oil CHRYSLER 300 M 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Transmitter Battery Service
The recommended replacement battery is DL 2016 or its
equivalent.
•Pry the transmitter halves apart with a dime or similar
object. Make sure not to damage the rubber gasket
during removal.
•Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it
with rubbing alcohol.
•Reassemble the transmitter case. Snap the halves to-
gether and test transmitter operation.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM
The system monitors the doors, trunk key cylinder, and
ignition for unauthorized operation.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
up to 18 minutes. For the first 3 minutes the horn will
sound and the foglights, park and tail lights and the SET
light will flash. The horn will stop and if the source of the
trigger is still present, the lights will continue to flash for
another 15 minutes.
NOTE:The engine will not start until you disarm the
system.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new vehicle does not require a long
break-in period.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The crankcase oil installed in the engine at the factory is
a high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with expected climate con-
ditions under which vehicle operations will occur. The
recommended viscosity and quality grades are in Section
7 of this manual.
Do not use non-detergent or straight mineral oils.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and not an indication of a problem.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
•To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the trunk while driving. However, if for some reason it
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in
the tank.
2. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to about 2 gallons (8
liters), the Low Fuel symbol will light and re-
main lit until fuel is added. A warning chime will
sound when the light comes on.
3. Low Oil Pressure Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should come on briefly as a bulb check
when the engine is first started. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off
the engine. 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 under the hood.4. TRAC ON/OFF Lights
The Traction Control On light (TRAC ON) will come on
momentarily as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned ON. If the light does not come on, have the
bulb replaced.
The TRAC ON light will also come on when the system
is controlling traction.
The Traction Control Off light (TRAC OFF) will come on
momentarily as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned ON. If the light does not come on, have the
bulb checked.
The TRAC OFF light will come on when the Traction
Control switch has been used to turn the system off.
5. Trunk Ajar Light
This light indicates that the trunk is not latched
6. Tachometer
Measures engine revolutions-per-minute (R.P.M.). The
red numbers at the end on the scale show the maximum
permissible R.P.M. Ease off on the accelerator before
reaching the red area.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 113
4

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. Idle the vehicle with the
air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the “H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
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, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.
JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING
WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 183
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
3.5L Engine..........................197
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).......198
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................199
Replacement Parts.....................200
Dealer Service........................200
Maintenance Procedures.................201
▫Engine Oil..........................201
▫Chassis Lubrication....................210
▫Drive Shaft Universal Joints..............211
▫Body Lubrication.....................211
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................212▫Windshield Washers...................213
▫Exhaust System......................213
▫Cooling System.......................214
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......218
▫Brakes.............................218
▫Fuel System Hoses....................220
▫Automatic Transaxle...................221
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................223
Fuses...............................227
▫Fuse Block Relays.....................227
▫Underhood Fuses.....................228
7

WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the maintenance service
recommended by the engineers who designed your ve-
hicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained, at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 201
7

The best time to check the oil level is about 5 minutes
after a fully warmed up engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground also
will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings.
Maintain the oil level between the MIN and MAX
markings on the dipstick. Adding one quart of oil when
the reading is at the MIN mark will result in a MAX
reading on these engines.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to decide if any apply to you.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C)
•Stop and go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
202 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E —85 (ethanol)
fuel
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on scheduleAof theMainte-
nance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, we only recommend en-
gine oils that are API Certified and meet the requirements
of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Use Mo-
par or an equipvalent oil meeting the specification MS-
6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
7

American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). We
only recommend API Certified en-
gine oils that meet the require-
ments of DaimlerChrysler’s Mate-
rial Standard MS-6395. Use Mopar
or an equivalent oil meeting the
specification MS-6395.
NOTE:SAE 10W-30 engine oil is preferred for use in
3.5L Engines within the operating temperatures shown in
the viscosity chart. SAE 5W-30 Engine Oil is allowed for
use in the 3.5L Engine during cold weather only to
improve cold weather starting.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity chart.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a growing number of engine oils being pro-
moted as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you choose
to use such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscosity
standard. Follow the service schedule that describes your
driving type.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
The manufacturer strongly recommends against the ad-
dition of any additives (other than leak detection dyes) to
engine oil. Engine oil is an engineered product and it’s
204 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE