2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE Owners Manual

WARNING!
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, or cloth-
ing. Don't lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush contami-
nated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes.
The battery is stored between the left front headlight
assembly and the left front wheel splash shield. Access is
through the splash shield. Remote jump-start terminals
are located under the hood.1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watchbands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach, but without
allowing the vehicles to touch. Set parking brake, place
automatic transaxle in PARK and turn ignition to LOCK
for both vehicles.WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 345
6

3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
4. Remove the protective cover over the remote jump-
start positive battery post(+)in the engine compartment.
Connect one end of the jumper cable to the positive
battery post. Connect the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump-starting connections.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery.
6. If the vehicle is equipped with Sentry Key Immobi-
lizer, turn the ignition switch to the ON position for three
seconds before moving the ignition switch to the START
position.
Jump-Starting Location
346 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the se-
quence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
9. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote jump-
start positive battery post.
WARNING!
During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above freezing
point before attempting jump-start.NOTE:Refer to ªMaintenance Proceduresº in Section 7
of this manual for information on accessing the battery
for service or replacement.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 347
6

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
NOTE:
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol, turn the system OFF before attempting to
ªrockº the vehicle. Refer to ªPartial Off Modeº
under ªElectronic Stability Program (ESP)º in
Section 5 of this manual.WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause axle and
tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you
are stuck, and don't let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h). Do not spin the wheels continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
348 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flat bed towing
is the preferred towing method. However, if a flat bed
towing vehicle is not available, a wheel lift towing
vehicle may be used. Furthermore, rear towing is not
recommended with the front wheels on the ground, as
transaxle damage can result. If rear towing is the only
alternative, a front end dolly must be used. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 15 miles (25 km),
and the towing speed must not exceed 25 mph (40
km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause a trans-
axle failure. If the transaxle is not operative, or if the
vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (25 km), the
vehicle must be transported either with a flat bed truck or
with the front wheels off the ground.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 349
6

CAUTION!
²If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not in
the LOCK or ACC position.
²Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
²Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
axle may result.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON position,
not the ACC position. Make certain the transaxle remains
in NEUTRAL.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLY
Rear towing is not recommendedwith the front wheels
on the ground, as transaxle damage can result. If rear
towing is the only alternative,a front end dolly must be
used.Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle.
350 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m2.4L Engine Compartment................354
m2.7L Engine Compartment................355
m3.5L Engine Compartment................356
mOnboard Diagnostic System Ð OBD II........357
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap Message............358
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................358
mReplacement Parts......................360
mDealer Service.........................360mMaintenance Procedures..................361
NEngine Oil..........................361
NEngine Oil Filter......................365
NDrive Belt...........................365
NSpark Plugs.........................365
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................365
NCatalytic Converter....................366
NMaintenance-Free Battery................367
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............369
7

NA/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped............370
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............371
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............372
NSteering Linkage......................372
NBody Lubrication.....................372
NWindshield Wiper Blades................373
NWindshield Washers...................374
NExhaust System......................374
NCooling System.......................375
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......381
NFuel System.........................381
NBrake System........................381
NAutomatic Transaxle...................384NFront And Rear Wheel Bearings...........387
NAppearance Care And Protection
From Corrosion......................387
NCleaning The Center Console Cup Holders . . . 392
mConvertible Top Care....................393
NSoft Top............................393
NWeather Strip Care Ð Soft & Hard Top......395
mFuses (Totally Integrated Power Module)......395
mVehicle Storage........................400
mReplacement Bulbs......................400
mBulb Replacement......................401
NLow Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight . . 401
NFront Turn Signal/Park Light.............402
352 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE