2005 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE brake

The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. This can be done by turning
the ignition switch to START. The light should come on.
If the red brake light does not come on when the ignition
is turned to the ON/RUN position, have the brake light
repaired promptly.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
The brake warning light will come on if the ABS light is
not functioning and there is an ABS system malfunction.
11. Light Outage Indicator
With the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, an indicator light
comes on. It should go out when the engine
is running. If the indicator light does not go
out after starting the engine, or if it comes on while
driving, it indicates a failure in the parking light,
taillight, stoplight, or low beam headlight.
The indicator light will come on when the exterior light
fails. If a brake light fails, the light outage indicator will
come on when applying the brake and stays on until the
engine is turned off.
NOTE:If additional lighting equipment is installed
(e.g., auxiliary headlights, etc.) be certain to connect into
the fuse before the failure indicator monitoring unit in
order to avoid damaging the system.
12. Antilock Warning Indicator Light
The ABS warning indicator light comes on
with the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, and should go out
with the engine running.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 103
4

If the ABS warning indicator light comes on while the
engine is running, it indicates that the ABS has detected
a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without an-
tilock assistance.
If the ABS light is on, have the system checked at your
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
13. Brake Assist Indicator Light
The indicator light for the Brake Assist Sys-
tem (BAS) is combined with the Electronic
Stability Program (ESP). This yellow indica-
tor light in the instrument cluster comes on with the
key in the ignition switch turned to the ON/RUN
position. The BAS/ESP warning indicator light also
comes on when a malfunction is detected in either the
Brake Assist System or the Electronic Stability Pro-
gram. It should go out with the engine running. If the
BAS/ESP indicator light comes on continuously, see
an authorized dealer as soon as possible.14. Seat Belt Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition, the light comes
on, and a warning sounds for a short time if
the driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt indicator light
blinks and a chime sounds periodically for up to 90
seconds to remind the driver and passenger to fasten the
seat belts. Fastening the seat belts will extinguish the
light and silence the chime.
The seat belt indicator light will remain lit until the seat
belts are fastened.
15. Charging System Indicator Light
Should the charging system indicator light
fail to come on prior to starting when the key
is in the ignition switch in the ON/RUN
position, or should it fail to go out after
starting or during operation, it indicates a malfunction
that must be repaired immediately at an authorized
dealer.
104 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly
locked the steering column.
26. Check Engine Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system that monitors the emissions and en-
gine control systems. If a problem is detected in one of
these systems, the Check Engine light will come on.
The light comes on and stays on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition is first turned on.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, or
poor fuel quality may illuminate the light after the engine
is started. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you
refuel.
If the Check Engine light remains on continuously and
the vehicle is driving normally, you may still drive the
vehicle. In most situations, the vehicle will not require
towing. However, we recommend that you have the
system checked at an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.If the vehicle is not driving normally, and the Check
Engine light flashes or remains on continuously, it is an
alert to serious conditions that could lead to loss of power
or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should
be serviced at an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
27. Brake Wear Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition and turned to the
ON/RUN position, the brake wear indicator
light comes on. The light goes out when the
engine is running.
If the indicator light comes on during braking, this
indicates the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
28. Oil Level Indicator Light
With the key in the ignition switch turned to
the ON/RUN position, the oil level indicator
light comes on. It should go out immediately
when the engine is running. If the light does
not go out, or comes on while driving, the engine oil
level has dropped to approximately the minimum
mark on the dipstick.
110 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................131
▫Normal Starting......................131
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below -20°F Or -29°C).................132
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................132
▫After Starting........................133

Transmission Shifting...................133
▫Manual Transmission..................133
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............134
▫Automatic Transmission................135
▫Stopping...........................136
▫Maneuvering........................137▫Park Position........................137
▫Reverse............................138
▫Neutral............................138
▫Drive..............................139
▫AutoStickGear Selection...............139
▫Gear Ranges.........................140
▫Program Mode Selector Switch............140
▫Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode) . . . 141

Parking Brake.........................142

Brake System.........................144
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............144
5

▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP).........146
▫Synchronizing ESP....................147
▫ESP Control Switch....................148
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............149
▫Brake Pad Break-In....................152

Power Steering........................152

Ti re s................................153
▫Tire Pressure.........................153
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................154
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................156
▫Tire Spinning........................156
▫Tire Pressure Monitor System.............157
▫Tire Chains..........................158
▫Original Equipment Tires................158
▫Snow Tires..........................159▫Tread Wear Indicators..................160
▫Replacement Tires.....................160
▫Tire Rotation Recommendations...........162
▫Alignment And Balance.................163

Fuel Requirements.....................164
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................164
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............165
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................165
▫Materials Added To Fuel................166
▫Sulfur In Gasoline.....................166

Adding Fuel..........................166
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............166

Vehicle Loading.......................168
▫Roof Luggage Rack....................168

Trailer Towing........................169
130 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Be sure that the parking brake is engaged and that
selector lever is in the NEUTRAL or PARK position
(gearshift lever in Neutral). Turn the key in the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN position. Apply the brakes before
shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmissions:
Do not depress the accelerator. Simply turn the key in the
ignition switch clockwise to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine will not run,
turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF/LOCK posi-
tion and repeat the starting procedure. If there are several
unsuccessful attempts, have the system checked at the
nearest authorized dealer.
Vehicles with manual transmissions:
Do not depress the accelerator. Fully depress the clutch
pedal, otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the
integrated safety interlock. Simply turn the key in the
ignition switch clockwise to the START position and
release when the engine starts. The starter will engage
until the engine is running. If the engine will not run,
turn the key counterclockwise to the OFF/LOCK posi-
tion and repeat the starting procedure. If there are several
unsuccessful attempts, have the system checked at the
nearest authorized dealer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 131
5

If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting 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.
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 with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
Manual Transmission
NOTE:
The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially on an incline. To place the transmis-
sion in REVERSE, lift up on the shifter knob, push it to
the left and pull it back.
STARTING AND OPERATING 133
5

The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, de-
pendent on the driving style, the driving situation and
the road characteristics.
The selector lever is automatically locked while in the
PARK position. To move the selector lever out of the
PARK position, the brake pedal must be firmly depressed
before the shift lock will release.
Shift the selector lever to the desired position only when
the engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise accelerate quickly when the selec-
tor lever is in DRIVE or REVERSE position.
NOTE:After selecting any driving position, wait a
moment to allow the gear to fully engage before acceler-
ating, especially when the engine is cold.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
Stopping
For brief stops, leave the transmission in gear and hold
the vehicle with the brake pedal. For longer stops with
the engine idling, shift into the NEUTRAL or PARK
position and hold the vehicle with the parking brake.
When stopping the vehicle uphill, do not hold it with the
accelerator; use the brake. This avoids unnecessary trans-
mission heat build-up.
136 STARTING AND OPERATING