2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Transmission

SETTING THE ANALOG CLOCK
To set the analog clock at the top center of the instrument
panel, press and hold the button until the setting is
correct. The clock will adjust slowly at first and then
quicker the longer the button is held.
RADIO GENERAL INFORMATION
Radio Broadcast Signals
The radio will provide excellent reception under most
operating conditions. Like any system, however, automo-
tive radios have performance limitations, due to mobile
operation and natural phenomena, which might lead you
to believe your sound system is malfunctioning. To help
you understand and save you concern about these ªap-
parentº malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals: AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary; and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Setting The Analog Clock
250 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude, and
thus remain a part of the AM reception. They interfere very
little with the frequency variations that carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception can
be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines and
neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency variations,
interference that consists of amplitude variations can be
filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear, which is the
major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and six-disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned OFF. Opening a vehicle front door
will cancel this feature.
SALES CODE REF Ð AM/FM/CD (SINGLE DISC)
RADIO WITH OPTIONAL SATELLITE RADIO AND
HANDS FREE PHONE CAPABILITY
NOTE:The radio sales code is located on the lower right
side of your radio faceplate.
REF Radio
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 251
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

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.
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5

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission gear selector lever
into the PARK position:
²When shifting the gear selector lever into PARK,
depress the button on the gear selector lever knob and
firmly move the lever all the way forward until it
stops.
²Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the PARK position.
²When engaged in PARK, you will not be able to move
the gear selector lever rearward without depressing
the gear selector lever knob button
CAUTION!
Before shifting the gear selector lever out of PARK,
you must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and gear selector lever are released.
Otherwise, damage to the steering column or gear
selector lever could result.
REVERSE
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NEUTRAL
The engine may be started in this range.
DRIVE / OVERDRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and best fuel economy.
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

When frequent transaxle shifting occurs while using the
DRIVE/OVERDRIVE range, such as when operating the
vehicle under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain,
traveling into strong head winds, or while towing trail-
ers), use the[3]range.
[3] DRIVE
This range eliminates shifts into OVERDRIVE. The trans-
axle will operate normally in first and second while in
this range.
NOTE:Using the[3]range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance, fuel economy, and extend transaxle life by reduc-
ing excessive shifting and heat build up.
Use the[3]range when descending steep grades to
prevent brake system distress.
[1] Low
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, up shifts
will occur only to prevent engine over speed while down
shifts from[2]to[1]will occur as early as possible.
AUTOSTICK Ð IF EQUIPPED
AUTOSTICK is a driver-interactive transmission that
offers manual gear shifting capability to provide you
with more control. AUTOSTICK allows you to maximize
engine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and
downshifts, and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, trailer towing, and many other situa-
tions.
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5

AUTOSTICK Operation
The AUTOSTICK position is just below the OVERDRIVE
position and is identified by the word ªAUTOSTICKº.
When you place the gear selector lever in the
AUTOSTICK position, it can be moved from side to side.
Moving the lever to the left (-) triggers a downshift and to
the right (+) an upshift. The gear position will be shown
in the transmission gear display, located in the instru-
ment cluster.
You can shift in or out of the AUTOSTICK mode at any
time without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. If
you choose the OVERDRIVE mode, the transmission will
operate automatically; shifting between the four avail-
able gears. When you wish to engage AUTOSTICK,
simply move the gear selector lever to the AUTOSTICK
position. The transmission will remain in the current gear
until an upshift or downshift is chosen.Move the lever back to the OVERDRIVE position to shift
out of the AUTOSTICK mode.
AUTOSTICK General Information
²
The transmission will automatically upshift from first
to second gear and from second to third gear when
engine speed reaches about 6,300 RPM.
²Downshifts from third to second gear above 74 mph
(119 km/h) and from second to first gear above 41
mph (66 km/h) will be ignored.
²You can start out in first, second, or third gear. Shifting
into fourth gear can occur only after vehicle speed
reaches 15 mph (24 km/h).
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in third gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING