transmission fluid CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2005 1.G Owners Manual

Use only manufacturers recommended brake fluid, refer
to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Automatic Transaxle
All front wheel drive vehicles have a transmission and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Use
only manufacturers recommended transmission fluid,
refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts for correct fluid type. It is important that the
transmission fluid be maintained at the prescribed level
using the recommended fluid.
280 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturers recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and of the fluid.
Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
To properly check the automatic transaxle fluid level, the
following procedure must be used:
1. The vehicle must be on level ground.
2. The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK).
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 281
7

5. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or warm. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82°C), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle has
been driven at least 15 miles (24 km). The fluid cannot be
comfortable held between the finger tips. Warm is when
the fluid is between 85°to 125°F (29°to 52°C).6. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
If the fluid is hot, reading should be in the cross hatched
area marked“HOT”between the upper two holes in the
dipstick.
If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between the
lower two holes, into the area marked“LOW”.
If the fluid level shows low, add sufficient transmission
fluid to bring to the proper level.
Transaxle Dipstick Location
282 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can
cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transaxle after checking or replen-
ishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is
seated properly.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Maintenance schedule“A”—Turbo Charged Engines–
No change necessary.
Maintenance schedule“B”–Every 60,000 miles (96 000
km) change fluid and filter under the following condi-
tions:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is drivenregularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for mainte-
nance schedules.
If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any fluid additives to the transaxle. 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 they may adversely affect seals.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 283
7

Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only manufacturers recommended transmission
fluid, refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts for 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 that 3/16”(4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency Of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
following conditions exist:
•The lubricant has become contaminated with water. If
contaminated with water, the fluid should be changed
immediately.
•If severe usage has occurred, refer to Maintenance
Schedule“B”in Section 8 of this manual.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection Of Body And Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed 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 contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
284 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.
Automatic Transmission Fluid. MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Manual Transmission Fluid. MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder MoparDOT 3, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE J1703 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended
brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
304 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

SCHEDULE“B”—ALL ENGINES
Follow schedule“B”—All Engines if you usually operate
your vehicle under one or more of the following condi-
tions.
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter every
60,000 miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated
under one or more of the conditions marked with an.
Change the manual transaxle fluid every 48,000 miles (77
000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under one or
more of the conditions marked with an†.
•Day and night temperatures are below32°F(0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.†
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).†
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow schedule“B—All
Engines”of theMaintenance Schedulessection of this
manual.
SCHEDULE“B”—ALL ENGINES 309
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Back-Up Lights......................... 301
Ball Joints............................. 268
Battery............................... 265
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 24
Belts, Drive............................ 261
Belts, Engine........................... 264
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 269
Boot, Convertible Top...................68,72
B-Pillar Location........................ 206
Brake Fluid............................ 304
Brake, Parking.......................... 195
Brake System........................197,278
Anti-Lock........................... 198
Hoses.............................. 278
Master Cylinder....................... 279
Parking............................. 195
Warning Light........................ 130
Brakes.............................197,278
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 186Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 56
Bulb Replacement.....................297,299
Bulbs, Light............................ 297
Calibration, Compass...................... 78
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 302
Capacities, Fluid........................ 302
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 225
Oil (Engine)....................252,253,260
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 275
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 224
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 167
Cassette Tape Player................136,146,149
Catalytic Converter...................... 262
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 57
CD Changer......................145,151,157
CD Player..................142,153,155,159,162
CD Player Maintenance................... 168
INDEX 341
10