automatic transmission CHRYSLER 300 C 2008 1.G Owners Manual

locks will not operate. This prevents you from acciden-
tally locking the key in the vehicle. Removing the key or
closing the door will allow the locks to operate. If a door
is open, the key is in the ignition, and the ignition is in the
LOCK or ACC position, a chime will sound as a reminder
to remove the key.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Automatic Door Locks feature is enabled.
2. The transmission is in gear.
3. All doors are closed.
4. The throttle is pressed.
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h).6. The doors were not previously locked using the power
door lock switch or Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter.
Automatic Door Locks Programming
The Automatic Door Locks feature can be enabled or
disabled as follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Personal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)” under “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4
of this manual for details.
•For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, performing
the following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition
switch.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31
2

2. Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON and
then back to LOCK 4 times ending up in the LOCK
position.
3. Depress the power door lock switch to lock the doors.
4. A single chime will indicate the completion of the
programming.
5. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE:Use the Automatic Door Locks feature in accor-
dance with local laws.
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature is en-
abled.2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).
3. The transmission is in “N” (Neutral) or “P” (Park).
4. The driver door is opened.
5. The doors were not previously unlocked.
6. The vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit Programming
The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature can be
enabled or disabled as follows:
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Personal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)” under “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4
of this manual for details.
•For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, performing
the following procedure:
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tapping (“RESUME ACCEL”) once will result ina1mph
(1.6 km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed increases so that tapping the lever three times will
increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is set, push down
and hold the lever (“SET DECEL”). Release the lever
when the desired speed is reached, and a new set speed
will be established.
Tapping (“SET DECEL”) once will result in a 1 mph (1.6
km/h) speed decrease. Each time the lever is tapped,
speed decreases.
To Accelerate For Passing:
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
Using Speed Control On Hills
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
The automatic transmission will downshift while climb-
ing uphill or descending downhill. This downshift is
necessary to maintain vehicle set speed.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system can’t
maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could go too fast
for the conditions, and you could lose control. An
accident could be the result. Don’t use Speed Control in
heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, icy, snow-
covered, or slippery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 151
3

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The speed control lever (located on the right side of the
steering wheel) operates the ACC system.
Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
You can only activate ACC if the vehicle speed is above
25 mph (40 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the READY state,
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) dis-
plays “ACC READY.”
When the system is OFF, the EVIC displays “ACC OFF.”
NOTE:You cannot enable ACC under the following
conditions:
•When you apply the brakes.
•When the parking brake is set.
•When the automatic transmission is in “P” (Park),
“R” (Reverse), or “N” (Neutral).
•When the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is
switched off.
•When pushing the RESUME ACCEL switch without a
previously set speed in memory.
1 — DISTANCE SETTING
2 — CANCEL
3 — RESUME/ACCEL
4 — ON/OFF
5 — SET/DECEL 154 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
15. Trip Odometer Button
Trip Odometer Button — Base Cluster
The word\4TRIP\4will appear when this button is pressed.
Push in and hold the button for two seconds when the
trip odometer displays to reset it to 0 miles (kilometers).
A second press of the button will display the outside
temperature in the odometer.Trip Odometer Button — Premium Cluster
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of two trip odometer settings. The letter “A” or “B”
will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in and
hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip odometer
to 0 miles (kilometers). The odometer must be in trip
mode to reset it.
16. High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are ON. Push the Multi-Function lever
away from the steering wheel to switch the headlights to
high beam. (See page 134 for more information.)
17. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
208 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-essential
electrical devices (i.e. radio) or slightly increase engine
speed (if at idle). If the light remains on, it means that the
charging system is experiencing a problem. See your
local authorized dealer to obtain SERVICE IMMEDI-
ATELY.
24. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD. The OBD system monitors engine
and automatic transmission control systems. The
light will turn on when the key is in the ON position
before engine start. If the light does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the lightstays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See
page 417 for more information.)
25. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle, and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A
single chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked using the procedure
shown in section 7. (See page 421 for more information.)
212 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK.
Press and release the MENU button until Personal Set-
tings displays in the EVIC.
Use the SCROLL button to display one of the following
choices:
“Language”
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
functions and the navigation system (if equipped). Press
the FUNCTION SELECT button while in this display to
select English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais.
Then, as you continue, the information will display in the
selected language.NOTE:The EVIC will not change the UConnect™
language selection. Please refer to “Language Selection”
in the HANDS–FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnect™)
section of this manual for details.
“Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 Km/h)”
When ON is selected, all doors will lock automatically
when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h).
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Unlock Doors Automatically on Exit”
When ON is selected, all doors will unlock when the
vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in the “P”
(Park) or “N” (Neutral) position and the driver’s door is
opened. To make your selection, press and release the
FUNCTION SELECT button until “ON” or “OFF” ap-
pears.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 227
4

“Confirmation of Voice Commands” — If
Equipped
When ON is selected, all voice commands from the
UConnect™ system are confirmed. To make your selec-
tion, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button
until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Park Assist System” — If Equipped
When ON is selected, the system will scan for objects
behind the vehicle when the transmission is in the “R”
(Reverse) or “N” (Neutral) position. To make your selec-
tion, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button
until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Turn by Turn Navigation” — If Equipped
When ON is selected, the Turn-by-Turn directions will
appear in the display as the vehicle approaches a desig-
nated turn within a programmed route. To make your
selection, press and release the FUNCTION SELECT
button until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Display Units of Measure in”
The EVIC, odometer, and navigation system (if
equipped) can be changed between English and Metric
units of measure. To make your selection, press and
release the FUNCTION SELECT button until “US” or
“METRIC” appears.
“Automatic High Beams” — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the high beam headlights
will deactivate automatically under certain conditions. To
make your selection, press and release the FUNCTION
SELECT button until “ON” or “OFF” appears. Refer to
“SmartBeams” in section 3 of this manual for more
information.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 231
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
\1Starting Procedures.....................299
\3Automatic Transmission................300
\3Normal Starting (Tip Start)..............301
\3Extremely Cold Weather
(Below\120°F Or\129°C)................301
\3If Engine Fails To Start.................302
\3After Starting........................303
\1Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........303
\1Automatic Transmission..................303\3Automatic Transmission —
General Information...................304
\3Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 306
\34 Speed Automatic Transmission..........307
\35 Speed Automatic Transmission..........312
\1AutoStick\2— If Equipped................318
\3AutoStick\2Operation..................318
\1All Wheel Drive — If Equipped............319
\1Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............319
5

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the “N” (Neutral) or “P”
(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:
•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.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING