Section 5 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2008 1.G Workshop Manual

original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited-use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
The limited-use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited-use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 50 mph (80 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold tire
inflation pressure listed on either your tire placard or
limited-use spare tire and wheel assembly. Replace
(or repair) the original tire at the first opportunity
and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without
stopping when you are stuck.
For additional information, refer to ªFreeing A Stuck
Vehicleº in Section 6.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30
mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 seconds continu-
ously when you are stuck, and don't let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
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TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates and tend to develop irregular wear pat-
terns.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of the
tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile
with aggressive tread designs such as those on all-season
type tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to main-
tain mud, snow, and wet traction levels and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.Follow the recommended tire rotation frequency for your
type of driving found in the ªMaintenance Schedulesº
Section of this manual. More frequent rotation is permis-
sible, if desired. The reason(s) for any rapid or unusual
wear should be corrected before rotating. The suggested
rotation method is the ªforward-crossº shown in the
diagram below.
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) Ð IF
EQUIPPED
²
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will warn
the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle
recommended cold placard pressure.
²The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about
1 psi (7 kPa) for every 12ÉF (7ÉC). This means that
when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pres-
sure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set
based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mi (1.6
km) after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation
pressure molded into the tire sidewall.Refer to the
ªTires ± General Informationº in this section for
information on how to properly inflate the vehicle'stires.The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle
is driven - this is normal and there should be no
adjustment for this increased pressure.
²TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure if the
tire pressure falls below the low-pressure warning
limit for any reason, including low temperature effects
and natural pressure loss through the tire.
²TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the
recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire
pressure warning has been illuminated, you must
increase the tire pressure to the recommended cold
placard pressure in order for the TPM Light to turn off.
The system will automatically update and the TPM
Light will turn off once the system receives the up-
dated tire pressures. The vehicle may need to be
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
²Tighten the gas cap until you hear a ªclickingº sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened
properly. The Malfunction Indicator Light in the in-
strument cluster may turn on if the gas cap is not
secured properly. Make sure that the gas cap is tight-
ened each time the vehicle is refueled.
²When the fuel nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªgASCAPº message will be displayed in the Odometer/
Trip Odometer in the instrument cluster. Refer to ªInstru-
ment Cluster Descriptionº in Section 4 of this manual.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
odometer/trip odometer reset button to turn the message
off. If the problem continues, the message will appear thenext time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a
damaged cap. If the problem is detected twice in a row,
the system will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL). Resolving the problem will turn the MIL light
off.Refer to ªOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBDIIº in
Section 7 of this manual for more information.
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Rear Seat Occupants (sedan).................. 3
Rear Seat Occupants (convertible).............. 2
Luggage....................... 115lbs(52kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity (sedan)....... 865lb(392 kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity (convertible). . . 715 lb (324 kg)
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
COMMON TOWING DEFINITIONS
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The gross trailer weight (GTW) is the weight of the trailer
plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment
(permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its
9loaded and ready for operation9condition. The recom-
mended way to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded
trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer
must be supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is the total
permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer when
weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings in-
clude a 68 kg (150 lbs) allowance for the presence of a
driver).
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TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS (MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS
Engine/Transmission Frontal AreaMax. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
(See Note 1)
2.4L N/A and 2.4L Turbo/
Automatic*20 Sq Ft 1000 lbs (454 kg) 110 lbs (50 kg)
2.4L N/A and 2.4L Turbo/
Manual*20 Sq Ft 1000 lbs (454 kg) 110 lbs (50 kg)
* N/A (Naturally Aspirated)
Note 1 ± The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo,
and should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to the follow-
ing ªTire±Safety Informationº section in this manual.
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
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Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
²The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information plac-
ard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual
for the maximum combined weight of occupants and
cargo for your vehicle.
TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 mi (805 km)
of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your
vehicle.
²During the first 500 mi (805 km) of trailer towing,
limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR,
or GCWR, ratings.
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4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
²
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
²Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires±General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
²Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
²Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires±General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
²When replacing tires refer to the Tires±General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires
for proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
²
Do notinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
²An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
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TOWING TIPS
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping
and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy
traffic.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The OVERDRIVE/DRIVE range can be selected when
towing. However, if frequent shifting occurs while in this
range, the[3]range should be selected.
NOTE:Using the[3]range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than
45 minutes of continuous operation. See the ªMainte-
nance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this manual for transmis-
sion fluid change intervals.
7-Pin Connector
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
²
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
²When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
²Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL but do not increase engine idle speed.
²Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
²Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
²Refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance Section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
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