2009 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY sensor

Illuminated Vanity Mirrors — If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is located on the sun visor.
To use the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing
the mirror cover upward. The lights turn on automati-
cally. Closing the mirror cover turns off the lights.
BLIND SPOT MONITORING — IF EQUIPPED
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system uses two radar-
based sensors, located inside the rear bumper fascia, to
detect Highway licensable vehicles (automobiles, trucks,
motorcycles etc.) that enter the blind spot zones from the
rear/front/side of the vehicle.
Illuminated Mirror
Rear Detection Zones
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

When the vehicle is started, the BSM warning light will
be momentarily illuminated in both outside rear view
mirrors to let the driver know that the system is opera-
tional. The BSM system sensors operate when the vehicle
is in any forward gear or REVERSE and enters stand by
mode when the vehicle is in PARK.
The BSM detection zone covers approximately one lane
on both sides of the vehicle (11 ft or 3.35 m). The zone
starts at the outside rear view mirror and extends ap-
proximately 20 ft (6 m) to the rear of the vehicle. The BSM
system monitors the detection zones on both sides of the
vehicle when the vehicle speed has reached approxi-
mately 6 mph (10 km/h) or higher and will alert the
driver of vehicles in these areas.NOTE:
•The BSM system does NOT alert the driver about
rapidly approaching vehicles that are outside the
detection zones.
•The BSM system detection zone DOES NOT change if
your vehicle is towing a trailer. Therefore, visually
verify the adjacent lane is clear for both your vehicle
and trailer before making a lane change. If the trailer
or other object (i.e., bicycle, sports equipment) extends
beyond the side of your vehicle, this may result in the
BSM warning light remaining illuminated the entire
time the vehicle is in a forward gear.3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107

The area on the rear fascia where the radar sensors are
located must remain free of snow, ice, and dirt/road
contamination so that the BSM system can function
properly. Do not block the area of the rear fascia where
the radar sensors are located with foreign objects
(bumper stickers, bicycle racks, etc.).The BSM system notifies the driver of objects in the
detection zones by illuminating the BSM warning light
located in the outside mirrors.
The BSM system can also be configured to sound an
audible (chime) alert and mute the radio to notify the
Sensor Locations
BSM Warning Light
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:In a parking lot situation, oncoming vehicles can
be obscured by vehicles parked on either side. If the
sensors are blocked by other structures or vehicles, the
system will not be able to alert the driver.
When RCP is on and the vehicle is in REVERSE, the
driver is alerted using both the visual and audible
alarms, including radio muting.
WARNING!
RCP is not a Back Up Aid system. It is intended to be
used to help a driver detect an oncoming vehicle in a
parking lot situation. Drivers must be careful when
backing up, even when using RCP. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, look behind you, and
be sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other
vehicles, obstructions, and blind spots before back-
ing up. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.
Modes Of Operation
Three selectable modes of operation are available in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)
under Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
Section 4.
Blind Spot Alert
When operating in Blind Spot Alert mode, the BSM
system will provide a visual alert in the appropriate side
view mirror based on a detected object. However, when
the system is operating in RCP, the system will respond
with both visual and audible alerts when a detected
object is present. Whenever an audible alert is requested,
the radio is muted.
Blind Spot Alert Lights/Chime
When operating in Blind Spot Alert Lights/Chime, the
BSM system will provide a visual alert in the appropriate
side view mirror based on a detected object. If the turn
114 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
Rain Sensing Wipers — If Equipped
This feature senses moisture on the windshield and
automatically activates the wipers for the driver. This
feature is especially useful for road splash or overspray
from the windshield washers of the vehicle ahead. Rotate
the end of the multifunction lever to one of the five
intermittent wiper sensitivity settings to activate this
feature.The sensitivity of the system is adjustable from the
multifunction lever. Wiper sensitivity position 3 has been
calibrated for best overall wiping sensitivity. If the opera-
tor desires more wiping sensitivity, they may select
sensitivity positions 4 or 5. If the operator desires less
wiping sensitivity, they may select sensitivity positions 2
or 1. Place the multifunction lever in the OFF position
when not using the system.
NOTE:•The rain sensing feature will not operate when the
wiper speed is in the low or high position.
•The rain sensing feature may not function properly
when ice or dried saltwater is present on the wind-
shield.
•Use of Rain-X
or products containing wax or silicone
may reduce rain sensor performance.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 189

Your vehicle may experience a downshift (automatic
transmissions only) while climbing uphill or descending
downhill. This downshift is necessary to maintain vehicle
set speed.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur, so
it may be preferable to drive without Electronic Speed
Control.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions, and you
could lose control. An accident could be the result.
Do not use Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic
or on roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered, or
slippery.
REAR PARK ASSIST — IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist provides visible and audible indi-
cations of the distance between the rear fascia and the
detected obstacle, when backing up. When backing up,
you should also use the inside rearview and outside
mirrors.
The Rear Park Assist will remember the last system state
(enabled or disabled) from the last ignition cycle, when
the ignition is changed to the RUN/ON position.
The Rear Park Assist can be active only when the shift
lever is in REVERSE. When in REVERSE, the system
scans for objects behind the vehicle, using four sensors
located in the rear bumper.
NOTE:The system will be active until the vehicle speed
is increased to approximately 11 mph (18 km/h) or
above. The system will be active again if the vehicle
speed is decreased to speeds less than approximately
10 mph (16 km/h).
196 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rear Park Assist Sensors
The four Rear Park Assist sensors, located in the rear
fascia, monitor the area behind the vehicle that is within
the sensors’ field of view. The monitored area seems oval
in shape. The sensors can detect obstacles from approxi-
mately 11.8 in (30 cm) up to 78.7 in (200 cm) from the rear
fascia in the horizontal direction, depending on the
location and orientation of the obstacle and the type of
obstacle.
Rear Park Assist Warning Display
The Rear Park Assist Warning Display, located in the
headliner near the liftgate glass, provides both visible
and audible warnings to indicate the distance between
the rear fascia and the detected obstacle.When the ignition switch is turned to the RUN/ON
position, the warning display will turn on all of its LEDs
for about one second. Each side of the warning display
has six yellow and two red LED lights, one set to warn of
obstacles behind the left rear of the vehicle and the other
set to warn of obstacles behind the right rear of the
vehicle. The vehicle is close to the obstacle when the red
LED is illuminated.Rear Park Assist LED Lights
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 197

WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up, even
when using the Rear Park Assist. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, and be sure to check
for pedestrians, animals, other vehicles, obstruc-
tions, or blind spots before backing up. You are
responsible for the safety of your surroundings
and must continue to pay attention while backing
up. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or
death.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Before using the Rear Park Assist, it is strongly
recommended that the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly be disconnected from the vehicle, when
the vehicle is not used for towing. Failure to do so
can result in injury or damage to vehicles or
obstacles, because the hitch ball will be much
closer to the obstacle than the rear fascia when the
warning display turns the red LEDs on. Also, the
sensors could detect the ball mount and hitch ball
assembly, depending on its size and shape, giving
a false indication that an obstacle is behind the
vehicle.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 199