warning CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2005 1.G Owner's Manual

WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
Child restraints can be securely fastened in the passenger
seat using the seat belts. For this purpose, the passenger
seat belt retractor provides two modes of operation -
normal emergency locking and automatic locking. For
child restraint installation, the retractor switches to auto-
matic locking when the belt is pulled out to the full extent
of its travel. As the belt retracts, the retractor locks to
prevent the belt from being pulled out again. Pulling the
belt snugly over the child restraint toward the retractor
secures the restraint in place. When the belt retracts fully
after child restraint removal, normal (emergency locking)retractor action is restored. Any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and pull
it tight if necessary.
If your child restraint is equipped with a tether strap,
attach it to the vehicle by first moving the seat back fully
forward. Next, route the child restraint tether directly
over the top of the seat, through the strap near the top of
the seat back, and attach the hook to the anchor bar.
Recline the seat back and move the passenger seat as far
rearward as possible. Remove slack in the tether strap as
you push the child restraint downward and rearward,
following the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor - General
Information
Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for con-
nection to tether anchors have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for certain of their older
products. There is a tether strap anchor behind the
passenger seat.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To attach the tether strap to the anchor, move the
seatback fully forward. Pass the child restraint tether
hook over the top of the seat, through the strap near the
top of the seat back, and attach it to the anchor bar behind
the passenger seat, below the seatback. After securing the
tether hook to the bar, recline the seatback fully rearward
and move the seat to its most rearward position.Install the child restraint and return the seatback to an
upright position. Remove slack from the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer’s directions.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Transporting Pets
Deploying airbags could harm your pet. An unrestrained
pet will be thrown about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in pet harnesses or pet carriers
that are secured by seat belts.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new Crossfire does not require a long
break-in period. Following these few simple guidelines is
all that is necessary for a good break-in.
•Drive your vehicle at moderate vehicle and engine
speeds during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
•Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
•Use the proper transmission gear for your speed
range.
•Avoid excessive idling.
•Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not an
indication of a problem.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
•To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the rear liftgate/decklid while driving. However, if for
some reason it must remain open, close all windows.
Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants of a vehicle in a collision. There-
fore, it is important that all occupants wear their seat
belts at all times when riding in a convertible.
Studies have shown that it is generally safer to
remain inside a vehicle during a collision than to be
ejected from the vehicle.
For safety reasons, the convertible top should only be
opened and closed when the vehicle is standing still. Top
operation is allowed up to a maximum of 9 mph (15
km/h). Above this speed, top operation will cease and an
audible warning will sound. The top operation can be
resumed after the vehicle is below the maximun speed by
pressing the convertible top switch again.
WARNING!
Before operating the switch for the convertible top,
make sure that no persons can be injured by the
moving parts (convertible top frame and tonneau
cover).
Hands must never be placed near the sport bar,
convertible top frame, upper windshield area, shelf
behind sport bar, or convertible top storage compart-
ment while the convertible top is being raised or
lowered. Serious personal injury may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the convertible top
switch. This immediately interrupts the raising or
lowering procedure. You then can operate the con-
vertible top switch to raise or lower the convertible
top away from the danger zone.
52 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
When opening and closing the convertible top, make
sure that:
•There is sufficient clearance of at least 6 ft. (1.8m)
for the convertible top to move up.
•Nothing is placed on the tonneau cover.
•The outside temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
Otherwise the convertible top and other parts of the
vehicle could be damaged.
To Lower The Top:
WARNING!
Top operation can be suspended for a maximum of
10 minutes. Thirty seconds before the end of this
period an audible warning will begin to sound
continuously. At the end of this period, hydraulic
pressure will be released and the top and tonneau
cover will slowly collapse. In order to re-initialize
the top cycle, the tonneau cover must be lowered to
its full open position manually. Hands should be
kept away from moving parts of the top compart-
ment mechanism to avoid injury as hydraulic pres-
sure is reestablished. The hydraulic pressure can be
reestablished by turning the ignition to the ON/RUN
postion and pushing down on the convertible top
switch twice. Refer to Convertible Top Emergency
Operation in the What To Do In Emergencies section
of this manual.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 53
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3. Turn the ignition key to the ON/RUN position and
press down on the front of the convertible top switch.
4. If the windows are raised, they will lower as soon as
the convertible switch is pressed down. The tonneau
cover will open, and the top will then close until it
reaches approximately 8 inches (200 mm) from the
header. The tonneau cover will then close and the rear of
the top will close and latch. At the completion of this
cycle, a single audible signal will sound.NOTE:If the top is latched to the windshield header
before the rear of the top is properly latched, an udible
warning will sound.
5. Push the latch handle release button, pull the latch
handle down from the storage position and turn it
clockwise just over one quarter turn.
6. Pull the latch handle and convertible top down to
engage the top with the header.
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

7. When the top engages to the header, turn the latch
handle counterclockwise just over one quarter turn to the
lock position and push the latch handle up to the stored
position. The top is now secured in the closed position.
NOTE:The convertible top switch indicator will light
up and an audible warning will be heard if you start
driving the vehicle without the top fully locked in the
closed position.
WARNING!
To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle only
with the convertible top either completely closed
and locked, or fully lowered into its storage compart-
ment.
8. Once the top has been raised and locked, the cargo
compartment divider can be unhooked and folded for-
ward to increase the cargo compartment capacity. Follow
the steps shown on the label affixed to the decklid trim.
CAUTION!
Once the cargo compartment divider is folded for-
ward to increase the cargo compartment capacity, the
tonneau cover flaps are exposed and can be damaged
by long items being put into the cargo compartment.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 59
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WARNING!
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about and
injuring vehicle occupants during an accident.
Ashtray
Lightly touch the bottom of the ashtray cover. The
ashtray will open automatically.
To remove the ashtray insert, pull the ashtray past the
detent. Hold both sides of the insert, and pull up. To
install the ashtray, place it in the frame and push down to
engage.
WARNING!
Remove the ashtray only with the vehicle stopped
and the ignition off. Otherwise, the vehicle might
move unexpectedly as a result of unintended contact
with the gear selector lever.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63
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Coin Holder
With the ashtray open, folding down the cover plate
reveals the coin holder, which can accommodate nine
coins in various sizes up to a U.S. quarter. The coin slots
are shaped to retain the coins, and the cover plate ensures
that the coins remain in the coin holder.
Power Outlet/Cigar Lighter
The dual-purpose power outlet is located in the console,
next to the passenger airbag off warning light. The power
outlet can accommodate a lighter or electrical accessoriesup to a maximum of 15 amps. The outlet is protected by
a 15 amp fuse, located behind the fuse cover on the left
end of the instrument panel.
The lighter will operate only when the ignition switch is
in the ON/ACC position. It heats up when pushed in and
pops out automatically when ready for use. To preserve
the heating element, do not hold the lighter in the heating
position.
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical mirror adjustment.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle) The mirror should be adjusted
with the glare control set in the day position (toward
windshield).
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature
All exterior mirrors are hinged to move forward or
rearward to resist damage. The hinges have three detent
positions: full forward, full rearward, and normal.
Heated Remote Control Mirrors
Both outside mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice when
the Rear Window Defroster switch is depressed.
Outside Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors to center on the adjacent lane
of traffic, with a slight overlap of the view seen in the
inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they actually are. Relying too much on your
passenger side mirror could cause you to collide
with another vehicle or other object. Use your inside
mirror to judge the size or distance of objects seen in
the convex mirror.
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE