tires CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN 2007 3.G Owners Manual

turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
NOTE:If the defrost feature is not functioning, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately. The
windshield could fog up while driving and obscure your
visibility.
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. In addition, if
gasoline fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid,
transmission fluid, or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
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The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
12. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine con-
dition. If the engine is critically hot, a warning
chime will sound 10 times. After the chime
turns off, the engine will still be critically hot until the
light goes out.
13. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transaxle gear
selection.
14. Tire Pressure Monitor Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended 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 pres-
sure 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. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly 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:The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is
not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver ’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger
illumination of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System low
tire pressure telltale.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will illumi-
nate in the instrument cluster, and an audible chime will
be activated when one or more tire pressures is low. The
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Lamp will flash on and
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141
4

off for 60 seconds when a system fault is detected. The
flash cycle will repeat every ten minutes or until the fault
condition is removed and reset.
If this indicator comes on, the entire, PRNDL/ odometer,
display will brighten to FULL DAYTIME INTENSITY
and will not be dimmable.
CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system op-
eration or sensor damage may result when using
replacement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
A vacuum fluorescent display indicates the total distance
the vehicle has been driven. Also, the cluster odometer
will display the following vehicle warning messages:
door/trunk ajar and loose gas cap.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged,
“FUEL CAP OFF” will be displayed in the instrument
cluster odometer. Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and
press the odometer reset button to turn the “FUEL CAP
OFF” message off.
NOTE:If vehicle is equipped with the optional Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in the instru-
ment cluster, all warnings including “DOOR AJAR”, and
“TRUNK AJAR” will only be displayed in the EVIC
display. For additional information, refer to “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center — If Equipped” in Section 3.
The two (if equipped) trip odometers show individual
trip mileage. To switch from odometer to trip odometers,
press and release the Trip Odometer button. To reset a
142 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Electronic Brake Control System –
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP
....................221
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................221
▫Traction Control System (TCS) —
If Equipped.........................221
▫Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped....221
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP) —
If Equipped.........................222

Power Steering........................225

Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............226
▫Acceleration.........................226
▫Traction............................226

Tire Safety Information..................227
▫Tire Markings........................227
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........230
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........231

Tires — General Information..............235
▫Tire Pressure.........................235
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................236
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................238
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........238
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........239
▫Tire Spinning........................240
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................240
▫LifeOfTire .........................241
▫Replacement Tires.....................241
▫Alignment And Balance.................242

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) —
If Equipped
..........................243
▫Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Operation – If Equipped..........243
▫Premium System – If Equipped...........244
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫General Information...................248

Tire Chains...........................248

Snow Tires...........................248

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........249

Fuel Requirements.....................250
▫2.4L And 2.7L Engines..................250
▫3.5L Engine.........................250
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................251
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............251
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................252
▫Materials Added To Fuel................252
▫Fuel System Cautions..................252
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............253

Flexible Fuel— 2.7L Engines Only
(Except California)
.....................253
▫E-85 General Information................253▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................254
▫Fuel Requirements....................254
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......255
▫Starting............................255
▫Cruising Range.......................255
▫Replacement Parts.....................255
▫Maintenance.........................255

Adding Fuel..........................256
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............256
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............257

Vehicle Loading.......................258
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............258
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......259
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........259
▫Overloading.........................259
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WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
The ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake
System. The light will come on when the
ignition switch 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 while 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 if 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 benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not come on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
bulb repaired as soon as possible.
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not function-
ing. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self check cycle to ensure that the ABS system
is working properly. This self check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).
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ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
•The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop),
•the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
•brake pedal pulsations,
•and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
•The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) — If Equipped
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applyingthe brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path. ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine
the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it
to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, ESP applies the brake
of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the
oversteer or understeer condition
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The “ESP/TCS Indicator Light” located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The “ESP/TCS Indicator
Light” also flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESP/TCS
Indicator Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•
P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
•European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letterPis absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
•LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary Spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter “T”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
•High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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