2011 CHRYSLER 200 automatic transmission

Auto Unlock On Exit
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature is en-
abled.
2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).
3. The transmission is in NEUTRAL or PARK.
4. The driver door is opened.
5. The doors were not previously unlocked.
6. The vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
Auto Unlock On Exit Programming
The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature can be
enabled or disabled as follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Personal Settings (Cus-
tomer-Programmable Features)” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
•For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition.
2. Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON/
RUN and then back to LOCK four times, ending up in the
LOCK position.
3. Press the power door unlock switch to unlock the
doors.
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

12. Tachometer
The silver area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (RPM x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
13. Shift Lever Indicator
The Shift Lever Indicator is self-contained within the
instrument cluster. It displays the gear position of the
automatic transmission.
NOTE:You must apply the brakes before shifting from
PARK.
14. Odometer Display/Trip Odometer Display
The odometer display shows the total distance the ve-
hicle has been driven. U.S. Federal regulations require
that upon transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify
to the purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. If your odometer needs to be repaired or
serviced, the repair technician should leave the odometer
reading the same as it was before the repair or service. If
s/he cannot do so, then the odometer must be set at zero,
and a sticker must be placed in the door jamb stating
what the mileage was before the repair or service. It is a
good idea for you to make a record of the odometer
reading before the repair/service, so that you can be sure
that it is properly reset, or that the door jamb sticker is
accurate if the odometer must be reset at zero.
The two trip odometers show individual trip mileage. To
switch from odometer to trip odometers, press and
release the Trip Odometer button. To reset a trip odom-
eter, display the desired trip odometer to be reset then
push and hold the button until the display resets (ap-
proximately 2 seconds). Refer to “Trip Odometer Button”
for additional information.
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 288
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 288
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 288
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 289
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 289
▫ After Starting ....................... 291
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 291
Automatic Transmission ................. 292
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
Systems ........................... 293
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 293
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 294
▫ Four-Speed/Six-Speed Automatic
Transmission ....................... 294
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 294
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 298
▫ Operation ......................... 298
5

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.
288 STARTING AND OPERATING

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift the shift lever into PARK only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
•Shift the shift lever 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 the shift lever from REVERSE, PARK,
or NEUTRAL into any forward gear when the
engine is above idle speed.
•Before shifting 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 the shift lever 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 right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
(Continued)
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the
key from the ignition, and apply the parking
brake. Once the key is removed from the ignition,
the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave children un-
attended inside a vehicle.
Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
Systems
These systems prevent the key fob from being removed
unless the shift lever is in PARK. They also prevent
shifting out of PARK unless the ignition switch is in the
ON or START position and the brake pedal is applied.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the key to the LOCK position. The key
can only be removed from the ignition when the ignition
is in the LOCK position. Once the key is removed, the
shift lever is locked in PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition switch lock 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 293

Brake/Transmission 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 the ON or
START position (engine running or not) and the brake
pedal must be pressed.
Four-Speed/Six-Speed Automatic Transmission
The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission 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.
Gear Ranges
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
Shift Lever
294 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVE 3 — Four-Speed Transmission
This range eliminates shifts into fourth gear. The trans-
mission will operate normally in first and second gear.
Shifts into third gear may be delayed to provide second
gear operation at higher speeds. The3range should
also be used when descending steep grades to prevent
brake system distress
NOTE: Using the 3range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build-up.
LOW — Four-Speed Transmission
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
CAUTION!
If the transmission operating temperature exceeds
acceptable limits, the vehicle computer may override
the manually selected gear position by changing shift
points. This is done to prevent transmission damage
due to overheating.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transmission
The transmission is monitored electronically for abnor-
mal conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transmission automatically shifts into sec-
ond gear (third gear for six–speed). The transmission
remains in second gear (third gear for six–speed) despite
the forward gear selected. PARK, REVERSE, and NEU-
TRAL will continue to operate. The Reset feature allows
the vehicle to be driven to a dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 297