2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE traction control

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 260
▫ Acceleration ........................ 260
▫ Traction ........................... 260
 Driving Through Water ................. 261
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 261
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 261
 Power Steering ....................... 263
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 264
 Parking Brake ........................ 264
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 267
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 269
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 269
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 270▫
Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 270
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 271
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 273
 Tire Safety Information ................. 277
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 277
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 280
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 281
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 282
 Tires — General Information ............. 286
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 286
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 287
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 289
▫ Compact Spare Tire ................... 289
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
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.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

•the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
•brake pedal pulsations,
•and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals. All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type, and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad-
vanced electronic brake control system that includes
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System
(TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start Assist (HSA),
and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). All systems work
together to enhance vehicle stability and control in vari-
ous driving conditions and are commonly referred to as
ESC.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 269

help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in “Starting and
Operating” for further information.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability. A feature of the TCS system functions similar to
a limited slip differential and controls the wheel spin
across a driven axle. If one wheel on a driven axle is
spinning faster than the other, the system will apply the
brake of the spinning wheel. This will allow more engine
torque to be applied to the wheel that is not spinning.
This feature remains active even if TCS and ESC are in
the “Partial Off” mode. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Control (ESC)” in this section of this manual.
Brake Assist System (BAS)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
•The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user ’s safety
or the safety of others.
Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver in
launching a vehicle on an incline. HSA will maintain the
level of brake pressure the driver inputs for a short
duration once the driver takes his foot off of the brake
pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle during this
short duration, the system will release brake pressure
and the vehicle will roll down the incline. The system will
release brake pressure in proportion to the amount of
throttle applied.
During operation, HSA will activate the brake control
system and a clicking noise may occur. If your foot is on
the brake pedal during operation you may feel a slight
pedal movement. The clicking and pedal movement is
normal and both will stop when HSA becomes inactive.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 271

path does not match the intended path, ESC applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the oversteer or understeer condition
•Over-steer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Under-steer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
ESC Off Indicator Light
The “ESC Off Indicator Light” (located in the
instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes
active. The “ESC Off Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Off Indicator
Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
WARNING!
•The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions.
•ESC cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents.
•The capabilities of an ESC-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 433

Lights On Reminder.................... 124
Low Fuel ............................ 159
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 170
Map Reading ......................... 129
Oil Pressure .......................... 160
Park ............................ 123,124
Passing ............................. 128
Rear Tail ............................ 398
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 159
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 18
Service ............................. 394
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 166
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........168,295
Traction Control ....................... 274
Turn Signal ............. 81,123,128,166,396,398
Voltage ............................. 159
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 158
Loading Vehicle ...................... 316,317
Capacities ........................... 317 Tires ............................... 282
Locks ................................. 29
Auto Unlock .......................... 31
Automatic Door ........................ 31
Door ................................ 29
Power Door ........................... 30
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 295
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) ............................ 70,72
Lubrication, Body ....................... 364
Lumbar Support ........................ 116
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 360
Maintenance, General ..................... 355
Maintenance Procedures ................... 355
Maintenance Schedule .................... 408
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 170,353
Manual, Service ......................... 431
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 129
446 INDEX