Vehicle Segment:
Compact to mid-size coupe, often marketed as a stylish and affordable option.
Key Competitors:
During its production, competitors included vehicles like the Honda Civic Coupe, Toyota Corolla Coupe (though less common), Ford Focus Coupe, and Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Design And Styling:
The Sebring Coupe emphasized a sporty and aerodynamic design, often available with a range of engine options and features.
Value Proposition:
Offered a balance of style, performance, and features at a competitive price point within its segment.
Engine Operation:
Starting procedures, engine break-in, operation in various conditions.
Instrument Panel:
Indicator lights, gauges, warning signals, message center interpretation.
Controls And Features:
Climate control, audio system, lighting, wipers, power accessories, seats, mirrors.
Emergency Procedures:
Jump starting, tire changing, towing, dealing with breakdowns, safety equipment.
Maintenance:
Fluid checks and top-offs (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure, bulb replacement, basic cleaning.
Maintenance Schedules:
Recommended service intervals for oil changes, filter replacements, inspections, and other scheduled maintenance tasks.
Consumer Assistance:
Information on contacting customer service, warranty information, and dealership support.
Starting And Operating:
Detailed steps for safely starting and operating the vehicle, including gear selection and parking.
Emergency Response:
Guidance on how to handle common roadside emergencies like flat tires or dead batteries.
Basic Maintenance Tasks:
Instructions for owner-level maintenance such as checking fluid levels and tire pressures.
Level Of Detail:
Designed for the end-user owner, focusing on practical operation, maintenance, and understanding of vehicle features, not in-depth mechanical repair.
Physical Format:
Printed booklet with staple or perfect binding.
Paper And Ink:
Standard automotive manual paper, typically matte finish, with clear black text and some color diagrams/illustrations.
Construction:
Likely a saddle-stitched (stapled) or perfect bound booklet for durability.
Material:
Durable paper stock designed for frequent handling and referencing.
Engine Type:
Inline 4-cylinder or V6 configurations were common.
Displacement Options:
Commonly 2.4L 4-cylinder (e.g., GEMA engine) and 2.7L V6 (e.g., EER engine) or 3.0L V6 (Mitsubishi-sourced in some generations/markets).
Horsepower Range:
Approximately 140-150 hp for 4-cylinder, 170-200 hp for V6 engines.
Torque Range:
Approximately 150-160 lb-ft for 4-cylinder, 175-200 lb-ft for V6 engines.
Injection Type:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI) or sequential fuel injection (SFI).
Octane Rating:
Unleaded gasoline, typically requiring 87 octane (R+M)/2.
Type 4Cyl:
Manual transmission (5-speed) often standard on base models.
Type 4Cyl V6:
Automatic transmission (4-speed automatic, e.g., 41TE/AE) was widely available.
Automatic Transmission:
Often featured electronic control and potentially a manual shift mode (AutoStick).
NHTSA Front Impact:
Likely received 4-star ratings for driver and front passenger in frontal crash tests, typical for vehicles of this era.
IIHS Side Impact:
Ratings varied, but many coupes of this period performed moderately in side-impact tests.
ABS:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) was typically standard or optional.
Traction Control:
Traction Control System (TCS) was often available, particularly with V6 engines or higher trims.
Airbags:
Frontal airbags for driver and passenger were standard. Side-impact airbags may have been optional.
Seatbelts:
Three-point front and rear seatbelts with pretensioners for front occupants.
Audio System:
Standard AM/FM/CD player. Premium Infinity audio systems were often an option, providing enhanced sound quality.
Climate Control:
Manual climate control was standard, with optional automatic climate control on higher trims.
Cruise Control:
Standard on most models, providing ease of highway driving.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000 km) or 6 months, whichever comes first, depending on driving conditions and oil type used.
Tire Rotation Interval:
Recommended every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,000 to 12,000 km).
Engine Oil Type:
SAE 5W-30 is a common recommendation, but always refer to the manual for specific viscosity and API service classification (e.g., API SN or newer).
Coolant Type:
Chrysler's recommended HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolant, often a pink or orange color. Consult the manual for specific Chrysler specifications.
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid.
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approximately 4.5 quarts (4.3 liters) for 4-cylinder, 5.0 quarts (4.7 liters) for V6, with filter. Consult manual for exact capacity.
Common Wear Items:
Suspension components (bushings, ball joints), exhaust system, and potentially automatic transmission issues (e.g., torque converter shudder) can arise with age and mileage.
Electrical Components:
Some owners have reported issues with power window motors, door lock actuators, and certain sensors.
Chrysler Legacy:
Chrysler has a long history of producing American-style sedans, coupes, and convertibles, often focusing on comfort, style, and value.
Sebring Lineage:
The Sebring nameplate has been used across several generations and body styles, including coupes, sedans, and convertibles. The 2004 model is part of the second generation (2001-2006) Sebring coupe, which was largely based on the Mitsubishi Eclipse platform.
Manufacturing Location:
The second-generation Sebring Coupe was manufactured in Normal, Illinois, USA, through a partnership with Mitsubishi Motors.
