CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2009 5.G Owners Manual

3. Turn the compact spare tire so that the valve stem is
down, and place the tire into the spare tire/cover assem-
bly. Slide the wheel spacer through the center of the
wheel and spare tire/cover assembly, so that the two
retainer tabs snap out and engage the spare tire cover on
the opposite side.
CAUTION!
The compact spare tire/cover assembly must be used
when the compact spare tire is stored. Failure to use
this cover could drastically reduce the life of the
compact spare tire.
WARNING!
Verify that both retainer tabs of the wheel spacer
have been properly extended through the center of
the wheel and spare tire/cover assembly. Failure to
properly engage both retainer tabs could result in
loss of the spare tire and cover assembly, which will
cause vehicle damage and may cause loss of vehicle
control.
4. Using the winch “T” handle, rotate the drive nut to the
right until the compact spare tire/cover assembly is
drawn into place against the underside of the vehicle.
5. Continue to rotate the nut to the right until you hear
the winch mechanism click three times. It cannot be
overtightened. Check under the vehicle to ensure the
compact spare tire/cover assembly is positioned cor-
rectly against the underside of the vehicle.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 429

CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed specifically to
stow a compact spare tire only. Do not attempt to use
the winch to stow the full size flat tire, or any other
full-size tire. Vehicle damage may result.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE
WARNING!
•Do not attempt to push or tow the vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from another
vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done
improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Do not lean over a battery when attaching
booster cables, or allow the clamps to touch each
other. If acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the
contaminated area immediately with large quanti-
ties of water.
•Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Do not use
a booster battery or any other booster source with
an output greater than 12-Volts. Do not allow
booster cable clamps to touch each other.(Continued)
430 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING! (Continued)
•Take special care to avoid the radiator cooling fan
whenever the hood is raised. The cooling fan is
electrically operated and can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be hurt by the fan.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above the
freezing point before attempting a jump-start.
When jump-starting, proceed as follows:
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry,
such as watch bands or bracelets, that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When a boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach and do not let the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake, place
the automatic transmission shift lever into PARK and
turn the ignition switch to the OFF position for both
vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the discharged battery. Connect the other end
of the same cable to the positive terminal of the booster
battery.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other, as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 431

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery, and then to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure there is a
good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark could
cause the battery to explode.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than the jump-starting process
listed could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then move the shift lever back and forth
between REVERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal accelera-
tor pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, with-
out spinning the wheels, is most effective.
432 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when starting
off in deep snow, sand or gravel, it may be desirable to
switch the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) to “Partial
Off” mode. For further information on ESC refer to
“Electronic Brake Control System” in Section 5.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than
35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
CAUTION!
Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Towing With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions:
•The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL.
•The distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles
(160 km).
•The towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h).
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 433

CAUTION!
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmis-
sion gear failure.
If the transmission is inoperative, or if the vehicle is to be
towed more than 100 miles (160 km), the vehicle must be
towed with the front wheels off the ground.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling-type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method of
towing is with a flatbed truck. (Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
•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
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not in
the LOCK or ACC positions.
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACC position. Make certain the trans-
mission remains in NEUTRAL.
434 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Towing Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the OFF position. The only approved
method of towing without the ignition key is with a
flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the limitations
described in this section.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle With
A Tow Dolly
The manufacturerdoes not recommend that you tow a
front wheel drive vehicle on a tow dolly. Vehicle damage
may occur.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 435

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 3.3/3.8L ......... 439
 Engine Compartment — 4.0L ............ 440
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ..... 441
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message — Gascap . . 441
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 442
 Replacement Parts .................... 443
 Dealer Service ....................... 444
 Maintenance Procedures ................ 444 ▫
Engine Oil ........................ 445
▫ Engine Oil Filter .................... 448
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .............. 448
▫ Exhaust System .................... 449
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ............. 451
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ........... 452
▫ Body Lubrication ................... 455
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............. 455
▫ Cooling System .................... 457
7

▫Brakes ............................ 462
▫ Automatic Transaxle .................. 465
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 468
▫ Cleaning The Instrument Panel Cupholders . . 473
 Fuses .............................. 473
▫ Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) . . . 473
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 482
 Replacement Light Bulbs ................ 482
 Bulb Replacement ..................... 483
▫ High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (HID)
— If Equipped ...................... 483
▫ Quad Headlamps .................... 484 ▫
Front Park/Turn Signal Lamp ........... 484
▫ Front Side Marker Lamp ............... 485
▫ Fog Lamp ......................... 485
▫ Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, Side Marker
And Backup Lamp ................... 486
▫ Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp
(CHMSL) .......................... 487
▫ License Lamp ....................... 487
 Fluids And Capacities .................. 488
 Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ....... 489
▫ Engine ............................ 489
▫ Chassis ........................... 490
438 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE