CHRYSLER 300 2014 2.G Owners Manual

Operating Tips
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
A solution of 50% OAT (Organic Additive Technology)
coolant that meets the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-12106 and 50% water is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months is
not recommended because it may cause window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Any time you store your vehicle or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower setting. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The
Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear
windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes objectionable, increase blower
speed to improve airflow and clearing of the side win-
dows. Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild
but rainy or humid weather.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 359

NOTE:
•Recirculate without A/C should not be used for long
periods, as fogging may occur.
• Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) will automati-
cally adjust the climate control settings to reduce or
eliminate window fogging on the front windshield.
When this occurs, recirculation will be unavailable.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they
enter the plenum, they could plug the water drains. In
Winter months, make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush, and snow.
A/C Air Filter
The climate control system filters outside air containing
dust, pollen and some odors. Strong odors cannot be
totally filtered out. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for filter replacement
instructions.
360 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................366
▫ Automatic Transmission ................366
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ ..................367
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .367
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or
29°C) ............................ .369
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................369
▫ After Starting ....................... .371
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .371
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ............372▫
Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............373
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .374
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .374
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .384
 AUTOSTICK® — IF EQUIPPED ............391
▫ Operation Eight-Speed Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .391
▫ Operation Five-Speed Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .393
5

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED . .395
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........396
▫ Acceleration ........................ .396
▫ Traction ........................... .396
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............397
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................397
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................397
 POWER STEERING .....................399
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ..................400
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .400
 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM .............403
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .405 ▫
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............405
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............405
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............406
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........407
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................410
▫ Ready Alert Braking ...................412
▫ Rain Brake Support ....................412
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light ................413
▫ Synchronizing ESC ....................414
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............414
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .414
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........418
362 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........420
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........421
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........426
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .426
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................427
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .428
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .429
▫ Tire Types .......................... .430
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............431
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............432
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .434
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................434
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .435▫
Replacement Tires .....................436
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......437
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....439
 TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .440
▫ Base System ........................ .443
▫ Premium System — If Equipped ...........446
▫ General Information ...................450
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................451
▫ 3.6L Engine — If Equipped ...............451
▫ 5.7L Engine — If Equipped ...............451
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................452
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............452
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......453
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STARTING AND OPERATING 363

▫MMT In Gasoline .....................453
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................454
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................454
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............455
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED .......................... .456
▫ E-85 General Information ...............456
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................456
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................457
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .............457
▫ Starting ........................... .458
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .458▫
Replacement Parts ....................458
▫ Maintenance ....................... .459
 ADDING FUEL ....................... .459
▫ Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release .........461
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................462
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............463
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......463
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........463
▫ Overloading ........................ .464
▫ Loading ........................... .464
 TRAILER TOWING .....................465
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............465
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............468
364 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .469
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............469
▫ Towing Requirements ..................471 ▫
Towing Tips ........................ .476
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................477
▫ Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive ......477
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 365

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the Key
Fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the shift lever.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go™ in the ACC or ON/RUN
mode. A child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
366 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
• 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.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Key Fob
is in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pressing the ENGINE START/STOP button once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 367

4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior tothe engine starting, press the button again.
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/gear selector in PARK, then press and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short presses in a row with the
vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain
in the ACC position until the shift lever/gear selector
is in PARK and the button is pressed twice to the OFF
position. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pressed
once, the EVIC (if equipped) will display a “Vehicle
Not In Park” message and the engine will remain
running. Never leave a vehicle out of the PARK
position, or it could roll.
NOTE: If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING