2004 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Owners Manual

Electric Rear Window Defroster Ð If Equipped
Press this button to turn on the rear window
defroster and the optional heated mirrors. A light
will show that the defroster is on. The defroster automati-
cally turns off after about 10 minutes of operation.
If your vehicle is equipped with Infrared Three-Zone
Automatic Temperature Control the rear defroster sym-
bol will show in the display screen when the rear
window defroster is on.CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 233
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................238
NNormal Starting......................238
NExtremely Cold Weather
(Below229ÉCOr220ÉF) ...............238
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................239
NAfter Starting........................240
mEngine Block Heater Ð If Equipped.........240
mAutomatic Transmission..................241
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......241NAutomatic Transmission Ignition
Interlock System......................242
NFour Speed Automatic Transmission........242
mAll Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped............244
mParking Brake.........................245
mBrake System..........................246
NAnti-Lock Brake System Ð If Equipped.....247
mPower Steering........................249
mTraction Control Ð If Equipped............250
5

mTire Safety Information...................252
NTire Markings........................252
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........255
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........256
mTiresÐGeneral Information................260
NTire Pressure.........................260
NTire Inflation Pressures.................261
NRadial-Ply Tires......................264
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........264
NTire Spinning........................265
NTread Wear Indicators..................266
NReplacement Tires.....................266
NAlignment And Balance.................267mAll Wheel Drive (AWD) Ð If Equipped.......268
mTire Pressure Monitor System Ð If Equipped . . . 268
N1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) Low Pressure...........269
N1,2,3, Or 4 Tire(s) High Pressure...........269
NService Tire Pressure System/See
Owner's Manual......................269
NTire Pressure Unavailable................269
NTire Pressure Now Available.............270
NSpare Tire In Use? Yes/No...............270
NAll 5 Tires With Car? Yes/No.............270
NGeneral Information...................272
mTire Chains...........................272
mSnow Tires...........................273
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

mTire Rotation Recommendations............273
mFuel Requirements......................274
NReformulated Gasoline.................275
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............275
NMMT In Gasoline.....................276
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................277
NMaterials Added To Fuel................277
NFuel System Cautions..................278
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............278
mAdding Fuel..........................279NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............279
mVehicle Loading........................281
NVehicle Certification Label...............281
NGross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......282
NGross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........282
NOverloading.........................282
NLoading............................283
mTrailer Towing.........................284
NWarranty Requirements.................284
STARTING AND OPERATING 237
5

STARTING PROCEDURES
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the ªSTARTº position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the ªOFFº position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below229ÉCor220É
F)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission 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 discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
See section 6 of this manual for the proper jump
starting procedures and follow them carefully.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
STARTING AND OPERATING 239
5

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key once
the engine is running smoothly. Do not overspeed en-
gine.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure
should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that is
located on the driver side of the Integrated Power Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could
cause electrocution.
240 STARTING AND OPERATING