2015 CHRYSLER 200 automatic transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................448
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .448
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or
29°C) ............................ .449
▫ Extended Park Starting ..................449
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................450
▫ After Starting ....................... .451
 STOP/START SYSTEM — 2.4L ENGINE .......451
▫ Automatic Mode .....................451 ▫
Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not
AUTOSTOP .........................452
▫
To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode . .453
▫To Manually Turn Off The Stop/Start System . .455
▫To Manually Turn On The Stop/Start System . .455
▫ System Malfunction ...................455
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .456
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............457
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............459
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▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .459
▫ Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission ........460
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ .461
 PADDLE SHIFT MODE — IF EQUIPPED .....468
▫ Operation ......................... .468
 ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED . .470
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........471
▫ Acceleration ........................ .471
▫ Traction ........................... .471
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............472
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................472
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................472
 POWER STEERING .....................474 
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE (EPB) .........475
▫ Auto Park Brake ..................... .479
▫ Safehold ........................... .480
▫ Brake Service Mode ...................480
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .481
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .482
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............482
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............485
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ..........485
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............486
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........487
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................490
▫ Ready Alert Braking ...................491
444 STARTING AND OPERATING

With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting, “Extreme Cold WeatherandEx-
tended Park Starting procedures, it may be flooded. To
clear any excess fuel, press the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it. Then, cycle the ignition
switch to the START position and release it as soon as the
starter engages. The starter motor will disengage auto-
matically in 10 seconds. Once this occurs, release the
accelerator pedal, cycle the ignition to the LOCK posi-
tion, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
STOP/START SYSTEM — 2.4L ENGINE
The Stop/Start function is developed to save fuel and
reduce emissions. The system will stop the engine auto-
matically during a vehicle stop if the required conditions
are met. Releasing the brake pedal or pressing the
accelerator pedal on an automatic transmission will start
the engine.
Automatic Mode
The Stop/Start feature is enabled after every normal
customer engine start. It will remain in STOP/START
NOT READY until you drive forward with a vehicle
speed greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). At that time, the
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STARTING AND OPERATING 451

•Battery temperature is too warm or cold.
• The vehicle is on a steep grade.
• Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an accept-
able cabin temperature has not been achieved.
• HVAC is set to full defrost mode at a high blower
speed.
• Engine has not reached normal operating temperature.
• Battery charge is low.
• The transmission is not in DRIVE or NEUTRAL.
• Hood is open.
• HVAC set to MAX A/C.
• Brake pedal is not pressed with sufficient pressure. Other Factors Which Can Inhibit Autostop Include:
•
Fuel level.
• Accelerator pedal input.
• Engine temp too high.
It may be possible for the vehicle to be driven several
times without the STOP/START system going into a
STOP/START READY state under more extreme condi-
tions of the items listed above.
To Start The Engine While In Autostop Mode
While in DRIVE, the engine will start when the brake
pedal is released or the throttle pedal is depressed. The
transmission will automatically re-engage upon engine
restart. During this transition the brakes will hold the
vehicle to avoid undesired vehicle movement.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 453

NOTE:
•The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords
are available from your authorized MOPAR® dealer.
• The engine block heater will require 110 Volts AC and
6.5 Amps to activate the heater element.
• The engine block heater must be plugged in at least
one hour to have an adequate warming effect on the
engine.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
• Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle
speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 457

Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission is controlled using a rotary electronic
gear selector located on the center console. The transmis-
sion gear range (PRNDL/S) is displayed both above the
gear selector and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) or the Driver Information Display (DID).
To select a gear range, simply rotate the gear selector.
Push down on the gear selector and then rotate it, to
access the L or S position. You must also press the brake
pedal to shift the transmission out of PARK, or to shift
from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE when the
vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds (refer to
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Systemin this sec-
tion). To shift past multiple gear ranges at once (such as
PARK to DRIVE), simply rotate the gear selector to the
appropriate detent. Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving. 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).
Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
Standard Shifter
The standard transmission gear selector has PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and LOW shift positions.
Using the LOW position manually downshifts the trans-
mission to a lower gear based on vehicle speed.
460 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain, or traveling into strong headwinds), use the shift paddles (if equipped, refer to
Paddle Shift Mode
in this section for further informa-
tion) or the LOW range (if equipped) to select a lower
gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear range
will improve performance and extend transmission life
by reducing excessive shifting and heat buildup.
If the transmission operating temperature exceeds nor-
mal operating limits, the transmission controller may
modify the transmission shift schedule, reduce engine
torque, and/or expand the range of torque converter
clutch engagement. This is done to prevent transmission
damage due to overheating.
If the transmission becomes extremely hot, the Transmis-
sion Temperature Warning Light will illuminate, a warn-
ing message will appear in the EVIC/DID and the
transmission may operate differently until the transmis-
sion cools down.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 465

During cold temperatures, transmission operation may
be modified depending on engine and transmission
temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency. Engagement of the torque
converter clutch, and shifts into 8th or 9th gear, are
inhibited until the transmission fluid is warm (refer to the
“Note” under “Torque Converter Clutch” in this section).
Normal operation will resume once the transmission
temperature has risen to a suitable level.
SPORT (S) — IF EQUIPPED
This mode alters the transmission’s automatic shift
schedule for sportier driving. Upshift speeds are in-
creased to make full use of available engine power. To
access SPORT mode, push down on the gear selector and
rotate it fully clockwise.
LOW (L) — IF EQUIPPED
Use this range for engine braking when descending very
steep grades. In this range, the transmission will down-
shift for increased engine braking. To access the LOW
position, push down on the gear selector and rotate it
fully clockwise.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in a fixed gear, or may remain in NEUTRAL.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illumi-
nated. Limp Home Mode may allow the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service without dam-
aging the transmission.
466 STARTING AND OPERATING