2009 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE engine overheat

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is
located on the left side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading below the red area of the gauge shows
that the engine cooling system is operating properly. The
gauge pointer may show a higher than normal tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy stop and go traffic, or when towing a trailer.If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
4. Speedometer
Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour (MPH) and
kilometers per hour (km/h).
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9. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will come on for about six seconds. A chime
will sound if you have not pulled the shoulder belt
out of the retractor. This is a reminder to “buckle up”. If
you do not buckle up, the light will remain on.
10. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light will come on and remain on when the
ignition switch is turned from the OFF to the ON
position, and the light will turn off after the engine is
started. If the bulb does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine.DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
11. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a warning chime
will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the
engine will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
12. Tachometer
The silver area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
13. Shift Lever Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
shift lever selection.
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•Most of the time, when in Automatic Operation, you
can temporarily put the system into Recirculation
Mode by pressing the Recirculation Button. However,
under certain conditions, while in Automatic Mode,
the system is blowing air out the defrost vents. When
these conditions are present, and the Recirculation
Button is pressed, the indicator will flash and then
turn off. This tells you that you are unable to go into
recirculation mode at this time. If you would like the
system to go into Recirculation Mode, you must first
move the Mode Knob to Panel, Panel/Floor and then
press the Recirculation Button. This feature reduces
the possibility of window fogging.
Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months is
not recommended because it may cause window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower settings. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
260 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
Make sure all occupants have securely fastened their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended 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.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Be 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 gear selection lever or
by pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause
excessive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in
overheating and vehicle fire which may cause
serious or fatal injuries.
Normal Starting
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine does not require pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
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DRIVE3—4Speed Transaxle
This range eliminates shifts into fourth gear. The trans-
axle will operate normally in first and second gear. Shifts
into third gear may be delayed to provide second gear
operation at higher speeds. The3range should also be
used when descending steep grades to prevent brake
system distress
NOTE:Using the3range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transaxle life by reducing excessive
shifting and heat build-up.
LOW With 4–Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.CAUTION!
If the transaxle operating temperature exceeds ac-
ceptable limits, the vehicle computer will override
DRIVE (OVERDRIVE) and [5] for 6–Speed
AutoSticktransaxle and [3] for 4–Speed auto trans-
axle, range by changing shift points. This is done to
prevent transaxle damage due to overheating.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle automatically shifts into 2nd gear
(3rd gear for 6–speed). The transaxle remains in 2nd gear
(3rd gear for 6–speed) despite the forward gear selected.
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to oper-
ate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven to
a dealer for service without damaging the transaxle.
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NOTE:In Autostickmode, the transaxle will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the shift lever to the
Right (+) or Left (-).
AutoStickis deactivated when the shift lever is moved
from the AutoStick (+/-) position into the DRIVE
position.
General Information
•
You can start out in first or second gear. The system will
ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
•If a ratio other than 1st is selected, and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
•Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
•Avoid using speed control when Autostickis en-
gaged.
•The transaxle will automatically shift up when maximum
engine speed is reached while Autostickis engaged.
•Transaxle shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostickis engaged.
•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to over-speed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the transaxle will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however:
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
AutoStickmode and the transaxle will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
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It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada, because MMT can be used at levels
higher than those allowed in the United States.
MMT is prohibited in Federal and California reformu-
lated gasolines.
Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and they would result in additional cost.
Therefore, you should not have to add anything to the
fuel.
Fuel System Cautions
CAUTION!
Follow these guidelines to maintain your vehicle’s
performance:
•The use of leaded gas is prohibited by Federal law.
Using leaded gasoline can impair engine performance
and damage the emission control system.
•An out-of-tune engine, or certain fuel or ignition
malfunctions, can cause the catalytic converter to
overheat. If you notice a pungent burning odor or
some light smoke, your engine may be out of tune or
malfunctioning and may require immediate service.
Contact your authorized dealer for service assistance.
•The use of fuel additives, which are now being sold as
octane enhancers, is not recommended. Most of these
products contain high concentrations of methanol.
Fuel system damage or vehicle performance problems
resulting from the use of such fuels or additives is not
the responsibility of the manufacturer.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
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CAUTION!
Towing a trailer with a larger than recommended
frontal area could cause the engine to overheat or
cause severe engine damage under extreme condi-
tions.
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% of the Gross Trailer
Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear can cause
the trailer to swayseverelyside to side which will cause
loss of control of vehicle and trailer. Failure to load
trailers heavier in front is the cause of many trailer
accidents.
Never exceed the maximum trailer tongue weight
stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The trailer tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
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