2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 238
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 238
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 238
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below 20°F Or 29°C)............... 239
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 239
▫ After Starting ....................... 240
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 241
Automatic Transmission ................. 241
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 243
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 243
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System ............................ 244
▫ Four-Speed/Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission ....................... 244
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 244
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AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 248
▫ Operation ......................... 248
▫ General Information .................. 249
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 250
▫ Acceleration ........................ 250
▫ Traction ........................... 250
 Driving Through Water ................. 251
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 251
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 251
 Power Steering ....................... 253
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 253
 Parking Brake ........................ 254
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 256
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 259
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 259
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 259
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 260
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 261
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 263
 Tire Safety Information ................. 266
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 266
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 270
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 271
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 272
 Tires — General Information ............. 276
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 276
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▫Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 277
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 279
▫ Compact Spare Tire ................... 279
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 280
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 281
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 282
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 282
 Tire Chains .......................... 283
 Snow Tires .......................... 284
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 284
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 285
▫ Base System ........................ 288
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 290▫
General Information .................. 293
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 294
▫ 2.4L And 2.7L Engine ................. 294
▫ 3.5L Engine ........................ 294
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 295
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 295
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 296
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 297
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 297
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 297
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 298
 Flexible Fuel (2.7L Only) — If Equipped ..... 299
▫ E85 General Information ............... 299
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STARTING AND OPERATING 235

▫Ethanol Fuel (E85) ................... 301
▫ Fuel Requirements ................... 301
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E85) And Gasoline Vehicles ...... 302
▫ Starting ........................... 302
▫ Cruising Range ...................... 302
▫ Replacement Parts ................... 303
▫ Maintenance ........................ 303
 Adding Fuel ......................... 303
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 303
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message .............. 305
Vehicle Loading ...................... 305
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 305
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 306
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 306
▫ Overloading ........................ 306
▫ Loading ........................... 307
 Trailer Towing ........................ 307
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 308
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 310
▫ Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 311
236 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 312
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 313
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 317 
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 318
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ........................... 318
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STARTING AND OPERATING 237

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle 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 seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
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:
The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting out of
PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start (Four-Speed
Transmission), turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
For vehicles equipped with Tip Start (Six-Speed Trans-
mission), turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter
238 STARTING AND OPERATING

motor will continue to run, and it will disengage auto-
matically when the engine is running. If the engine fails
to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
Without Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
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STARTING AND OPERATING 239