windshield wipers FIAT FREEMONT 2012 Owner handbook (in English)

WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND
WASHERS
The windshield wiper/washer control lever is located
on the left side of the steering column. (fig. 53)
The front wipers are operated by rotating a switch,
located at the end of the lever. Refer to “Rear Window
Features” for further information on using the rear
window wiper/washer.
INTERMITTENT WIPER SYSTEM
Use the intermittent wiper system when weather con-
ditions make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause
between cycles, desirable. Rotate the end of the wind-
shield wiper/washer control lever to one of the first
five detents to select the desired delay interval.
(fig. 54)There are five delay settings, which allow you to regu-
late the wipe interval from a minimum of one cycle
every second to a maximum of approximately 36 sec-
onds between cycles at vehicle speeds below 16 km/h.
At speeds greater than 16 km/h, the delay varies to a
maximum of approximately 18 seconds between
cycles.
NOTE:
The wiper delay times depend on vehicle
speed. If the vehicle is moving less than 16 km/h, delay
times will be doubled.
WINDSHIELD WIPER OPERATION
Rotate the end of the lever upward, to the first detent
past the intermittent settings for low-speed wiperoperation.(fig. 53) Windshield Wiper/Washer Lever
(fig. 54) Front Wiper Control
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Rotate the end of the lever upward to the second
detent past the intermittent settings for high-speed
wiper operation. (fig. 55)
NOTE:The wipers will automatically return to the
“park” position if you turn OFF the ignition switch
while they are operating. The wipers will resume op-
eration when you turn the ignition switch back to the
ON position.
 Turn the windshield wipers OFF when
driving through an automatic car wash.
Damage to the windshield wipers may
result if the wiper control is left in any position
other than OFF.
 In cold weather, always turn OFF the wiper
switch and allow the wipers to return to the park
position before turning OFF the engine. If the
wiper switch is left ON and the wipers freeze to
the windshield, damage to the wiper motor may
occur when the vehicle is restarted.
 Always remove any buildup of snow that pre-
vents the windshield wiper blades from returning
to the “park” position. If the windshield wiper
control is turned OFF, and the blades cannot
return to the “park” position, damage to the wiper
motor may occur.
WINDSHIELD WASHERS
To use the windshield washer, push the washer knob,
located on the end of the multifunction lever, inward to
the second detent.
If you activate the washer while the wiper control is in
the delay range, the wipers will operate in low-speed
for two or three wipe cycles after releasing the lever
and then resume the intermittent interval previously
selected.
(fig. 55) Front Wiper Control
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If you activate the washer while the wiper control is in
the OFF position, the wipers will operate for two or
three wipe cycles and then turn OFF.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the
windshield could lead to a collision. You
might not see other vehicles or other obstacles.To
avoid sudden icing of the windshield during freez-
ing weather, warm the windshield with the de-
froster before and during windshield washer use.
MIST FEATURE
Push the washer knob, located on the end of the
multifunction lever, inward to the first detent to acti-
vate a single wipe cycle to clear the windshield of road
mist or spray from a passing vehicle. The wipers will
continue to operate until you release the lever.
NOTE: The mist feature does not activate the
washer pump; therefore, no washer fluid will be
sprayed on the windshield. The wash function must be
used in order to spray the windshield with washer fluid. HEADLIGHT WASHERS (for
versions/markets, where
provided)
The Headlight Washers are recessed into the top of
the fascia, centrally located below each headlight.
The windshield wiper/washer control lever operates
the headlight washers when the ignition switch is in the
ON position and the headlights are ON. The lever is
located on the left side of the steering column.
To use the headlight washers, push the washer knob,
located on the end of the multifunction lever, inward to
the second detent to activate the windshield washers
and release it. When this is done, the two stationary
washer nozzles at each headlight spray one timed
high-pressure spray of washer fluid onto each headlight
lens. In addition, the windshield washers will spray the
windshield and the windshield wipers will cycle.
NOTE:
After turning the ignition switch and head-
lights ON, the headlight washers will operate on the
first spray of the windshield washer and then every
eleventh spray after that.
78
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The A/C air filter is identified with an
arrow to indicate airflow direction
through the filter. Failure to install the
filter properly will result in the need to replace it
more often.
7. Reinstall the glove box door. Make sure that the hinges are seated fully as you raise the door. Other-
wise, the door latch will not align properly.
BODY LUBRICATION
Locks and all body pivot points, including such items as
seat tracks, door hinge pivot points and rollers, liftgate,
tailgate, sliding doors and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically with a lithium based grease to
assure quiet, easy operation and to protect against rust
and wear. Prior to the application of any lubricant, the
parts concerned should be wiped clean to remove dust
and grit; after lubricating excess oil and grease should
be removed. Particular attention should also be given
to hood latching components to ensure proper func-
tion. When performing other underhood services, the
hood latch, release mechanism and safety catch should
be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice
a year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant directly into the lock
cylinder. WIPER BLADES
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield and rear window periodically with a sponge
or soft cloth and a mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will
remove accumulations of salt, waxes, or road film, and
help reduce streaking and smearing.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always
use washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt
or dirt from a dry windshield or rear window.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice
from the windshield or rear window. Make sure that
they are not frozen to the glass before turning them on
to avoid damaging the blade. Keep the blade rubber out
of contact with petroleum products such as engine oil,
gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies de-
pending on geographical area and frequency of use.
Poor performance of blades may be present with chat-
tering, marks, water lines or wet spots. If any condition
is present please proceed to clean wiper blades with
humid cloth removing any debris that may be affecting
its function.
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SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS

Disposal of Used Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Drain, Flush, and Refill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Points to Remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Pressure Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Radiator Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) . . . . . . 281,301,302
Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Corrosion Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Cupholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92,290
Data Recorder, Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Daytime Running Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Defroster, Rear Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Defroster, Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64,193
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Diagnostic System, Onboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Diesel Fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300,302
Diesel Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Dimmer Switch, Headlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73Dipsticks Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286
Oil (Engine) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272,273
Power Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Disabled Vehicle Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Door Locks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Door Locks, Automatic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Downshifting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 Driving
On Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy . . . . . . . 24
Electric Remote Mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) . . . . . . . . 89
Electrical Power Outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Electronic Brake Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 Anti-Lock Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Brake Assist System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Electronic Roll Mitigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electronic Stability Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Traction Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) . . . . . . . . 81
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . . 19,134
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Jacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195,271
Air Cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Break-In Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Checking Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272,273
Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Compartment Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270
Coolant (Antifreeze) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280,302
Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
309
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Washers, Windshield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76,77,278
Washing Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
WaterDriving Through . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Wheel and Wheel Trim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Wind Buffeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95,105
Window Fogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Windshield Defroster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Windshield Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76,77
Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Windshield Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Windshield Wipers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Wiper Blade Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277
Wiper, Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Wiper, Rear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Wipers, Intermittent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Wrecker Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
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