2008 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE air conditioning

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires for
proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
NOTE:Use of the air conditioning may cause puddles
of water to form under the vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
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CONSOLE FEATURES
The console has a power outlet/cigar lighter, an ash tray
with a coin holder, a cupholder (if equipped), and the
passenger airbag light. In addition, there are switches to
control the heated seats (if equipped), rear spoiler, elec-
tronic stability program (ESP), hazard flashers, central
locking, rear defroster and towing alarm.
Operating controls for the heating and air conditioning
systems, power windows, power mirrors, convertible top
switch (if equipped), and the automatic transmission
program mode selector switch (if equipped) are also
located in the console.
Storage Compartments (If Equipped)
There is a storage compartment in the console. To open
the storage compartment, lift the lid with the finger
depressions on either side. To close, lower the lid until
the lock engages.
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

5. Air Conditioning ON/OFF
6. Rear Window Defroster
7. Air Distribution (Mode) Control
The climate control system allows you to balance the
temperature, amount and direction of the air circulating
throughout the vehicle.
The system is always at operational readiness, except
when manually switched off. The climate control only
operates with the engine running.
The climate control removes a considerable amount of
moisture from the air during operation in the air condi-
tioning mode, therefore it is considered normal operation
for water to drip on the ground through ducts in the
underbody.
The settings and controls are as follows:Temperature Control
Use the driver or passenger temperature control to
regulate the temperature of the air inside the passenger
compartment. The blue area of the control indicates
cooler temperatures, while the red area indicates warmer
temperatures.
The temperature selector should be left at the desired
temperature setting so that the system can automatically
reach that selection as quickly as possible. The inside
temperature will not heat or cool any quicker by setting
the selector higher or lower upon initial start up.
Fan Control
Use this control to regulate the amount of air
volume moving through the system in any
mode you select. Turn the control clockwise to
increase fan speed; counterclockwise to de-
crease fan speed.
156 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Basic Setting - Heater
Select a temperature for each side of the pas-
senger compartment. Select air volume with
the fan control switch and set the fan control at
least to position 2 to prevent windows from
fogging up. Set the air distribution control switch to the
tri-level setting. Turn the defroster outlets for the side
windows to the detent positions. Open center air outlets
as desired.
Select a temperature for each side of the pas-
senger compartment. Select air volume with
the fan control switch. Then select the panel
setting on the air distribution control switch to
force air from the panel outlets.Select a temperature for each side of the pas-
senger compartment. Select air volume with
the fan control switch. Then select the Bi-Level
setting on the air distribution control switch to
force air from both the upper panel outlets and the floor
outlets.
Basic Setting - Air Conditioner
Press the air conditioning ON/OFF switch. The
light in the switch will illuminate. Select a
temperature for each side of the passenger
compartment. Select the air volume with the
fan control switch, at least to position 1. Set the air
distribution control switch to one of the positions shown
above. Open center air outlets. Open left and right side
air outlets.
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NOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not run if
the fan control switch is not set to position 1 or higher.
NOTE:The dot between the air distribution control
icons is a mix position between the two modes.Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the compressor is on. This is a normal occurrence,
since 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 A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects.
Defrosting
Set the temperature selectors to the maximum
heating position, set the fan control to position 5,
and the air distribution to the defrost position. Close the
center air outlets. Close the left and right side air outlets.
Turn the defroster outlets for the side windows to the
detent position.
158 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Ventilation
To receive outside air through the panel outlets, turn off
the Air Conditioning ON/OFF switch. The light in the
switch should be off. Set the controls as above for basic
air conditioning.
Climate Control - OFF
To switch the climate control off, set the air volume
control switch to position 0. The fresh air supply to the
vehicle interior is shut off. While driving, use this setting
only temporarily, otherwise the windshield could fog up.
Rear Window Defroster
Turn the key in the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position. To select, press the rear
window defroster button once and release. The
indicator light in the switch should illuminate.
To cancel, press the rear window defroster button again
and release.
NOTE:Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed before activating the defroster. The rear win-
dow defroster uses a large amount of power. To keep the
battery drain to a minimum, turn off the defroster as soon
as the window is clear. The defroster is automatically
turned off after a maximum of 12 minutes of operation.
160 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways ±Slow down and use the highest
gear possible.
²In city traffic ±While stopped, put the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
²In city traffic ±While moving, shift into the highest
gear possible to reduce engine RPM.
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 cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor, and the fan controlto HIGH. This allows the heater core to act as a supple-
ment to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªH,º 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
ªH,º turn the engine OFF immediately, and call for
service.
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Air Conditioner
Check the air conditioning system at the start of the
warm weather season.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects. Clean with
a gentle water spray from behind the radiator and
through the condenser as required. Fabric front fascia
protectors may reduce air flow to the condenser, reducing
air conditioning performance.WARNING!
The air conditioning system contains refrigerant un-
der high pressure. To avoid risk of personal injury or
damage to the system, adding refrigerant or any
repair requiring lines to be disconnected should be
done by an experienced repair person.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
The air conditioning system of your vehicle contains
R-134a, a refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone layer
in the upper atmosphere. The DaimlerChrysler
Corporation recommends that air conditioning service be
done by facilities using refrigerant recycling and recovery
equipment that meets SAE standard J1991.
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