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2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Owner Manual - Page 279

2009 Chrysler PT Cruiser Manual

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STARTING AND OPERATING 277 Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and shorten useful service life. Heavier suspension components do not necessarily increase the vehicle's GVWR. Loading To load your vehicle properly, first figure out its empty weight. Store heavier items down low and be sure you distribute their weight as evenly as possible. Stow all loose items securely before driving. Improper weight distribution can have an adverse effect on the way your vehicle steers and handles, and the way the brakes operate. TRAILER TOWING In this section you will find safety tips and information on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully review this information to tow your load as efficiently and safely as possible. To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements and recommendations in this manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing. Common Towing Definitions The following trailer towing related definitions will assist you in understanding the following information: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo and trailer tongue weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR. 5 CAUTION! Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to lose control. Also, overloading can shorten the life of your vehicle.

Section	Page
INTRODUCTION	5
INTRODUCTION	6
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL	6
WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS	8
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER	8
VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS	9
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE	11
A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS	14
Ignition Key Removal	14
Locking Doors with a Key	16
Key-In-Ignition Reminder	16
STEERING WHEEL LOCK - IF EQUIPPED	16
To Manually Lock the Steering Wheel	16
To Release the Steering Wheel Lock	17
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System	17
SENTRY KEY - IF EQUIPPED	17
Sentry Key Immobilizer System	17
VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM - IF EQUIPPED	21
To Set the Alarm	21
To Disarm the Alarm	22
Security System Manual Override	22
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE)	22
To Unlock the Doors and Liftgate	23
To Lock the Doors and Liftgate	24
To Turn Off Flash Lights with Lock	25
Panic Alarm	25
To Program Additional RKE Transmitters	26
General Information	27
RKE Transmitter Battery Service	28
DOOR LOCKS	29
Manual Door Locks	29
Power Door Locks	30
Child Protection Door Lock System - If Equipped	32
POWER WINDOWS	33
Auto-Down Feature	34
Rear Window Switches	35
Wind Buffeting	35
LIFTGATE	35
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS	36
Lap/Shoulder Belts	38
Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt Untwisting Procedure	44
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Seat Belt Anchorage	44
Seat Belt Pretensioners	45
Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert)	45
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women	46
Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbag	46
Child Restraints	63
Transporting Pets	71
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS	71
SAFETY TIPS	72
Exhaust Gas	72
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the Vehicle	73
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside the Vehicle	73
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE	75
MIRRORS	79
Inside Day/Night Mirror	79
Outside Mirror - Driver Side	79
Outside Mirror - Passenger Side	80
Power Mirrors - If Equipped	80
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors - If Equipped	80
Sun Visor Sliding Feature	81
HANDS-FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnect) - IF EQUIPPED	82
Operation	84
Phone Call Features	92
UConnect System Features	94
Advanced Phone Connectivity	99
Things You Should Know About Your UConnect System	101
General Information	109
SEATS	109
Front Seat Adjustment - If Equipped	109
Six-Way Power Seat with Manual Recliner - If Equipped	110
Manual Lumbar - If Equipped	112
Folding Front Passenger Seat - If Equipped	112
Adjustable Head Restraints	113
Heated Seats - If Equipped	113
Folding Rear Seat	114
Tumbling Rear Seat	116
Rear Seat Removal	119
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD	121
LIGHTS	122
Map/Reading Lights	122
Headlights	123
Parking and Instrument Panel Lights	124
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) - If Equipped	125
Lights - On Reminder	125
Fog Lights - If Equipped	125
Turn Signal Operation	125
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch	126
Flash-to-Pass	127
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS	128
Windshield Washers	128
Mist Feature	128
Intermittent Wiper System	129
TILT STEERING COLUMN	130
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL - IF EQUIPPED	131
To Activate	131
To Set At A Desired Speed	132
To Deactivate	132
To Resume Speed	132
To Vary The Speed Setting	132
Manual Transaxle	133
To Accelerate For Passing	133
Using Electronic Speed Control on Hills	134
GARAGE DOOR OPENER - IF EQUIPPED	134
Programming Homelink	136
Gate Operator/Canadian Programming	139
Security	139
Troubleshooting Tips	140
General Information	140
POWER SUNROOF - IF EQUIPPED	141
Express-Open Feature	141
Wind Buffeting	142
Sunroof Maintenance	143
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS	143
Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off	144
STORAGE	145
Center Console/Armrest Storage Bin	145
Storage Pockets	146
CONSOLE FEATURES	146
REAR SHELF PANEL - IF EQUIPPED	147
Position 1 (Top)	148
Position 2 (Middle)	148
Position 3 (Floor)	149
Position 4 (Vertical)	150
Position 5 (Table)	150
REAR WINDOW FEATURES	152
Rear Window Defroster	152
Rear Wiper/Washer Switch - If Equipped	153
EMERGENCY SEATBACK RELEASE (SEDAN)	154
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL	157
INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES	160
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - BASE	161
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - PREMIUM	162
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - TURBO	163
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS	164
COMPASS MINI-TRIP COMPUTER (CMTC) - IF EQUIPPED	174
Compass Mini-Trip Computer Reset Button	174
Compass/Temperature Display	175
Odometer Display	177
Trip Odometer (ODO)	177
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER (EVIC) - IF EQUIPPED	178
EVIC Operation	178
SETTING THE ANALOG CLOCK	187
SALES CODE RAQ - AM/FM/CD (6-DISC) RADIO WITH OPTIONAL SATELLITE RADIO, HANDS FREE PHONE, AND VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS (VES) CAPABILITIES	187
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode	188
Operation Instructions - (CD MODE for CD Audio Play)	193
LOAD/EJECT Button (CD Mode for CD Audio Play)	194
Notes On Playing MP3 Files	196
Operation Instructions - (CD Mode for MP3 Audio Play)	198
LOAD/EJECT Button (CD Mode for MP3 Play)	198
SALES CODE REF - AM/FM/CD (SINGLE-DISC) RADIO WITH OPTIONAL SATELLITE RADIO AND HANDS-FREE PHONE CAPABILITY	201
Operating Instructions - Radio Mode	201
Operating Instructions - CD Mode	205
Operating Instructions - Auxiliary Mode	206
Operating Instructions - Hands-Free Phone - If Equipped	208
Operating Instructions - Satellite Radio - If Equipped	208
SATELLITE RADIO - IF EQUIPPED	208
System Activation	208
Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification Number (ESN/SID)	209
Selecting Satellite Mode in REF, and RAQ, Radios	209
Selecting a Channel	210
Storing and Selecting Pre-Set Channels	210
Using the PTY (Program Type) Button (if equipped)	210
PTY Button SCAN	211
PTY Button SEEK	211
Satellite Antenna	211
Reception Quality	211
CD/DVD MAINTENANCE	212
RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES	212
CLIMATE CONTROLS	213
Climate Control Operation	213
Operating Tips	218
STARTING AND OPERATING	221
STARTING PROCEDURES	224
Manual Transaxle - If Equipped	224
Automatic Transaxle - If Equipped	224
Normal Starting	224
Extremely Cold Weather (Below -20 degrees F or -29 degrees C)	225
If The Engine Fails To Start	225
After Starting	226
Turbocharger Cool-Down	226
MANUAL TRANSAXLE - IF EQUIPPED	227
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - IF EQUIPPED	229
Four-Speed Automatic Transaxle	230
Brake/Transmission Interlock System	233
AUTOSTICK - IF EQUIPPED	234
Operation	234
General Information	235
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES	236
Acceleration	236
Traction	237
DRIVING THROUGH WATER	237
Flowing/Rising Water	238
Shallow Standing Water	238
POWER STEERING	240
Power Steering Fluid Check	240
PARKING BRAKE	241
BRAKE SYSTEM	243
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) - IF EQUIPPED	244
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM - IF EQUIPPED	246
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION	247
Tire Markings	247
Tire Identification Number (TIN)	251
Tire Loading and Tire Pressure	252
TIRES - GENERAL INFORMATION	256
Tire Pressure	256
TIRE CHAINS	264
SNOW TIRES	264
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS	265
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)	266
Base System	268
FUEL REQUIREMENTS	271
ADDING FUEL	275
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)	275
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message	277
VEHICLE LOADING	277
Vehicle Certification Label	277
TRAILER TOWING	279
Common Towing Definitions	279
TOWING TIPS	289
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)	291
Towing - Manual Transaxle	291
Towing - Automatic Transaxle	291
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES	293
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS	294
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS	294
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING	296
Jack Location	297
Spare Tire Stowage	297
Spare Tire Removal	298
Preparations For Jacking	298
Jacking Instructions	299
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES	303
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE	305
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE	306
Towing With The Key-In-Ignition	306
Towing Without The Key-In-Ignition	307
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE	309
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - 2.4L	311
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - 2.4L TURBO	312
ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM - OBD II	313
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message	313
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS	313
REPLACEMENT PARTS	315
DEALER SERVICE	315
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES	316
Engine Oil	316
Engine Air Cleaner Filter	319
Maintenance-Free Battery	320
Air Conditioner Maintenance	321
Body Lubrication	322
Windshield Wiper Blades	323
Adding Washer Fluid	323
Exhaust System	324
COOLING SYSTEM	326
Brake System	332
Automatic Transaxle	334
Manual Transaxle	336
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion	337
FUSES	343
Integrated Power Module (IPM)	343
VEHICLE STORAGE	347
REPLACEMENT BULBS	347
BULB REPLACEMENT	347
Headlights	348
Front Parking, Turn Signal, and Side Marker Lights	349
Front Fog Lights - If Equipped	349
Tail/Stop Lights and Rear Turn Signal Lights	350
Backup Lights	350
Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL)	351
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES	352
FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE PARTS	353
Engine	353
Chassis	354
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES	355
EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE	356
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES	356
At Each Stop for Fuel	358
Once a Month	358
At Each Oil Change	358
Maintenance Schedule B - All Engines	359
Maintenance Schedule A - Non-Turbocharged	371
Maintenance Schedule A - Turbocharged	376
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE	383
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBTAINING SERVICE FOR YOUR VEHICLE	385
Prepare For The Appointment	385
Prepare A List	385
Be Reasonable With Requests	385
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE	385
Chrysler LLC Customer Center	386
Chrysler Canada Inc. Customer Center	386
In Mexico contact	386
Customer Assistance For The Hearing Or Speech Impaired (TDD/TTY)	387
Service Contract	387
WARRANTY INFORMATION (U.S. Vehicles Only)	388
MOPAR PARTS	388
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS	388
In The 50 United States And Washington, D.C	388
In Canada	389
PUBLICATION ORDER FORMS	389
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES	390
Treadwear	391
Traction Grades	391
Temperature Grades	392