2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.................... 275
NNormal Starting..................... 275
NExtremely Cold Weather (Below220ÉF
Or229ÉC).......................... 276
NIf Engine Fails To Start................. 276
NAfter Starting....................... 277
mEngine Block Heater ± If Equipped......... 278
mAutomatic Transmission................. 278
NBrake/Transmission Interlock System...... 279
NGear Ranges........................ 279mFour-Wheel Drive Operation.............. 284
NNV 140 Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ± If Equipped..... 284
N
NV 244 Generation II Transfer Case Operating
Information/Precautions ± If Equipped
...... 285
NShifting Procedure - NV 244 Generation II
Transfer Case....................... 288
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces............. 290
mDriving Through Water.................. 290
NFlowing/Rising Water................. 291
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NShallow Standing Water................ 291
mPower Steering........................ 293
NPower Steering Fluid Check............. 294
mMulti-Displacement System (MDS)
Ð 5.7L Engine Only..................... 294
mParking Brake........................ 294
mAnti-Lock Brake System................. 296
mElectronic Brake Control System........... 299
NAnti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 299
NTraction Control System (TCS)........... 300
NBrake Assist System (BAS).............. 300
NElectronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).......... 302
NElectronic Stability Program (ESP)......... 303NTrailer Sway Control (TSC).............. 306
NESP/BAS Warning Light And ESP/TCS
Indicator Light...................... 306
mTire Safety Information.................. 307
NTire Markings....................... 307
NTire Identification Number (TIN).......... 311
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 312
mTires Ð General Information.............. 316
NTire Pressure........................ 316
NTire Inflation Pressures................. 317
NTire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 319
NRadial Ply Tires...................... 319
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped........ 319
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

NLimited-Use Spare Ð If Equipped......... 320
NTire Spinning....................... 321
NTread Wear Indicators................. 321
NLife Of Tire......................... 322
NReplacement Tires.................... 323
NAlignment And Balance................ 324
mSupplemental Tire Pressure Information
Ð If Equipped......................... 325
mTire Chains.......................... 325
mSnow Tires.......................... 326
mTire Rotation Recommendations............ 327
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 328
NBase System ± If Equipped.............. 330NPremium System ± If Equipped........... 332
NGeneral Information................... 335
mFuel Requirements..................... 335
NReformulated Gasoline................. 336
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 336
NE-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 337
NMMT In Gasoline.................... 338
NMaterials Added To Fuel............... 338
NFuel System Cautions.................. 338
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings............. 340
mFlexible Fuel (4.7L Engine Only)
Ð If Equipped......................... 340
NE-85 General Information............... 340
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

NEthanol Fuel (E-85)................... 342
NFuel Requirements.................... 342
NSelection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles...... 343
NStarting........................... 343
NCruising Range...................... 343
NReplacement Parts.................... 343
mAdding Fuel......................... 344
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 344
NLoose Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) Message.... 345
mVehicle Loading....................... 346
NCertification Label.................... 346
NCurb Weight........................ 348NLoading........................... 348
mTrailer Towing........................ 349
NCommon Towing Definitions............ 349
NTrailer Hitch Classification.............. 353
NTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)...................... 354
NTrailer And Tongue Weight.............. 354
NTowing Requirements................. 355
NTowing Tips........................ 360
mSnowplow........................... 362
m
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.). . 362
N2WD Models........................ 362
N4WD Models........................ 362
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
²Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
²Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever. Accidents
can also be caused by pressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the ex-
haust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle
fire, which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
Normal Starting
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 275
5

Tip Start Feature
Do notpress the accelerator. Turn the ignition switch to
the START position and release it as soon as the starter
engages. The starter motor will continue to run, and it
will disengage automatically when the engine is running.
If the engine fails to start, the starter will disengage
automatically in 10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the normal starting procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (below220ÉF or229ÉC)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
²Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position andrelease it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is automatically controlled on fuel injected
engines and will decrease as the engine warms up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
5

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER ± IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three wire extension cord.
Use the heater when temperatures below 0ÉF (-18ÉC) are
expected to last for several days.
The block heater must be plugged in at least one hour to
have an adequate warming effect on the coolant.
The engine block heater cord is located:
²4.7L Engine Ð at the front of the engine compartment
near the radiator cap.
²5.7L Engine Ð on the left side of the engine compart-
ment and rearward of the power distribution center.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
²Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
²Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
(Continued)
278 STARTING AND OPERATING