2008 CHRYSLER ASPEN warning light

NOTE:If you try to remove the key before you place the
shift lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tem-
porarily in the ignition cylinder. If this occurs, rotate the
key to the right slightly, then remove the key as de-
scribed. If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
An unlocked vehicle is an invitation to thieves.
Always remove key from the ignition and lock all
doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
Locking Doors With The Key
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. For external door lock lubrication, refer to
ªBody Lubricationº in Section 7.
SENTRY KEYT
The Sentry KeytImmobilizer system prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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WARNING!
The key cannot be turned to LOCK until the shift
lever is in the PARK position. Do not attempt to pull
the shift lever out of PARK after the key is in the
LOCK position.
NOTE:The steering wheel will lock when the key is
removed, and when the steering wheel is turned around
115 degrees clockwise or 65 degrees counterclockwise
from the center position.
Ignition Accessory Delay Feature
The power window switches, radio, hands±free system
(if equipped), and power outlets will remain active for 10
minutes after the ignition switch is turned off. Opening
either front door will cancel this feature.For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC), the time for this feature is pro-
grammable. For details, refer to ªPersonal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)º/ªKEY OFF
POWER DELAY > OFFº under ªElectronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)º in Section 3 of this manual.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors, liftgate, and
ignition for unauthorized operation. When the Security
Alarm System is activated, the system provides both
audible and visual signals. The horn will sound repeat-
edly for three minutes and the headlights and Security
light in the instrument cluster will flash for an additional
15 minutes. The engine will not run until the system is
disarmed.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:If the window runs into any obstacle during the
auto-closure, it will reverse direction and then stop.
Remove the obstacle and use the window switch again to
close the window. Any impact due to rough road condi-
tions may trigger the auto reverse function unexpectedly
during auto-closure. If this happens, pull the switch
lightly to the first detent and hold to close the window
manually.
WARNING!
There is no anti-pinch protection when the window
is almost closed. Be sure to clear all objects from the
window before closing.
Resetting the Auto Up Feature
Should the Auto Up feature stop working, the window
probably needs to be reset. To reset Auto Up:
Pull the window switch up and close the window com-
pletely, then pull and hold the switch for one second.
Window Lockout Switch
The window lockout switch on the driver's door allows
you to disable the window control on the other doors. To
disable the window controls on the other doors, press the
window lockout switch. To enable the window controls,
press the window lockout switch again.
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
During power operation, personal injury or cargo
damage may occur. Ensure the liftgate travel path is
clear. Make sure the liftgate is closed and latched
before driving away.
A beeping signal will sound two seconds before the
liftgate starts to open or close.
NOTE:
²If anything obstructs the power liftgate while it is
closing or opening, the liftgate will automatically
reverse to the closed or open position, provided it
meets sufficient resistance.
²There are also pinch sensors attached to the side of the
liftgate. Light pressure anywhere along these strips
will cause the liftgate to return to the open position.
²The power liftgate must be in the full open position in
order to power close. If the liftgate is not fully open,
press the RKE Transmitter or overhead console button
to fully open the liftgate and then press again to close.
²If the liftgate handle is pulled while the power liftgate
is closing, the liftgate will reverse to the full open
position.
²If the liftgate handle is pulled while the power liftgate
is opening, the liftgate motor will disengage to allow
manual operation.
²The power liftgate buttons will not operate if the
vehicle is in gear or the vehicle speed is above 0 mph
(0 km/h).
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
2

occupant early in a collision. Pretensioners work for all
size occupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC). Like the airbags, the pretension-
ers are single use items. After a collision that is severe
enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners, both
must be replaced.
Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlertT)
If the driver seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlertt) will alert the driver to buckle their
seat belt. The driver should also instruct all other occu-
pants to buckle their seat belts. Once the warning istriggered, the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt)
will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning
Light for 96 seconds or until the driver's seat belt is
buckled. The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt) will
be reactivated if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled for
more than 10 seconds and the vehicle speed is greater
than 5 mph (8 km/h).
Once the warning is triggered, it can be paused if the
vehicle speed drops below 5 mph (8 km/h). The warning
will be restarted if the vehicle speed becomes greater
than 5 mph (8 km/h).
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:
NOTE:The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

or START position. DaimlerChrysler does not recom-
mend deactivating the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlertt).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and
buckle the driver's seat belt.DO NOTstart the engine or
press the TRIP RESET button.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait
for the seat belt Warning Light to turn off. If during this
time, the seat belt becomes unbuckled or the engine is
cranked or started, programming will be cancelled.
3. Unbuckle and then re-buckle the driver's seat belt
three times within 10 seconds, ending with the seat belt
buckled. A chime will sound immediately (once the
feature has toggled). If during this time the ignition
switch is turned out of the ON position or the timer
expires, programming mode will be cancelled.4. Programming mode will be cancelled after the feature
has toggled with the seat belt still buckled or if the
ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position or 10
seconds after the feature has toggled.
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertt) can be reac-
tivated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:Although the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlertt) has been deactivated, the Seat Belt Warning
Light will continue to illuminate while the driver's seat
belt remains unbuckled.
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use seat belts
throughout their pregnancies. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.
Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug against the hips as possible.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Window Bags above Side Windows
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Front Acceleration Sensors
²Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners
How the Airbag System Works
²
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC will
detect a roll over when equipped with side airbags.
The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or RUN positions. These include all of the
items listed above except the steering wheel and
column, and knee bolsters. If the key is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition,
the airbags are not ªonº and will not inflate.
During a moderate-to-severe rear impact the ORC may
deploy the seat belt pretensioners alone.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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Also, the ORC turns on the AIRBAG warning
light in the instrument cluster for six to eight
seconds for a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the AIR-
BAG warning light will turn off. If the ORC detects a
malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the
AIRBAG warning light either momentarily or continu-
ously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG warning light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won't have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have the airbag system checked right
away.
²TheDriver and Passenger Airbag/Inflator Unitsare
located in the center of the steering wheel and the right
side of the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a
collision requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator
units. A large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to
inflate the front airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on collision severity. The steer-
ing wheel hub trim cover and the upper right side of
the instrument panel separate and fold out of the way
as the airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags fully
inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds. This is about half
of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger. The driver's front airbag gas is vented
through vent holes in the sides of the airbag. The
passenger's front airbag gas is vented through vent
holes in the sides of the airbag. In this way the airbags
do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE