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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
fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The
Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear
windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes objectionable, increase blower
speed to improve airflow and clearing of the side win-
dows. Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild
but rainy or humid weather.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 347
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................369
▫Automatic Transmission................369
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go™..................370
▫Normal Starting.......................370
▫Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or−29°C)................372
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................372
▫After Starting........................374
!ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .374
!AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............374
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............376
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .376
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission.......377
!AUTOSTICK..........................384
▫Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters Or
Console Mounted Shifter................384
!DRIVE MODES........................387
▫Launch Mode — If Equipped.............392
▫Guidelines For Track Use................394
5
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!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........397
▫Acceleration.........................397
▫Traction............................398
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............398
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................398
▫Shallow Standing Water.................399
!POWER STEERING — 6.4L ENGINE.........400
!POWER STEERING — 6.2L SUPERCHARGED
ENGINE.............................401
!FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY —
IF EQUIPPED..........................402
!PARKING BRAKE......................403
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................405
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .406
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............406
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............409
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............409
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........410
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................414
▫Ready Alert Braking...................415
▫Rain Brake Support....................416
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................416
▫Synchronizing ESC....................417
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............418
▫Tire Markings........................418
366 STARTING AND OPERATING
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▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........421
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........423
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........424
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........429
▫Tire Pressure........................429
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................430
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .432
▫Radial Ply Tires......................432
▫Tire Types...........................433
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............435
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............435
▫Tire Spinning........................438
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................438
▫Life Of Tire.........................439
▫Replacement Tires.....................439
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......441
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....442
▫Tire Rotation.........................443
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .443
▫Premium System......................446
▫General Information...................450
!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................450
▫6.2L Supercharged And 6.4L Engine........450
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................451
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............451
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......452
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 367
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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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 369
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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.
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.
370 STARTING AND OPERATING
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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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 371
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ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF, ACC, RUN.
To change the ignition switch positions without starting
the vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:
1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to
change the ignition to the ACC position.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time
to change the ignition to the RUN position.
4. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time
to return the ignition to the OFF position.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or−29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
(Continued)
372 STARTING AND OPERATING