2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Owners Manual

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine of the
vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure you have
a good contact on the engine.
6. Start the engine in the vehicle which 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.
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.
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 known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 369
6

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 sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
FREEING A STUCK 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 Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck. And
don’t let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter
what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 35 mph (55 km/h).
370 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
With Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 100 miles (160
km), and the towing speed must not exceed 44 mph (72
km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a trans-
mission geartrain failure. If the transmission is not op-
erative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 100
miles (160 km), the vehicle must be towed with the front
wheels off the ground.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal, liftgate and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the OFF position, not
in the LOCK or ACCESSORY positions.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 371
6

If it is necessary to use the accessories while being towed
(wipers, defrosters, etc.), the key must be in the ON
position, not the ACCESSORY position. Make certain the
transmission remains in NEUTRAL.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing with out the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the limitations
described in this section.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLEY
The manufacturedoes not recommendthat you tow a
front wheel drive vehicle on a tow dolley. Vehicle damage
may occur.
372 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

3.3L/3.8L Engines......................376

Onboard Diagnostic System—OBDII........377

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................378

Replacement Parts......................379

Dealer Service.........................379

Maintenance Procedures..................380
▫Engine Oil..........................380
▫Engine Oil Filter......................384▫Drive Belts—Check Condition
And Tension.........................384
▫Spark Plugs.........................385
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................385
▫Catalytic Converter....................385
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................387
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............389
▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............390
▫Front Suspension Ball Joints..............391
7

▫Steering Shaft Seal....................391
▫Steering Linkage......................391
▫Drive Shaft Universal Joints..............391
▫Body Lubrication.....................392
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................392
▫Windshield And Rear Window Washers.....393
▫Exhaust System......................393
▫Cooling System.......................394
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......399
▫Brakes.............................400
▫Master Cylinder—ABS Brakes Brake Fluid
Level Check.........................401
▫Fuel System Hoses....................403▫Automatic Transmission................403
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........406
▫Appearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................406
▫Cleaning The Instrument Panel And Underseat
Cup Holders........................411

Integrated Power Module (IPM)............412

Vehicle Storage........................415

Replacement Light Bulbs.................416

Bulb Replacement......................417
▫Headlights..........................417
▫Front Park/Turn Signal And
Sidemarker Lights.....................418
▫Front Fog Light......................419
374 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Rear Tail, Stop, Turn Signal, Side Marker And
Back-Up Lights.......................420
▫Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) . . . 421
▫License Light........................421

Fluids And Capacities...................422
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants And
Genuine Parts.........................423
▫Engine.............................423
▫Chassis............................424
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 375
7

3.3L/3.8L ENGINES
Engine Compartment 3.3L/3.8L Engines
376 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE