parking brake CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2007 1.G User Guide

MANUAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear. Be
sure the transaxle is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD), when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in THIRD.
For most city driving you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 5th gear is recommended.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the
ignition on, the Brake Light in the instrument
cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
If the parking brake is applied while the vehicle is
moving, a chime will sound to alert the driver. The chime
will sound up to 10 times or until the vehicle has
returned to a stop.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is set. To set the parking brake, pull up firmly on
the lever. Also place the gear selector in the Park position
(automatic transaxle) or Reverse (manual transaxle). To
release the parking brake, apply the brake pedal, pull upslightly on the lever, then depress the button on the end
of the lever and push the lever fully down toward the
floor.
NOTE:The parking brake lever will not release unless
the lever is pulled up slightly past its applied position.
Parking Brake Lever
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 automatic transaxle locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. As
an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a
uphill grade.
You should always apply the parking brake before leav-
ing the vehicle.
WARNING!
Never 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 windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted brakes as
standard equipment. In the event power assist is lost for
any reason (for example, repeated brake applications
with the engine off), the brakes will still function. How-
ever, the effort required to brake the vehicle will be much
greater than that required with the power system oper-
ating.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
STARTING AND OPERATING 293
5

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
P for Park. Always, block orchockthe trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5

Spare Tire Removal
Lift up the cover and fit the jack-handle over the drive
nut. Rotate the nut to the left until you can remove the
swivel hook from the stowage basket. Swing the basket
down to remove the compact spare tire.
CAUTION!
The hook is designed for use with the jack handle
only. Use of an air wrench or other power tools is not
recommended and can damage the winch.
Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas,set the parking brakeand place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transaxle) or REVERSE
(manual transaxle). Turn OFF the ignition.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
•Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
344 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow this procedure carefully.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake, place auto-
matic transaxle in PARK (manual transaxle in NEU-
TRAL) and turn ignition to OFF for both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end of
the jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dis-
charged battery.
348 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

refer to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct
fluid type. It is important that the transmission fluid be
maintained at the prescribed level using the recom-
mended fluid.
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
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 at
minimum of 60 seconds.
3. Fully apply parking brake.
4. Depress the brake pedal and place the gear selector
momentarily in each gear position ending with the lever
in P (PARK).
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Special Additives...................... 388
Autostick............................. 286
Back-Up Lights......................... 403
BallJoints ............................. 374
Battery............................... 371
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)..... 28,34
Belts,Drive ............................ 367
Belts, Engine........................... 369
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 374
Boot, Convertible Top..................124,128
B-Pillar Location........................ 303
Brake Fluid............................ 406
Brake, Parking.......................... 292
Brake System........................293,382
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 294
Hoses.............................. 383
Master Cylinder....................... 384
Parking............................. 292Warning Light........................ 223
Brakes.............................293,382
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 282
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle....... 111
Bulb Replacement.....................400,401
Bulbs,Light ............................ 400
Calibration, Compass..................... 235
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 404
Capacities, Fluid........................ 404
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 323
Oil (Engine)....................358,359,366
Car Washes............................ 390
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 322
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier....................... 210
Carrier, Luggage........................ 210
Catalytic Converter...................... 368
INDEX 443
10

Quality ............................. 366
Recommendation...................366,404
Synthetic............................ 366
Viscosity............................ 366
Oil Pressure Light....................... 226
Onboard Diagnostic System..............360,361
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 190
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 4
Outside Air Intake....................... 271
Overdrive............................. 285
Overheating, Engine...................... 340
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual)......... 4,438
PaintCare ............................. 389
Panel Rear Shelf........................ 205
Panic Alarm........................ 25,31,32
Parking Brake.......................... 292
Passenger Seat Back Tilt (Easy Entry System).... 161
Passing Light........................... 182Personal Settings........................ 231
Pets............................... 78,111
Phone, Cellular......................... 134
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™)............ 134
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 303
Power
Deck Lid Release....................... 39
Distribution Center (Fuses)............... 396
Door Locks........................... 20
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 200
Seats............................... 158
Steering..........................297,373
Steering, Checking..................... 373
Sunroof............................. 197
Windows............................. 42
Power Steering Fluid..................... 406
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............ 53,87
Preparation for Jacking.................... 344
452 INDEX