2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN automatic transmission

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The authorized dealer that sold you your vehicle has the
key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers
can be used to order duplicate keys from your authorized
dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these numbers
and keep them in a safe place.
Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transmission
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK position and remove the key.
Ignition Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Vary The Speed Setting
When the Electronic Speed Control System is ON, the
speed can be increased by pressing and holding the
RESUME/ACCEL button. When the button is released, a
new set speed will be established.
Tapping the ACCEL button once will result in a speed
increase of 1 mph (2 km/h). Each time the button is
tapped, speed increases so that tapping the button three
times will increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h).
Tapping the DECEL button once will result in a speed
decrease of 1 mph (2 km/h). Each time the button is
tapped, speed will decrease. For example, tapping the
button three times will decrease the speed by 3 mph (4.8
km/h).
To decrease the speed while the Electronic Speed Control
is on, press and hold the DECEL button. Release the
button when the desired speed is reached, and the new
speed will be set.
To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:When driving uphill, at elevations above 2,000 ft
(610 m), or when the vehicle is heavily loaded (especially
when towing) the vehicle may slow below the SET speed.
If the vehicle speed drops below 25 mph (40 km/h), the
Electronic Speed Control will automatically disengage. If
this happens, you can push down on the accelerator
pedal to maintain the desired speed.
Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may
exhibit several downshifts under the above conditions.
To reduce the frequency of the downshifts and to im-
prove vehicle performance, it is advisable to lock out
OVERDRIVE by pressing the TOW/HAUL button lo-
cated at the end of the shift lever.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3

²ªAUTO DOOR LOCK > ONº ± When ON is selected,
all doors will lock automatically when the vehicle
reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h). To make your
selection, press and release the RESET button until
ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
²ªAUTO UNLOCK ON EXIT > ONº ± When ON is
selected, all doors will unlock when the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in the PARK or
NEUTRAL position and the driver's door is opened.
To make your selection, press and release the RESET
button until ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
²ªRKE UNLOCK DRV DR 1stº ± WhenDRV DR 1stis
selected, only the driver's door will unlock on the first
press of the RKE UNLOCK button. When Driver Door
1st Press is selected, you must press the Remote
Keyless Entry UNLOCK button twice to unlock the
passenger's doors. To make your selection, press and
release the RESET button until ªDRV DR 1st º appears.
²ªRKE UNLOCK ALL DR 1STº ± When AllALL DR
1STis selected, all of the doors will unlock on the first
press of the RKE UNLOCK button. To make your
selection, press and release the RESET button until
ªAll DR 1stº appears.
²MEM. RECALL WITH RKE > ON ± When ON is
selected, pressing the UNLOCK button on the RKE
will recall the memory settings for the seat, mirror and
radio. To make your selection, press and release the
RESET button until ªON9or ªOFFº appears.
²ªSOUND HORN W/LOCK > ONº ± When ON is
selected, a short horn sound will occur when the
Remote Keyless Entry LOCK button is pressed. This
feature may be selected with or without the flash lights
on lock/unlock feature. To make your selection, press
and release the RESET button until ªONº or ªOFFº
appears.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 171
3

²ªFLASH LAMPS W/LOCK >ONº ± When ON is
selected, the front and rear turn signals will flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the RKE Trans-
mitter. This feature may be selected with or without
the sound horn on lock feature selected. To make your
selection, press and release the RESET button until
ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
²ªHEADLAMP OFF DELAY > 0 SECº ± When this
feature is selected, the driver can choose to have the
headlamps remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 seconds when
exiting the vehicle. To make your selection, press and
release the RESET button until ª0,º ª30,º ª60,º or ª90º
appears.
NOTE:The headlamp switch must be in the ªAº auto
mode before this feature will work.
²HEADLAMPS W/WIPERS > ON ± When ON is
selected, the headlamps will automatically turn on
when the wiper switch is activated.
²EASY EXIT SEAT > ON ± When ON is selected, and
the key is removed from the ignition, the driver's seat
will automatically move rearward to allow easy exit.
²TILT MIRRORS IN ªRº > ON ± When ON is selected,
and the transmission is put in REVERSE, the outside
mirrors will tilt downward.
²ªKEY OFF POWER DELAY> OFFº ± When this feature
is selected, the power window switches, radio, hands±
free system (if equipped), and power outlets will
remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch is turned off. Opening a vehicle door will
cancel this feature. To make your selection, press and
release the RESET button until ªOff,º ª45 sec.,º ª5
min.,º ª10 min.º appears.
²ªILLUMINATED APRCH > OFFº ± When this feature
is selected, the headlights will activate and remain on
for up to 90 seconds when the doors are unlocked with
172 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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
5

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

NOTE:Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any
other reason with the shift lever in NEUTRAL can result
in severe transmission damage. Refer to ªRecreational
Towingº in Section 5 and ªTowing a Disabled Vehicleº in
Section 6 of this manual.
DRIVE
For most city and highway driving.
2 (Second)
For driving slowly in heavy city traffic or on mountain
roads where more precise speed control is desirable. Use
it also when climbing long grades, and for engine brak-
ing when descending moderately steep grades. To pre-
vent excessive engine speed, do not exceed 45 mph (72
km/h) in this range.1 (First)
For driving up very steep hills and for engine braking at
low speeds (25 mph {40 km/h} or less) when going
downhill. To prevent excessive engine speed do not
exceed 25 mph (40 km/h) in this range.
Overdrive Operation
The automatic transmission contains an electronically
controlled fourth and fifth (if equipped) speed (OVER-
DRIVE). The transmission will automatically shift from
DRIVE to OVERDRIVE if the following conditions are
present:
²the transmission selector is in DRIVE;
²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
STARTING AND OPERATING 281
5