CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2012 5.G Owners Manual

Operating TipsA/C Air Filter
On vehicles equipped with Automatic Temperature Con-
trol (ATC), the climate control system filters out dust and
pollen from the air. Refer to “Air Conditioning” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for filter replacement
instructions.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 419

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 425
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 425
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped ........ 426
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 427
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 429
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 429
▫ After Starting ....................... 430
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 431
Automatic Transmission ................. 431
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 432
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 433
▫ Fuel Economy (Econ) Mode ............. 433
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission ........ 434
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 435
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 443
▫ Acceleration ........................ 443
▫ Traction ........................... 443
5

Driving Through Water ................. 444
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 444
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 444
 Power Steering ....................... 446
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 447
 Parking Brake ........................ 447
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 450
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light .......... 451
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 452
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 452
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 453
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 454
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 457 
Tire Safety Information ................. 460
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 460
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 464
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 465
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 466
 Tires — General Information ............. 470
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 470
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 471
▫ Tire Pressures For High-Speed Operation . . . 472
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 473
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 473
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 474
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 475
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 475
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 476
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 476
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 477
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 478
 Tire Chains .......................... 479
 Snow Tires .......................... 480
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 481
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 482
▫ Base System ........................ 485
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 487
Fuel Requirements ..................... 491
▫ 3.6L Engine ........................ 491
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 491
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 492
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 492
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 493
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 493
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 493
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 494
 Flexible Fuel — If Equipped .............. 495
▫ E-85 General Information ............... 495
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ................... 496
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 496
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STARTING AND OPERATING 423

▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 497
▫ Starting ........................... 498
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 498
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 498
▫ Maintenance ........................ 498
 Adding Fuel ......................... 499
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 499
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 500
Vehicle Loading ...................... 501
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 501
 Trailer Towing ........................ 503
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 504
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 516
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 517
▫ Towing This Vehicle
Behind Another Vehicle ................ 517
424 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
•Allowing children to be in a vehicle unattended is
dangerous for a number of reasons. A child or
others could be seriously or fatally injured. Chil-
dren should be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave Keyless Enter-N-Go in the ACC or
ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 425

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do not press the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in
10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the ENGINE
START/STOP button is installed and
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter is in the passenger compart-
ment.
Installing And Removing The ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Installing The Button
1. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
426 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. Insert the ENGINE START/STOP button into the
ignition switch with the lettering facing up and readable.
3. Press firmly on the center of the button to secure it into
position.
Removing The Button
1. The ENGINE START/STOP button can be removed
from the ignition switch for key fob use.
2. Insert the metal part of the emergency key under the
chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position and gently pry the
button loose.
NOTE:The ENGINE START/STOP button should only
be removed or inserted with the ignition in the LOCK
position (OFF position for Keyless Enter-N-Go).Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. Press and hold the brake pedal while press-
ing the ENGINE START/STOP button once. The system
takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after
10 seconds. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine
prior to the engine starting, press the button again.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 427

2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds and vehicle
speed must be above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever is in PARK and the
button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift
lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pressed once, the EVIC (if equipped) will
display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and the engine
will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the
PARK position, or it could roll.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after
30 minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.Keyless Enter-N-Go Functions – With Driver ’s Foot
OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or NEUTRAL
Position)
The Keyless Enter-N-Go feature operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has four positions, OFF, ACC, RUN
and START. To change the ignition switch positions
without starting the vehicle and use the accessories
follow these steps.
•Starting with the ignition switch in the OFF position:
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to
change the ignition switch to the ACC position (EVIC
displays “IGNITION MODE ACCESSORY”),
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time
to change the ignition switch to the RUN position
(EVIC displays “IGNITION MODE RUN”),
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time
to return the ignition switch to the OFF position (EVIC
displays “IGNITION MODE OFF”).
428 STARTING AND OPERATING