instrument panel CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2004 1.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................65
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL...................................133
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................195
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................249
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................265
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................315
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................335
10INDEX....................................................................345
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This manual containsWARNINGSagainst operating
procedures which could result in an accident or bodily
injury. It also containsCAUTIONSagainst procedures
which could result in damage to your vehicle. If you do
not read this entire manual you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is found on the
left front corner of the instrument panel, visible from
outside of the vehicle through the windshield. This
number also appears on the Automobile Information
Disclosure Label affixed to a window on your vehicle.
Save this label for a convenient record of your vehicle
identification number and optional equipment.NOTE:It is illegal to remove the VIN plate.
6 INTRODUCTION

2. Remove and replace the battery. Avoid touching the
new battery with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To reassemble the transmitter case, snap the two
halves together. Make sure there is an even ªgapº be-
tween the two halves. Test transmitter operation.
VEHICLE THEFT ALARM
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition
switch for unauthorized entry or operation. When the
alarm is activated, the system provides both audible and
visual signals. The horn will pulse, headlights/park
lights will flash, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer
light, located on the instrument panel below the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center buttons will flash, and
the vehicle will not start. If the alarm is triggered and no
action is taken to disarm it, the system will turn off thehorn after three minutes and after 15 minutes of light
only operation the system will then rearm itself.
To arm the system:Remove the key from the ignition
switch and either:
1. Press a power door lock switch while the driver's or
passenger's door is open.
2. Press the LOCK button on the keyless entry transmit-
ter.
After the last door is closed, or if all doors are closed, the
system will arm itself in about 16 seconds. During that
time, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer light will
flash. If it does not illuminate, the system is not arming.
If you open a door during this arming period, the system
will cancel the arming process. You must repeat one of
the previously described arming sequences to rearm the
system.
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System - Airbag
This vehicle has airbags for both the driver and front
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver's front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
NOTE:The front airbags are certified to the Federal
regulations that allow less forceful deployment in low
speed collisions.
The front airbags have a multi stage inflator design. This
allows the airbag to have different rates of inflation that
are based on collision severity.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
2

This vehicle is also equipped with a driver inflatable knee
blocker located on the instrument panel below the steer-
ing column.
This vehicle may also be equipped with left and right
side curtain airbags to protect the driver and passengers
sitting next to a window. If the vehicle is equipped with
side curtain airbags, they are located above the side
windows. Their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior
trim; but they will open to allow airbag deployment.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers
or attempt to manually open them. You may damage
the airbags and you could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. These protective
covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open
only when the airbags are inflating.
²If your vehicle is equipped with left and right side
curtain airbags, do not stack luggage or other cargo
up high enough to block the location of the side
curtain airbag. The area where the side curtain airbag
is located should remain free from any obstructions.
²If your vehicle is equipped with left and right side
curtain airbags, do not have any accessory items
installed which will alter the roof, including adding
a sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that
require permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for
installation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the
roof of the vehicle for any reason.
Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with seat belts, and pretensioners, front airbags work
with the instrument panel knee blockers to provide
improved protection for the driver and front passenger.
Left and right side curtain airbags also work with seat
belts to improve occupant protection.
The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy only in moderate
to severe frontal collisions. If your vehicle is equipped,
the side curtain airbag on the crash side of the vehicle is
triggered in moderate to severe side collisions. In certain
types of collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the
seat belts to keep you in the right position for the airbags
to protect you properly.
Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2

WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during front airbag deployment could
cause serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate.
Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to
reach the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has left and right side curtain
airbags, they also need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
ªThe Front Airbag Systemº consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module (with integrated impact sen-
sor)
²AIRBAG Readiness Light
²Driver Airbag
²Front Passenger Airbag
²Seat Belt Pretensioners
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Seat Belt Readiness Light
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Passenger Knee Impact Blocker
²Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

How The Airbag Systems Work
²
The airbag control module determines if an impact is
severe enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based
on the level of collision severity, the control module
determines the proper rate of inflation. The front
airbag inflators are designed to provide different rates
of airbag inflation. The airbag control module will not
detect roll over collisions.
The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON positions. These
include all of the items listed under ªThe Front Airbag
Systemº, except the passenger knee blocker, instru-
ment panel and the steering wheel and column. If the
key is in the OFF position, in the ACC position, or not
in the ignition switch, the front airbags are not on and
will not inflate.The airbag control module sends a message
to the instrument cluster to turn on the
AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6
to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned ON, then turns the light off. If the airbag
control module detects a malfunction in any part of the
system, the airbag light will turn on either momen-
tarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²When the airbag control module detects a collision
requiring theFront Airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different front airbag inflation
rates are possible, these rates are determined by the
airbag control module based on collision severity. The
front airbag covers separate and fold out of the way as
the front airbags inflate to their full size. The front
airbags fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is
only about half of the time it takes you to blink your
eyes. The front airbags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. The
driver's and passenger's front airbag gas is vented
through the airbag material and small vent openings
towards the instrument panel. In this way the front
airbags do not interfere with your control of the
vehicle.
²TheSupplemental Side Curtain Airbagsare designed
to activate only in certain side collisions. When theairbag control module detects a collision requiring the
side curtain airbags to inflate, it signals the inflators on
the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity of nontoxic gas
is generated to inflate the side curtain airbag. The
inflating side curtain airbag pushes the outside edge of
the headliner out of the way and inflates (in about the
same time it takes to blink your eyes). A properly
belted and seated occupant is less likely to be injured
by the force of the airbag or crash event. Items that are
positioned in the area where the side curtain airbag
inflates can reduce the effectiveness of the airbag and
also increase the likelihood of injuries to the occu-
pants, this especially applies to children. The side
curtain airbag is about 4 inches (10 cm) thick when it
is inflated.
²When the airbag control module detects a collision
requiring theDriver Inflatable Knee Blocker,it
signals the inflator unit. A quantity of nontoxic gas is
generated to inflate the Driver Inflatable Knee Blocker.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee blockers.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to inflate for your
protection in a collision. While the airbag system is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the following
occurs, have an authorized dealer service the system
immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE