2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................81
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 165
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 259
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................351
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 371
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 433
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................441
10INDEX....................................................................451
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet
and various customer-oriented documents. You are
urged to read these publications carefully. Following the
instructions and recommendations in this manual will
help assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner Manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

Locking Doors With The Key
There is only one external door lock cylinder which is
located in the driver’s door only.
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward. To unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See ”Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys, which have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder), to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate thevehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two seconds
if someone uses an invalid key to start the engine.
NOTE:A key which has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will turn
on for three seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on
after the bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem
with the electronics. In addition, if the light begins to flash
after the bulb check, it indicates that someone used an
invalid key to start the engine. Either of these conditions
will result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light turns on
during normal vehicle operation (vehicle running for
longer than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in
the electronics. Should this occur, have the vehicle ser-
viced as soon as possible.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to“Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Venting Sunroof - Express...............153
▫Closing Sunroof - Express...............153
▫Auto Sunroof (Express) With Anti–Pinch
Protection — If Equipped...............153
▫Sunshade Operation...................153
▫Wind Buffeting.......................153
▫Sunroof Maintenance...................154
▫Ignition Off Operation..................154

Electrical Power Outlets..................154
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......156

Cigar Lighter And Ash Receiver —
If Equipped...........................156▫Cupholder Ash Receiver — If Equipped.....156

Console Features.......................157
▫Console Features......................157

Cupholders...........................160
▫Heated Or Cooled Cupholder —
If Equipped.........................160
▫Rear Bottle Holders....................161

Storage..............................162
▫CargoArea..........................162
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 45 seconds after the ignition switch
is turned off. Opening either front door will cancel this
feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power sunroof
switch will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned off. Opening either front door
will cancel this feature. The time is programmable. For
details, refer to “Key-Off Power Delay,” under “Personal
Settings (Customer Programmable Features)” under
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
There are two 12-volt electrical outlets on this vehicle.
Both of the outlets are protected by a fuse.
The instrument panel power outlet, located below the
climate control knobs, has power available only when the
ignition is on. This outlet will also operate a conventional
cigar lighter unit.
NOTE:If desired, the instrument panel power outlet
can be converted by your authorized dealer to provide
power with the ignition switch while in the LOCK
position.
154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Video Entertainment System (VES)—
If Equipped...........................240

Radio Operation And Cellular Phones........242

CD/DVD Disc Maintenance...............242

Climate Controls.......................243
▫Manual Air Conditioning And Heating
System.............................243▫Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) —
If Equipped.........................248
▫Operating Tips.......................254

Rear Window Features...................258
▫Electric Rear Window Defroster —
If Equipped.........................258
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
Trip Odometer button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance) perform the following proce-
dure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
15. Cruise Indicator — If Equipped
This indicator shows that the Speed Control
System is ON.
16. Odometer/Trip Odometer Reset Knob
Single Trip Odometer
Press and release this button to change the display from
odometer to trip odometer. The word “Trip” displays to
show that the odometer is in Trip Mode. Press and release
the button again to change the display back to the
odometer.
To reset the trip odometer, first set the display to Trip
Mode. Then push and hold the button (approximately
two seconds) until the display resets to 0. The odometer
must be in Trip Mode to reset the trip odometer.
176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL