transmission CHRYSLER PACIFICA 2008 1.G User Guide

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Depress the
brake pedal before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting (Above 32ÉF / 0ÉC)
1. Do not depress the accelerator.
2. Turn and hold the ignition key in the START position
and release when engine starts.
3. If engine does not start after 3 seconds, depress the
accelerator lightly (while still cranking the engine).
4. If engine does not start after 15 seconds, turn the
ignition key off.
5. Wait 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat steps1Ð5.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of Park (P).
Extremely Cold Weather Starting (Below220ÉF /
±29ÉC)
Follow the same instructions in the ªNormal Startingº
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
High Altitude Starting (Above 4,000 ft. / 1 219 m)
Follow the same instructions in the ªNormal Startingº
procedure.
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNormal Startingº procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle, may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of PARK and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ACCESSORY or ON position. Always
depress thebrake pedal first,before moving the gear
selector out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACCESSORY or ON
position.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transmission
For electrical system malfunctions there is an override for
the interlock system. In order to override this system the
key must be in the ignition with the switch in the ACC or
ON positions. Pull up and rearward on the shifter bezel
ring.
The override can be activated by pressing the pink-
colored tab, which can be accessed through the lowerright corner of the shifter bezel ring. While the override is
pressed, the shifter can be moved out of the park position
without pressing the brake. After operation return the
shifter bezel ring to its original position.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, it is
recommended that you visit a dealer at your earliest
Brake Interlock Override
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

possible convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to determine if the problem could recur.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
ªPº Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
WARNING!
Never use Park position on an automatic transmission
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
ªRº Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
ªNº Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
ªDº Overdrive
To be used for most city and highway driving, it provides
smoothest upshifts and downshifts and best fuel
economy. When frequent transmission shifting occurs
while using the ªDº Overdrive position, such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions,
(i.e. in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds or
while towing heavy trailers), use the AutoStick mode and
select the ª3º range.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range in the AutoStick mode
while operating the vehicle under heavy operating con-
ditions will improve performance and extend transmis-
sion life by reducing excessive shifting and heat build up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 281
5

AUTOSTICK
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide you with more
control. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutoStickTOperation
By placing the selector lever one shift-level below the9D9
position, it can be moved from side to side. This allows
the driver to select a higher or lower range of gears.
Moving the selector lever to the Left (-) triggers a
downshift and to the Right (+) an upshift. The gear
position will display in the instrument cluster on the
transaxle range indicator.NOTE:In Autosticktmode, the transaxle will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the selector lever to
the Right (+) for shifting up or to the Left (-) when
shifting down.
AutoStickTGeneral Information
²
You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²If a ratio other than 1st is selected, and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autosticktis engaged.
²The transaxle will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached while Autosticktis
engaged.
282 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Transaxle shifting will be more noticeable when Auto-
sticktis engaged.
²If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
²If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the transaxle will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however.
²If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transaxle will revert to the automatic shift mode and
remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
²If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
AutoSticktmode and the transaxle will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 283
5

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.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
Park position. To release the parking brake, pull out on
the parking brake release located on the left side of the
instrument panel.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of park. As an
Parking Brake Release
STARTING AND OPERATING 285
5

added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.WARNING!
²Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or it may roll and cause damage
or injury. Also be certain to leave an automatic
transmission in Park, a manual transmission in
Reverse or first gear. Failure to do so may allow the
vehicle to roll and cause damage or injury.
²NEVER leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving, failure to do so can lead to brake
problems due to excessive heating of the rear
brakes.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following before
doing so:CAUTION!
²Always check the depth of the standing water before
driving through it. Never drive through standing water that
is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the
vehicle.
²Determine the condition of the road or the path that is
under water and if there are any obstacles in the way before
driving through the standing water.
²Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
²Driving through standing water may cause damage to your
vehicle's drivetrain components. Always inspect your ve-
hicle's fluids (i.e. engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for
signs of contamination (i.e. fluid that is milky or foamy in
appearance) after driving through standing water. Do not
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in further damage. Such
damage is not covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can cause it to
lockup and stall out and cause serious internal damage to
the engine. Such damage is not covered by the new vehicle
limited warranty.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5