2012 CHRYSLER 200 heating

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, put transaxle in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.
386 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
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 a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.
NOTE: The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of
53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 387

10. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote posi-
tive(+)battery post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the 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.
402 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the cupholder liner.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 403

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 427

Oil Selection..................... 416,455
Oil Synthetic ........................ 418
Overheating ........................ 386
Starting ........................... 294
Temperature Gauge ................... 194
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 417
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 68
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 361
Event Data Recorder ...................... 71
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 86,364
Exhaust System ....................... 86,425
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 57
Exterior Lights .......................... 89
Fabric Care ............................ 442
Filler Location Fuel .................... 194,368Filters
Air Cleaner ......................... 419
Air Conditioning .................. 286,422
Automatic Transmission ................ 438
Engine Oil ....................... 418,456
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 418
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 153
Flashers .............................. 386
Hazard Warning ..................... 386
Turn Signal ....................... 89,453
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 368
Engine Oil ......................... 367
Fuel Requirements ................. 365,366
Maintenance ........................ 368
Replacement Parts .................... 368
Starting ........................... 367
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 295
Floor Console .......................... 182
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INDEX 491

Occupant Restraints..................... 64,68
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .........40,61,62,64,67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 360
Odometer ............................. 198
Trip ........................... 198,201
Oil Change Indicator .................. 200,212
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............200,212
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 418
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 418
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 196
Oil, Engine ......................... 415,456
Capacity ........................... 455
Change Interval ................ 200,212,416
Checking .......................... 415
Dipstick ........................... 415
Disposal ........................... 418
Filter .......................... 418,456
Filter Disposal ....................... 418
Identification Logo ................... 416 Materials Added to
................... 418
Recommendation .................. 416,455
Synthetic .......................... 418
Viscosity ........................ 417,455
Onboard Diagnostic System .............. 411,412
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 164
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Overheating, Engine ...................... 386
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,481
Paint Care ............................. 438
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 322
Passing Light ........................... 153
Personal Settings ........................ 219
Pets .................................. 84
Phone, Cellular ......................... 100
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) ............. 100
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 337
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INDEX 497