traction control CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2013 5.G Owners Manual

DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............486
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................486
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................486
 POWER STEERING .....................488
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............489
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .490
 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) .........492
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light ............494
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .494
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............495
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............496
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........497
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............500▫
Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................501
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............504
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .504
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........508
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........510
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........511
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION .........515
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .515
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................517
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .518
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .519
▫ All Season Tires – If Equipped ............519
▫
Summer Or Three Season Tires – If Equipped . . .520
462 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically 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 dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have a collision. 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 the roads areslushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first become visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 485

Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The “Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light” moni-
tors 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 “Anti-Lock Brake Warning 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 “Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light” is on, the brake
system should be serviced as soon as possible to restore
the benefits of anti-lock brakes. If the “Anti-Lock Brake
Warning 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 “Anti-Lock
Brake Warning Light” remain on, the ABS and Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not function-
ing. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Consult with your authorized dealer service center as
soon as possible.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Traction Control
System (TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS) and Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway Control (TSC),
and Hill Start Assist (HSA). These systems complement
the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) by optimizing the
vehicle braking capability during emergency braking
maneuvers.
494 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction Control System (TCS)
The Traction Control System (TCS) monitors the amount
of wheel spin of each of the driven wheels. If wheel spin
is detected, brake pressure is applied to the slipping
wheel(s) and engine power is reduced, to provide en-
hanced acceleration and stability. A feature of the TCS
functions similarly to a limited-slip differential, and
controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If one wheel
on a driven axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel. This
will allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. This feature remains active even if
the ESC is in the “Partial Off” mode.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (in
the instrument cluster) will start to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the wheels begin to spin. This
indicates that the TCS is active. If the indicator light
flashes during acceleration, ease up on the acceleratorand apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt
your speed and driving to the prevailing road conditions,
and do not switch off the ESC or TCS.
WARNING!
•
The TCS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
• The TCS cannot prevent collisions, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or hydro-
planing.
• The capabilities of a TCS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 495

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) enhances direc-
tional control and stability of the vehicle under various
driving conditions. ESC corrects for over/under steering
of the vehicle by applying the brake of the appropriate
wheel to assist in counteracting the over/under steer
condition. Engine power may also be reduced to help the
vehicle maintain the desired path.
ESC 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, ESC applies the brake of the appro-
priate 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.
WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent all
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent accidents
resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappro-
priate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety
of others.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 497

WARNING!(Continued)
•Trailer Sway control (TSC) is disabled when the
ESC system is in the Partial Offmode.
NOTE: To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the “ESC Off” switch. Once the situa-
tion requiring ESC to be switched to the “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn ESC back on by momentarily
pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done while
the vehicle is in motion.
ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. It should turn off with the engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this
light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 499

WARNING!(Continued)
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
• Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different
size may result in false speedometer and odometer
readings.
TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES)
Use of traction devices require sufficient tire-to-body clear-
ance. Follow these recommendations to guard against
damage:
• Traction device must be of proper size for the tire, as
recommended by the traction device manufacturer.
• Install on front tires only.
•
225/65R16 and 235/60R16 tires with the use of a traction
device that meets the SAE type “Class S” specification is
recommended.
•Due to limited clearance, P225/65R17 and 225/65R17
tires with a Security Chain Company (SCC) Super Z6 low
profile traction device or equivalent is recommended.
526 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Using tires of different size and type (M+S, Snow)
between front and rear axles can cause unpredictable
handling. You could lose control and have a collision.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
•Because of restricted traction device clearance be-
tween tires and other suspension components, it is
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise
occurs that could indicate device breakage. Remove
the damaged parts of the device before further use.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pave-
ment.
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating
speed, and conditions for use. Always use the
suggested operating speed of the device manufac-
turer ’s if it is less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 527

Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
674 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Center Mounted Stop....................652
Daytime Running ...................... .225
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .................226
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator .....499
Engine Temperature Warning ...............327
Exterior ............................. .125
Fog ................................ .225
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................570
Headlights On Reminder ..................225
High Beam Indicator .....................315
High Beam/Low Beam Select ...............229
Illuminated Entry ........................20
Interior ............................. .226
License ............................. .652
Lights On Reminder .....................225
Low Fuel ............................ .326
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) .........321
Oil Pressure .......................... .327
Park ............................... .649Passing
............................. .229
Reading ............................. .256
Rear Servicing ........................ .651
Rear Tail ............................ .651
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .325
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ...............323
Service .............................. .647
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . .321
Side Marker .......................... .650
SmartBeams .......................... .229
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ...............323
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............319
Traction Control ....................... .499
Turn Signal .......................... .125
Voltage ............................. .326
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......315
Loading

Vehicle ......................... .288
Capacities ........................... .551
Tires ................................511
10
INDEX 687