towing CHRYSLER 300 2008 1.G Owners Manual

NOTE:The emergency number dialed is based on the
Country where the vehicle is purchased (911 for USA and
Canada and 060 for Mexico). The number dialed may not
be applicable with the available cellular service and area.
The UConnect™ system does slightly lower your chances
of successfully making a phone call as to that for the cell
phone directly.
Your phone must be turned on and paired to the UCon-
nect™ system to allow use of this vehicle feature in
emergency situations when the cell phone has network
coverage and stays paired to the UConnect™ system.
Towing Assistance
If you need towing assistance,
•Press the “Phone” button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
Towing Assistance.NOTE:The Towing Assistance number dialed is based
on the Country where the vehicle is purchased (1-800-
528-2069 for USA, 1-877-213-4525 for Canada, 55-14-3454
for Mexico City and 1-800-712-3040 for outside Mexico
City in Mexico).
Please refer to the 24-Hour “Towing Assistance” cover-
age details in the Warranty information booklet and on
the 24–Hour Towing Assistance Card.
Paging
To learn how to page refer toWorking with Automated
Systems.Paging works properly except for pagers of
certain companies which time-out a little too soon to
work properly with the UConnect™ system.
Voice Mail Calling
To learn how to access your voice mail, refer toWorking
with Automated Systems.
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Voice Commands
Primary Alternate(s)
language
list names
list phones
mobile
mute
mute off
new entry
no
pager
pair a phone
phone pairing pairing
phonebook phone book
previous
record again
redialVoice Commands
Primary Alternate(s)
return to main menu return or main menu
select phone select
send
set up phone settings or phone
set up
towing assistance
transfer call
UConnect™ Tutorial
try again
voice training
work
yes
116 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is a convenience system. It is not a
substitute for active driving involvement. It is always the driver ’s
responsibility to be attentive of road, traffic, and weather conditions,
vehicle speed, distance to the vehicle ahead, and most importantly
brake operation to ensure safe operation of the vehicle under all road
conditions. Your complete attention is always required while driving
to maintain safe control of your vehicle. Failure to follow these
warnings can result in an accident or serious personal injury.
•The ACC system:
Does not react to pedestrians, oncoming vehicles, and stationary
objects (i.e. a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam or a disabled vehicle).
Does not predict the lane curvature or the movement of preceding
vehicles and will not compensate for such changes.
Cannot take street, traffic, and weather conditions into account, and
may be limited upon adverse sight distance conditions.
Does not always fully recognize complex driving conditions, which
can result in wrong or missing distance warnings.
May not detect a vehicle ahead when strong light (for example,
sunrise or sunset) is directly shining on the front of the vehicle.
Can only apply a maximum of 25% of the vehicle’s braking capability,
and will not bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
WARNING!
You should switch off the ACC system:
•When driving in fog; heavy rain; heavy snow;
sleet; heavy traffic; and complex driving situations
(i.e. in highway construction zones).
•When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp;
when driving on roads that are winding, icy,
snow-covered, slippery, or have steep uphill or
downhill slopes; and when towing a trailer.
•When circumstances do not allow safe driving at a
constant speed.
Failure to follow these warnings can result in an
accident or serious personal injury.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 153
3

WARNING!
•Drivers must be careful when backing up even when
using the Rear Park Assist System. Always check
carefully behind your vehicle, look behind you, and
be sure to check for pedestrians, animals, other ve-
hicles, obstructions, and blind spots before backing
up. You are responsible for safety and must continue
to pay attention to your surroundings. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death.
•Before using the Rear Park Assist System, it is
strongly recommended that the ball mount and hitch
ball assembly is disconnected from the vehicle when
the vehicle is not used for towing. Failure to do so can
result in injury or damage to vehicles or obstacles
because the hitch ball will be much closer to the
obstacle than the rear fascia when the warning dis-
play turns the red LEDs ON. Also, the sensors could
detect the ball mount and hitch ball assembly, de-
pending on its size and shape, giving a false indica-
tion that an obstacle is behind the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•The Rear Park Assist System is only a parking aid
and it is unable to recognize every obstacle, in-
cluding small obstacles. Parking curbs might be
temporarily detected or not detected at all. Ob-
stacles located above or below the sensors will not
be detected when they are in close proximity.
•The vehicle must be driven slowly when using the
Rear Park Assist System to be able to stop in time
when the obstacle is detected. It is recommended
that the driver looks over his/her shoulder when
using the Rear Park Assist System.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 175
3

light shows only that the parking brake is applied. It does
not show the degree of brake application. (See page 324
for more information.)
13. Electronic Stability Program (ESP)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator Light — If Equipped
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as
little throttle as possible. Adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions, and
do not switch off the ESP. (See page 328 for more
information.) (See page 331 for more information.)
14. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine 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,” and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
4

18. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light will turn on for 5 to 8 seconds as a bulb
check when the ignition switch is first turned ON.
A chime will sound if the driver’s seat belt is
unbuckled during the bulb check. The Seat Belt Warning
Light will flash or remain on continuously if the driver’s
seat belt remains unbuckled after the bulb check or when
driving. (See page 49 for more information.)
19. Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) Indicator Light — If
Equipped
The VSA indicator Light flashes rapidly when the VSA is
arming, and slowly when the VSA is armed. (See page 18
for more information.)
20. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.21. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light will turn on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition switch is turned ON. This
light will also turn on while the engine is
running if there is a problem with the Elec-
tronic Throttle Control system.
If the light comes on while the engine is running, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible,
place the gear selector in park, and cycle the ignition key.
The light should turn off. If the light remains lit with the
engine running, your vehicle will usually be drivable.
However, see your dealer for service as soon as possible.
If the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required. In this case, you may
experience reduced performance, an elevated/rough idle
or engine stall, and your vehicle may require towing.
Also, have the system checked by an authorized dealer if
the light does not come on during starting.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 209
4

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

▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............371

Vehicle Loading........................372
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............372
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......372
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........373
▫Overloading.........................373
▫Loading............................374

Trailer Towing.........................375
▫Common Towing Definitions.............375▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............379
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........380
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............381
▫Towing Requirements..................383
▫Towing Tips.........................388

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 389
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................389
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

shifts, and the best fuel economy. Select the “3” range
when frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers.
NOTE:
•If the vehicle is started in cold temperatures, shifts into
Overdrive may be delayed. Normal Overdrive and
shifting operation will resume when the temperature
of the transmission reaches the appropriate tempera-
ture. Refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” later in this section.
•If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive or en-
gage overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive
will resume normal operation.“3” (Third)
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transmis-
sion will operate normally in First, Second and Third
while in this range. The “3” position should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.
NOTE:Using the “3” range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
“L” (Low)
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.
WARNING!
Do not coast in “N” (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.“D” (Drive)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and the best fuel economy.
The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The “D” (Drive) position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoStickmode and select the “3”
range.
AutoStickGear selection
The AutoStickfeature can be selected by pressing the
selector lever to the right or the left with the lever in the
“D” (Drive) position. The gear currently selected is
indicated in the instrument cluster display. Briefly, press
STARTING AND OPERATING 315
5