2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY spare wheel

PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD MAKE
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid, trans-
mission fluid or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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.
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tire Pressures for High-Speed Operation
The manufacturer advocates driving at safe speeds
within posted speed limits. Where speed limits or condi-
tions are such that the vehicle can be driven at high
speeds, maintaining correct tire inflation pressure is very
important. Increased tire pressure and reduced vehicle
loading may be required for high-speed vehicle opera-
tion. Refer to original equipment information or an
authorized tire dealer for recommended safe operating
speeds, loading and cold tire inflation pressures.
WARNING!
High-speed driving with your vehicle at or above
maximum load is dangerous. The added strain on
your tires could cause them to fail. You could have a
serious accident. Don't drive a vehicle loaded to the
maximum capacity at continuous speeds above 75
mph (120 km/h).
Radial-Ply Tires
WARNING!
Combining radial ply tires with other types of tires
on your vehicle will cause your vehicle to handle
poorly. The instability could cause an accident. Al-
ways use radial ply tires in sets of four (or 6, in case
of trucks with dual rear wheels). NEVER combine
them with other types of tires.
Cuts and punctures in radial tires are repairable only in
the tread area because of sidewall flexing. Consult your
authorized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
362 STARTING AND OPERATING

vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
²Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With these tires, DO NOT drive more than 50
mph (80 km/h).
²Temporary-use spare tires have limited tread life.
When the tread is worn to the tread wear indica-
tors, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced.
²Be sure to follow the warnings, which apply to
your spare. Failure to do so could result in spare
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.DO NOT install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
DO NOT install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, DO NOT
take your vehicle through an automatic car wash with
the compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle
may result.
STARTING AND OPERATING 363
5

Limited-Use Spare Tire Ð If Equipped
The limited-use spare tire is for temporary emergency
use on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited-
use spare tire warning label located on the limited use
spare tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity.WARNING!
²The limited use spare tire is for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire
affects vehicle handling.
²DO NOT drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) with
a limited use spare tire.
²Keep the limited use spare tire inflated to the cold
tire inflation pressure listed on either your tire
placard or limited use spare tire and wheel assem-
bly.
²Replace (or repair) the original tire at the first
opportunity and reinstall it on your vehicle. Fail-
ure to do so could result in loss of vehicle control.
364 STARTING AND OPERATING

Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains, or other traction aids that meet
SAE type ªClass Sº specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer.
NOTE:Do not use tire chains on a compact spare tire.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the following
precautions:
²Because of restricted chain clearance between tires and other
suspension components, it is important that only chains in
good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs that
could indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of
the chain before further use.
²Do not exceed 45 mph (70 km/h).
²Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps,
especially with a loaded vehicle.
²Install chains on the front wheels as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about oneÐhalf mile (0.8 km).
²Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement.
²Observe the tire chain manufacturer's instructions on the
method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for
use. Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the
chain manufacturer if different from the speed recommended
by the manufacturer.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Accumulation of excessive snow and/or ice around
the wheels or wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPMS sensors.
NOTE:
1. The compact spare tire (if equipped) does not have a
TPMS sensor. Therefore the TPMS will not monitor the
pressure in the compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will turn on.
3. After driving for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25
km/h), the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will flash on
and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will remain
on solid.
5. Once you repair or replace the original road tire and
reinstall it on the vehicle in place of the compact spare
tire, the TPMS will automatically update, and the TPMS
Telltale Warning Light will turn off as long as no tire
pressure is below the low-pressure warning limit in any
of the four active road tires. The vehicle may need to be
driven for up to 10 minutes above 15 mph (25 km/h) for
the TPMS to receive this information.
PREMIUM TPMS WITH EVIC Ð IF EQUIPPED
The TPMS uses wireless technology with wheel rim-
mounted electronic sensors to monitor tire pressure lev-
els. Sensors mounted to each wheel as part of the valve
stem, transmit tire pressure readings to the Receiver
Module.
374 STARTING AND OPERATING

will not be present, and a pressure value will be dis-
played instead of dashes. A system fault can occur by any
of the following scenarios:
1. Jamming due to electronic devices or driving next to
facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as the TPMS
sensors.
2. Installing some form of aftermarket window tinting
that affects radio wave signals.
3. Accumulation of excessive snow and/or ice around
the wheels or wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPMS sensors.
NOTE:
1. The compact spare tire (if equipped) does not have a
TPMS. Therefore, the TPMS will not monitor the pressure
in the compact spare tire.2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition key cycle, the TPMS Telltale
Warning Light will remain on, a chime will sound, and
the EVIC will still display a flashing pressure value in the
graphic display.
3. After driving the vehicle for up to 10 minutes above 15
mph (25 km/h), the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will
flash on and off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid.
In addition, the EVIC will display a9CHECK TPM
SYSTEM9message for three seconds and then display
dashes (- -) in place of the pressure value.
4. For each subsequent ignition key cycle, a chime will
sound, the TPMS Telltale Warning Light will flash on and
off for 75 seconds and then remain on solid, and the EVIC
will display a CHECK TPM SYSTEM message for three
seconds and then display dashes (- -) in place of the
pressure value.
STARTING AND OPERATING 377
5

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
²Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
²Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
²Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
²Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for
lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
²If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
²To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are securely
stowed, spares must be stowed with the valve stem
facing the ground.
²Turn on the Hazard warning flasher.
1. Loosen (but do not remove) the wheel lug nuts by
turning them to the left one turn while the wheel is still
on the ground.
2. To remove the compact spare tire/cover assembly,
assemble the winch handle extensions to form a ªT' and
fit the winch ªTº handle over the drive nut. Rotate the
nut to the left until the winch mechanism stops turning
freely. This will allow enough slack in the cable to allow
you to pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle.
CAUTION!
The winch mechanism is designed for use with the
winch ªTº handle only. Use of an air wrench or other
power tools is not recommended and can damage the
winch.
416 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES