2008 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE automatic transmission

Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission selects individual gears au-
tomatically, dependent upon:
²Shift lever position
²Program mode selector switch
²Accelerator position
²Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, de-
pendent on the driving style, the driving situation and
the road characteristics.
The shift lever is automatically locked while in the PARK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the brake pedal must be firmly depressed before
the shift lock will release.
Move the shift lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is applied.
Do not release the brake until ready to drive. The vehicle
may otherwise accelerate quickly when the shift lever is
in DRIVE or REVERSE position.
NOTE:After selecting any driving position, wait a
moment to allow the gear to fully engage before acceler-
ating, especially when the engine is cold.
174 STARTING AND OPERATING

Drive
The transmission automatically upshifts through FIFTH
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
AutoStickTGear selection
The transmission gear can be selected by pressing the
shift lever to the right or the left with the shift lever in the
DRIVE position. The gear currently selected is indicated
in the instrument cluster display. Briefly press shift lever
in the ªD-º direction. The transmission will shift from the
current gear to the next lower gear. Shifting into another
gear that allows for quicker acceleration or to slow the
vehicle down is possible. Downshifts can also be per-
formed.Press and hold the shift lever in the ªD-º direction. The
transmission will shift from the current gear directly to
the best gear for acceleration.
NOTE:To avoid over-revving the engine when the shift
lever is moved in ªD-º direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine's revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded.
Briefly press the shift lever in the ªD+º direction. The
transmission will shift from the current gear to the next
higher gear.
Press and hold the shift lever in the ªD+º direction. The
transmission will shift from the current gear directly to
gear ªD.º
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehi-
cle's ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.
You could lose control of your vehicle and have an
accident.
NOTE:With transmission in gear ªD,º ª4,º or ª3,º
upshifting from FIRST to SECOND to THIRD gear may
be delayed, depending on vehicle speed and engine
temperature. This allows the catalytic converter to heat
up more quickly to operating temperatures.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95ÉF (35ÉC). To prevent the engine
from laboring at low RPM when driving uphill or withyour vehicle heavily loaded, the automatic transmission
will downshift when necessary to maintain engine RPM
within the best torque range.
Gear Ranges
PARK
NOTE:If the key is in the ON/RUN position, you must
press the brake pedal to shift out of the PARK position.
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
REVERSE
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
STARTING AND OPERATING 179
5

NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.
OVERDRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and best fuel economy.
Program mode selector switch
The transmission is provided with a selector switch for
Standard ªSº and Winter/Wet ªWº (snow and ice) pro-
gram modes.For standard mode, press the ªSº symbol on the switch.
Use this mode for all regular driving. The vehicle starts
out in FIRST gear.
Depressing the accelerator pedal rapidly or nearly to the
floor while driving (kick-down position), rather than
depressing the accelerator pedal in slow, small move-
ments, will cause the automatic transmission to shift
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

PARKING BRAKE
When you apply the parking brake with engine
running, the brake system warning light in the
instrument cluster will come on.
NOTE:This light, when illuminated with parking brake
application, shows only that the parking brake is on. It
does not show the degree of brake application.
NOTE:If the light remains on with the parking brake
released, a brake system malfunction is indicated. Have
the brake system serviced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately.
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied. For manual transmission vehicles,
place the shift lever in REVERSE. For vehicles equipped
with automatic transmissions, place the shift lever in the
PARK position.To release the parking brake, slightly pull up the handle
while pushing the lock button, and guide the lever
downward to its stop. The brake warning light in the
instrument cluster should go out.
A warning sounds if you start to drive without having
released the parking brake.
STARTING AND OPERATING 185
5

CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission/axle overheating and fail-
ure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using flat
bed equipment. This method is preferable to other types
of towing.
CAUTION!
Important! If towing the vehicle, please note the
following: With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in the ignition switch turned to the
ON/RUN position, the vehicle doors lock if the left
front wheel and the right rear wheel are turning at
vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more. To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 245
6

CAUTION!
If the vehicle is towed with the front wheels raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in the ignition switch
turned to the OFF/LOCK or ACC positions). Other-
wise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and will
apply the rear wheel brakes. Switch OFF the tow-away
alarm as well as the automatic central locking system.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground and the transmission shift lever in the NEUTRAL
position for distances up to 30 mi (48 km) and at a speed
not to exceed 30 mph (48 km/h). The key must be turned
to the ON/RUN position in the ignition. To be certain to
avoid a possibility of damage to the transmission; how-
ever, we recommend the drive shaft be disconnected at
the rear axle drive flange for any towing beyond a short
tow to a nearby garage.Always comply with applicable state or local towing
ordinances.
CAUTION!
²Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling-type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
²Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method of
towing is with a flatbed truck.
²Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
²Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
246 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NExhaust System......................279
NCooling System.......................280
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......284
NBrakes.............................285
NAutomatic Transmission................288
NManual Transmission..................289
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................290
mConvertible Top Care....................295
NWashing............................296
NGeneral Cleaning.....................296
NWeather Strip Care....................297
mFuses...............................297NUnderhood Accessory Fuse Block Fuses.....297
NRelay Control Module Fuses.............302
NInterior Fuses........................303
mReplacement Bulbs......................305
NInterior Light Bulbs....................305
NExterior Light Bulbs...................305
mExterior Light Bulb Service................306
NHeadlights..........................306
NFront Turn Signal And Parking/Standing
Lights.............................307
NFront And Rear Sidemarker Lights.........307
NTail, Stop, Back Up And Turn Signal Lights . . . 308
NLicense Plate Light....................309
258 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE