2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY warning

BRAKE- Brake Warning Light
• The Brake Warning light illuminates when there is either a system malfunction or theparking brake is applied. If the light is on and the parking brake is not applied, it indicates
a possible brake hydraulic malfunction, brake booster problem or an Anti-Lock Brake
System problem.
• Please have your vehicle serviced immediately.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is dangerous. Part of the brake system may
have failed. It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have a collision. Have the
vehicle checked immediately.
- Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
• Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on
through several typical driving cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally
and not require towing.
• If the MIL flashes when the engine is running, serious conditions may exist that could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic converter damage. We recommend you do
not operate the vehicle. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Indicator Light/Brake Assist System
(BAS) Warning Light
• If the ESC/BAS warning light comes on continuously with the engine running, a malfunction has been detected.
• If this light remains on after several ignition cy cles, and the vehicle has been driven several
miles (kilometers) at speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), we recommend you drive to
the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Charging System Light
• This light shows the status of the electrical charging system. If the charging system light remains on, it means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with the charging system.
• We recommend you do not continue driving if the charging system light is on. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Oil Pressure Warning Light
• This light indicates low engine oil pressure. If the light turns on while driving, stop thevehicle and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will sound for four minutes
when this light turns on.
• We recommend you do not operate the vehicle or engine damage will occur. Have the vehicle serviced immediately.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
88

- Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light
• This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, we recommendyou drive to the nearest service center and have the vehicle serviced immediately.
- Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
• This light informs you of a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system.
• If a problem is detected, the light will come on while the engine is running. Cycle theignition when the vehicle has completely stopped and the shift lever is placed in the
PARK position; the light should turn off.
• If the light remains lit with the engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable; however, see an authorized service center immediately. If the light is flashing when the
engine is running, immediate service is required and you may experience reduced
performance, an elevated/rough idle or engine stall and your vehicle may require towing.
- Air Bag Warning Light
• If the light is not on during starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, have the vehicleserviced by an authorized service center immediately.
Fuel Cap/Loose Gas Cap Message
• If a “gas cap” message (shown as gASCAP) appears, tighten the gas cap until a “clicking”sound is heard.
• Press the odometer reset button to turn the message off.
• If the message continues to appear for more than three days after tightening the gas cap, see your authorized service center.
Oil Change Indicator
Message
• If an “oil change” message (shown as CHAnGE OIL) appears and a single chime sounds,it is time for your next required oil change.
Resetting The Light After Servicing
Vehicles Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go™
• Without pressing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE START/STOP button and cycle theignition to the ON/RUN position (Do not start the engine.)
• Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times within 10 seconds.
• Without pressing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to return the ignition to the OFF/LOCK position.
Vehicles Not Equipped With Keyless Enter-N-Go™
• Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position (Do not start the engine.)
• Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times within 10 seconds.
• Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
89

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
• In any of the following situations, you can reduce the potential for overheating by takingthe appropriate action.
• 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.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge
reads 240°F (116 °C) or greater pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back into the normal range 200–230°F
(93–110°C). If the pointer remains at 240°F (116°C) or greater and you hear a chime, 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
90

Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Set the parking brake.
4. Place the shift lever into PARK.
5. Turn OFF the ignition.
NOTE:Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
• Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally opposite the jacking position.
For example, if changing the right front
tire, block the left rear wheel.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
95

WARNING!
• Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull farenough off the road to avoid the danger of being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You could be crushed. Never put any part of your body under a vehicle that is on
a jack. If you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service center where it can be
raised on a lift.
• Never start or run the engine while the vehicle is on a jack.
• The jack is designed to be used as a tool for changing tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should be jacked on a firm level
surface only. Avoid ice or slippery areas.
• Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the edge of the roadway as possible before raising the vehicle.
• Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in REVERSE.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely careful of motor traffic.
• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated, are securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the valve stem facing the ground.
• Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough to remove the tire.
• To avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten the wheel nuts fully until the vehicle has been lowered. Failure to follow this warning may result in personal
injury.
• A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or hard stop could endanger the occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the places
provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immediately.
• Verify that both retainer tabs of the wheel spacer have been properly extended through the center of the wheel and spare tire/cover assembly. Failure to properly engage both
retainer tabs could result in loss of the spare tire and cover assembly, which will cause
vehicle damage and may cause loss of vehicle control.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
100

• Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable from the positive (+)post of the
discharged vehicle.
• If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle you should have the battery and charging system inspected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
• Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other booster source with a systemvoltage greater than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor, alternator or
electrical system may occur.
• Failure to follow these procedures could result in damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle or the discharged vehicle.
• 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.
WARNING!
• When temperatures are below the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery mayfreeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because the battery could rupture or explode and
cause personal injury. Battery temperature must be brought above freezing point before
attempting a jump-start.
• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be injured by moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry, such as watch bands or bracelets, that might make an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be severely injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or sparks away from the battery.
• Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could establish a ground connection and personal injury could result.
• Failure to follow this procedure could result in personal injury or property damage due to battery explosion.
• Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-)of the discharged battery. The
resulting electrical spark could cause the battery to explode and could result in personal
injury.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
102

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
• If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it can often be moved by a rockingmotion. Turn your steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the front wheels.
Then, move the shift lever back and forth between REVERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal
accelerator pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels, is
most effective.
NOTE:If your vehicle is equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Traction
Control
, turn the system off before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving between REVERSE and DRIVE, 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 generated by excessive wheel speeds may
cause tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do not spin your
vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) when you are stuck. Do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
105

OPENING THE HOOD
• Pull the hood release lever located on theinstrument panel, below the steering
column.
• Raise the hood and locate the safety catch lever, in the middle of the hood opening.
• Move the safety latch while lifting the hood at the same time.
• Insert the support rod into the slot on the hood.
• To close the hood, remove the support rod and place it in the retaining clip, then
lower the hood slowly.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched,
it could open when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision. Failure to follow this
warning could result in serious injury or death.
ADDING FUEL
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
• The gas cap is located behind the fuelfiller door on the left side of the vehicle. If
the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure the
replacement cap is for use with this
vehicle.
• When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel tank is full.
• Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound. This is an indication that
the gas cap is properly tightened. If not
properly tightened, the MIL (Malfunction
Indicator Light) may come on.
NOTE:The driver’s side sliding door cannot be opened while the fuel door is open.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
107