fuel CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2008 1.G Owners Manual

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 117
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
mInstrument Panel Features.................222
mInstrument ClusterÐBase.................223
mInstrument ClusterÐPremium..............224
mInstrument ClusterÐTurbo................225
mInstrument Cluster Descriptions............226
mCompass Mini Trip Computer (CMTC) Ð If
Equipped............................235
NCompass Mini Trip Computer Reset Button . . . 235
NCompass/Temperature Display...........236NOdometer Display.....................239
NTrip Odometer (ODO)..................239
mElectronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ± If
Equipped............................240
NEVIC Functions.......................242
NCompass/Temperature/Audio............243
NAverage Fuel Economy.................243
NDistance To Empty (DTE)...............243
NElapsed Time........................2444

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is located on
the front passenger's (right) side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading below the red area of the
gauge shows that the engine cooling system is
operating properly. The gauge pointer may show a
higher than normal temperature when driving in hot
weather, up mountain grades, in heavy stop and go
traffic, or when towing a trailer.If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
226 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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 Light
Each 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
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Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
If the Malfunction Indicator Light flashes when the
engine is running, serious conditions may exist that
could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
11. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Knob
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. Trip A or Trip B
will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in and
hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip odometer
to 0 miles or kilometers. The odometer must be in trip
mode to reset.12. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on briefly when
the ignition switch is first turned ON and remain on
briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on
while driving, it means that there is a problem with the
charging system. Obtain SERVICE IMMEDIATELY.
13. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever.
NOTE:Turn signal bulbs are located in the Instrument
Panel.
230 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the engine
will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
18. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level drops to 2 gallons, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
19. Theft Alarm Light Ð If Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for several seconds when the
alarm system is arming. The light will begin to flash
slowly indicating that the system is armed.
20. Front Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.
21. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS) Ð If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) described elsewhere in this manual. Thislight will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to the
on position, but do not start the vehicle. The light should
come on. If the light does not come on, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 233
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22. Oil Pressure Light
Shows low engine oil pressure. The light will come
on and remain on when the ignition switch is
turned from the OFF to the ON position, and the light
will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on during starting, have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine.DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
23. Airbag Light
The light comes on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light does notcome on during starting, stays on, or comes on while
driving, have the system checked by an authorized
dealer.
24. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever toward the steer-
ing wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
25. Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) or Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ButtonÐIf Equipped
Pushing this button will switch between the different
EVIC functions.
Press the CMTC reset button to scroll through sub menus
(i.e. Trip Functions: AVG. Fuel Economy, DTE, Elapsed
Time, and Units.
234 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

26. Compass Mini-Trip Computer (CMTC) or Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) Display Ð If
Equipped
On vehicles equipped with Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC), when the appropriate conditions
exist, this display shows the EVIC messages. Refer to
ªElectronic Vehicle Information Centerº later in this
section.
On vehicles equipped with Compass Mini Trip Computer
(CMTC) the display provides the outside temperature,
one of eight compass headings to indicate the direction
the vehicle is facing and the current radio station. Refer to
ªCompass Mini Trip Computerº later in this section.COMPASS MINI TRIP COMPUTER (CMTC) Ð IF
EQUIPPED
NOTE:The compass on your vehicle is self-calibrating,
eliminating the need to manually calibrate the compass.
The Compass Mini Trip Computer features a driver-
interactive display (displays information on outside tem-
perature, compass direction, and trip information). The
display is located on the lower left part of the cluster
below the fuel and engine temperature gauge.
Compass Mini Trip Computer Reset Button
CMTC Reset Button Ð Secondary Reset Button
Press the left compass/temperature reset button to scroll
through sub menus (i.e. Trip Functions: AVG. Fuel
Economy, DTE, Elapsed Time, and Units (U.S. or Metric).
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 235
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When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
messages will display in the window below the fuel and
engine temperature gauge:
E........Eight-point compass headings are displayed
(N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, SW)
14ÉF............ Temperature (Fahrenheit or Celsius)
AV G......... AverageFuel Economy (U.S. or Metric)
DTE.......................Distance to Empty
ET............................Elapsed Time
NOTE:Temperature and Average Fuel Economy can be
changed from U.S. or Metric. by pressing and holding the
(left) secondary push button.Compass/Temperature Display
Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and Geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to introduce some compass error.
In order to ensure compass accuracy, the compass vari-
ance should be properly set according to the compass
variance zone map for the vehicle's current location. The
compass in your vehicle will now automatically compen-
sate for this difference.
236 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

4. To complete the compass calibration, drive the vehicle
in one or more complete 360 degree circles under 5 mph
(8 km/h) in an area free from power lines, large metallic
objects, until the ªCALº indicator turns off. The compass
will now function normally.
Odometer Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, the following
odometer messages will display:
CRUISE......................Cruise Activated
gASCAP.......................Fuel Cap Fault
noFUSE..........................Fuse Fault
These messages can be manually turned off by pressing
the right reset button (on the instrument cluster).
Trip Odometer (ODO)
This display shows the distance traveled since the last
reset. Press and release the right button (on the instru-
ment cluster) to switch from odometer, to trip A or trip B.
Press and hold the right button while the odometer/trip
odometer is displayed to reset.
Trip A
Shows the total distance traveled for trip A since the last
reset.
Trip B
Shows the total distance traveled for trip B since the last
reset.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 239
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