CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE 2012 1.G Owners Manual

Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 299

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 305
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 305
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or
29°C) ............................ 306
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 306
▫ After Starting ....................... 307
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 307
 Automatic Transmission ................. 308
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
Systems ........................... 309 ▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 309
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 309
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission (62TE) . . . 310
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 311
 AutoStick .......................... 318
▫ Operation ......................... 318
▫ General Information .................. 318
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 319
▫ Acceleration ........................ 319
5

▫Traction ........................... 320
 Driving Through Water ................. 320
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 320
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 321
 Power Steering ....................... 322
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 323
 Parking Brake ........................ 324
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 326
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 329
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 329
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 329
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 330
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 331▫
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 333
 Tire Safety Information ................. 334
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 334
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 338
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 339
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 340
 Tires — General Information ............. 344
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 344
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 345
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 347
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 347
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 348
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 349
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 349
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 350
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 350
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 351
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 352
 Tire Chains .......................... 354
 Snow Tires .......................... 354
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 354
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 355
▫ Base System ........................ 358
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 360
▫ General Information .................. 363 
Fuel Requirements ..................... 364
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 364
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 365
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 365
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 366
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 366
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 367
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 368
 Flexible Fuel (3.6L Engine Only) —
If Equipped .......................... 368
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 368
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 369
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 370
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STARTING AND OPERATING 303

▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 370
▫ Starting ........................... 371
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 371
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 371
▫ Maintenance ........................ 372
 Adding Fuel ......................... 372
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 372
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 374
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 375
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 375
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 375
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 375
▫ Overloading ........................ 376 ▫
Loading ........................... 376
 Trailer Towing ........................ 377
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 377
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 379
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 380
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 381
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 382
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 386
 Recreational Towing (Behind
Motorhome, Etc.) ...................... 388
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle ............................ 388
▫ Recreational Towing – All Models ........ 388
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
Make sure all occupants have securely fastened 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.
Normal Starting
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:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine does not require pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Tip Start
Do not press the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, and it will disengage automatically
when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the
starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this
occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 305

Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your 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. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged 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 dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
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
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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.
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 astandard 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 307

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift 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 between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing on the brake pedal.
NOTE: You MUST press and hold the brake pedal while
shifting 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 pressing on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or some-
thing. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your foot is firmly
pressing on the brake pedal.
(Continued)
308 STARTING AND OPERATING