2008 CHRYSLER PACIFICA service

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, and cargo. The total
load must be limited so that you do not exceed the
GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR.
WARNING!
Because the front wheels drive and steer the vehicle,
it is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Overloading
The load carrying components (axle, springs, tires,
wheels, etc.) of your vehicle will provide satisfactory
service as long as you do not exceed the GVWR and front
and rear GAWR.
The best way to figure out the total weight of your
vehicle is to weigh it when it is fully loaded and ready for
operation. Weigh it on a commercial scale to insure that it
is not over the GVWR.
Figure out the weight on the front and rear of the vehicle
separately. It is important that you distribute the load
evenly over the front and rear axles.
Overloading can cause potential safety hazards and
shorten useful service life. Heavier axles or suspension
components do not necessarily increase the vehicle's
GVWR.
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flash-
ers may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transmission in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
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 engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, andthe fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, 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
ªHº, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 351
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WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
Jack Location
Five Passenger Seating
The jack and jack-handle are stowed in the rear storage
bin located behind the second row bench seat. Pull up on
the storage bin cover to access the jack and jack tools.Remove the scissors jack and jack handle by rotating the
small wing nut to the left.
Jack Location
352 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Instructions
WARNING!
²Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous.
The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you.
You could be crushed. Never get any part of your
body under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start
or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
²The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing
tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help pre-
vent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
²Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge
of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
²Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be
raised.
²Apply the parking brake firmly before jacking.
²Never start the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated.
²If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of
motor traffic.
²To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are securely
stowed, spares must be stowed with the value stem
facing the ground.
356 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

lug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. Correct
wheel nut tightness is 130 N´m (95 ft. lbs). If in doubt
about the correct tightness, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
11. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack, thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
NOTE:The full size flat tire will not store under the
vehicle. It should be repaired /or replaced, and rein-
stalled on the vehicle as soon as possible.
12. Secure the spare tire as follows:
²Turn the wheel so that the valve-stem is down. Slide
the wheel retainer through the center of the wheel
and position it properly across the wheel opening.
²For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation,
stow with the valve-stem toward the rear of the
vehicle.
²Using the jack-handle, rotate the drive nut to the
right until the wheel is drawn into place against the
underside of the vehicle.
²Continue to rotate the nut until you hear the mecha-
nism click three times. It cannot be overtightened.
Push against the tire several times to be sure it is
securely in place.
13. Stow the jack and jack handle.
14. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m3.8L Engines..........................370
m4.0L Engines..........................371
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........372
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............373
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................373
mReplacement Parts......................375
mDealer Service.........................375
mMaintenance Procedures..................376NEngine Oil..........................376
NEngine Oil Filter......................379
NDrive Belt...........................379
NSpark Plugs.........................379
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................380
NCatalytic Converter....................380
NMaintenance-Free Battery................382
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............383
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............385
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM Ð OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the ªMalfunction Indicator Light.º It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
²Prolonged driving with the ªMalfunction Indica-
tor Lightº on could cause further damage to the
emission control system. It could also affect fuel
economy and driveability. The vehicle must be
serviced before any emissions tests can be per-
formed.
²If the ªMalfunction Indicator Lightº is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur.
Immediate service is required.
372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
Should the ªLoose Fuel Filler Capº or ªgASCAPº mes-
sage appear, there may be a problem in the evaporative
system. Before taking the vehicle into a qualified Dealer-
ship Service center, check first to see if the fuel filler cap
is possibly loose, improperly installed, or damaged. A
loose fuel filler cap message will be displayed in the
instrument cluster. Tighten the gas cap until a9clicking9
sound is heard. This is an indication that the gas cap is
properly tightened. Press the odometer reset button to
turn the message off. If the problem persists, the message
will appear the next time the vehicle is started. If the
problem is detected twice in a row, the system will turn
on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). Resolving the
problem will turn the MIL light off. Take your vehicle in
to a qualified Dealership Service center.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states, which have an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance) requirement, this check verifies the
following: the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light)
is functioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD (On Board Diagnostic) system is ready
for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, if you recently had a dead battery, or a battery
replacement. If the OBD system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 373
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