CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN 2008 3.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................264
▫Automatic Transaxle...................264
▫Normal Starting......................265
▫Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transaxle
Only ..............................266
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below
20°F Or
29°C)................266
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................266
▫After Starting........................267
▫Remote Start System — If Equipped........267▫How To Use Remote Start...............268

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........269

Automatic Transaxle.....................270
▫Brake/Transaxle Interlock...............272
▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................272
▫Electronically Controlled Automatic
Transaxle...........................273

AutoStick— If Equipped................275
▫AutoStickOperation..................276
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▫AutoStickGeneral Information...........277

Parking Brake.........................277

Brake System..........................281
▫Anti—Lock Brake System (ABS)...........282

Electronic Brake Control System –
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP.....................285
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................285
▫Traction Control System (TCS) —
If Equipped.........................285
▫Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped....286
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........287

Power Steering........................290
Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............291
▫Acceleration.........................291
▫Traction............................292

Driving Through Water..................292
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................292
▫Shallow Standing Water.................293

Tire Safety Information...................294
▫Tire Markings........................294
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........298
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........299

Tires—General Information................303
▫Tire Pressure.........................303
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▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................304
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................306
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........307
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........307
▫TireSpinning ........................308
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................309
▫LifeOfTire .........................309
▫Replacement Tires.....................310
▫Alignment And Balance.................312

Tire Chains...........................312

Snow Tires...........................312

Tire Rotation Recommendations............313
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped...........................314
▫Base System — If Equipped..............316
▫Premium System — If Equipped..........318
▫General Information...................322

Fuel Requirements......................323
▫2.4L And 2.7L Engines..................323
▫3.5L Engine.........................323
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................324
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............324
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................325
▫Materials Added To Fuel................326
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▫Fuel System Cautions..................326
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............327

Flexible Fuel— 2.7L Engines Only
(Except California Emission States)..........328
▫E-85 General Information................328
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................329
▫Fuel Requirements....................329
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.......330
▫Starting............................331
▫Cruising Range.......................331
▫Replacement Parts.....................331
▫Maintenance.........................331
Adding Fuel..........................332
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............332
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............334

Vehicle Loading........................335
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............335
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......336
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........336
▫Overloading.........................336
▫Loading............................337

TrailerTowing .........................338
▫Common Towing Definitions.............338
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............340
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▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........341
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............342
▫Towing Requirements..................343
▫TowingTips .........................347
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................349
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................349
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STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
Make sure all occupants have securely fastened their seat
belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.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. See section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
STARTING AND OPERATING 265
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Tip Start Feature — Automatic Transaxle Only
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition key briefly
to START position, and release it. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running.
Extremely Cold Weather (below
20°F or
29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
If 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” procedure.
Ignition Key Position
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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.
Remote Start System — If Equipped
Remote start conveniently starts the engine from outside
the vehicle by using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) key
fob while maintaining security. The system has a targeted
range of 328 ft. (100 m). The vehicle must be locked, the
deck lid and hood closed and the transmission in Park in
order to start the engine using the Remote Start button on
the key fob.
NOTE:Remote start requires Automatic Transaxle
equipped vehicles.
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How To Use Remote Start
Toenter the Remote Start mode, depress the Remote
Start button twice on the key fob. The engine will start
and the vehicle will remain in the remote start mode for
a 15 minute cycle.Toexit the Remote Start mode, allow the
engine to run the cycle or depress the unlock
button to disarm the Vehicle Theft Security
Alarm and within one minute insert the key
into the ignition and turn the ignition to the RUN
position. The ignition must be in the RUN position in
order to drive the vehicle.
NOTE:The engine can be started two consecutive times
(two 15 minute cycles) by using the key fob. For a third
cycle, the key must be cycled to the ignition RUN
position and then repeat the start sequence.
To shut off the vehicle when it is in Remote Start mode,
press the remote start button once. In order to avoid
inadvertent shut downs, the one-time press to shut down
the vehicle will be disabled for two seconds after receipt
of a valid remote start request.
Remote Start
268 STARTING AND OPERATING