towing FIAT FREEMONT 2014 1.G Owner's Manual

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to pre-
vent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and
other equipment designed for this purpose, following
equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety
chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing
device to main structural members of the vehicle, not
to bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws
regarding vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters,
etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the
ON/RUN position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle's battery is discharged, refer to "Shift Lever
Override" in this section for instructions on shifting the
automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
•Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Damage to the fascia will occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspension
components. Damage to your vehicle may result
from improper towing.
• Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result .
• If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignitionswitchmustbeintheACCorON/RUN
position, not in the LOCK/OFF position. WITHOUT THE KEY FOB
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the OFF position. Flatbed towing is
the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing equip-
ment may be used. Rear towing (with the front wheels
on the ground) is not allowed, as transmission damage
will occur. If rear towing is the only alternative, the
front wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to
the vehicle.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) MODELS
The manufacturer requires towing with all four wheels
OFF
the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed, or with one end of vehicle raised
and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission and/or power transfer unit
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) MODELS —
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle
with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
Your vehicle may also be towed in the forward direc-
tion, with all four wheels on the ground, the transmis-
sion in NEUTRAL, and the ignition in the ACC or
ON/RUN position. If the transmission is not operative,
the vehicle must be towed with the front wheels OFF
the ground (using a flatbed truck, towing dolly, or
wheel lift equipment with the front wheels raised).
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
engine and/or transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) MODELS —
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle
with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be flat towed (with all four
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing distance must not exceed 24 km .
• The towing speed must not exceed 40 km/h.
If the transmission is not operable, or the ve-
hicle must be towed faster than 40 km/h or
farther than 24 km, it must be towed with the
front wheels OFF the ground (using a flatbed
truck, towing dolly, or wheel lift equipment with
the front wheels raised).
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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Thousands Of Kilometers24 48 72 96 120 144 168 192
Months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84 96
Check exhaust gas emissions. • • • •••••
Check engine management system operation (via
diagnostic socket). ••••••••
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter (**). •
Replace spark plugs (2.4L engine) (***). •• • •
Replace spark plugs (3.6L engine) (***). ••
Replace air filter cartridge. •• • •
Change brake fluid (or every 24 months). ••
Replace pollen filter. • • • •••••
Replace rear drive assembly (RDA) fluid (for
versions/markets, where provided). ••
Replace power transfer unit (PTU) fluid (for
versions/markets, where provided). ••
(*)The oil and oil filter replacement must be carried out
when indicated by a warning light or message on the
instrument panel, or in any case every 12 months.
(**)Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter(s)
at 96 thousand km or 48 months if using your vehicle for
police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.
(***) The spark plug change in Km based only monthly
intervals do not apply.
NOTE: Flush and replace the engine coolant
240,000 km or 120 Months.
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Periodic Checks
Every1,000 km or before long journeys, check and, if
necessary, restore:
• engine coolant;
• brake fluid;
• power steering fluid;
• windshield washer fluid level;
• power steering fluid;
• 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 and automatic transmission fluid level
(four-speed automatic only). 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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Thousands Of Kilometers30 60 90 120 150 180
Months 24 48 72 96 120 144
Change the automatic transmission fluid
and filter (for versions/markets, where
provided) (#). •
(*) 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.
(***) Regardless of the distance covered, the timing
belt must be changed every 4 years for particularly
demanding use (cold climates, city driving, long periods
of idling) or at least every 5 years.
(#) Change the automatic transmission fluid and fil-
ter(s) at 90 thousand km or 72 months if using your
vehicle for any of the following: city driving, short (less
than 7-8 km) and repeated journeys, or frequent trailer
or caravan towing
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;
• power steering fluid;
• 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 and automatic transmission fluid level
(four-speed automatic only).
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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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WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if
you par k

over materials that can burn.
Such materials might be grass or leaves coming
into contact with your exhaust system. Do not
park or operate your vehicle in areas where your
exhaust system can contact anything that can
burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the engine
OFF, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter, obtain
service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifi-
cations immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
• Do not shut OFF the engine or interrupt the ignition when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any ignition coil connec- tors disconnected for prolonged periods. COOLING SYSTEMWARNING!
•
When working near the radiator cool-
ing fan, disconnect the fan motor lead or
turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
The fan is temperature controlled and can start at
any time the ignition switch is in the ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until the
radiator has had time to cool. Never tr y to open a
cooling system pressure cap when the radiator is
hot .
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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Delay (Intermittent) Wipers...................92
Diagnostic System, Onboard ..................143
Diesel Fuel ...........................360, 362
Diesel Fuel Requirements ....................360
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .....................88
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ...................340
Oil (Engine) ...........................324
Power Steering .........................144
Disabled Vehicle Towing .....................308
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................336
Door Locks ..............................113
Door Locks, Automatic ......................115
Downshifting .............................238
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ...............................248
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .........27
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) .........106
Electrical Power Outlets .....................106
Electric Remote Mirrors ......................64
Electronic Brake Control System ...............135
Anti-Lock Brake System ...................134
Brake Assist System ......................137
Electronic Roll Mitigation ..................137
Traction Control System ..................137
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ................137
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........96
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............138
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .....19, 159Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ................304
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................101
Jump Starting ..........................270
Towing ..............................308
Engine ...........................229, 320, 322
Air Cleaner ...........................326
Break-In Recommendations .................229
Checking Oil Level ......................324
Compartment ......................320, 321
Compartment Identification ................321
Coolant (Antifreeze) .................. 334, 362
Cooling ..............................33 3
Exhaust
Gas Caution .................. 125, 226
Fails to Start ...........................231
Flooded, Starting ........................231
Fuel Requirements .......................358
Jump Starting ..........................270
Oil ..........................324, 361, 362
Oil Change Interval ...................27, 325
Oil Filler Cap ................... 320, 322, 325
Oil Selection ..........................361
Operation ............................229
Starting ..............................229
Temperature Gauge .......................8
Engine Oil Viscosity ........................325
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................325
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............223
Entry System, Illuminated .....................91
Ethanol .................................358
Event Data Recorder .......................224
Exhaust Gas Caution .................125, 226, 332
Exhaust System ...........................226
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Operator Manual (Owner's Manual)...............4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .....................64
Overhead Console ..........................98
Owner's Manual (Operator Manual) ...............4
Paint Care ...............................343
Parking Brake ............................234
Passenger Seat Back Tilt (Easy Entry System) ........57
Passing Light ..............................89
Pets...................................225
Power Brakes ...............................133
Distribution Center (Fuses) ................300
Door Locks ...........................114
Mirrors ...............................64
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ...........106
Seats ................................45
Steering ..............................144
Sunroof ..............................111
Transfer Unit ..........................342
Windows .............................122
Power Transfer Unit ........................342
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts ................198
Preparation for Jacking ......................275
Pretensioners Seat Belts .............................192
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless Entry) ....12
Radial Ply Tires ...........................351
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ............336
Radio Operation ..........................184
Radio Remote Controls ......................161
Radio (Sound Systems) ......................161 Rear Air Conditioning
.....................71, 81
Rear Axle (Differential) ......................342
RearCamera.............................159
Rear Cupholder ...........................109
Rear Drive Assembly .......................342
Rear Fog Lights ...........................269
RearLiftgate.............................125
Rear Park Assist System .....................153
Rear Seat, Folding ........................54,58
RearviewMirrors...........................63
Rear Window Defroster ......................96
Rear Window Features .......................94
Rear Wiper/Washer .........................94
Reclining Front Seats ........................49
Reclining R ear

Seats .......................56, 58
Recorder, Event Data .......................224
Recreational Towing ........................261
Refrigerant ..............................328
Release, Hood ............................131
Reminder, Lights On .........................87
Reminder, Seat Belt ........................198
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ...................12
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ...........161
Repeater Lights, Side ........................295
Replacement Bulbs .........................291
Replacement Keys ..........................11
Replacement Tires .........................356
Resetting Oil Change Indicator ..............27, 266
Restraint, Head ............................50
Restraints, Child ..........................199
Restraints, Occupant .......................187
Retractable Cargo Area Cover .................129
Reverse Lights ............................295
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Tilt Column............................60
Wheel, Heated ..........................61
Wheel Lock ............................19
Wheel, Tilt ............................60
Steering Wheel Audio Controls ................161
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . . . .161
Storage .................................347
Storage, Vehicle ............................84
Stuck, Freeing ............................304
Sunglasses Storage ..........................99
SunRoof................................111
Sunroof Maintenance .......................113
Sun Visor Extension .........................65
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ...........216
Sway Control, Trailer .......................142
System, Navigation (Uconnect® gps) .............160
Tachometer ...............................7
Taillights ................................295
Telescoping Steering Column ...................60
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ...............8
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo .....................128
Tilt Steering Column ........................60
Time Delay, Headlight ........................87
TIREFIT ................................284
Tires...............................228, 349 Aging (Life of Tires) ......................355
Air Pressure ...........................349
Chains ...............................357
Compact Spare .........................353
General Information .....................349
High Speed ............................350
Inflation Pressures .......................349 LifeofTires ...........................355
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
.............145
Radial ...............................351
Replacement ..........................356
Rotation .............................347
Safety ...............................349
SnowTires ............................352
Spare Tire ............................275
Spinning ..............................354
Trailer Towing .........................255
Tread Wear Indicators ....................355
Tongue W eight/T

railer Weight .................253
ToOpenHood ...........................131
Towing.................................250 Disabled Vehicle ........................308
Guide ...............................253
Recreational ...........................261
Weight ..............................253
TowingEyes .............................306
Traction ............................. 247, 248
Traction Control ..........................137
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ...................142
Trailer Towing ............................250
Cooling System Tips .....................260
Hitches ..............................260
Minimum Requirements ...................254
Tips ................................259
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................253
Wiring ..............................256
Trailer Towing Guide .......................253
Trailer Weight ............................253
Transaxle Manual ..............................342
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