flat tire CHRYSLER CONCORDE 2004 2.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................151
▫Normal Starting......................151
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below -20°F Or -29°C).................151
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................152
▫After Starting........................153
Engine Block Heater — Optional U.S. And
Standard Canada
......................153
Automatic Transaxle....................153
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock.............153
▫Transaxle Reset Mode..................154
▫Gear Ranges.........................154
Parking Brake.........................156
Brake System.........................157
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped...........................157
Power Steering........................158
Speed Proportional Steering..............158
Traction Control— If Equipped............159
Ti re s................................159
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................161
▫High Speed Operation..................161
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................162
▫Compact Spare Tire....................162
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precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a
downhill grade and away from the curb on an uphill
grade.
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for several reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake or the gear selector. Don’t
leave the keys in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with power brakes as standard
equipment. In the event you lose power assist for any
reason (for example, repeated brake applications with the
engine off), the brakes will still function. The effort
required to brake the vehicle will be substantially in-
creased over that required with the power system oper-
ating.
If either of the two hydraulic systems lose normal capa-
bility, the remaining system will still function with some
loss of overall braking effectiveness. This will be evident
by increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and activation of the
Brake Warning Lamp during brake use.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If Equipped
The ABS gives increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically “pumps” the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock-up.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
tires must be properly inflated to produce accurate
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TRACTION CONTROL— IF EQUIPPED
The Traction Control System reduces wheel slip and
maintains traction at the driving (front) wheels. The
system reduces wheel slip by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction while spinning. The traction
system operates at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h).
The system is always in the “stand by” mode unless:
•The Traction Control switch has been used to turn the
system off;
•There is a Anti-Lock Brake System malfunction;
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction;
•The system has been deactivated to prevent damage to
the brake system due to overheated brake tempera-
tures.
NOTE:Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the Traction
Control OFF Light, indicated byTRAC OFF, located in
the instrument cluster.This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. After cooling, the system will auto-
matically reactivate and turn off theTRAC OFFlight.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System Off before attempting to
“rock” the vehicle free.
TIRES
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
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1. Safety—
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
•Under inflation increases tire flexing and can
result in tire failure.
•Over inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuck holes can cause
damage that results in tire failure.
•Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
•Overinflated or under inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in
loss of vehicle control.
•Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended pressure.
2. Economy—
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Under inflation also increases
tire rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consump-
tion.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability—
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Both under-inflation and over inflation affect the stability
of the vehicle and can produce a feeling of sluggish
response or over-responsiveness in the steering.
Unequal tire pressures can cause erratic and unpredict-
able steering response.
Unequal tire pressure from side to side may cause the
vehicle to drift left or right.
160 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is listed on a
label attached to the rear face of the driver’s door. The
pressure should be checked and adjusted at least once
every month. Check more often if subject to a wide range
of outdoor temperatures, as tire pressures vary with
temperature changes.
Inflation pressures specified on the label are always “cold
inflation pressure”. Cold inflation pressure is defined as
the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven for
at least 3 hours, or driven less than a mile after a 3 hourperiod. The cold inflation pressure must not exceed the
maximum values molded into the tire side wall.
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi [.13 to.41
bars](13 to 40 kPa) during operation. Do NOT reduce this
normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too
low.
The tire pressures shown on the tire label apply only to
the tire sizes listed on the label.
High Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, correct tire inflation pressure is very important.
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WARNING!
High speed driving with your vehicle under load is
dangerous. The added strain on your tires could
cause them to fail. You could have a serious accident.
Don’t drive a vehicle loaded to the maximum capac-
ity at continuous speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h).
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other tires on your
vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle poorly. The
instability could cause an accident. Always use ra-
dial tires in sets of four. Never combine them with
other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire
Maintain the compact spare tire inflation pressure at 60
psi [4.1 bars](414 kPa). Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
while the compact spare is installed on the vehicle.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed.
162 STARTING AND OPERATING

Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during winter. Standard tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the tire sidewall.
If you need snow tires, see the tire pressure label for
size(s) and inflation pressure(s).
Snow tires may have a lower speed rating than factory
equipped tires and may not match the maximum vehicle
speed.
Snow tires should not be operated at sustained speeds
over 75 mph (120 km/h).
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
164 STARTING AND OPERATING

Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct inflation pressure. The manufacturer
strongly recommends that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and performance when replace-
ment is needed (see the paragraph on tread wear indica-
tors). Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may
adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your
vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original
equipment dealer on any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than that
specified for your vehicle. Some combinations of
unapproved tires and wheels may change suspen-
sion dimensions and performance characteristics,
resulting in changes to steering, handling, and brak-
ing of your vehicle. This can cause unpredictable
handling and stress to steering and suspension com-
ponents. You could lose control and have an accident
resulting in serious injury or death. Use only the tire
and wheel sizes with load ratings approved for your
vehicle.
•Never use a tire smaller than the minimum tire size
listed on your vehicle’s tire label located on the
driver’s door. Using a smaller tire could result in tire
overloading and failure. You could lose control and
have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
•Overloading your tires is dangerous. Like under
inflation, overloading can cause tire failure. Use tires
of the recommended load capacity for your vehicle
and never overload them.
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Preparations For Jacking
•
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers and park the
vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or slippery
areas.
•Put the gear shift in PARK (Automatic transmission)
or REVERSE (Manual Transmission).
•Set the parking brake and turn off the engine.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
Jacking and Changing a Tire
1. Block the wheel diagonally
opposite the flat tire. Passengers
should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
2. Remove the spare tire, scissors, jack and lug wrench.
178 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Before raising the vehicle, use the lug wrench to loosen
the lug nuts of the flat tire.4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange, use the lift area
closest to the flat tire.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 179
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