2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the air conditioning compressor is on. This is a
normal occurrence as the compressor will cycle on and
off to maintain comfort and increase fuel economy.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the air condition-
ing condenser for an accumulation of dirt or insects. The
air conditioning condenser is located in front of the
radiator. Clean with a gentle water spray from behind the
radiator and through the condenser. Fabric front fascia
protectors may reduce air flow to the condenser, reducing
air conditioning performance.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the tem-
perature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. The blue area of the
scale indicates cooler temperatures
while the red area indicates warmer
temperatures.
Mode Control
The mode control allows you to
choose from several patterns of air
distribution.
•Recirculation — Air Conditioning
Recirculated interior air is cooled and sent
through the instrument panel vents. Upon
initial start up of the vehicle in very hot or
humid weather, open windows and put in
outside air modes to flush hot/humid air out. Then
turn on the Recirculation mode to cool the vehicle
interior rapidly. The Recirculation mode can also be
used to temporarily block out any outside odors,
smoke, or dust.
NOTE:
Continuous use of the Recirculation mode may
make the inside air stuffy and under mild, humid condi-
tions cause windows to fog. Use of this mode for longer
than 15 minutes is not recommended.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4

•Panel — Air Conditioning
Outside air flows through the air condition-
ing system and then through the outlets
located in the instrument panel.
•
Bi-Level — Air Conditioning
Outside air flows through the air condition-
ing system and then through the outlets
located in both the instrument panel and floor
outlets.
•
Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to
direct air flow.
•
Bi-Level
Air is directed through the instrument panel
and floor outlets.
NOTE:
There is a difference in temperature between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
•Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
lesser amount through the defrost and side
window demist outlets.
•
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and
side window demist outlets. This setting
works best in cold or snowy conditions that
require extra heat at the windshield. This setting is
good for maintaining comfort while reducing mois-
ture on the windshield.
•
Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and
side window demist outlets. Use this mode
with maximum fan and temperature settings for
best windshield and side window defrosting.
NOTE:
The air conditioning compressor operates in
both Mix and Defrost modes even if the Air Conditioning
is not selected. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the
windshield.
138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Rear Seat Outlets
These outlets are located under the front seats and direct
warm air to the rear seat passengers. Air is directed
through these outlets when you select either the Floor,
Bi-Level, or Mix modes.
Rear Window Defroster
The Rear Window Defroster button is located to
the right of the Mode Control. Press this button
once to turn on the Rear Window Defrost and a second
time to turn them off. A light above the button shows that
the defroster is on.
NOTE:The defroster turns off automatically after 15
minutes of operation. Each later activation will allow 10
minutes of operation.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is at each end of the
instrument panel. These non-adjustable outlets direct air
toward the side windows when the system is in either the
FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST modes. A small amount of air
is directed to the side window demisters in BI-LEVEL
mode as well. The air is directed at the area of the
windows through which you view the outside mirrors.
Windshield and Side Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly
removed by using the defrost position on the mode
control.
Your side windows may fog on the inside in mild
rainy or humid weather. To clear the windows,
select the Panel-Air Conditioning mode on the
Mode Control. Point the panel outlets toward the side
windows.
NOTE:Do not use the recirculation mode as it will not
clear windows under these conditions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 139
4

Summer Operation
Air conditioned vehicles must be protected with a high-
quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corrosion
protection and to raise the boiling point of the coolant for
protection against overheating. A 50 % concentration is
recommended.
Winter Operation
The blower air will heat faster in cold weather if you use
only the low blower speeds for the first 10 minutes of
operation. During engine warm up in cold weather, use
the Defrost mode to direct any cold air away from vehicle
occupants. Use of the Recirculate-Air Conditioning Mode
during winter months is not recommended due to the
possibility of window fogging.
NOTE:See Operating Tips chart (for Manual A/C
Control) at the end of this section for suggested control
settings in different weather conditions.
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips (Manual A/C Control Only)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141
4

Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, directly in front of the wind-
shield, is free of ice, slush, snow or other obstructions
such as leaves. Leaves collected in the air-intake plenum
may reduce air flow and plug the plenum water drains.
Air Intake
142 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................146
▫Automatic Transaxle...................146
▫Manual Transaxle.....................146
▫Normal Starting......................146
▫Extreme Cold Weather
(Below -20°F Or -29°C).................147
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................148
▫After Starting........................148

Battery And Engine Block Heaters —
If Equipped
..........................148

Automatic Transaxle....................149
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock.............149▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................150
▫Four Speed Automatic Transaxle..........151
▫Reset Mode.........................151
▫Gear Ranges For Four Speed Automatic
Transaxle...........................151

Parking Brake.........................153

Brake System.........................155
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................155

Power Steering........................157

Traction Control — If Equipped...........157
5

Tire Safety Information..................158
▫Tire Markings........................158
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........162
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........163

Tires—General Information...............167
▫Tire Pressure.........................167
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................168
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................170
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........170
▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........171
▫Tire Spinning........................171
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................172
▫Life Of Tire.........................173
▫Replacement Tires.....................173
▫Alignment And Balance.................174

Tire Chains...........................175

Snow Tires...........................175

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........175

AutoStick — If Equipped................176
▫AutoStick Operation...................176
▫AutoStick General Information............177

Fuel Requirements.....................178
▫Spark Knock.........................178
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................178
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............178
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................179
▫Materials Added To Fuel................179
▫Fuel System Cautions..................180
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............180

Flexible Fuel— (Fleet Vehicles Only)........181
▫E-85 General Information................181
▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................181
144 STARTING AND OPERATING