2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER ECO mode

•The transaxle will automatically upshift from first to
second gear and from second to third gear when
engine speed reaches about 6,300 RPM.
•Downshifts from third to second gear above 74 mph
(119 km/h) and from second to first gear above
41 mph (66 km/h) will be ignored.
•Starting out in third gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
•While in the Autostickmode, the Electronic Speed
Control will only function in third or fourth gear.
Downshifting out of third gear will turn off the speed
control.
•Transaxle shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostick is engaged.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transaxle will revert to the automatic shift mode and
remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
•If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
Autostick mode and the transaxle will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

occurs the “TCS Indicator Light” located above the
instrument cluster odometer will flash. The system oper-
ates at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h).
A pushbutton at the center of the instrument panel,
below the radio, turns the Traction Control System ON or
OFF.
The system is always in the “ON” mode unless:
•The TCS OFF switch has been used to turn the system
off;
•There is a Anti-Lock Brake System malfunction;
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction;
•The system has been automatically deactivated to
prevent damage to the brake system due to overheated
brake temperatures.
NOTE: Extended heavy use of Traction Control may
cause the system to deactivate and turn on the “TCS
Indicator Light” located in the instrument cluster.
This is to prevent overheating of the brake system and is
a normal condition. The system will remain disabled for
about four minutes until the brakes have cooled. The
system will automatically reactivate and turn off the
“TCS Indicator Light.”
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, ice, or snow, turn
the Traction Control System off before attempting to
“rock” the vehicle free.
TCS OFF Switch5
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CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasoline containing Methanol or E85
Ethanol. Use of these blends may result in starting
and drivability problems and may damage critical
fuel system components.
Problems that result from using methanol gasoline or E85
Ethanol blends are not the responsibility of the manufac-
turer. While MTBE is an oxygenate made from Methanol,
it does not have the negative effects of Methanol.
E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles
Non-FFV vehicles are compatible with gasoline contain-
ing 10% ethanol (E10). Gasoline with higher ethanol
content may void the vehicle’s warranty.
If a Non-FFV vehicle is inadvertently fueled with E-85
fuel, the engine will have some or all of these symptoms:
•operate in a lean mode
•OBD II “Malfunction Indicator Light” on
•poor engine performance
•poor cold start and cold drivability
•increased risk for fuel system component corrosion
To fix a Non-FFV vehicle inadvertently fueled once with
E-85 perform the following:
•drain the fuel tank (see your authorized dealer)
•change the engine oil and oil filter
•disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the
engine controller memory
More extensive repairs will be required for prolonged
exposure to E-85 fuel.
5
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