2009 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER warning

When the appropriate conditions exist, the EVIC displays
the following messages:
•Turn Signal On (with a continuous warning chime)
•Left Front Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single chime)
•Left Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single chime)
•Right Front Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
•Right Rear Turn Signal Lamp Out (with a single
chime)
•RKE Battery Low (with a single chime)
•Personal Settings Not Available – Vehicle Not In
(automatic transmission) or Vehicle Is In Motion
(manual transmission).
•Left/Right Front Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime, if speed is above 1 mph)
•Left/Right Rear Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime, if speed is above 1 mph)
•Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime, if vehicle is in
motion)
•Trunk Ajar (with a single chime)
•Headlights On
•Key In Ignition
EVIC Functions
Press the EVIC button until one of the following func-
tions are displayed on the EVIC:
•Compass/Temperature/Audio
•Average Fuel Economy
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
•Elapsed Time
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never 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 seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transaxle — If Equipped
Before starting the engine, fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and place the shift lever
into NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
and press the shift lever knob button before shifting to
any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of PARK.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine has not
started within three seconds, slightly press the accelera-
tor pedal while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to
start within 15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure above.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
axle 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 discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from another vehicle.
This type of start can be dangerous if done improp-
erly, so follow the procedure carefully. Refer to
Section 6 of this manual for jump-starting instruc-
tions.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below20°F or29°C)
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 The Engine Fails To Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” procedure, it may be flooded. Push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it
there. Crank the engine for no more than 15 seconds. This
should clear any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
Leave the ignition key in the ON position, release the
accelerator pedal and repeat the “Normal Starting” pro-
cedure.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 225

CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
Turbocharger\bCool-Down\b
NOTE:Letting the engine idle after severe operation
allows the turbine housing to cool to normal operating
temperature. Do not increase the idle speed manually.
The following chart should be used as a guide in deter-
mining the amount of engine idle time required to
sufficiently cool down the turbocharger before shut-
down, depending upon the type of driving and the
amount of cargo.
TURBOCHARGER \bCOOL-DOWN\bCHART
Driving Conditions Idle Before Shutdown
Normal 0 min
Aggressive/Heavy Load 3 min
Trailer Tow 5 min
MANUAL TRANSAXLE — IF EQUIPPED
Five–Speed Manual Transaxle
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle,
especially on an incline.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip a gear while downshifting or downshift
at too high of an engine speed, you could damage the
engine, transmission, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to second or first gear when descending a steep
grade.
When turning a corner, or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be
overburdened.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE — IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only move the shift lever
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
You must step on the brake pedal and press the shift lever
knob button before you will be able to shift out of PARK.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 229

NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit an authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, and then move the
shift lever into the PARK position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the key
is removed from the ignition, the shift lever is locked
in the PARK position, securing the vehicle against
unwanted movement. Furthermore, you should never
leave unattended children inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the shift lever into the PARK position:
•When moving the shift lever into PARK, press the
button on the shift lever knob and firmly move the
lever all the way forward until it stops.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the PARK position.
•When engaged in PARK, you will not be able to move
the shift lever rearward without pressing the lever
knob button.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of PARK, you must
turn the ignition from LOCK to ON, so the steering
wheel and shift lever are released. Otherwise, dam-
age to the steering column or shift lever could result.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
This range is used when vehicle is standing for pro-
longed periods with engine running. Engine may be
started in this range. Set the parking brake if you must
leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
DRIVE/OVERDRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and best fuel economy.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 233

WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 237