heating CHRYSLER 300 2009 1.G User Guide

Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)

Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips — Autostick(If Equipped)

By using the Autostickmodes and selecting a specific
gear range, frequent shifting can be avoided. The
highest gear range should be selected that allows for
adequate performance. For example, choose “4” if the
desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or “2” if
needed to maintain the desired speed.
Extended driving at high RPM should be avoided to
prevent excess heat generation. A reduction in vehicle
speed may be required to avoid extended driving at
high RPM. Return to a higher gear range or vehicle
speed when road conditions and RPM level allows.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, put transmission in
NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
center of the instrument panel between the center air
outlets.
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 it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning flashers
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, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed.
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
396 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than
35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and don’t let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Flatbed towing is recommended. DO NOT tow an AWD
vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground unless the
rear driveshaft is removed and the transmission is in
NEUTRAL.
Vehicles WITHOUT AWD may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) with the transmission in NEU-
TRAL under the following conditions:
•The distance to be traveled must not exceed 15 miles
(24 km).
412 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this should occur,
safely bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the
engine OFF, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter,
obtain service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s
specifications immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 220
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 40
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 411
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 396
Jacking............................. 397
Jump Starting......................... 408
Overheating.......................... 396
Towing............................. 412
Emergency Trunk Release................... 40
Emission Control System Maintenance......421,474
Engine..........................417,418,419
Air Cleaner.......................... 427
Block Heater......................... 312
Break-In Recommendations................ 75
Checking Oil Level..................423,424
Compartment...................417,418,419
Coolant (Antifreeze).................435,470
Cooling............................. 435Exhaust Gas Caution..................76,374
Fails to Start.......................... 311
Flooded, Starting...................... 311
Fuel Requirements..................... 370
Jump Starting......................... 408
Oil ...........................423,468,470
Oil Change Interval...............209,225,424
Oil Filler Cap......................... 425
Oil Filter............................ 426
Oil Filter Disposal..................... 426
Oil Selection.......................425,468
Oil Synthetic......................... 426
Overheating.......................... 396
Starting............................. 309
Temperature Gauge.................... 214
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 425
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Ethanol............................... 371
INDEX 507
10

Overdrive............................. 319
Overhead Console....................... 180
Overheating, Engine...................214,396
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).........4,497
Paint Care............................. 444
Panic Alarm............................ 24
Park Sense System, Rear................... 177
Parking Brake.......................... 332
Passing Light........................... 142
Pedals, Adjustable....................... 149
Personal Settings........................ 232
Pets.................................. 75
Phone, Cellular.......................... 90
Phone, Hands-Free (uconnect)............... 90
Placard, Tire and Loading Information......... 346
Power
Deck Lid Release....................... 39
Distribution Center (Fuses)............449,451Door Locks........................... 30
Mirrors.............................. 88
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet).......... 191
Seats............................... 124
Steering..........................331,332
Sunroof............................. 188
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column.......... 148
Windows............................. 35
Power Steering Fluid..................... 471
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 50
Preparation for Jacking.................... 400
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 48
Programmable Electronic Features............ 232
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 20
Radial Ply Tires......................... 353
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 438
INDEX 515
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