2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE parking brake

PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition on,
the brake light in the instrument cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is set. To set the parking brake, pull up firmly on
the lever. Also place the gear selector in the Park position.
To release the parking brake, apply the brake pedal and
pull up on the parking brake lever. Push the release
button and lower the lever fully.When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in Park, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the selector out of Park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.
You should always apply the parking brake before leav-
ing the vehicle.
WARNING!
²Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake or the gear selector.
Don't leave the keys in the ignition. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move
the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving; failure to do so can lead to brake
failure and an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
²Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
²Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
Preparations for Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, and set the parking brake. Place the gear
selector in PARK.
²Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher, park vehicle on
firm, level surface.
²Put gear shift in park (automatic transmission) or
reverse (manual transmission).
²Set parking brake and turn off engine.
²Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Changing a Tire
The spare wheel, scissors jack, and lug wrench are
stowed under the spare tire cover in the rear cargo area.
Do not attempt to raise this vehicle using a bumper jack.
176 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING THE BATTERY
WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle 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 dis-
charged 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.
²Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
NOTE:The battery is stored in a compartment behind
the left front fender and is accessible without removing
the tire and wheel. Remote battery terminals are located
in the engine compartment for jump starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach but without
letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake, place auto-
matic transaxle in PARK and turn ignition to OFF for
both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
terminal of the booster battery. Connect the other end to
the positive jump start attachment of the discharged
battery.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 181
6

Multi-Purpose Lubricant, NLGI Grade 2, should be ap-
plied sparingly to all pivot and sliding contact areas.
External Lock Cylinders
Lubricate the external lock cylinders twice a year, prefer-
ably in the fall and spring. Apply a small amount of
lubricant, such as Mopar Lock Cylinder Lubricant di-
rectly into the lock cylinder (avoid excess lubricant).
Insert the key into the lock cylinder and rotate from the
unlocked to the locked position; without adding more
lubricant. Repeat this procedure three or four times. Wipe
all the lubricant off the key with a clean cloth, to avoid
soiling clothing.
If you use a lubricant that cannot be dispensed directly
into the lock cylinder, apply a small amount of the
lubricant to the key. Insert the key into the lock cylinder,
then proceed as described above, to distribute the lubri-
cant within the lock cylinder. Pay attention to trunk
hinges, especially during cold weather, to ensure ease of
trunk operation.
Other Body Mechanisms
The following body mechanisms should be inspected
and, if necessary, all pivot and sliding contact areas of
these components should be lubricated with the lubricant
specified as follows:
Engine Oil
²
Door hinges
²Hood hinges
²Trunk hinges
Smooth White Body Lubricant - Such as Mopar
Spray White Lube:
²
Hood hinge springs and links
²Lock cylinders
²Parking brake mechanism
²Trunk latches
²Ash tray
204 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturers recommended transmis-
sion fluid, refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type. It is important that
the transmission fluid be maintained at the prescribed
level using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turers recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than the
manufacturers recommended fluid will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
for correct fluid type.
Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and of the fluid.
To properly check the automatic transaxle fluid level, the
following procedure must be used:
²The vehicle must be on level ground.
²The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
²Fully apply parking brake.
²Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK).
²Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
²If the fluid is cold (80ÉF / 27ÉC), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked ªCOLDº (between
the lower two holes in the dipstick).
214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Location.........................181,200
Belts, Drive........................... 198
Belts, Engine.......................... 200
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 203
Boot, Convertible Top.................... 50
B-Pillar Location....................... 149
Brake, Parking......................... 141
Brake System.......................142,211
Anti-Lock........................... 142
Fluid Check......................... 212
Hoses.............................. 211
Master Cylinder...................... 212
Warning Light........................ 91
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........135,137
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 42
Bulb Replacement...................... 226
Bulbs, Light........................... 225
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 232
Capacities, Fluid....................... 232
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 166
Car Washes........................... 217
Carpeting............................. 218Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 120
Cassette Tape Player...............97,105,108
Catalytic Converter..................... 199
CD Changer..................104,109,114,116
CD Player....................102,111,113,119
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 230
Central Locking......................... 13
Chains, Tire........................... 159
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 176
Charging System Light................... 88
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 146
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 42
Child Restraint.....................34,36,40
Cigar Lighter........................... 96
Circuit Breakers........................ 223
Cleaning
Glass.............................. 220
Headlights.......................... 219
Instrument Panel..................... 220
Climate Control........................ 122
Clock................................. 96
Compact Disc Changer................... 116
Compact Disc Maintenance............... 121
INDEX 261
10

Oil, Engine.........................194,232
Capacity............................ 232
Change Interval...................... 195
Checking........................... 194
Disposal............................ 197
Filter.............................. 197
Identification Logo.................169,196
Materials Added to.................... 197
Pressure Gauge....................... 90
Quality..........................169,196
Recommendation..................... 196
Synthetic........................... 197
Onboard Diagnostic System............191,192
Opener, Garage Door..................... 73
Overheating, Engine..................... 174
Owner's Manual....................... 255
Paint Care............................ 216
Paint Damage......................... 216
Panic Alarm........................... 17
Parking Brake......................... 141
Parking On Hill........................ 141
Passing Light........................... 67Pets, Transporting....................... 41
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 149
Power
Brakes............................. 142
Distribution Center.................... 223
Door Locks.......................... 12
Outlet.............................. 78
Seats............................... 60
Steering............................ 143
Steering, Checking.................... 202
Windows............................ 21
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 28
Programmable Electronic Features.........74,77
Programming Transmitters............17,74,77
Radial Ply Tires........................ 155
Radiator Cap.......................... 209
Radio...........................97,105,111
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 96
Radio Operation..................105,111,119
Radio Remote Controls................... 118
Rear Window Defroster.................. 124
INDEX 267
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