2008 CHRYSLER SEBRING SEDAN run flat

WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions, the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during front airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
•Side airbags also need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door. Sit upright in the center of the
seat.
Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
TheOccupant Restraint Controller System (ORC)is
part of a Federally regulated safety system required for
this vehicle.
The ORC determines if a frontal collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
sensor signals, a central electronic Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) deploys the front airbags, side inflat-
able airbag curtains (if equipped), seat-mounted side
(Thorax) airbags (if equipped), and front seat belt preten-
sioners as required for each type of impact.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or RUN positions. These include all of the items listed
above except the steering wheel and column, instrument
panel, and passenger knee bolsters. If the key is in the
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
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Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.NOTE:
Perchlorate Material — special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
WARNING!
Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced
airbag system. The airbag may inflate accidentally or
may not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
advanced airbag system service. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be serviced
in any way (including removal or loosening/
tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle
to your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer ap-
proved seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary
to modify an advanced airbag system for persons
with disabilities, contact your authorized dealer.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫VoiceTraining........................120

Seats................................121
▫Manual Front Seat Adjustments...........121
▫Power Seats — If Equipped..............124
▫Adjustable Head Restraints..............125
▫Heated Seats — If Equipped.............126
▫Fold Flat Front Passenger Seat............127
▫Folding Rear Seat.....................128
▫Folding Rear Seat Center Armrest..........129

To Open And Close The Hood.............130

Lights...............................131
▫Map/Reading/Interior Lights............131▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights .............................132
▫Automatic Headlight System — If Equipped . . 133
▫Headlight Time Delay..................133
▫Passing Light / Flash To Pass.............134
▫Daytime Running Lights (DRL) —
If Equipped.........................134
▫Lights On Reminder...................134
▫Fog Lights — If Equipped...............134
▫Turn Signals.........................135
▫Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch.........136

Windshield Wipers And Washers............136
▫Intermittent Wiper System...............138
▫Mist Feature.........................139
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

(Refer to “Tire Inflation Pressures” under “Tires — Gen-
eral Information” and to “Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS)” in Section 5 of this manual for more informa-
tion).
25. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors emissions, engine, and
automatic transaxle control systems. The light
will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from LOCK/OFF to ON/RUN, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.If the Malfunction Indicator Light flashes when the
engine is running, serious conditions may exist that
could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
26. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the turn signal lever away from the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
27. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Display—Premium Cluster Only
This display shows the EVIC messages when the appro-
priate conditions exist. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)” in this section for more informa-
tion.
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self-check cycle to ensure that the ABS system
is working properly. This self check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).
ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
•The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop),
•the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
•brake pedal pulsations,
•and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first
become visible.
4. Keep the tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on, or cross, a road or a path where
water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off).
Flowing water can wear away the road or path’s
surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper
water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
•Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
•Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
•Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
•Only use the jack in the positions indicated and
for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
•If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
•To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are
securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.
•Turn on the Hazard warning flasher.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
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