2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA cooling

If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!
If you are required to drive with the deck lid/liftgate
open, make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system. Front seat belt buckle pretensioners must be replaced
after a collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be re-
placed after a collision if they have been damaged (bent
retractor, torn webbing, etc. If there is any question
regarding belt or retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6
to 8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the LED is not lit
during starting, have it checked. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Voltage Light This light monitors the electrical system voltage.
The light should turn on momentarily as the
engine is started. If the light stays on or turns on while
driving, it indicates a problem with the charging system.
Immediate service should be obtained.
2. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
Pull over in a safe area as soon as possible and stop
the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner
turned off until the pointer drops back into the
normal range. If the pointer remains on the “H”, and
you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine off
immediately, and call for service.
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure
Cap paragraph.
3. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.The Low Fuel Light will turn on when the fuel level
reaches approximately 2 to 4 gallons (7 to 15 liters)
this light will remain on until fuel is added. 4. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, a chime
will sound to alert you to turn the signals off. If either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb.
5. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
6. Anti-Lock Light This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 169
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windshield or side glass starts to impair visibility, press
the front blower button and increase the fan speed to
maximum.
Recirculation Control
When the outside air contains smoke, odors,
high humidity, or if rapid cooling is desired
you may wish to recirculate interior air by
pressing the recirculation button. The recircu-
lation mode should only be used temporarily. The recir-
culate symbol will illuminate in the display when this
button is selected. Push the button a second time to allow
outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE: In cold weather, use of the recirculation mode
may lead to excessive window fogging. The recirculation
mode is not allowed in the Mix and Defrost modes to
improve window clearing operation. Recirculation will
be disabled automatically if these modes are selected.
A/C Recirculation Programming
The recirculation control is programmed to cancel the
recirculation mode when the ignition key is turned OFF
and will reset to the outside air mode when the ignition
key is turned “ON”. The frequent use of outside air will
help keep odors from building up within the air
conditioner-heater housing. It is recommended that the
recirculation mode be used as little as possible, especially
in humid climates.
For hot and dry climates, or people who are allergic to
pollen and find frequent use of the recirculation mode
necessary, the recirculation mode can be programmed to
not automatically reset to the outside mode by using the
following procedures:
•Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
•Press and hold the recirculation button.
250 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•While holding the recirculation button, turn the igni-
tion switch to the “RUN” position.
•Continue holding the recirculation button for 4 sec-
onds, then release.
The recirculation control is now programmed so that the
recirculation mode will notreset to the outside air mode
when the engine is restarted. The recirculation program-
ming can be changed back by repeating this procedure.
Rear Fan Operation
To operate the rear fan, press the REARbutton. The first
time this button is pressed the REAR AUTOdisplay
will illuminate indicating that the rear fan speed is
automatically controlled. To manually control the rear
fan speed, press the REARbutton again and only
 REAR will illuminate in the display. This allows the rear
seat occupants to control the rear fan speed using the switch located in the center console between the second
row seats. By pressing the
REARbutton a third time,
the rear fan will shut off.
When the ATC display reads REAR AUTOor when the
rear fan is off, the switch located in the center console
between the second row seats is not functional. When the
ATC display reads REAR, only the rear seat occupants
can control the rear fan speed from the rear switch. When
in the “REAR” mode, the rear occupants can set the rear
switch to any fan speed including OFF,orAUTO.
While in the AUTOposition, the rear fan speed will be
automatically controlled.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 251
4

glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to section 7, Maintenance Procedures, of this manual for
proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To insure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to section 7, Maintenance
Procedures, of this manual for proper coolant selection.
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild rainy
or humid weather. To clear the windows, use the A/C
button to reduce the humidity inside the vehicle.
Fogging on the inside of the windshield can be quickly
removed by pressing the defrost button and increasing
the blower speed.
Do not use the Recirculation mode without the A/C
button for long periods as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Before driving, always make sure the air intake located
directly in front of the windshield is free of obstructions
such as leaves, ice, or snow, which could reduce airflow
and/or plug the water drain tube inside the plenum.
252 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Don’t use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 315
5

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transmission in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 319
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