Chrysler Crossfire (2008 year). Instruction — part 11

NOTE:

Due to the starter non-repeat feature, the key

must be turned completely to the left before attempting
to start the engine again.

Extremely Cold Weather (below -20°F or -29°C)

For reliable starting in areas where temperatures fre-
quently drop below -20°F (-29°C), we recommend the use
of an externally powered battery and an electric engine
block heater. Advice on these items and installation is
available at your authorized dealer.

If Engine Fails to Start

CAUTION!

Do not try to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Your vehicle cannot be started this way.
Pushing with another vehicle may damage the trans-
mission or the rear of your vehicle. See Section 6 of
this instruction for proper jump-starting procedures.

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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 a flash fire, causing
serious personal injury.

If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
Normal Starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there
while cranking the engine. This should clear any excess
fuel in case the engine is flooded.

CAUTION!

To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.

If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.

If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.

After Starting

The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.

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TRANSMISSION SHIFTING

Instruction Transmission

NOTE:

The parking brake should be engaged and the

shift lever placed in REVERSE before leaving the vehicle,
especially on an incline. To place the transmission in
REVERSE, lift up on the shift lever knob, push it to the
left and pull it back.

Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.

Be sure the transmission is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD),
when starting from a stopped position. Damage to the
clutch can result from starting in THIRD.

NOTE:

If there is a need to restart your engine, you

must recycle your ignition switch to the OFF position
before restarting the engine.

For most city driving, you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, sixth gear is recommended.

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Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.

Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.

NOTE:

During cold weather, until the transmission

lubricant has warmed, you may have difficulty shifting.
This is normal and not harmful to the transmission.

Recommended Shift Speeds

To use your instruction transmission for both fuel economy
and performance, it should be upshifted as shown in the
chart. Shift at the vehicle speeds listed for acceleration.

Earlier upshifts during cruise conditions (relatively
steady speeds) will result in increased fuel economy, and
may be used as indicated.

Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS

1-2

2-3

3-4

4-5

5-6

MPH

15

25

40

45

50

(km/h)

(24)

(40)

(64)

(72)

(80)

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WARNING!

When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
from the ignition switch, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gearshift lever, which could result in an accident
or serious injury.

WARNING!

Skipping more than one gear while downshifting
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You
could have an accident.

CAUTION!

If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high an engine speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.

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Automatic Transmission

The automatic transmission selects individual gears au-
tomatically, dependent upon:

• Shift lever position
• Program mode selector switch
• Accelerator position

• Vehicle speed

The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, de-
pendent on the driving style, the driving situation and
the road characteristics.

The shift lever is automatically locked while in the PARK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the brake pedal must be firmly depressed before
the shift lock will release.

Move the shift lever to the desired position only when the
engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is applied.
Do not release the brake until ready to drive. The vehicle
may otherwise accelerate quickly when the shift lever is
in DRIVE or REVERSE position.

NOTE:

After selecting any driving position, wait a

moment to allow the gear to fully engage before acceler-
ating, especially when the engine is cold.

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WARNING!

It is dangerous to shift the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.

Stopping

For brief stops, leave the transmission in gear and hold
the vehicle with the brake pedal. For longer stops with
the engine idling, shift into the NEUTRAL or PARK
position and hold the vehicle with the parking brake.

When stopping the vehicle uphill, do not hold it with the
accelerator; use the brake. This avoids unnecessary trans-
mission heat build-up.

Maneuvering

To maneuver in tight areas, control the vehicle speed by
gradually releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and
never abruptly step on the accelerator.

To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from FORWARD to REVERSE, while
applying only slight acceleration. Rocking a vehicle free
in this manner may cause the ABS or traction system
malfunction indicator light to come on. Turn off the
engine and restart the engine to clear the malfunction
indication.

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Park Position

The PARK position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped. The PARK
position is not intended to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always use
the parking brake in addition to placing the shift lever in
PARK to secure the vehicle.

NOTE:

The key can be removed from the ignition

switch only with the shift lever in the PARK position.
With the key removed, the shift lever is locked in the
PARK position.

With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical system, the
shift lever could remain locked in the PARK position. To
unlock the shift lever instructionly, insert the end of the
multipurpose tool from the glove box (or ball point pen)
into the covered opening below the position “D” of the
shift pattern. While pushing the tool down, move the
shift lever out of the PARK position. After removal of the

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tool from the opening, the cover will not close fully. Only
after moving the selector lever to the “D+” and “D-”
positions does the cover return to its closed position.

Reverse

Shift into REVERSE gear only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.

Dependent on the program mode selector switch position
Standard “S” and Winter/Wet “W” (snow and ice), the
maximum speed in the REVERSE gear is different. How-
ever, it is not possible to change the program mode while
in REVERSE.

Neutral

No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage in
NEUTRAL position while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).

NOTE:

Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other

reason with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in
transmission damage that is not covered by the Limited
Warranty.

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Drive

The transmission automatically upshifts through FIFTH
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.

AutoStick

T

Gear selection

The transmission gear can be selected by pressing the
shift lever to the right or the left with the shift lever in the
DRIVE position. The gear currently selected is indicated
in the instrument cluster display. Briefly press shift lever
in the “D-” direction. The transmission will shift from the
current gear to the next lower gear. Shifting into another
gear that allows for quicker acceleration or to slow the
vehicle down is possible. Downshifts can also be per-
formed.

Press and hold the shift lever in the “D-” direction. The
transmission will shift from the current gear directly to
the best gear for acceleration.

NOTE:

To avoid over-revving the engine when the shift

lever is moved in “D-” direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded.

Briefly press the shift lever in the “D+” direction. The
transmission will shift from the current gear to the next
higher gear.

Press and hold the shift lever in the “D+” direction. The
transmission will shift from the current gear directly to
gear “D.”

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WARNING!

On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehi-
cle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.
You could lose control of your vehicle and have an
accident.

NOTE:

With transmission in gear “D,” “4,” or “3,”

upshifting from FIRST to SECOND to THIRD gear may
be delayed, depending on vehicle speed and engine
temperature. This allows the catalytic converter to heat
up more quickly to operating temperatures.

The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95°F (35°C). To prevent the engine
from laboring at low RPM when driving uphill or with

your vehicle heavily loaded, the automatic transmission
will downshift when necessary to maintain engine RPM
within the best torque range.

Gear Ranges

PARK

NOTE:

If the key is in the ON/RUN position, you must

press the brake pedal to shift out of the PARK position.

PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion.

Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.

REVERSE

Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.

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NEUTRAL

The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.

OVERDRIVE

This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and best fuel economy.

Program mode selector switch

The transmission is provided with a selector switch for
Standard “S” and Winter/Wet “W” (snow and ice) pro-
gram modes.

For standard mode, press the “S” symbol on the switch.
Use this mode for all regular driving. The vehicle starts
out in FIRST gear.

Depressing the accelerator pedal rapidly or nearly to the
floor while driving (kick-down position), rather than
depressing the accelerator pedal in slow, small move-
ments, will cause the automatic transmission to shift

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down into a lower gear. Rapid release of the accelerator
pedal will normally result in an upshift. This gear shift-
ing process is dependent on the current vehicle speed.

For Winter/Wet (snow and ice) mode, press the “W”
symbol on the switch. The vehicle starts out in SECOND
gear, unless FIRST gear has been selected, or the accel-
erator pedal is in the kick-down position. The “W” mode
helps to improve traction and driving stability of the
vehicle. The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.

CAUTION!

Never change the program mode when the selector
lever is out of the PARK position. It could result in a
change of driving characteristics for which you may
not be prepared.

Emergency Operation (Limp Home Mode)

If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in
Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission.

This condition may be accompanied by the CHECK
ENGINE light in the instrument cluster coming on.

In this mode only the SECOND gear or REVERSE gear
can be activated.

To engage SECOND gear or REVERSE:

1. Stop the vehicle.

2. Move the shift lever to the PARK position.

3. Turn off the engine.

4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.

5. Restart the engine.

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6. Move the shift lever to the DRIVE position (for SEC-
OND gear), or move the shift lever to the REVERSE
position (for REVERSE gear).

Have the transmission checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES

WARNING!

Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
You could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have an accident. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, rain, mud, loose sand, etc.).

Traction

When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:

1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.

2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.

3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.

4. Keep tires properly inflated.

5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.

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DRIVING THROUGH WATER

Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.

Flowing/Rising Water

WARNING!

Do not drive on, or cross, a road or a path where
water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off).
Flowing water can wear away the road or path’s
surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper
water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.

Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Caution
and Warning before doing so.

CAUTION!

• Always check the depth of the standing water

before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.

• Determine the condition of the road or the path

that is under water, and if there are any obstacles
in the way, before driving through the standing
water.

• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving

through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.

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CAUTION!

• Driving through standing water may cause dam-

age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.

• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can

cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

WARNING!

• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-

cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.

• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-

cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.

• Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can

cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.

• Failure to follow these warnings may result in

injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.

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