2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING COUPE Owners Manual

This device complies with FCC rules part 15. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
²This device may not cause harmful interference.
²This device must accept any interference that may be
received including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
NOTE:
²
The transceiver has been tested and complies with
FCC and DOC/MDC rules. Changes or modifications
not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate
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INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS 137
4

STARTING AND DRIVING
CONTENTS
mBreak-in recommendations................142
mFuel selection.........................142
NGasoline additives.....................143
NOctane requirement....................143
NReformulated gasoline..................143
NGasoline/Oxygenate blends..............144
NMMT in gasoline......................144
NSulfur in gasoline......................144
NMaterials added to fuel..................145
NAdding fuel..........................145
mFuel economy.........................147
mIgnition switch........................147
mKey reminder chime....................148
mTheft protection........................149
mSteering lock..........................149
mStarting..............................149
NTips for starting.......................149
NNormal conditions.....................150
NFlooded engine.......................151
NAt extremely cold ambient temperature......151
mAutomatic transaxle (if so equipped)........151
NSelector lever operation.................152
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NGear positions........................154
NDriving speed
(Vehicles with automatic transaxle).........155
NHolding on an upgrade.................155
NTransaxle reset mode...................156
mAutomatic transaxle Autostick
(if so equipped)
........................156
NSelector lever operation.................157
NIndicator lights.......................159
NSelector positions (Main gate).............160
NSelector positions Manual gate Autostick.....161
NHolding on an upgrade.................163
NTransaxle reset mode...................164
mManual transaxle (if so equipped)..........164
NTo start.............................165
NProper shift points.....................165NRecommended downshifting speed.........167
NDriving precautions....................167
mParking brake.........................167
mBrake pedal...........................169
mPower brakes.........................170
mBrake pad wear alarm...................170
mAnti-lock braking (ABS) system
(if so equipped)
........................171
NGeneral driving hints
(standard/anti-lock brakes)...............171
mSteering wheel tilt lock lever..............173
mPower steering........................174
mInside Day/Night rearview mirrors.........175
NElectrochromic inside rearview mirror
(if so equipped).......................176
NElectrochromic mirror operation
(if so equipped).......................177
140 STARTING AND DRIVING

mCruise/speed control....................187
NTo activate...........................188
NTo deactivate.........................192
NTo resume the set speed.................193
mTraction control (if so equipped)...........194
mCatalytic converter.....................195
mVehicle preparation before driving..........197
NSeat belts and seats....................197
NDefrosters...........................197
NTires...............................197NLights..............................198
NFluid leaks..........................198
NDriver..............................198
mSafe driving techniques..................198
mDriving, alcohol and drugs...............199
mTips for driving in various conditions........199
mOperation during cold weather............200
mTrailer Towing.........................201
NWarranty Requirements.................201
STARTING AND DRIVING 141
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BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
Advanced automobile manufacturing techniques permit
you to operate your new vehicle without experiencing a
long break-in period of low-speed driving.
However, you can add to the future performance and
economy of your vehicle by observing the following
precautions during the first 300 miles (500 km).
It is recommended that you drive your vehicle at mod-
erate speeds during the break-in period.
1. Avoid racing the engine.
2. Avoid harsh driving such as fast starts, sudden accel-
eration, prolonged high-speed driving and abrupt appli-
cation of the brakes. These operations not only have a
detrimental effect on the engine but also cause increased
fuel and oil consumption, which could result in malfunc-
tion of engine components. Be particularly careful to
avoid wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear.
3. Do not overload the vehicle. Observe the seating
capacity. (See ªWeightsº page 359)
4. Do not use this vehicle for trailer towing during the
break-in period.
FUEL SELECTION
Your vehicle is designed to use unleaded gasoline only. It
is equipped with a fuel filler tube especially designed to
accept only the smaller diameter unleaded gasoline dis-
pensing nozzle.
WARNING!
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can
be burned or seriously injured when handling it.
When refueling this vehicle, always turn the engine
off and keep flames, sparks, and smoking materials
away. Always handle fuel in well-ventilated outdoor
areas.
142 STARTING AND DRIVING

CAUTION!
Using leaded gasoline in your vehicle will damage
the engine, catalytic converter, and the oxygen sen-
sors. Further, using leaded gasoline is illegal, and
will void warranty coverage of the engine, catalytic
converter, and oxygen sensors.
Gasoline additives
Many fuel suppliers add detergents to their gasoline to
minimize fuel injector fouling and to control intake valve
deposits. These detergent gasolines are highly recom-
mended for use in your vehicle. They help keep your
engine in tune and your emission control system working
properly.
Octane requirement
2.4 liter engine model
Your vehicle is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline
having a minimum octane rating of 87 [(MON+RON)/2],
or 91 RON.
3.0 liter engine model
Your vehicle is designed to operate on regular grade
unleaded gasoline having a minimum octane rating of 87
[(MON+RON)/2], or 91 RON. If optimum performance
is wanted, it is recommended to use premium grade
unleaded gasoline having an octane rating of 91
[(MON+RON)/2], or 95 RON.
MON: Motor Octane Number
RON: Research Octane Number
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning fuel referred to as ªReformulated Gasolineº.
Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe-
cially blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve
air quality.
The manufacturer supports the use of reformulated gaso-
lines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines will pro-
vide excellent performance and durability of engine and
fuel system components.
STARTING AND DRIVING 143
5

Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with mate-
rials called oxygenates such as 10% ethanol, MTBE and
ETBE. Oxygenates are required in some areas of the
country during the winter months to reduce carbon
monoxide emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygen-
ates may be used in your vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasolines containing Methanol. Use of
these blends may result in starting and driveability
problems and may damage critical fuel system com-
ponents.
Problems that result from using methanol/gasoline
blends are not the responsibility of DaimlerChrysler Cor-
poration and may not be covered by the vehicle warranty.
While MTBE is an oxygenate made from Methanol, it does
not have the negative effects of Methanol.
MMT in Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase the octane num-
ber. Gasolines blended with MMT offer no performance
advantage over gasolines of the same octane number that
do not contain MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT have
shown to reduce spark plug life and reduce emission
system performance in some vehicles. DaimlerChrysler
Corporation recommends using gasolines without MMT.
Since the MMT content of gasoline may not be indicated
on the pump, you should ask your gasoline retailer
whether or not his/her gasoline contains MMT.
It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at higher
levels than allowed in the United States.
MMT is prohibited in both Federal and California refor-
mulated gasolines.
Sulfur in Gasoline
If you live in the Northeast United States, your vehicle
may have been designed to meet California low emission
standards with cleaner burning California reformulated
gasoline with low sulfur. If such fuels are not available in
144 STARTING AND DRIVING