CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed at 80,000 mi (129 000 km). The fluid is then filled
for life.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for Mainte-
nance Schedules.
Manual Transmission
Selection of Lubricant
No fluid service is required. Use only fluid approved to
MB 236.2. SAE 5W-20 engine oil, meeting API SL or GF-3,
may be substituted. Refer to the Recommended Fluids,
Lubricants and Genuine Parts section for the correct fluid
type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more than 3/16 in (4.76 mm) below the bottom
of the hole.
CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transmission
can cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transmission after checking or
replenishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap
is seated properly.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
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Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operation conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
lubricant has become contaminated with water. If con-
taminated with water, the fluid should be changed im-
mediately.
Special Additives
Do not add any fluid additives to the transmission. The
only exception to this policy is the use of special dyes to
aid in detecting fluid leaks. The use of transmission
sealers should be avoided as this may adversely affect
seals.
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body protection requirements vary according to
geographic locations and usage. Chemicals that make
roads passable in snow and ice, and those that aresprayed on trees and road surfaces during other seasons,
are highly corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside
parking, which exposes your vehicle to airborne contami-
nants, road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated,
extreme hot or cold weather and other extreme condi-
tions will have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and
underbody protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
²Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
²Stone and gravel impact.
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²Insects, tree sap and tar.
²Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
²Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
²Bird droppings.
Washing
²
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using a mild car wash soap, and
rinse the panels completely with clear water.
²If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, wash it as soon as possible.
²Use Mopartauto polish to remove road film and
stains and to polish your vehicle. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
²Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials such
as steel wool or scouring powder, which will scratch
metal and painted surfaces.
Special Care
²
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
²It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and rear liftgate/decklid be
kept clear and open.
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²If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
²Use Moparttouch-up paint on scratches or chips as
soon as possible. Your dealer has touch-up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
²If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating, have your vehicle repaired as soon as pos-
sible. The cost of such repairs is considered the respon-
sibility of the owner.
²If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
deicer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
²Aluminum wheels should be cleaned regularly with
mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove
heavy soil, select a non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.Do not use scouring pads or metal polishes. Avoid
automatic car washes that use acidic solutions or harsh
brushes that may damage the wheels' protective fin-
ish.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially Aluminum, should
be cleaned regularly, using mild soap and water to
maintain their luster and to prevent corrosion. Wash
them with the same soap solution as the body of your
vehicle. Rinse the wheels thoroughly.
When cleaning extremely dirty wheels, care must be
taken in the selection of tire and wheel cleaning chemi-
cals and equipment to prevent damage to the wheels.
Only MopartWheel Cleaners are recommended. Any of
the ªDO NOT USEº items listed below can damage
wheels and wheel trim.
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DO NOT USE:
²Any abrasive cleaner
²Any abrasive cleaning pad (such as steel wool) or
abrasive brush
²Any cleaner that contains an acid which can react with
and discolor the chrome surface
²Oven cleaner
²A car wash that uses carbide-tipped wheel cleaning
brushes or acidic solutions.
CAUTION!
Many wheel cleaners contain acids that may harm the
wheel surface.
Interior Care
Use MopartFabric Cleaner to clean fabric upholstery
and carpeting.
Use MopartVinyl Cleaner to clean vinyl upholstery.
MopartVinyl Cleaner is specifically recommended for
vinyl trim.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an
abrasive and damage the leather surface and should be
removed immediately with a damp cloth. Stubborn soils
can be removed easily with a soft cloth and MopartTotal
Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking your
leather upholstery with any liquid. Please do not use
polishes, oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, detergents, or
ammonia based cleaners to clean your leather upholstery.
Application of a leather conditioner is not required to
maintain the original condition.
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CAUTION!
The use of vinyl, leather or plastic protectants may
cause excessive gloss and/or discoloration of interior
trim parts.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive-type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning inside rear windows equipped with electric
defrosters. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instru-
ments which may scratch the elements.
Instrument Panel Cover
The instrument panel cover has a low glare surface which
minimizes reflections in the windshield. Do not use
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protectants or other products which may cause undesir-
able reflections. Use soap and warm water to restore the
low glare surface.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in the vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
²Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
²Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the seat belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.If the seat belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the seat belts from the
vehicle to wash them.
Replace the seat belts if they appear frayed or worn or if
the buckles do not work properly.
CONVERTIBLE TOP CARE
CAUTION!
Due not use sharp-edged instruments to remove
snow or ice from the soft top.
NOTE:Place a suitable cover over the top if you are
going to park the vehicle outside for a extended period of
time.
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Immediate removal of any contaminant is recommended.
Regular washing of the top will enhance its life and
appearance, and make successive cleanings easier. Do not
subject the top to excessive heat. Frequently vacuum the
top and cargo compartment divider.
Washing
CAUTION!
²Remove bird droppings immediately. The organic
acid can damage the material and cause the top to
leak.
²Never use a power washer to clean the top, as you
may damage the top material.
²If an automatic car wash is used, never use
hot-wax.Hand washing is highly recommended. Automatic car
washing equipment can damage the top material. If you
must use an automatic car wash, soft cloth systems are
preferred.
General Cleaning
CAUTION!
Do not use any of the following to clean the top:
²Gasoline
²Paint Thinner
²Tar and Stain Removers
²Glass Cleaner
²Similar Organic Solvents
²Abrasive Type Cleaners or Bleaches
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The following methods are sufficient if the top is only
lightly soiled:
Dry Cleaning
Brush the dry top with a soft-bristled brush from front to
rear of the vehicle.
Wet Cleaning
Wash with clear water or with a mild detergent and an
ample supply of luke warm water by wiping with a
soft-bristled brush or sponge from front to rear. Then
rinse thoroughly with clear water.
Allow the top to dry before lowering. Vacuuming the top
with a wet/dry shop vacuum will decrease the top's
drying time, ensure removal of all dirt, and delete streaks
in the material. Multiple cleanings may be necessary to
remove stubborn stains. If stains persist, contact your
local dealership for further suggestions.
Weather Strip Care
Lubricate all top and door glass weather strips periodi-
cally with Mopar Weather Strip Lubricant (part number
4773427), to keep them soft and pliable.
FUSES
Underhood Accessory Fuse Block Fuses
The underhood accessory fuse block fuses are located
under the hood on the driver's side, between the brake
master cylinder and the left front fender.
To remove the lid, squeeze the tabs together located at the
front of the fusebox. Then lift the lid up by the tabs. The
lid will then slide off the top of the fuse box. To replace
the lid, place the two hinge-like tabs at the rear of the lid
under the tabs on the fusebox. Push down on the front of
the lid until the tabs at the front click.
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CAUTION!
When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it shows a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.
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