2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Capacity

NOTE:
²Tighten the gas cap until you hear a ªclickingº sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened
properly. The Malfunction Indicator Light in the in-
strument cluster may turn on if the gas cap is not
secured properly. Make sure that the gas cap is tight-
ened each time the vehicle is refueled.
²When the fuel nozzle ªclicksº or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
ªgASCAPº message will be displayed in the Odometer/
Trip Odometer in the instrument cluster. Refer to ªInstru-
ment Cluster Descriptionº in Section 4 of this manual.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
odometer/trip odometer reset button to turn the message
off. If the problem continues, the message will appear thenext time the vehicle is started. This might indicate a
damaged cap. 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.Refer to ªOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBDIIº in
Section 7 of this manual for more information.
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Rear Seat Occupants (sedan).................. 3
Rear Seat Occupants (convertible).............. 2
Luggage....................... 115lbs(52kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity (sedan)....... 865lb(392 kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity (convertible). . . 715 lb (324 kg)
342 STARTING AND OPERATING

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!
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.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the
trailer. In most cases it should not be less than 10% or
more than 15% of the trailer load. You must consider this
as part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The maximum height and maximum width of the front of
a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue
that typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kind of
hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they're commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized
trailers.
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to always
achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight as a
percentage of total trailer weight).
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
²
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
²Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to the
Tires±General Information section of this manual on
Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
²Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
²Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires±General
Information section of this manual on Tread Wear
Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
²When replacing tires refer to the Tires±General Infor-
mation section of this manual on Replacement Tires
for proper tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires
with a higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
²
Do notinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
²An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

²Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
352 STARTING AND OPERATING

FUEL SYSTEM CONNECTIONS
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with tubes and special connects, connections
and clamps which have unique material characteristics to
provide adequate sealing and resist attack by deterio-
rated gasoline.
You are urged to use only the manufactures-specified
tubes, connections and clamps, or their equivalent in
material and specification, in any fuel system servicing.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in the ªMainte-
nance Scheduleº in this manual.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake, Power Steering and Oil Cooler System
Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect the surface of the hoses and nylon tubing for
evidence of heat and mechanical damage. Hard and
404 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Ethanol............................... 337
Event Data Recorder...................70,105
Exhaust Gas Caution............38,39,115,339,397
Exhaust System......................... 397
Fabric Care.........................413,414
Filler Location Fuel....................226,340
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 391
Automatic Transaxle.................... 409
Engine Fuel.......................... 391
Engine Oil........................387,430
Flashers.............................. 358
Hazard Warning....................... 358
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 367
Flooded Engine Starting................... 293
Fluid, Brake........................... 431
Fluid Capacities......................... 429
Fluid Leaks............................ 117Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................... 408
Brake............................... 406
Cooling System....................... 398
Power Steering........................ 394
Fluids................................ 430
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 430
Fog Light Service........................ 426
Fog Lights..........................188,233
Folding Front Passenger Seat............... 167
Folding Rear Seat.....................171,173
Folding Rear Seat (Convertible).............. 173
Folding Rear Seat (Sedan).................. 171
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 370
Fuel..............................337,430
Adding............................. 340
Additives............................ 338
Capacity............................ 429
Clean Air............................ 337
INDEX 475
10

Ethanol............................. 337
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................226,340
Filler Door (Gas Cap)................... 226
Filter............................... 391
Gasoline............................ 337
Gauge.............................. 226
Hoses.............................. 404
Light............................... 233
Materials Added....................... 338
Methanol............................ 337
Octane Rating........................ 337
Requirements......................... 337
Tank Capacity........................ 429
Fuel System Caution..................... 341
Fueling............................... 340
Fuses................................ 419
Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) ........... 197
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)............340,342,381Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 337
Gasoline (Fuel).......................337,429
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 337
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................... 226
Fuel................................ 226
Odometer........................... 229
Tachometer.......................... 227
Gearshift.............................. 297
General Information.................18,163,336
General Maintenance..................... 384
Glass Cleaning.......................... 415
Gross Axle Weight Rating.................. 344
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 343
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ)............. 138
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 358
Head Restraints......................... 169
476 INDEX

Mini-Trip Computer...................... 235
Mirrors............................... 135
Electric Remote....................... 137
Outside............................. 136
Rearview............................ 135
Vanity.............................. 138
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 332
Mopar Parts.........................383,464
MTBE/ETBE........................... 337
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 186
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 115
Occupant Restraints (Convertible)............. 81
Occupant Restraints (Sedan)................. 44
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 337
Odometer............................. 229
Trip .............................229,230Oil, Engine.........................384,429
Capacity............................ 429
Change Interval....................... 385
Checking............................ 384
Disposal............................ 387
Filter............................... 387
Identification Logo..................... 386
Materials Added to..................... 387
Quality............................. 386
Recommendation...................386,429
Synthetic............................ 387
Viscosity............................ 387
Oil Filter, Selection....................... 388
Oil Pressure Light....................... 234
Onboard Diagnostic System..............380,381
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLinkt) ........... 197
Operator Manual (Owner's Manual)............ 4
Outside Air Intake....................... 284
Overdrive............................. 298
480 INDEX