2012 CHRYSLER 200 CONVERTIBLE heating system

•Avoid using speed control when AutoStickis en-
gaged.
•The transmission will automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while AutoStick is
engaged.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
•If the system detects a problem, it will disable the
AutoStick mode and the transmission will return to
the automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically 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 a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 319

Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
•City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
•Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
•Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel, below the radio.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning 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 is placed in the OFF 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 ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
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 conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove 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.
392 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark,
the instrument cluster will sound a chime. When
safe, pull over and stop the vehicle with the engine at
idle. Turn off the air conditioning and wait until the
pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark for more than a
minute, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Oil Overheating — 2.4L Engine Only (If
Equipped)
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes, the vehicle speed will be reduced to 53 mph
(85 km/h) until the engine oil temperature is reduced.
NOTE:Engine speed is reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) at
the maximum. You may of course, reduce your speed
further if needed.6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 393

front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), turn the system to Partial OFF
before attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer to “Elec-
tronic Brake Control” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 409

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 435

Door Locks, Automatic.................... 32
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 176
Driver’s Seat Back Tilt .................... 155
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 319
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 320
E-85 Fuel ............................. 368
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 194
Electric Remote Mirrors ................... 112
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 185
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 173
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 331
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 218
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 38
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 38
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 394 Jump Starting
....................... 404
Overheating ........................ 392
Towing ............................ 411
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 420
Engine ............................... 417
Air Cleaner ......................... 427
Block Heater ........................ 307
Break-In Recommendations .............. 80
Checking Oil Level ................... 423
Compartment ....................... 418
Compartment Identification ............. 418
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 436,466
Cooling ........................... 436
Exhaust Gas Caution ................82,368
Fuel Requirements ................. 364,465
Jump Starting ....................... 404
Oil ......................... 423,465,466
Oil Change Interval .............208,221,424
Oil Filler Cap .................... 417,425
498 INDEX

Oil Filter........................... 426
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 426
Oil Selection ..................... 424,465
Oil Synthetic ........................ 426
Overheating ........................ 392
Temperature Gauge ................... 202
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 425
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 64
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 365
Event Data Recorder ...................... 68
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 82,368
Exhaust System ....................... 82,433
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 57
Exterior Lights .......................... 85
Fabric Care ............................ 449
Filler Location Fuel .................... 202,372Filters
Air Cleaner ......................... 427
Air Conditioning .................. 298,430
Automatic Transmission ................ 445
Engine Oil ....................... 426,466
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 426
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 166
Flashers .............................. 392
Hazard Warning ..................... 392
Turn Signal .................... 85,166,463
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 371
Engine Oil ......................... 370
Fuel Requirements ................. 368,370
Maintenance ........................ 372
Replacement Parts .................... 371
Starting ........................... 371
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 306
Floor Console .......................... 190
10
INDEX 499