transmission fluid CHRYSLER PT CRUISER 2009 1.G Owners Manual

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission/transaxle, axle, etc.) for signs of con-
tamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in
appearance) after driving through standing water.
Do not continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid
appears contaminated, as this may result in further
damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 239

NOTE:Using the third gear range while operating the
vehicle under heavy operating conditions will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive 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. Refer to the “Main-
tenance Schedule” in Section 8 for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
NOTE: Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
•
Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
•When 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.
•Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 289

6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82° C), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle is
driven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature below 80°F (27°C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Then,
remove dipstick and note the reading.a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.”
If the fluid level is low, add sufficient fluid through the
filler (dipstick) tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not
overfill.CAUTION!
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufacturer
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in this section for the correct fluid type.
•Dirt and water in the transaxle can cause serious
damage. To prevent dirt and water from entering
the transaxle after checking or replenishing fluid,
make certain that the dipstick cap is re-seated
properly.
332 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Maintenance Schedule A — Non Turbocharged Engines
— No change necessary.
Maintenance Schedule A — Turbocharged Engines—
No change necessary.
Maintenance Schedule B — All Engines — Every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) change fluid and filter under
the following conditions:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is driven regularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedules” in Section 8 for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is
the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transaxle as the
chemicals can damage your transaxle components.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 333

Manual Transaxle
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
this section for the correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug. The fluid
level should be between the bottom of the fill hole and a
point not more that 3/16 in (4.7 mm) below the bottom of
the hole.
Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the proper level.
Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. Fluid changes are not necessary unless the
following conditions exist:
•The lubricant has become contaminated with water. If
contaminated with water, the fluid should be changed
immediately.
•If severe usage has occurred, refer to “Maintenance
Schedule B” in Section 8 of this manual.
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
334 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid
Manual Transmission MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake Master Cylinder/Manual
Transmission Clutch System MOPAR
DOT 3 Brake Fluid, SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3, SAE
J1703 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only rec-
ommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARPower Steering Fluid +4, MOPAR ATF+4 Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 351

Maintenance Schedule B — All Engines
Follow “Maintenance Schedule B — All Engines”, if you
usually operate your vehicle under one or more of the
following conditions.
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the vehicle is usually
operated under one or more of the conditions marked
with an .
Change the manual transaxle fluid every 48,000 miles
(80 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under one
or more of the conditions marked with an †.
•Day and night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.†
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).†
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol) fuel.
8
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 357

Special Additives...................... 333
Autostick ............................. 234
Back-Up Lights ......................... 348
Battery ............................... 317
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 26
Belts, Seat .............................. 72
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 319
B-Pillar Location ........................ 252
Brake, Parking .......................... 241
Brake System ........................ 243,329
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 244
Fluid Check .......................... 329
Master Cylinder ....................... 329
Parking ............................. 241
Warning Light ........................ 169
Brakes ............................. 243,329
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 230
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 70Bulb Replacement
..................... 344,345
Bulbs, Light .......................... 73,344
Calibration, Compass .................. 176,185
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........ 349
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 349
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 274
Oil (Engine) .................... 307,308,315
Power Steering ........................ 241
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 326
Car Washes ............................ 335
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............71,273
CD (Compact Disc) Player ...............187,201
Cellular Phone ........................ 82,213
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 348
Chains, Tire ............................ 263
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 294
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 249
10
INDEX 391