steering CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2005 1.G User Guide

Interior light Defeat (OFF)
Rotate the dimmer control to the ex-
treme bottom “OFF” position. The in-
terior lights will remain off when the
doors are open.
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness Feature)
Rotate the dimmer control to the first
detent (white semi-circle). This feature
brightens the odometer and radio dis-
play when the parking lights or head-
lights are on during daylight condi-
tions.
Multi-Function Control Lever
The Multi-Function Control Lever controls the operation
of the headlights, parking lights, turn signals, headlight
beam selection, instrument panel light dimming, interior
lights, the passing lights, and fog lights. The lever is
located on the left side of the steering column.
Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights
Turn the end of the Multi-Function Control Lever to the
first detent for parking light operation. Turn to the
second detent for headlight operation.
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The fog lights will only operate with the head-
lights on low beam. Selecting high beam headlights will
turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Control Lever up or down and
the arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the fuse or indicator bulb is
defective.
Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch
Pull the Multi-Function Control Lever towards you to
switch the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the control
lever a second time to switch the headlights to LOW
beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the Multi-Function Control Lever toward
you. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the lever is released.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch
on the control lever. The lever is located on the
right side of the steering column. Move the con-
trol lever up to select the desired wiper speed.
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Windshield Wiper Operation
Move the lever upward to the second detent for Low
speed wiper operation, or to the third detent for High
speed operation
Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause be-
tween cycles, desirable. Move the lever to the DEL
position, then select the delay interval by turning the end
of the lever. Rotate the knob upward (clockwise) to
decrease the delay time and downward (counterclock-
wise) to increase the delay time. The delay can be
regulated from a maximum of approximately 18 seconds
between cycles, to a cycle every second.
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, push down on the lever below the
multi-function control lever and move the steering wheel
up or down, as desired. Pull the lever back up to lock the
column firmly in place.
Tilt Steering Column Control
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH — IF EQUIPPED
The TRAC indicator, located in the instrument cluster,
will flash when the Traction Control System is in use.
The TRAC OFF switch is located on the instrument panel
below the radio.
To turn the system OFF, press the TRAC OFF switch until
the TRAC OFF indicator in the instrument cluster lights
up.To turn the system back ON, press the switch a second
time until the TRAC OFF indicator turns OFF.
Traction Control Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 101
3

NOTE:The Traction Control System indicator “TRAC
OFF” will illuminate momentarily as a bulb check, each
time the ignition switch is turned ON. This will occur
even if you used the “TRAC OFF” switch to turn the
system OFF.
NOTE:The Traction Control System will make buzzing
or clicking sounds when the system is in operation.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h). The
speed control lever is located on the right side of the
steering wheel.
To Activate:
Push the ON/OFF button. The CRUISE indicator in the
instrument cluster will illuminate. To turn the system
OFF, push the ON/OFF button a second time. The
CRUISE indicator will turn off. The system should be
turned OFF when not in use.
Speed Control Switches
102 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

you understand and save you concern about these “ap-
parent” malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:On vehicles so equipped the radio, steering
wheel radio controls and 6 disc CD/DVD changer will
remain active for up to 45 seconds after the ignition
switch has been turned off. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 145
4

▫AutoStick General Information............204

Manual Transaxle Operation...............205
▫2.4 Liter Turbo— If Equipped.............207
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............207
▫Downshifting........................208

Parking Brake.........................209

Brake System..........................211
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
If Equipped.........................212

Power Assisted Steering..................213

Traction Control — If Equipped............214

Tire Safety Information...................216
▫Tire Markings........................216▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........219
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........220

Tires—General Information................224
▫Tire Pressure.........................224
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................225
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................228
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........228
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........229
▫Tire Spinning........................230
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................231
▫Replacement Tires.....................231
▫Alignment And Balance.................232

Tire Chains...........................233
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
•When shifting into P (Park), depress the button on the
shift lever and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•When engaged in P (Park), you will not be able to
move the shifter rearward without depressing the shift
lever button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS 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.
•The 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.
POWER ASSISTED STEERING
The power assisted steering system of your vehicle
provides mechanical steering capability in the event
power assist is lost.
If for some reason the hydraulic pressure is interrupted,
it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these
conditions you will observe a substantial increase in
steering effort.
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
5

TRACTION CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System will improve acceleration
and steering on slippery surfaces by reducing tire spin.
The system reduces wheel slip and maintains traction at
the driving (front) wheels by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction. When this occurs the TRAC
indicator light located above the instrument cluster
odometer will flash. The system operates at speeds below
40 mph (64 km/h).
A push-button at the center of the instrument panel,
below the radio, turns the Traction Control System ON or
OFF.
Traction Control Switch
214 STARTING AND OPERATING