2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER brake

will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the engine
will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
18. Low Fuel Light
When the fuel level drops to 2 gallons, the fuel
symbol will light and a single chime will sound.
19. Theft Alarm Light Ð If Equipped
This light will flash rapidly for several seconds when the
alarm system is arming. The light will begin to flash
slowly indicating that the system is armed.
20. Front Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.
21. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS) Ð If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) described elsewhere in this manual. Thislight will come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.
The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to the
on position, but do not start the vehicle. The light should
come on. If the light does not come on, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 233
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................291
NAutomatic Transaxle...................291
NManual Transaxle.....................292
NNormal Starting......................292
NExtremely Cold Weather (Below220ÉF Or
229ÉC).............................292
NIf The Engine Fails To Start..............293
NAfter Starting........................293
NTurbocharger9Cool-Down9...............293mAutomatic Transaxle Ð If Equipped.........294
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System.......295
NAutomatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System.............................295
NFour-Speed Automatic Transaxle...........296
NReset Mode.........................296
NGear Ranges For The Four-Speed Automatic
Transaxle...........................297
5

mAutoStick Ð If Equipped.................299
NAutoStick Operation...................300
NAutoStick General Information............300
mManual Transaxle Operation Ð If Equipped....301
N2.4 Liter Turbo Ð If Equipped............303
NManual Transaxle Ð Recommended Shift
Speeds.............................304
NDownshifting........................304
mParking Brake.........................305
mBrake System..........................307
NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Ð
If Equipped.........................308
mPower Steering........................310
mTraction Control System Ð If Equipped.......311mTire Safety Information...................313
NTire Markings........................313
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........316
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........317
mTires Ð General Information...............321
NTire Pressure.........................321
NTire Inflation Pressures.................322
NRadial Ply Tires......................324
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........325
NLimited-Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........325
NTire Spinning........................326
NTread Wear Indicators..................327
NLife Of Tire.........................327
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selector lever or by press-
ing the accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive
heat in the exhaust system, resulting in overheating
and vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal
injuries.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
The gear selector lever must be in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position before you can start the engine. Apply the
brakes and depress the gear selector lever knob button
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the gear
selector lever in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
NORMAL STARTING
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine has not
started within three seconds, slightly depress the accel-
erator pedal while continuing to crank. If the engine fails
to start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure above.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could
enter the catalytic converter and once the engine has
started, ignite and damage the converter and vehicle.
If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. See Section 6
of this manual for jump starting instructions.
EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER (BELOW220ÉF or
229ÉC)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

The following chart should be used as a guide in deter-
mining the amount of engine idle time required to
sufficiently cool down the turbocharger before shut
down, depending upon the type of driving and the
amount of cargo.
TURBOCHARGER(COOL-DOWN(CHART
Driving Conditions IdleBefore Shut Down
Normal 0 min
Aggressive/Heavy Load 3 min
Trailer Tow 5 min
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE Ð IF EQUIPPED
You must step on the brake pedal and depress the gear
selector lever knob button before you will be able to shift
out of PARK.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle
speed.
²Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into
any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed.
²Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE:You must step on the brake pedal and depress
the gear selector lever knob button before you will be
able to shift the gear selector lever out of PARK.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of
PARK, or NEUTRAL 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 the
gear selector lever into gear when the engine is idling
normally and when your right foot is firmly on the
brake pedal.
BRAKE/TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK SYSTEM
This system prevents you from shifting the gear selector
lever out of PARK and into any gear unless the brake
pedal is pressed. This system is active only while the
ignition switch is in the ON or ACC positions.Alwaysstep on the brake pedal and depress the gear selector
lever knob button before shifting out of PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will function
normally, except you may be able to shift the vehicle from
PARK, without depressing the brake pedal. If this occurs
obtain service from an authorized dealer as soon as
possible.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE IGNITION INTERLOCK
SYSTEM
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the gear selector lever is in PARK and the gear selector
lever knob push button is out. It also prevents shifting
out of PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON
positions, and the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

GEAR RANGES FOR THE FOUR-SPEED
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
PARK
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, and then shift the
gear selector lever into the PARK position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the key
is removed from the ignition, the transmission gear
selector lever is locked in the PARK position, secur-
ing the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 297
5