CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE 2011 1.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 294
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 294
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 294
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 295
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 295
▫ After Starting ....................... 297
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 297
Automatic Transmission ................. 297
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
Systems ........................... 299
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 299
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 300
▫ Four-Speed/Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission ....................... 300
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 300
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 304
▫ Operation ......................... 304
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▫General Information .................. 305
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 306
▫ Acceleration ........................ 306
▫ Traction ........................... 306
 Driving Through Water ................. 307
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 307
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 307
 Power Steering ....................... 309
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 309
 Parking Brake ........................ 310
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 313
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 315
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 315▫
Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 315
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 316
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 317
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 319
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 321
 Tire Safety Information ................. 322
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 322
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 326
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 327
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 328
 Tires — General Information ............. 332
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 332
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▫Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 333
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 335
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 336
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 336
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 337
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 338
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 338
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 339
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 340
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 340
 Tire Chains .......................... 341
 Snow Tires .......................... 342 
Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 342
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 343
▫ Base System ........................ 346
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 348
▫ General Information .................. 352
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 353
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 353
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 354
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 354
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 355
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 355
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 356
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 357
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STARTING AND OPERATING 291

Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 357
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 357
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 358
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 359
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 359
▫ Starting ........................... 360
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 360
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 360
▫ Maintenance ........................ 361 
Adding Fuel ......................... 361
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 361
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 363
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 363
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 363
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 364
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 364
▫ Overloading ........................ 365
▫ Loading ........................... 365
 Trailer Towing ........................ 365
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 366
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 368
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 369
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 370
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 371
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 375 
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 376
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 376
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STARTING AND OPERATING 293

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting out of
PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start (Four-Speed
Transmission), turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

For vehicles equipped with Tip Start (Six-Speed Trans-
mission),turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter
motor will continue to run, and it will disengage auto-
matically when the engine is running. If the engine fails
to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or 29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission 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. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly. Refer to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 295

Without Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15 sec-
onds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the
floor. If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, repeat the “Normal Starting” or “Ex-
treme Cold Weather” procedures.
With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver ’s side of
the vehicle.The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warning effect on the engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift the shift lever into PARK only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
(Continued)
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CAUTION! (Continued)
•Shift the shift lever into or out of REVERSE only
after the vehicle has come to a complete stop and
the engine is at idle speed.
•Do not shift the shift lever from REVERSE, PARK,
or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when the
engine is above idle speed.
•Before shifting the shift lever into any gear, make
sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE: You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting the shift lever out of PARK.
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL 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 foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
(Continued)
298 STARTING AND OPERATING