2016 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY Owners Manual

coolant selection. Use of the air Recirculation mode
during Winter months is not recommended, because it
may cause window fogging.
Vacation/Storage
Before 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
fresh air with the blower setting on high. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild, rainy
and/or humid weather. To clear the windows, select
Defrost or Mix mode and increase the front blower speed.
Do not use the Recirculation mode without A/C for long
periods, as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they
enter the plenum, they could plug the water drains. In
winter months, make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush, and snow.
A/C Air Filter
The climate control system filters out dust and pollen
from the air. Refer to “Air Conditioning” in “Maintaining
Your Vehicle” for filter replacement instructions.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 479

Operating Tips Chart
480 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................485
▫ Automatic Transmission ................486
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — If Equipped ........487
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .487
▫
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F or 29°C). .489
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................489
▫ After Starting ....................... .491
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .491
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............492
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............493 ▫
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .494
▫ Fuel Economy (ECON) Mode .............494
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission .........495
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........504
▫ Acceleration ........................ .504
▫ Traction ........................... .504
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............505
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................505
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................505
 POWER STEERING .....................507
5

▫Power Steering Fluid Check ..............508
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .508
 BRAKE SYSTEM .......................511
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .511
▫ Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . .512
▫ Brake System Warning Light ..............512
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............512
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light ............514
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............514
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................515
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............518
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........518
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ...........522▫
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..............523
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............523
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .523
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........527
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........528
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........530
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........535
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .535
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................536
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .538
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .538
▫ Tire Types .......................... .539
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............540
482 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............541
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .543
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................544
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .545
▫ Replacement Tires .....................545
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......547
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....548
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .549
▫ Base System ........................ .552
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........555
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................558
▫ 3.6L Engine ......................... .558
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................559 ▫
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............559
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......560
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................560
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................561
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................561
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............562
 FLEXIBLE FUEL — IF EQUIPPED ...........563
▫ E-85 General Information ...............563
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................563
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................564
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............564
▫ Starting ........................... .565
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 483

▫Cruising Range ...................... .565
▫ Replacement Parts ....................565
▫ Maintenance ....................... .566
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .566
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............566
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............568
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................568
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............568
TRAILER TOWING .....................571
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............571
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .582
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................583
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . .583
▫ Recreational Towing — All Models .........584
484 STARTING AND OPERATING

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!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for the
parking brake. Always apply the parking brake
fully when parked to guard against vehicle move-
ment and possible injury or damage.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the Key
Fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle. If
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go, always make
sure the keyless ignition node is in “OFF” mode,
remove the Key Fob from the vehicle and lock the
vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
• 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 485

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.
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.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do not press the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly place the ignition in the START position
and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter
motor will continue to run, and it will disengage auto-
matically when the engine is running. If the engine fails
to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10
seconds. If this occurs, place the ignition in the LOCK/
OFF position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
486 STARTING AND OPERATING