CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

Operating Tips
Operating Tips
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 219

Window Fogging
Vehicle side windows tend to fog on the inside in mild,
rainy or humid weather. To clear the windows, use the
A/C, Panel and Blower controls. Direct the panel outlets
toward the side windows. Do not use recirculate without
A/C for long periods, as fogging may occur.
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by using the defrost position.
If the fogging problem persists, clean the inside window
surfaces. The cause of undue fogging may be dirt collect-
ing on the inside surface of the glass.
NOTE:In cold weather, the use of the recirculate
position will cause windows to fog on the inside because
of moisture buildup inside the vehicle. For maximum
defogging, use the Outside Air position.
Summer Operation
Vehicles must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze
coolant to provide proper corrosion protection and to raise the boiling point of the coolant for protection against
overheating. A 50% concentration is recommended.
Outside Air Intake
When operating the system, make sure the air intake,
directly in front of the windshield, is free of ice, slush,
snow or other obstructions such as leaves. Leaves col-
lected in the air-intake plenum may reduce airflow and
plug the plenum water drains.
The blower air will heat faster in cold weather if you use
only a low blower speed for the first few minutes of
vehicle operation.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is at each end of the
instrument panel. These nonadjustable outlets direct air
toward the side windows when the system is in either the
Floor, Mix, or Defrost mode. The air is directed at the area
of the windows through which you view the outside
mirrors.
220 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 224
▫ Manual Transaxle — If Equipped ......... 224
▫ Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped ....... 224
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 224
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below 20°F Or 29°C)............... 225
▫ If The Engine Fails To Start ............. 225
▫ After Starting ....................... 226
▫ Turbocharger Cool-Down ............. 226 
Manual Transaxle — If Equipped .......... 226
▫ Five–Speed Manual Transaxle ........... 226
 Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped ........ 229
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 230
▫ Four-Speed Automatic Transaxle ......... 231
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 232
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 234
▫ Operation ......................... 235
▫ General Information .................. 235
5

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 236
▫ Acceleration ........................ 236
▫ Traction ........................... 237
 Driving Through Water ................. 237
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 238
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 238
 Power Steering ....................... 240
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 241
 Parking Brake ........................ 241
 Brake System ........................ 243
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped ........................ 244
 Traction Control System — If Equipped ...... 246
Tire Safety Information ................. 248
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 248
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 251
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 252
 Tires — General Information ............. 256
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 256
 Tire Chains .......................... 263
 Snow Tires .......................... 264
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 264
 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..... 265
▫ Base System ........................ 267
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 270
▫ 2.4L And 2.4L Turbo Engines ............ 270
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

Adding Fuel ......................... 274
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 274
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 276
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 276
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 276
Trailer Towing ........................ 278
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 278
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 288
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 290
▫ Towing — Manual Transaxle ............ 290
▫ Towing — Automatic Transaxle .......... 290
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 223

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transaxle — If Equipped
Before starting the engine, fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and place the shift lever
into NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
and press the shift lever knob button before shifting to
any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing 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 press the accelera-
tor 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.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. Refer to
Section 6 of this manual for jump-starting instruc-
tions.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If The Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This
should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the
accelerator pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting” pro-
cedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 225

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
Turbocharger\bCool-Down\b
NOTE:Letting the engine idle after severe operation
allows the turbine housing to cool to normal operating
temperature. Do not increase the idle speed manually.
The following chart should be used as a guide in deter-
mining the amount of engine idle time required to
sufficiently cool down the turbocharger before shut-
down, depending upon the type of driving and the
amount of cargo.
TURBOCHARGER \bCOOL-DOWN\bCHART
Driving Conditions Idle Before Shutdown
Normal 0 min
Aggressive/Heavy Load 3 min
Trailer Tow 5 min
MANUAL TRANSAXLE — IF EQUIPPED
Five–Speed Manual Transaxle
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.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

Fully press the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As you
release the clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator
pedal.Use each gear in numerical order - do not skip a gear. Be
sure the shift lever is in first gear, (not third gear), when
starting from a standing position. Damage to the clutch
can result from starting in third gear.
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 move the shift 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.
Shift Pattern
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 227

Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in Table 1.
Table 1 - Manual Transaxle Normal Acceleration andCruise Shift Speeds in MPH (km/h)
Engine Mode 1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
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
Non-
Turbo 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.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING