traction control CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2008 1.G Owners Manual

²Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
²Impact acceleration and angle
²Seatbelt status
²Brake status (service and parking brakes)
²Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
²Engine control status (including engine speed)
²Transmission gear selection
²Cruise control status
²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status ± If Equipped
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a seat appropriate for their age and size.
According to crash statistics, children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear seats, rather than in the
front.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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NTo Vary The Speed Setting...............145
NTo Accelerate For Passing...............146
mGarage Door Opener Ð If Equipped.........146
NProgramming HomeLinkt...............147
NCanadian Programming/Gate Programming . . 150
NUsing HomeLinkt.....................151
NReprogramming a Single HomeLinkt
Buttons............................151
NSecurity............................151
NTroubleshooting Tips...................152
NGeneral Information...................152
mAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS).............153
mElectronic Brake Control System -
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP.....................154NTraction Control System (TCS)............154
NBrake Assist System (BAS)...............154
NESP (Electronic Stability Program).........155
mAdjustable Pedals Ð If Equipped...........159
mRear Park Sense System Ð If Equipped.......160
NRear Park Assist Sensors................161
NRear Park Assist Warning Display.........162
NEnable/Disable The Rear Park Assist System Ð
If Equipped.........................165
NService The Rear Park Assist System........165
NCleaning The Rear Park Assist System......166
mRear Camera Ð If Equipped...............166
mOverhead Console Ð If Equipped...........168
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The term ªICº before the certification/registration num-
ber only signifies that Industry Canada technical specifi-
cations were met.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
ABS aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control under
adverse braking conditions. The system controls hydrau-
lic brake pressure to prevent wheel lockup and help
avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
NOTE:ABS improves steering control of the vehicle
during hard braking maneuvers.
WARNING!
²ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes and
tires or the traction afforded.
²ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only
a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM -
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP
Your vehicle is equipped with the advanced electronic
brake control system that includes Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS) Brake Assist
System (BAS), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). All
four systems work together to enhance vehicle stability
and control in various driving conditions, and are com-
monly referred to as ESP.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply thebrake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle's braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
²The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user 's safety
or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path. ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine
the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it
to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, ESP applies the brake
of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the
oversteer or understeer condition.
²Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
²Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 155
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ESP Operating Modes
The ESP system has 2 available operating modes.
ESP ON
This is the normal operating mode for ESP. Whenever the
vehicle is started the ESP system will be in this mode.
This mode should be used for most driving situations.
ESP should only be turned to ªPartial ESPº for specific
reasons as noted below.
PARTIAL ESP
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
ªESP OFFº button.
When in ªPartial ESPº mode, the TCS portion of ESP has
been disabled, the thresholds for ESP activation are
Traction Control Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3

Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS), are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light
will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair
to the ABS system is required.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.8. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator
Light/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, apply as little throttle as possible. While
driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road con-
ditions, and do not switch off the ESP, or TCS.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the Traction
Control Light. This is to prevent overheating of the brake
system and is a normal condition. The system will remain
disabled for about 4 minutes until the brakes have
cooled. The system will automatically reactivate and turn
off the Traction Control Light.
190 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

²WASHER FLUID LOW (with a single chime)
²PEDAL ADJUST DISABLED CRUISE ENGAGED
²PEDAL ADJUST DISABLED VEHICLE IN REVERSE
²CHANNEL 1, 2, OR 3 TRANSMIT (with a single
chime)
²CHANNEL 1, 2, OR 3 TRAINING (with a single
chime)
²CHANNEL 1, 2, OR 3 TRAINED (with a single chime)
²CLEARING CHANNELS
²CHANNELS CLEARED
²CHANNELS DEFAULTED
²DID NOT TRAIN
²1,2,3 OR 4 TIRE(S) LOW PRESSURE (Refer to ºTire
Pressure Monitor Systemº in the ªStarting And Oper-
ating, Tire Sectionº)
²SERVICE TIRE SYSTEM SOON (Refer to ºTire Pres-
sure Monitor Systemº in the ªStarting And Operating,
Tire Sectionº)
²TCS SUSPENDED (Traction Control System, with a
graphic and single chime)
²TCS ACTIVE (Traction Control System, with a
graphic)
²SERVICE TCS SYSTEM (Traction Control System, with
a graphic and single chime)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201
4

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD). The system is automatic with no driver
inputs or additional driving skills required. Under nor-
mal driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a preemptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally 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 an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
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