tires CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2007 1.G Owners Manual

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81
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21. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp — If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire tooverheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
NOTE:The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver ’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System low
tire pressure telltale.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will illumi-
nate in the instrument cluster and an audible chime will
be activated when one or more tire pressures is low. The
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will flash one and
off for 60 seconds when a system fault is detected. The
flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes or until the fault
conditions is removed and reset.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
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CAUTION!
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has
been optimized for the original equipment tires and
wheels. TPMS pressures and warning have been
established for the tire size equipped on your ve-
hicle. Undesirable system operation or sensor dam-
age may result when using replacement equipment
that is not of the same size, type, and / or style.
Aftermarket wheels can cause sensor damage. Do
not use tire sealant from a can, or balance beads if
your vehicle is equipped with a TPMS, as damage to
the sensors may result.
22. Airbag Light
This light turns on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
23. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display — If
Equipped
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages.
24. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If this light is accompanied by a continuous
chime, the engine temperature is critically hot, and
the vehicle should be turned off immediately. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible.
188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Parking Brake.........................276

Brake System..........................278
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................279

Electronic Stability Program (ESP)...........281
▫ESP Has The Following Operating Modes....283
▫ESP/BAS Warning Lamp And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light................283
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............284

Traction Control........................285

Power Steering........................286

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............287
▫Acceleration.........................287
▫Traction............................288
Tire Safety Information...................288
▫Tire Markings........................288
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........292
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........293

Tires — General Information...............297
▫Tire Pressure.........................297
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................298
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................300
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........301
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........302
▫Tire Spinning........................302
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................303
▫Life Of Tire.........................304
262 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Replacement Tires.....................304
▫Alignment And Balance.................305

Tire Chains...........................306

Snow Tires...........................307

Tire Rotation..........................307

Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped . . . 308
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring Base System Without
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped.........................309
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings...........................310
▫Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System With
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped.........................310
▫Service Tire System Soon................312▫Using Your Compact Spare —
Basic Tire Pressure Monitoring System Only . . 313
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring Premium System –
If Equipped.........................314
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure
Warnings...........................314
▫Service Tire System Soon................315
▫General Information...................317

Fuel Requirements......................318
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................318
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............319
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................319
▫Materials Added To Fuel................320
▫Fuel System Cautions..................320
STARTING AND OPERATING 263
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•If the system detects a problem it will disable the
AutoStick mode and the transmission will return to
the automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE — IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD). The system is automatic with no driver
inputs or additional driving skills required. Under nor-
mal driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,
power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch on, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-Lock Brake System provides 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.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
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•and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System), ERM (Electronic Roll Mitigation) and ESP
(Electronic Stability Program). All systems work together
to enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving
conditions and are commonly referred to as ESP.
TheESPsystem enhances directional control and stabil-
ity of the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP
corrects for over/under steering of the vehicle by apply-
ing the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the over/under steer condition. Engine
power may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain
the desired path. ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to
determine the vehicle path intended by the driver and
compares it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the
actual path does not match the intended path, ESP
STARTING AND OPERATING 281
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applies the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in
counteracting the Over-steer or Under-steer condition.
•Over-steer: when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Under-steer: when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESP/TCS
Indicator Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
WARNING!
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESP cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
282 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING