automatic transmission CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS — IF EQUIPPEDThe doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Auto Lock feature is enabled.
2. The transmission is in gear.
3. All doors are closed.
4. The throttle is pressed.
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h).
6. The doors were not previously locked using the power
door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter.
The Automatic Door Lock feature can be enabled or
disabled. Refer to “Personal Settings” (Customer Pro-
grammable Features) in the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) — if equipped section of this manual
for details.For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC the Automatic
Door Locks can be enabled or disabled by performing the
following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition.
2. Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON and
back to LOCK four times ending up in the LOCK
position.
3. Depress the power door lock switch to lock the doors.
4. A single chime will indicate the completion of the
programming.
Auto UnlockThe doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Auto Unlock feature is enabled.
2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21
2

Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.DECK LID (CONVERTIBLE)Gas props support the deck lid in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the deck lid in cold weather.POWER DECK LID RELEASE (Convertible)You can open the deck lid by pressing the Remote
Keyless Entry Button or from inside the vehicle, using the
switch located inside the glove box. On vehicles
equipped with a manual transmission, the power deck
lid release switch is disabled if the doors are locked, or if
vehicle speed exceeds 0 mph (0 km/h), or when the
clutch pedal is depressed. On vehicles equipped with anautomatic transmission, the power deck lid release
switch is disabled if the doors are locked, or the trans-
mission is out of PARK.
WARNING!
•
Driving with the deck lid open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the deck lid closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
•
If you are required to drive with the deck lid open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
2

5. Tachometer
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
6. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
7. Tire Pressure Monitor LightEach 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 under-inflated.
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 under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
NOTE:
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsi-
bility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 227
4

8. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster will display,
replacing the odometer/trip odometer, vehicle warning
messages such as: door/deck/hatch/gate ajar and loose
gas cap. Loose gas cap will be displayed from the
Odometer/Trip Odometer on all models.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the instru-
ment cluster, all warnings including “door”, “dECK”,
“hATCh”, and “gATE” will only be displayed in the
EVIC display. For additional information, refer to “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center — If Equipped” in
Section 3.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
9. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator shows that the Speed Control
System is ON.
NOTE: The word “SET” will notilluminate when the
Speed Control System is on.
10. Malfunction Indicator Light This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors emissions, engine, and
automatic transmission control systems. The light
will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON/RUN, have the condi-
tion checked promptly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 229
4

Automatic Compass CalibrationThe compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating, eliminat-
ing the need to manually calibrate the compass. When
the vehicle is new, the compass may appear erratic and
the CAL indicator message will flash in the EVIC until
the calibration is complete.
A good calibration requires a level surface and an envi-
ronment free from large metallic objects such as build-
ings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks, etc.
Calibrate the compass by driving slowly, under 5 mph (8
km/h) in one or more complete circles in a area free from
large metallic objects, until the CAL indicator in the EVIC
turns off. The compass will now function normally.
NOTE:Keep all magnetic objects, such as laptop com-
puters, cell phones and PDAs (anything with a battery)
away from the compass sensor which is located in the top
of the instrument panel. These devices can interfere with
compass accuracy and performance.
Manual Compass CalibrationIf the compass appears to be inaccurate, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass, make sure the proper compass variance value
(zone) is selected (refer to the above “Compass Variance”
for additional information. Then continue to calibrate the
compass as follows:
1. Start the engine, and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
2. Press and hold (approximately 10 seconds) the
Compass/Temperature reset button until the current
variance zone number is displayed.
3. Release the reset button, then press and hold again
(approximately 10 seconds), until the direction is dis-
played with the “CAL” indicator on continuously in the
display.
238 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Elapsed TimeShows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset
when the ignition switch is in the ACC position. Elapsed
time will increment when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM)Refer to Section 5, “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) for system operation.Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)This allows the driver to set and recall features when the
transmission is in PARK (automatic transmission) or the
vehicle is stopped (manual transmissions).
Press and release the EVIC button until Personal Settings
is displayed in the EVIC.Use the EVIC button to display one of the following
choices:
LanguageWhen in this display you may select different languages
for all display nomenclature, including the trip functions.
Pressing the EVIC button while in this display selects
English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais depend-
ing on availability. As you continue the displayed infor-
mation will be shown in the selected language.
NOTE:
UConnect™ language will not change using the
EVIC. Please refer to “Language Selection” in the
HANDS–FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnect™) — IF
EQUIPPED section of this manual for details.Lock Doors Automatically at 15 MPH (24 Km/h)When ON is selected all doors lock automatically when
the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (24 km/h). Press
and hold the EVIC button when in this display until ON
or OFF appears to make your selection.
244 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Display English or MetricThe EVIC, odometer, and navigation system units can be
changed between English and Metric.
Press and hold the EVIC button when in this display until
“US” or “METRIC” appears to make your selection.Automatic Compass CalibrationThe compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating, eliminat-
ing the need to manually calibrate the compass. When
the vehicle is new, the compass may appear erratic and
the “CAL” indicator message will flash in the EVIC until
the calibration is complete.
A good calibration requires a level surface and an envi-
ronment free from large metallic objects such as build-
ings, bridges, underground cables, railroad tracks, etc.
Calibrate the compass by driving slowly, under 5 mph (8
km/h) in one or more complete circles in a area free fromlarge metallic objects, until the “CAL” indicator in the
EVIC turns off. The compass will now function normally.
NOTE:
Keep all magnetic objects, such as laptop com-
puters, cell phones and PDA’s (anything with a battery)
away from the compass sensor which is located in the top
of the instrument panel. These devices can interfere with
compass accuracy and performance.
Manual Compass CalibrationIf the compass appears to be inaccurate, you may wish to
manually calibrate the compass. Prior to calibrating the
compass, make sure the proper Compass Variance Value
is selected (Refer to “Compass Variance” for additional
information). Then continue to calibrate the compass as
follows:
1. Start the engine and leave the transmission in the
PARK position.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 247
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTSStarting Procedures .....................291
▫ Automatic Transaxle ...................291
▫ Manual Transaxle .....................292
▫ Normal Starting ......................292
▫ Extremely Cold Weather (Below 20°F Or
29°C) .............................292
▫ If The Engine Fails To Start ..............293
▫ After Starting ........................293
▫ Turbocharger Cool-Down...............293 
Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped .........294
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System .......295
▫ Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System .............................295
▫ Four-Speed Automatic Transaxle ...........296
▫ Reset Mode .........................296
▫ Gear Ranges For The Four-Speed Automatic
Transaxle ...........................297
5

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of
PARK, or NEUTRAL 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 the
gear selector lever into gear when the engine is idling
normally and when your right foot is firmly on the
brake pedal.BRAKE/TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEMThis system prevents you from shifting the gear selector
lever 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 ON or ACC positions.Alwaysstep on the brake pedal and depress the gear selector
lever knob button before shifting out of PARK.
NOTE:
If a malfunction occurs, the system will function
normally, except you may be able to shift the vehicle from
PARK, without depressing the brake pedal. If this occurs
obtain service from an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK
SYSTEMThis system prevents the key from being removed unless
the gear selector lever is in PARK and the gear selector
lever knob push button is out. It also prevents shifting
out of PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON
positions, and the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE: If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

GEAR RANGES FOR THE FOUR-SPEED
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLEDO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.PARKPARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, and then shift the
gear selector lever into the PARK position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the key
is removed from the ignition, the transmission gear
selector lever is locked in the PARK position, secur-
ing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 297
5