2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA traction control

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD). The system is automatic with no driver
inputs or additional driving skills required. Under nor-
mal driving conditions, the front wheels provide most of
the traction. If the front wheels begin to lose traction,power is shifted automatically to the rear wheels. The
greater the front wheel traction loss, the greater the
power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a preemptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the power transfer unit.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches deep will
require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent dam-
age to your vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on or cross a road or a path where water
is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow-
ing water can wear away the road or path's surface
and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry
your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire's
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
434 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Drive Belts............................ 379
Drive Shaft Universal Joints................ 386
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 291
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water.............................. 292
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 232
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 88
Electrical Power Outlets................... 172
Electronic Brake Control System............. 154
Brake Assist System.................... 154
Electronic Stability Program............... 155
Traction Control System................. 154
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 144
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 155
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................166,199Emergency, In Case of
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 350
Jacking............................. 352
Jump Starting......................... 360
Overheating.......................... 351
Emission Control System Maintenance......373,420
Engine..........................77,370,371
Air Cleaner.......................... 380
Air Cleaner Filter...................... 380
Block Heater......................... 278
Break-In Recommendations................ 77
Checking Oil Level..................... 376
Compartment......................370,371
Coolant (Antifreeze).................... 417
Cooling............................. 389
Exhaust Gas Caution..................37,328
Flooded, Starting...................... 277
Fuel Requirements..................325,416
Oil ...........................376,416,417
442 INDEX

Hazard Warning Flasher................... 350
Head Phones........................... 241
Head Restraints......................... 117
Headlights............................ 413
Bulb Replacement...................... 412
High Beam........................... 139
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 139
Passing............................. 139
Replacing............................ 412
Switch.............................. 136
Time Delay.......................... 138
Heated Seats........................... 118
Heater............................... 251
Heater, Engine Block..................... 278
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 338
Holder, Cup........................... 174
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 146
Hood Release.......................... 133Hoses.............................394,397
Ignition............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Indicator, Traction Control................. 190
Infant Restraint........................68,69
Information Center, Vehicle................. 199
Instrument Cluster.................185,186,187
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 184
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 405
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 407
Interior Appearance Care.................. 404
Interior Lights.......................135,136
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 141
Introduction............................. 4
INDEX 445
10

Hazard Warning Flasher................. 350
Headlight Switch...................... 136
Headlights.....................136,412,413
High Beam Indicator.................... 193
Illuminated Entry....................... 20
Instrument Cluster..................... 136
Interior............................. 136
License............................. 415
Liftgate Ajar.......................... 197
Lights On Reminder.................... 138
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 193
Oil Pressure.......................... 194
Park............................... 413
Reading............................. 168
Rear Servicing........................ 415
Rear Tail............................ 415
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 194
Service........................... 411,412
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 193Side Marker.......................... 415
Traction Control....................... 156
Turn Signal..................136,139,413,415
Voltage............................. 187
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 187
Washer Fluid......................... 197
Load Leveling System.................... 180
Loading Vehicle......................331,333
Capacities........................... 333
Tires ............................... 299
Locks
Door................................ 26
Steering Wheel......................... 14
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)............................71,74
Lubrication, Body....................... 386
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................. 178
Maintenance, Airbag...................... 64
INDEX 447
10

Disabled Vehicle....................... 363
Guide.............................. 338
Recreational.......................348,365
Weight.............................. 338
Traction Control......................154,190
Traction Control Switch................... 154
Trailer Towing.......................... 334
Cooling System Tips.................... 348
Hitches............................. 338
Minimum Requirements................. 342
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 341
Wiring.............................. 345
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 338
Trailer Weight.......................... 338
Transaxle
Automatic.........................12,278
Autostick......................145,281,282
Overdrive........................... 281
Selection of Lubricant................398,418Transmission........................... 398
Automatic........................... 398
Filter............................... 400
Fluid............................... 398
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................. 24
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 146
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................. 24
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 20
Transporting Pets........................ 77
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 309
Trip Odometer.......................... 191
Trip Odometer Reset Button................ 191
Turn Signals...................139,188,413,415
UConnectŸ (Hands-Free Phone).............. 89
Uniform Tire Quality Grades................ 434
Universal Joints......................... 386
454 INDEX