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Pressing the VR hard-key while the system is speaking is
known as “barging in.” The system will be interrupted
and you can add or change commands. This will become
helpful once you start to learn the options.
NOTE:At any time, you can say the words CANCEL,
HELP, or MAIN MENU.
These commands are universal and can be used from any
menu. All other commands can be used depending upon
the active application.
For example, if you are in the disc menu and you are
listening to FM radio, you can speak commands from the
disc menu or from the FM radio menu.
When using this system, you should speak clearly and at
a normal speaking volume.
The system will best recognize your speech if the win-
dows are closed, and the heater/air-conditioning fan is
set to low. At any point, if the system does not recognize one of your
commands, you will be prompted to repeat it.
To hear the first available Menu, press the VR hard-key
and say HELP or MAIN MENU.
Commands
The Voice Recognition System understands two types of
commands. Global commands are available at all times.
Local commands are available if the supported radio
mode is active.
Changing the Volume
1. Start a dialogue by pressing the VR hard-key.
2. Say a command (e.g., HELP).
3. Use the ON/OFF VOLUME rotary knob to adjust the
volume to a comfortable level while the voice recognition
system is speaking. Please note the volume setting for VR
is different then the audio system.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 121
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Third Row Passenger Seats — Seven Passenger
Models
These head restraints are non-adjustable and non-
removable. However, you can fold them forward when
they are not in use by passengers. Refer to “50/50 Split
Third-Row Passenger Seats with Fold-Flat Feature” for
operating instructions.
WARNING!
Do not allow a passenger to sit in a third row seat
without having the head restraint unfolded and
locked in place. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury to the passenger in the event
of an accident.
Heated Seats — If Equipped
Heated seats provide comfort and warmth on cold days
and can help soothe sore muscles and backs. The heaters
provide the same heat level for both cushion and back.
The driver’s seat and front passenger’s seat are heated.
The controls for each heater are located in the switch
bank in the center of the instrument panel. After turning
ON the ignition, you can choose from High, Low, or Off
heat settings. Amber indicator lights in each switch
indicate the level of heat in use. Two indicator lights will
illuminate for high, one for low, and none for off.
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
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Press the switch once to select high-level heating. Press
the switch a second time to select low-level heating. Press
the switch a third time to shut OFF the heating elements.
If high level heating is selected, the system automatically
switches to low level heating and turns one indicator
light off after 30 minutes of continuous operation. It will
turn the heater and the remaining indicator light off after
an additional 30 minutes of continuous operation. If lowlevel heating is selected, the system automatically turns
the heater and the indicator light off after 30 minutes of
continuous operation.
NOTE:
Once a heat setting is selected, heat will be felt
within two to five minutes.
WARNING!
Persons who are unable to feel pain to the skin
because of advanced age, chronic illness, diabetes,
spinal cord injury, medication, alcohol use, exhaus-
tion or other physical condition must exercise care
when using the seat heater. It may cause burns even
at low temperatures, especially if used for long
periods. Do not place anything on the seat that
insulates against heat, such as a blanket or cushion.
This may cause the seat heater to overheat.Heated Seat Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .....................307
▫ Automatic Transaxle ...................308
▫ Normal Starting (Tip Start) ..............309
▫ Extremely Cold Weather
(Below 20°F Or 29°C)................309
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................310
▫ After Starting ........................311
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........311
Automatic Transaxle .....................276 ▫
Brake/Transaxle Interlock System ..........312
▫ Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System .............................313
▫ 4-Speed Or 6-Speed (AutoStick) Automatic
Transaxle ...........................313
AutoStick — If Equipped ................317
▫ AutoStick Operation..................318
▫ AutoStick General Information ...........318
All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped .......319
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Normal Starting (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do not press the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10
seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below 20°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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 309
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After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 311
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For best results, a refueling pattern that avoids alternat-
ing between E-85 and unleaded gasoline is recom-
mended.
When you do switch fuel types it is recommended that:
•you do not add less than 5 gal (19 L) when refueling
•you drive the vehicle immediately after refueling for at
least 5 miles (8 km)
Observing these precautions will avoid possible hard
starting and/or significant deterioration in driveability
during warm up.
NOTE: Use seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel (ASTM
D5798). With non-seasonally adjusted E-85 fuel you may
experience hard starting and rough idle following start
up even if the above recommendations are followed,
especially when the ambient temperature is below 32°F
(0°C).
Engine Block Heater (if equipped)
Block heater usage is beneficial for E-85 startability when
the ambient temperature is less than 32°F (0°C).
SELECTION OF ENGINE OIL FOR FLEXIBLE
FUEL VEHICLES (E-85) AND GASOLINE
VEHICLES
FFV vehicles operated on E–85 require specially formu-
lated engine oils. These special requirements are included
in Mopar engine oils, and in equivalent oils meeting
Chrysler Specification MS-6395. The manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Material Standard MS-6395. MS-6395
contains additional requirements, developed during ex-
tensive fleet testing, to provide additional protection to
the manufacturer’s engines. Use Mopar or an equivalent
oil meeting the specification MS-6395.
NOTE: Your engine oil filler cap also describes the
correct engine oil to use.
366 STARTING AND OPERATING
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The HAZARD switch is located in the instrument panel
switch bank above the climate controls.Push and release the switch to turn on the hazard
warning flashers. When the hazard warning is
activated, all directional turn signals will flash on
and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emergency. Push
and release the switch a second time to turn off the
flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
hazard warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position. NOTE:
With extended use, the hazard warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put the transaxle in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your Air Condition-
ing A/C system is on, turn it off. The A/C system adds
heat to the engine cooling system and turning off the
A/C system removes this heat. You can also turn the
Temperature control to maximum heat, the Mode control
to floor, and the Blower 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.
394 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES