2005 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE tow

MIRRORS
Inside Day/Night Mirror
Adjust the mirror to center on the view through the rear
window. A two point pivot system allows for horizontal
and vertical mirror adjustment.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle) The mirror should be adjusted
with the glare control set in the day position (toward
windshield).
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature
All exterior mirrors are hinged to move forward or
rearward to resist damage. The hinges have three detent
positions: full forward, full rearward, and normal.
Heated Remote Control Mirrors
Both outside mirrors are heated to melt frost or ice when
the Rear Window Defroster switch is depressed.
Outside Mirrors
Adjust the outside mirrors to center on the adjacent lane
of traffic, with a slight overlap of the view seen in the
inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they actually are. Relying too much on your
passenger side mirror could cause you to collide
with another vehicle or other object. Use your inside
mirror to judge the size or distance of objects seen in
the convex mirror.
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Headlight Dimmer Switch
Push the multifunction control lever toward the instru-
ment panel to turn the headlights to high beam. Pull the
lever toward you to switch to low beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multifunction control lever toward the
steering wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on
at high beam and remain on until the control lever is
released.
76 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off the ESP system by pressing the upper half of
the ESP switch.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable. ESP al-
ways operates under braking, even with the switch in the
OFF position. If one drive wheel loses traction and begins
to spin, the brake is applied by the ESP system until thewheel regains sufficient traction. The traction control
engages at approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and
switches off at 50 mph (80 km/h).
If the ESP warning light begins to flash during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle
as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions. When the ESP warning light is
illuminated continuously, the ESP is switched off. To
return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP,
press the lower half of the switch (the ESP warning light
in the speedometer dial goes out). Avoid spinning one
drive wheel. This may cause serious damage to the drive
train and is not covered by the DaimlerChrysler warranty.
CAUTION!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in the ignition switch to
the OFF/LOCK or ACC position). Otherwise the ESP
will immediately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

To Resume Speed
To resume a previously set speed, pull the speed control
lever toward you, and then release. The resume feature
can be used at any speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
NOTE:Moving the gear selector lever to the “N”
position will switch the speed control off.
Using Speed Control On Hills
Your vehicle is equipped with interactive speed control.
This feature activates when driving up or down hills with
the speed control engaged and the driver’s foot off the
accelerator.
WARNING!
Speed control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
For vehicles with automatic transmission:
On a downgrade or an upgrade, downshifting will occur
automatically to allow the engine’s braking power to
maintain the set speed. When more level roadway is
reached, the transmission will automatically upshift to
fifth gear.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91
3

If the charging system indicator light comes on, or a loss
of power steering assistance is noticeable while the
engine is running, this may indicate that the accessory
drive belt has broken. Should this condition occur, the
belt must be replaced before continuing to operate the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
The accessory drive belt also drives the water pump.
Operating the vehicle with a failed belt can cause
engine overheating and possible severe engine dam-
age.
16. High Beam Indicator Light
This indicator will illuminate when the
headlights are in the high beam setting.
To activate the high beams, push the multifunction
control lever past the point of resistance, toward the
instrument panel.
17. Electronic Digital Clock
A digital readout in the instrument cluster shows the
time in hours and minutes whenever the ignition switch
is in the ON/RUN or ACC position.
When the ignition switch is in the OFF/LOCK position,
timekeeping is accurately maintained.
The display can be adjusted with the knob/button lo-
cated to the left of the clock.
18. Gear Indicator
For automatic transmission vehicles, the current gear
shift selector range is indicated in the gear range indica-
tor display.
19. Push Button for Time Setting
To adjust the time display, turn the key in the ignition
switch to the ON/RUN or ACC position. The knob/
button located just to the left of the clock is used to
change the time. Pull out the knob and turn it to the left
for hour adjustment; pull out the knob and turn it to the
right for minute adjustment.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 105
4

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

▫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

NOTE:Due to the starter non-repeat feature, the key
must be turned completely to the left before attempting
to start the engine again.
Extremely Cold Weather (below -20°F or -29°C)
For reliable starting in areas where temperatures fre-
quently drop below -20°F (-29°C), we recommend the use
of an externally powered battery and an electric engine
block heater. Advice on these items and installation is
available at your authorized dealer.
If Engine Fails to Start
CAUTION!
Do not try to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Your vehicle cannot be started this way.
Pushing with another vehicle may damage the trans-
mission or the rear of your vehicle. See Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump-starting procedures.
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 a flash fire, causing
serious personal injury.
132 STARTING AND OPERATING