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The blower fan speed can be set to any fixed speed by
adjusting the blower control. The fan will now operate at
a fixed speed until additional speeds are selected. This
allows the front occupants to control the volume of air
circulated in the vehicle and cancel the Auto mode.
The operator can also select the direction of the airflow
by selecting one of the available mode settings. A/C
operation and Recirculation control can also be manually
selected in Manual operation.
NOTE:Each of these features operates independently
from each other. If any feature is controlled manually,
temperature control will continue to operate automati-
cally.
Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
A solution of 50% OAT (Organic Additive Technology)
coolant that meets the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS.90032 and 50% water is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
Vacation Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
368 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................393
▫Automatic Transmission................393
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go™..................394
▫Normal Starting.......................394
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or
−29°C).............................396
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................396
▫After Starting........................398
!ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .398
!AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............398
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............400
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .400
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission.......401
!AUTOSTICK..........................408
▫Operation...........................408
!SPORT MODE — WITHOUT PERFORMANCE
CONTROL............................411
!ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED . .411
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........412
▫Acceleration.........................412
▫Traction............................413
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!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............414
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................414
▫Shallow Standing Water.................414
!ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.............416
!FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED..................417
!PARKING BRAKE......................418
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................420
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .421
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............421
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............423
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............424
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........425
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................428
▫Ready Alert Braking...................430
▫Rain Brake Support....................430
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................431
▫Synchronizing ESC....................432
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............432
▫Tire Markings........................432
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........436
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........437
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........439
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........444
▫Tire Pressure........................444
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................446
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .447
390 STARTING AND OPERATING
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▫Radial Ply Tires......................447
▫Tire Types...........................448
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............450
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............450
▫Tire Spinning........................453
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................453
▫Life Of Tire.........................454
▫Replacement Tires.....................454
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......456
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....457
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .458
▫Premium System......................460
▫General Information...................464
!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................464
▫3.6L Engine — If Equipped...............464
▫5.7L Engine — If Equipped...............465
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................466
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............466
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......467
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................467
▫Materials Added To Fuel................468
▫Fuel System Cautions...................468
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............469
!FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED...........................470
▫E-85 General Information...............470
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▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................470
▫Fuel Requirements....................471
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.............472
▫Starting............................472
▫Cruising Range.......................472
▫Replacement Parts....................472
▫Maintenance........................473
!ADDING FUEL........................473
▫Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release.........476
!VEHICLE LOADING....................477
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............477
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......478
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........478
▫Overloading.........................478
▫Loading............................479
!TRAILER TOWING.....................479
▫Common Towing Definitions.............480
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............482
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................484
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............484
▫Towing Requirements..................486
▫Towing Tips.........................491
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................492
▫Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive......492
392 STARTING AND OPERATING
Page 395 of 638

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!
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the Key Fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the trans-
mission gear selector.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition (of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN
mode. A child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 393
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CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle
has come to a complete stop and the engine is at
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Key Fob
is in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the
ENGINE START/STOP button once.
394 STARTING AND OPERATING
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3. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to
the engine starting, push the button again.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/gear selector in PARK, then press
and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK, the
ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short presses in a row with the
vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain
in the ACC position until the shift lever/gear selector
is in PARK and the button is pressed twice to the OFF
position. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pressed
once, the DID will display a “Vehicle Not In Park”
message and the engine will remain running. Never
leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it could
roll.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
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