2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE engine

the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle in Park
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 175
6

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

WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and person
injury could result.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the jump start attach-
ment of the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make
sure you have a good contact on the engine.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above freezing
point before attempting to jump start.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
182 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels, particularly with high output engines.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. 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 roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
NOTE:If so equipped, turn on the Traction Control
System to accelerate on slippery surfaces.
184 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to ªrockº the vehicle.
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Flat bed towing is the preferred towing method. If a flat
bed towing vehicle is not available, a wheel lift towing
vehicle may be used.
Rear towing is not recommended with the front wheels
on the ground, as transaxle damage can result. If rear
towing is the only alternative, a front end dolly must be
used.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type towing equipment. Damage to
the fascia and air dam may result.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 185
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m2.4L Engine..........................189
m2.7L Engine..........................190
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II......191
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................192
mReplacement Parts.....................193
mDealer Service........................193
mMaintenance Procedures.................194
NEngine Oil..........................194
NCrankcase Emission Control System........200
NMaintenance-Free Battery................200
NAir Conditioner......................201NPower Steering Fluid Check..............202
NSuspension Ball Joints..................203
NBody Mechanism Lubrication.............203
NWindshield Wiper Blades................205
NWindshield Washers...................205
NExhaust System......................206
NCooling System.......................207
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......211
NBrakes.............................211
NFuel System Hoses....................213
NAutomatic Transmission................213
7

NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................216
mConvertible Top Care...................221
NWashing............................221
NGeneral Cleaning.....................221
NCloth Top Additional Cleaning Procedure....222
NCloth Top Protection...................222
NWeather Strip Care....................222
mFuses...............................223
NUnderhood Fuses
(Power Distribution Center)..............223
NInterior Fuses........................223
mReplacement Light Bulbs................225
mBulb Replacement......................226NHeadlight Bulb Replacement.............226
NPark, Turn Signal, Sidemarker Bulb
Replacement.........................228
NFog Light Bulb Replacement.............229
NCenter Stoplight Bulb Replacement.........230
NRear Light Bulb Replacement.............230
NLicense Plate Bulb Replacement...........231
NHeadlight Aiming.....................232
mFluids And Capacities...................232
mRecommended Fluids, Lubricants And
Genuine Parts
.........................233
NEngine.............................233
NChassis............................233
188 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE