Rear Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49,54
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298,300 Adding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Conserving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,302
Ethanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 298
Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
310
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