Chrysler Sebring Sedan (2009 year). Instruction — part 22

Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transaxle overheating,
take the following actions:

• City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transaxle in
neutral and increase engine idle speed.

• Highway Driving
Reduce speed.

• Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)

Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
towing with all four wheels on the ground)

CAUTION!

DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the driv-
etrain will result.

NOTE:

If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four

wheels are off the ground.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CONTENTS

䡵 Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
䡵 If Your Engine Overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350

▫ Engine Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only)

— If Equipped. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352

䡵 Jacking And Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352

▫ Jack Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
▫ Spare Tire Stowage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
▫ Preparations For Jacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354
▫ Jacking Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355

䡵 Jump-Starting Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
䡵 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
䡵 Towing A Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364

▫ Towing With The Ignition Key . . . . . . . . . . . 364
▫ Towing Without The Ignition Key . . . . . . . . . 365
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle . . 365
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle

With A Tow Dolly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365

▫ Towing Without Power — Override

Transaxle Interlock System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365

6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER

The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located on the
instrument panel, below the radio.

Press the switch to turn on the Hazard
Warning flashers. When the Hazard
Warning flasher switch is activated, all
directional turn signals will flash on
and off to warn oncoming traffic of an
emergency. Press the switch a second
time to turn off flashers.

This is an emergency warning system and should not be
used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.

If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate with the
ignition key removed and the vehicle locked.

NOTE:

With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher

may wear down your battery.

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS

In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.

• On the highways — Slow down.
• In city traffic — While stopped, put transaxle in

NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.

If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle
with the engine at idle, when safe. Turn off the air
conditioning and wait until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on the H (red)
mark for more than a minute, turn the engine off imme-
diately and call for service.

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:

There are steps that you can take to slow down

an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the temperature
control to maximum heat, the mode control to floor, and
the fan control to high. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.

CAUTION!

Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “H”, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the “H”, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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6

WARNING!

A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7, Maintenance, of this
instruction. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.

Engine Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only) — If
Equipped

During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.

NOTE:

The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of

53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING

WARNING!

• Being under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The

vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never put any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you
need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.

(Continued)

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING! (Continued)

• The jack is designed to use as a tool for changing

tires only. The jack should not be used to lift the
vehicle for service purposes. The vehicle should
be jacked on a firm level surface only. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.

Jack Location

The jack and jack-handle are stowed under the load floor
in the trunk.

Spare Tire Stowage

The compact spare tire is stowed under the rear load floor
in the trunk.

Spare Tire Removal
Lift up the load floor cover and remove the hold down.

Spare Tire and Jack Stowage

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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6

Preparations For Jacking

1. Park the vehicle on a firm level surface. Avoid ice or
slippery areas.

WARNING!

Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.

2. Set the parking brake.

3. Place the shift lever into PARK (automatic transaxle)
or REVERSE (instruction transaxle).

4. Turn OFF the ignition.

5. Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.

6. Block both the front and rear of the
wheel diagonally opposite the jacking
position. For example, if changing the
right front tire, block the left rear
wheel.

NOTE:

Passengers should not remain in the vehicle

while the vehicle is being jacked.

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Instructions

WARNING!

Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from

the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.

• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to

be raised.

• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic

transmission in PARK; a instruction transmission in
REVERSE.

• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a

jack.

• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a

jack.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack.

• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and

for lifting this vehicle during a tire change.

• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely

careful of motor traffic.

• To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated are

securely stowed, spares must be stowed with the
valve stem facing the ground.

• Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.

Jack Warning Label

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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6

1. Remove the scissors jack and lug wrench from the
spare wheel as an assembly. Turn the jack screw to the left
to loosen the lug wrench, and remove the wrench from
the jack assembly.

NOTE:

The jack handle attaches to the side of the jack

with two attachment points. When the jack is partially
expanded, the tension between the two attachment
points holds the jack handle in place.

2. Loosen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts by turning
them to the left one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.

Removing Jack Handle From Jack

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Locations

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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6

CAUTION!

Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in step 3.

3. There are two front jacking locations and two rear
jacking locations on each side of the body (as pictured
above).

4. Turn the jack screw to the left until the jack can be
placed under the jacking location. Once the jack is
positioned, turn the jack screw to the right until the jack
head is properly engaged with the lift area closest to the
wheel to be changed. Do not raise the vehicle until you
are sure the jack is securely engaged.

WARNING!

Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.

5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right,
using the swivel wrench. Raise the vehicle only until the
tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is
obtained to install the spare tire. Minimum tire lift
provides maximum stability.

6. Remove the wheel nuts, and pull the wheel and wheel
covers (where applicable) off the hub. Install the spare
wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To avoid
the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten
the nuts fully until the vehicle has been lowered.

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!

To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with any sharp
edges.

7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.

8. Finish tightening the nuts. Push down on the wrench
while tightening the wheel nuts. Alternate nuts, until
each nut has been tightened twice. Correct wheel nut
torque is 100 ft lbs (135 N·m). If you doubt that you have
tightened the nuts correctly, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your authorized dealer or at a service
station.

9. Remove the wheel blocks and lower the jack until it is
free. Reassemble the lug wrench to the jack assembly and
stow it in the spare tire area. Secure the assembly using
the means provided.

WARNING!

A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.

10. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area and have
the tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

WARNING!

A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced immedi-
ately.

11. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

359

6

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURE

The battery is stored between the left front headlight
assembly and the left front wheel splash shield. Access is
through the splash shield.

Jump-starting remote battery terminals are located under
the hood.

WARNING!

• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-

ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get

it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transaxle cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of
start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow this procedure carefully.

• Do not use a booster battery or any other booster

source with an output that exceeds 12-Volts.

1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watchbands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach, but without
allowing the vehicles to touch. Set the parking brake,
place the automatic transaxle in PARK and turn ignition
to LOCK for both vehicles.

WARNING!

Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.

3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
4. Remove the protective cover over the remote jump-
start positive battery post (+) in the engine compartment.
Connect one end of the jumper cable to the positive
battery post. Connect the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump-starting connections.

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the engine ground (-)
of the vehicle with the discharged battery.

Make sure

you have a good contact on the engine ground. Refer to
the following illustration for jump-starting connections.

Jump-Starting Location

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

361

6

6. If the vehicle is equipped with Sentry Key

威 Immobi-

lizer, turn the ignition switch to the ON position for three
seconds before moving the ignition switch to the START
position.

7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.

8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the se-
quence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.

9. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote jump-
start positive battery post.

WARNING!

During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery
may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because
the battery could rupture or explode. The battery
temperature must be brought up above the freezing
point before attempting a jump-start.

NOTE:

Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7

of this instruction for information on accessing the battery
for service or replacement.

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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!

Any procedure other than above could result in:
• Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out

the battery vent;

• Personal injury or property damage due to battery

explosion;

• Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or

of immobilized vehicle.

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and FIRST gear. Usually the least accelerator
pedal pressure to maintain the rocking motion without
spinning the wheels is most effective.

NOTE:

If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Con-
trol, turn the system to Partial OFF before
attempting to “rock” the vehicle. Refer to “Par-
tial Off Mode” under “Electronic Stability Pro-

gram (ESP)” in Section 5 of this instruction.

WARNING!

Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause axle and
tire damage or failure. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than
30 seconds continuously without stopping when you
are stuck, and don’t let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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