2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE check engine

WARNING!
²Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
²Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARtDOT 3
product or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to
FMVSS specification may result in sudden brake
failure during hard prolonged braking. You could
have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
Automatic Transaxle
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Fluid Level Check Ð Vehicles with 3.5L Engine
The automatic transaxle has no dipstick and is dealer
serviced only.
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid Level Check Ð Vehicles with 2.4L and 2.7L
Engines
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transaxle fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at curb idle speed for a minimum of 60
seconds.
3. Apply the parking brake fully.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate
the possibility of dirt entering the transaxle.
6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180É F (82É C), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle isdriven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature below 80ÉF (27ÉC).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Then,
remove dipstick and note the reading.
a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked ªHOTº (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked ªCOLD.º
If the fluid level is low, add sufficient fluid through the
filler (dipstick) tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not
overfill.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
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CAUTION!
²Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer's recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufacturer
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Partsº for the correct fluid type.
²Dirt and water in the transaxle can cause serious
damage. To prevent dirt and water from entering
the transaxle after checking or replenishing fluid,
make certain that the dipstick cap is re-seated
properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Change the automatic transaxle fluid and filter at the
intervals shown in the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in this
manual.
In addition, change the fluid and filter if the transaxle is
disassembled for any reason.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is
the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
²The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
²Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
²Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If a scheduled
oil change is performed by someone other than yourdealer, the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under ªOil Change Requiredº under ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 3 of
this manual or under ªOdometer/Trip Odometerº under
ªInstrument Cluster Descriptionsº in Section 3 of this
manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the SAFE or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 415
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Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and automatic trans-
axle, and add fluid as needed.
NOTE:Six speed AutoSticktTransaxle Ð if equipped is
sealed, therefore checking the fluid level can only be
done by a certified dealership service center.
²Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
416 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Fluid Check.......................383,412
Hoses.............................. 382
Master Cylinder....................... 383
Parking............................. 264
Warning Light........................ 182
Brakes.............................267,381
Brake/Transaxle Interlock.................. 256
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 72
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 144
Bulb Replacement.....................400,401
Bulbs, Light..........................76,400
Calibration, Compass..................... 192
Capacities, Fluid........................ 409
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 316
Oil (Engine)..................354,355,356,363
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 378
Car Washes............................ 388Carbon Monoxide Warning...............74,311
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 319
Catalytic Converter...................... 366
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............213,217
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 231
Cellular Phone..................99,217,218,231
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 408
Certification Label....................... 319
Chains, Tire............................ 297
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 338
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 281
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 358
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 73
Checks, Safety........................... 73
Child Restraint..................62,63,64,68,69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............66,68
Cigar Lighter........................... 163
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 309
434 INDEX

Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 98
Electrical Power Outlets................... 161
Electronic Brake Control System
Brake Assist System.................... 275
Electronic Stability Program............... 276
Traction Control System................. 274
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 151
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 276
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 187
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 38
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 348
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 336
Jacking............................. 338
Jump Starting......................... 344
Overheating.......................... 336
Towing............................. 349
Emergency Trunk Release................... 38
Emission Control System Maintenance......358,414Engine........................72,354,355,356
Air Cleaner.......................... 365
Block Heater......................... 255
Break-In Recommendations................ 72
Checking Oil Level..................... 361
Compartment......................... 354
Coolant (Antifreeze).................376,410
Cooling............................. 375
Exhaust Gas Caution..................74,311
Fails to Start.......................... 253
Flooded, Starting...................... 253
Fuel Requirements..................... 307
Jump Starting......................... 344
Oil ...........................361,409,410
Oil Change Interval............179,189,362,414
Oil Filler Cap.................354,355,356,363
Oil Filter............................ 365
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 364
Oil Selection.......................363,409
INDEX 437
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Flooded Engine Starting................... 253
Floor Console.......................... 166
Fluid, Brake........................... 412
Fluid Capacities......................... 409
Fluid Leaks............................. 76
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................384,385
Brake............................383,412
Cooling System....................... 376
Engine Oil........................... 361
Power Steering.....................371,412
Fluids................................ 410
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 410
Fog Light Service........................ 403
Fog Lights....................138,141,183,403
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 348
Front Wheel Bearings..................... 387
Fuel................................. 307
Adding............................. 316Additives............................ 310
Clean Air............................ 309
Ethanol............................. 309
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................176,316
Filler Door (Gas Cap)................... 176
Gasoline............................ 307
Gauge.............................. 176
Hoses.............................. 381
Light............................... 177
Materials Added....................... 310
Methanol............................ 309
Octane Rating......................307,410
Requirements......................... 307
Specifications......................... 410
Tank Capacity........................ 409
Fuel, Flexible.............See Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Fuel System Caution..................... 317
Fueling............................... 316
Fuses................................ 395
INDEX 439
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