clutch CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

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

WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you are not using it.To Set At A Desired Speed:When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, press
down on the lever and release. Release the accelerator
and the vehicle will operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:The vehicle should be traveling at a steady
speed and on level ground before pressing the SET lever.
While in the AutoStick mode, speed control will only
operate in third and fourth gear.
To Deactivate:A soft tap on the brake pedal, pulling the speed control
lever towards you CANCEL, or normal brake or clutch
pressure while slowing the vehicle will deactivate speed
control without erasing the set speed memory. Pressing
the ON/OFF button or turning off the ignition switch
erases the set speed memory.To Resume Speed:To resume a previously set speed, push the RESUME
ACCEL lever up and release. Resume can be used at any
speed above 20 mph (32 km/h).To Vary The Speed Setting:When the speed control is ON, speed can be increased by
pushing up and holding RESUME ACCEL. Release the
lever when the desired speed is reached, and the new
speed will be set.UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 195
3

Tapping RESUME ACCEL once will result in a 2 mph (3
km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed increases so that tapping the lever three times will
increase speed by 6 mph (10 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is ON, push down
and hold SET DECEL. Release the lever when the desired
speed is reached, and the new speed will be set.
Tapping the SET DECELbutton once will result in a 1
mph (2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the button is
tapped, speed decreases.Manual Transaxle:Depressing the clutch pedal will disengage the speed
control. A slight increase in engine RPM before the speed
control disengages is normal.
Vehicles equipped with manual transaxles may need to
be shifted into a lower gear to climb hills without speed
loss.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.To Accelerate For Passing:Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.Using Speed Control On HillsNOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
196 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

MANUAL TRANSAXLEBefore starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the gear
selector lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.NORMAL STARTINGNormal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine has not
started within three seconds, slightly depress the accel-
erator pedal while continuing to crank. If the engine fails
to start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“NORMAL STARTING” procedure above.
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 the procedure carefully. See Section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER (BELOW 20°F or
29°C)To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 gear selector lever 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, FIFTH gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift the gear selector lever into REVERSE until the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
NOTE:
During cold weather, until the transaxle lubri-
cant is warm, you may experience slightly higher shift
efforts. This is normal and not harmful to the transaxle.
Five-Speed Shift Pattern
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

MANUAL TRANSAXLE — RECOMMENDED SHIFT
SPEEDSTo use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in Table 1.
Table 1 - Manual Transaxle Normal AccelerationAnd Cruise Shift Speeds In mph (km/h)
Engine Mode 1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L
Turbo Accel-
eration 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (65) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 42 (68) 45 (72)
2.4L
Non-
Turbo Accel-
eration 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (65) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 42 (68) 45 (72)
For improved performance, your manual transaxle may
be upshifted up to the maximum speeds listed in Table 2
(within legal speed limits).
Table 2 - Manual Transaxle Maximum Performance Shift Speeds In mph (km/h)
Engine 1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L 30 (48) 60 (97) 85 (136) 115 (185)
If you exceed these speeds, you may notice the engine cut
in and out. This is caused by an electronic limiter in the
engine computer. The engine will run normally when
you reduce engine speed.DownshiftingProper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high an engine speed, you could damage the
engine, transmission, or clutch.
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

Master Cylinder - Brake Fluid Level CheckCheck the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the requirements described on the brake fluid reser-
voir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads wear.
Brake fluid level should be checked when pads are
replaced. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.Use only manufacturers recommended brake fluid. Refer
to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” for the correct
fluid type.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with a Manual
transaxle , the Brake Fluid Reservoir supplies fluid to
both the Brake System and the Clutch Release System.
The two systems are separated in the reservoir and a leak
in one system will not affect the other system. The
Manual Transaxle Clutch Release System should not
require fluid replacement during the life of the vehicle. If
the Brake Fluid Reservoir is low, and the brake system
does not indicate any leaks or other problems, it may be
a result of a leak in the Hydraulic Clutch Release System.
See your local authorized dealer for service.
Use only manufacturers recommended brake fluid, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARDOT 3 prod-
uct or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to FMVSS
specification may result in sudden brake failure
during hard prolonged braking. You could have an
accident.
CAUTION!
Use of improper brake fluids will affect overall
clutch system performance. Improper brake fluids
may damage the clutch system resulting in loss of
clutch function and the ability to shift the transaxle.
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.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 407
7

Cargo CompartmentLuggage Carrier ....................... 215
Carrier, Luggage ........................ 215
Catalytic Converter ...................... 389
Caution, Exhaust Gas ..................... 115
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...............251,259
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance ........ 277
Cellular Phone ....................... 138,277
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 428
Chains, Tire ............................ 330
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 360
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 314
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light) ................................ 381
Child Restraint ....................... 72,107
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............77,111
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 76
Child Safety Locks ........................ 22
Child Seat ........................... 78,112Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 337
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 413
Climate Control ......................... 277
Clock ........................... 250,253,261
Clutch ............................... 406
Clutch Fluid ........................... 406
Coin Holder ........................... 208
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 277
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 325
Compass ..................... 234,235,238,248
Compass Calibration ................ 238,247,248
Compass Variance ....................... 236
Computer, Trip/Travel .................234,235
Console .............................. 208
Contract, Service ........................ 463
Convertible ............................ 123
Convertible Boot ..................... 128,132
Convertible Top ......................... 123472 INDEX