towing CHRYSLER 300 2009 1.G Owner's Manual

CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing, you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
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5

Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights and Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a 4- and 7-pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
4-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn 390 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Towing Tips — Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the
“3” range should be selected.
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. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 min-
utes of continuous operation, then change the automatic
transmission fluid and filter according to the interval
specified for “police, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer tow-
ing” in the Maintenance Schedule.
7-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric BrakesSTARTING AND OPERATING 391
5

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

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
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5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 396
If Your Engine Overheats................ 396
Jacking And Tire Changing............... 397
▫Jack Location/Spare Tire Stowage........ 398
▫Preparations For Jacking............... 400
▫Jacking And Changing a Tire............ 400
▫Compact Spare Tire................... 405
▫Wheel Cover Or Center Cap Installation
(If Equipped)....................... 406Jump-Starting Procedures................ 408
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................. 411
Towing A Disabled Vehicle............... 412
▫Without The Ignition Key.............. 412
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle............................ 412
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolly.................... 414
6

WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
NOTE:Refer toSynchronizing ESPunderElectronic
Stability Programin Section 5 if the ESP/BAS light (in
Jump-Starting
1 — Engine Ground
2 — Positive Battery Post 410 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

•The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
CAUTION!
Exceeding these towing limits may cause transmis-
sion failure.
Vehicles equipped with AWD can be towed with the
transmission in NEUTRAL and the rear wheels OFF the
ground (or the rear driveshaft removed) with no limita-
tion on speed or distance.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•If the transmission is not operative or if the
vehicle is to be towed more than 15 miles (24 km),
then the only approved method of towing is with
a flatbed truck. Otherwise, damage to the trans-
mission may result.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON position,
not the ACC position. Make certain the transmission
remains in NEUTRAL.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 413
6

Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle With
A Tow Dolly
The manufacturerdoes not recommendthat you tow this
vehicle on a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.
414 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES