2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER engine

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.
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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
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5

feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
The electronically controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self calibrat-
ing; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle may be
somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and preci-
sion shifts will develop within a few shift cycles.
RESET MODE
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle shifts automatically into second
gear. The transaxle remains in second gear despite the
forward gear selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL
will continue to operate. This second gear limp-in feature
allows the vehicle to be driven to a dealer for service
without damaging the transaxle.In the event that the problem has been momentary, the
transaxle can be reset to regain all forward gears.
Stop the vehicle and shift the gear selector lever into
PARK.
Turn the Key to OFF then restart the engine.
Shift the gear selector lever into DRIVE and resume
driving.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, authorized dealer service
is required.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit an authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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MANUAL TRANSAXLE Ð RECOMMENDED SHIFT
SPEEDS
To use your manual transaxle for optimal fuel economy,
it should be upshifted as listed in Table 1.
Table 1 - Manual Transaxle Normal Acceleration
And Cruise Shift Speeds In mph (km/h)
Engine Mode1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L
TurboAccel-
eration15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (65) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 42 (68) 45 (72)
2.4L
Non-
TurboAccel-
eration15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (65) 45 (72)
Cruise 15 (24) 25 (40) 42 (68) 45 (72)
For improved performance, your manual transaxle may
be upshifted up to the maximum speeds listed in Table 2
(within legal speed limits).
Table 2 - Manual Transaxle Maximum Performance
Shift Speeds In mph (km/h)
Engine1to2 2to3 3to4 4to5
2.4L30 (48) 60 (97) 85 (136) 115 (185)
If you exceed these speeds, you may notice the engine cut
in and out. This is caused by an electronic limiter in the
engine computer. The engine will run normally when
you reduce engine speed.
Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high an engine speed, you could damage the
engine, transmission, or clutch.
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