2009 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY stop start

•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don’t leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.
Installing the LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System:
Each vehicle, except commercial cargo vehicles, is
equipped with the child restraint anchorage system
called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren. Two LATCH child restraint anchor-
age systems are installed on all second-row seats and in
the center position on all third row fold-in-floor seats.
Second-row seats also feature tether strap anchorages,
located in the rear surface of the seatback. In addition, allthird row fold-in-floor seats are equipped with a child
restraint tether anchor at the center seating position.
We urge you to follow the manufacturer ’s directions
carefully when installing your child restraint. Many, but
not all restraint systems will be equipped with separate
straps on each side, with each having a hook or connec-
tor, and a means for adjusting the tension in the strap.
Forward facing toddler restraints and some rearward
facing infant restraints will also be equipped with a tether
strap, a hook and means for adjusting the tension in the
strap. Not all child restraint systems will be installed as
described here. Again, carefully follow the installation
instructions that are provided with the child restraint
system.
NOTE:
•When using the LATCH attaching system to install a
child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
2. Low Fuel LightWhen the fuel level reaches approximately 2.0 gal
(7.8 L) this light will turn on, and remain on until
fuel is added.
3. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light This light informs you of a problem with the
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system. The
light will come on when the ignition is first
turned ON and remain on briefly as a bulb
check. If the light does not come on during starting, have
the system checked by an authorized dealer.
If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the
engine is running. Cycle the ignition key when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is
placed in the PARK position, the light should turn off.
If the light remains lit with the engine running, your
vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an autho-
rized dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is
flashing when the engine is running, immediate service is
required and you may experience reduced performance,
an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle
may require towing.
4. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should come on when the
ignition switch is first turned ON and remain on briefly
as a bulb check. If the light stays on or comes on while
driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential
electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at idle). If
the charging system light remains on, it means that the
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 245

illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use tire sealant from a can, or
balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
6. Oil Pressure Warning Light This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the engine
is started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 247

20. Airbag Warning LightThis light turns on and remains on for seven
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not on
during starting, stays on, or turns on while
driving, have the system inspected by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
21. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”
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
the “H” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call an authorized deal-
ership for service.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 253

NOTE:When this message is displayed, bring the
vehicle to a stop and idle the engine until the message
clears.
CHAngE OIL
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The CHAngE OILmessage will flash in
the instrument cluster odometer for approximately
12 seconds, after a single chime has sounded, to indicate
the next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil
change indicator system is duty cycle-based, which
means the engine oil change interval may fluctuate
dependent upon your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the Trip / Odometer Display reset button on the instrument cluster. To reset the oil change indicator
system (after performing the scheduled maintenance),
perform the following steps.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:
If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the engine, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat these steps.
25. Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
U.S. federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
256 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Jump backward in the current track by pressing and
holding the < button long enough will take you to the beginning
of the current track.
•Jump forward in the current track by pressing and
holding the FF>> button.
•A single press backward << RWor forward FF>> will
jump backward or forward respectively, for five
seconds.
•Use the << SEEKandSEEK >> buttons to jump to the
previous or next track. If the << SEEKbutton is
pressed during the first two seconds of the track, it will
jump to the previous track in the list; if you press this
button at any other time in the track, it will jump to the
beginning of the track. If you press the SEEK>>
button during play mode, it will jump to the next track
in the list.
•While a track is playing, press the INFObutton to see
the associated metadata (artist, track title, album, etc.)
for that track. Pressing the INFObutton again jumps
to the next screen of data for that track. Once you have
seen all screens, the last INFObutton press will take
you back to the play mode screen on the radio.
•Pressing the REPEATbutton will change the iPod
mode to repeat the current playing track.
•Press the SCANbutton to use iPod scan mode, which
will play the first five seconds of each track in the
current list and then forward to the next song. To stop
SCAN mode and start playing the desired track, when
it is playing the track, press the SCANbutton again.
During Scan mode, you can also press the << SEEK
and SEEK >> buttons to select the previous and next
tracks.
•RND button (available on sales code RES radio only):
Pressing this button toggles between Shuffle ON and
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 299

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Move the shift lever into PARK only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Do not move the shift lever from REVERSE,
PARK, or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when
the engine is above idle speed.
•Before moving the shift lever into any gear, make
sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE: You must press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK.
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 shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to any other
switch position (ACC, ON, or START) (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 337

Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
For electrical system malfunctions, there is an override
for the interlock system. In order to override this system,
remove the cover located to the top right of the shift lever
in the instrument panel. The override can be activated by
pressing the white-colored tab, which can be accessed
through the hole in the instrument panel. While the
override is pressed, the shift lever can be moved out of
the PARK position without pressing the brake pedal.
After operation, return the cover to its original position.
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents moving the
shift lever out of PARK, unless the key is in the ACC/ON
position, and the brake pedal is pressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Four-Speed or Six-Speed Automatic Transaxle
NOTE:
Under extreme cold temperatures (-10°F (-23°C)
and when in DRIVE, transmission operation may be
briefly limited to only second gear operation. Normal
operation will resume once the transmission temperature
has risen to a suitable level.
The electronically-controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self-
calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle
may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles
(kilometers).
The transaxle has only PRND shift positions. Downshifts
are carried out by an Electronic Range Select (ERS) by
338 STARTING AND OPERATING