2008 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER air conditioning

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is located on
the front passenger's (right) side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading below the red area of the
gauge shows that the engine cooling system is
operating properly. The gauge pointer may show a
higher than normal temperature when driving in hot
weather, up mountain grades, in heavy stop and go
traffic, or when towing a trailer.If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. 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 theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning 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 and
the 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.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed.
226 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The air conditioning system of your vehicle contains
R-134a, a refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone layer
in the upper atmosphere.
The controls are as follows:
Fan Control
Use this control to regulate the
amount of air forced through the
system in any mode you select.
The fan speed increases as you
move the control to the right from
the OFF position.
Mode Control (Air Direction)
The mode control allows you to
choose from several patterns of air
distribution. You can select either
a primary mode, as identified by
the symbols, or a blend of two of
these modes. The closer the con-
trol is to a particular mode, the
more air distribution you receive
from that mode
Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instrument
panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct air
flow.
Bi-Level
Air is directed through the panel and floor outlets.
278 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:There is a difference in temperature between the
upper and lower outlets for added comfort. The warmer
air goes to the floor outlets. This feature gives improved
comfort during sunny but cool conditions.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets and side
window demist outlets with a small amount
through the defrost outlet.
Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost and side
window demist outlets. This setting works best in
cold or snowy conditions that require extra heat at
the windshield. This setting is good for maintaining
comfort while reducing moisture on the windshield.Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with maxi-
mum fan and temperature settings for best windshield
and side window defrosting.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in
both Mix and Defrost or a blend of these modes even if
the A/C button has not been pressed and the indicator
lamp is off. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the
windshield. To improve fuel economy, use these modes
only when necessary.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 279
4

CAUTION!
If the Defroster is not working the windshield and
windows may become fogged and your visibility will
be greatly diminished. See your authorized dealer as
soon as possible. the windshield and windows may
become fogged and your visibility will be greatly
diminished.
Air Outlets
The airflow from each of the instrument panel outlets can
be adjusted for direction and turned on or off to control
air flow.
NOTE:For maximum airflow to the rear seat passen-
gers, the center instrument panel outlets can be aimed, so
that the left center outlet is directed toward the right rear
passenger and the right center outlet is directed toward
the left rear passenger.
Temperature Control
Use this control to regulate the
temperature of the air inside the
passenger compartment. The blue
area of the scale indicates cooler
temperatures while the red area
indicates warmer temperatures.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser: located in front of the radiator, for an accumula-
tion of dirt or insects. Clean with a gentle water spray
from behind the radiator and through the condenser.
Fabric front fascia protectors may reduce air flow to the
condenser, reducing air conditioning performance.
280 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Air Conditioning
Rotate this control to engage the
Air Conditioning. A lamp will il-
luminate when the Air Condition-
ing System is engaged
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor will not engage
until the engine has been running for about 10 seconds.
MAX A/C
To quickly cool the vehicle interior
follow the steps listed below:
1. Set the Temperature Control to Max Cool.
2. Set the Mode Control to Panel or Be-Level.
3. Press the Recirculation Button and the A/C Button.
4. Adjust the Fan Control to desired air flow setting.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 281
4

NOTE:Check the automatic transmission fluid level
before towing.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
²
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
²When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
²Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
²City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in NEUTRAL but do not increase engine idle speed.
²Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
²Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
²Refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance Section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 355
5

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is located on the instrument
panel, below the radio. Depress the switch and
both cluster indicators and all front and rear
directional signals will flash. Depress the
switch again to turn Hazard Warning Flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher 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 transaxle in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle
with the engine at idle, when safe. Turn off the air
conditioning and wait until the pointer drops back into
Hazard Warning Switch
358 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

the normal range. If the pointer remains on the H (red)
mark for more than a minute, turn the engine off imme-
diately and call for service.
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, and
the 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 with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
6