tow CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2004 4.G Owner's Guide

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher..................290
mIf Your Engine Overheats.................291
mJacking And Tire Changing................292
NJack Location........................293
NSpare Tire Stowage....................293
NPreparations For Jacking................294
NJacking Instructions....................295
mJump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low....298
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............299
NAcceleration.........................299NTraction............................300
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle..................300
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle................301
NWith Ignition Key.....................301
NWithout The Ignition Key...............302
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................302
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolley....................303
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Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed behind the rear left
side trim panel in the cargo area. Pull up on the lever to
release the cover.
Spare Tire Stowage
The spare tire is stowed under the rear of the vehicle by
means of a cable winch mechanism. To remove or stow
the spare, use the jack handle to rotate the ªspare tire
driveº nut. The nut is located under the plastic cover at
the center-rear of the cargo floor area, just inside the
liftgate opening.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 293
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²Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
²Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
²Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions
1. Remove the spare wheel, scissors jack and jack-handle
from stowage.
2. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.3. There are two jack engagement locations on each side
of the body Ð see illustration.
4. These locations are on the sill flange of the body and
consist of a pair of downstanding tabs. The jack is to be
located, engaging the flange, between the pair of tabs
closest to the wheel to be changed. Place the wrench on
the jack screw and turn to the right until the jack head is
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 295
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properly engaged in the described location.Do not raise
the vehicle until you are sure the jack is securely
engaged.
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right,
using the swivel wrench. Raise the vehicle only until the
tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is
obtained to install the spare tire. Minimum tire lift
provides maximum stability.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
6. Remove the wheel lug nuts, for vehicles with wheel
covers, remove the cover from the wheel by hand. Do not
pry the wheel cover off. Then pull the wheel off the hub.
7. Install the spare wheel, for vehicles with wheel covers,
align the notch in the wheel cover with the valve stem on
the wheel. Install the cover on the wheel by hand only
and install the wheel lug nuts with the cone shaped end
of the nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To
avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not
tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle has been
lowered.
NOTE:Do not install the wheel cover on the compact
spare.
Do not use a hammer or force to install the wheel covers.
8. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
9. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
296 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 130 N´m (95 ft. lbs). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
10. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
11. Secure the flat or spare tire as follows:
²If your vehicle is equipped with cast aluminum
wheels, the center cap of the wheel must be re-
moved prior to flat tire stowage. Store the center cap
inside the glove box or other storage compartment.
²Turn the wheel so that the valve-stem is down. Slide
the wheel retainer through the center of the wheel
and position it properly across the wheel opening.
²For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation,
stow with the valve-stem toward the rear of the
vehicle.
²Using the jack-handle, rotate the drive nut to the
right until the wheel is drawn into place against the
underside of the vehicle.
²Continue to rotate the nut until you hear the mecha-
nism click three times. It cannot be overtightened.
Push against the tire several times to be sure it is
securely in place.
12. Stow jack and handle.
13. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 297
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JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES IF BATTERY IS
LOW
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the en-
gine 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 improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow
battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing. Don't
lean over battery when attaching clamps or allow the
clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes or
on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with
large quantities of water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from the
vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or any other
booster source with an output that exceeds 12 volts.
298 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don't let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Front Wheel Drive
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the dis-
tance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160 km),
and the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h).
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmission
geartrain failure. If the transaxle is not operative, or if the
vehicle is to be towed more than 100 miles (160 km), the
vehicle must be towed with the front wheels off the
ground.
All Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the dis-
tance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160 km),
the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72 km/h), and
both front and rear wheels must be on the ground. If your
vehicle must be towed farther or at a higher rate of speed,
it must be transported on a flat bed truck.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 301
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CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
²Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
²Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
²Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
axle may result.
²If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position, not
in the LOCK or ACCESSORY positions.
If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACCESSORY position. Make certain the
transaxle remains in NEUTRAL.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing with out the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle, is only permitted within the limitations de-
scribed in this section.
302 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLEY
The manufacturedoes not recommendthat you tow an
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) or front wheel drive vehicle on a
tow dolley. Vehicle damage may occur.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 303
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indicator
Lightº on could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must be serviced before
any emissions tests can be performed.
If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur. Im-
mediate service is required.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 309
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