brakes CHRYSLER 300 2009 1.G Owners Manual

1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved.
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a Chrysler LLC
product.
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant.
4. Otherwise required by law.
Data parameters that may be recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically-controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
•Airbag disable light status (if equipped)
•Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Impact acceleration and angle
•Seat belt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Transmission gear selection
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
•Tire Pressure Monitoring System status
Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2

Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
You can only activate ACC if the vehicle speed is above
25 mph (40 km/h).When the system is turned on and in the READY state,
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) dis-
plays “ACC READY.”
When the system is OFF, the EVIC displays “CRUISE
OFF.”
NOTE:You cannot enable ACC under the following
conditions:
•When you apply the brakes.
•When the parking brake is set.
•When the automatic transmission is in PARK, RE-
VERSE, or NEUTRAL.
•When the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is
switched off.
•When pushing the RESUME/ACCEL switch without a
previously set speed in memory.
1 — DISTANCE SETTING
2 — CANCEL
3 — RESUME/ACCEL
4 — ON/OFF/MODE
5 — SET/DECELUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 157
3

If there is no vehicle ahead, the vehicle will maintain the
set speed. If a slower moving vehicle is detected in the
same lane, the EVIC displays the “Sensed Vehicle Indi-
cator” icon, and the system adjusts vehicle speed auto-
matically to maintain the distance setting, regardless of
the set speed.
The vehicle will then maintain the set distance until:
•The vehicle ahead accelerates to a speed above the set
speed.
•The vehicle ahead moves out of your lane or view of
the sensor.
•The vehicle ahead slows to a speed below 15 mph
(24 km/h) and the system automatically disengages
itself.
•The distance setting is changed.
•The system disengages. (Refer to the information on
ACC Activation).
The maximum braking applied by ACC is limited; how-
ever, the driver can always apply the brakes manually, if
necessary.
NOTE:The brake lights will illuminate whenever the
ACC system applies the brakes.
A Proximity Warning will alert the driver if ACC predicts
that its maximum braking level is not sufficient to
maintain the set distance. If this occurs, a visual alert
“ATTENTION” will flash in the EVIC and a chime will
sound while ACC continues to apply its maximum
braking capacity. When this occurs, you should immedi-
ately apply the brakes as needed to maintain a safe
distance from the vehicle ahead.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163
3

Precautions While Driving with ACC
In certain driving situations, ACC may have detection
issues. In these cases, ACC may brake late or unexpect-
edly. The driver needs to stay alert and may need to
intervene.
Adding a Trailer Hitch
The weight of a trailer hitch may affect the performance
of ACC. If there is a noticeable change in performance
following the installation of a hitch, such as reduced
detection range, please see your authorized dealer for
service.
Offset Driving
ACC may not detect a vehicle in the same lane that is
offset from your direct line of travel. There will not be
sufficient distance to the vehicle ahead. The offset vehicle
may move in and out of the line of travel, which can
cause your vehicle to brake or accelerate unexpectedly.
Turns and Bends
In turns or bends, ACC may detect a vehicle ahead too
late or too early. This may cause your vehicle to brake late
or unexpectedly. Give extra attention in curves and be
ready to apply the brakes if necessary. Be sure to select an
appropriate speed while driving in curves.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 171
3

Lane Changing
ACC will not detect a vehicle until it is completely in the
lane in which you are traveling. In the illustration shown,
ACC has not yet detected the vehicle changing lanes and
it will not until it may be too late to take action. ACC will
not detect a vehicle until it is completely in the lane.
There will not be sufficient distance to the lane-changing
vehicle. Always be attentive and ready to apply the
brakes if necessary.
Narrow Vehicles
Some narrow vehicles traveling near the outer edges of
the lane or edging into the lane are not detected until they
have moved fully into the lane. There will not be suffi-
cient distance to the vehicle ahead.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 173
3

Stationary Objects and Vehicles
ACC does not react to stationary objects and stationary
vehicles. For example, ACC will not react in situations
where the vehicle you are following exits your lane and
the vehicle ahead is stopped in your lane. Always be
attentive and ready to apply the brakes if necessary.
General Information
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCT
Classification Specifications:
21 C.F.R part 1040.10 & 1040.11
DIN EN 60825-1:2003
IEC 60825-1:2001
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

7. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions per minute (RPM x 1000) for each gear
range. Ease up on the accelerator before reaching the red
area.
8. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light will turn on and a single chime will
sound to warn of an overheated engine condition.
When this light turns on, the engine temperature
is critically hot. If the light turns on while driving, safely
pull over and stop the vehicle. The vehicle should be
turned OFF immediately and serviced as soon as pos-
sible. (Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in Section 6
for more information).9. Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) Light — If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the ABS Light remains on or turns on while driving,
then the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system is not
functioning and service is required. However, the con-
ventional brake system will continue to operate normally
if the Brake Warning Light is not on.
If the ABS Light is on, the brake system should be
serviced as soon as possible to restore the benefits of
Anti-Lock brakes. If the ABS Light does not turn on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 211
4

•Attention — If the ACC system predicts that its
maximum braking level is not sufficient to maintain
the set distance, this message will flash and a chime
will sound while ACC continues to apply its maxi-
mum braking capacity. When this occurs, you should
immediately apply the brakes as needed to maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Refer to “Adap-
tive Cruise Control (ACC)” in Section 3 (if equipped).
•ACC Blinded — If the ACC system deactivates due to
performance limiting conditions. Refer to “Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC)” in Section 3 (if equipped).
•ACC Unavailable — If the ACC system turns off due
to a temporary malfunction that limits functionality.
Refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)” in Section 3
(if equipped).
•Service ACC — If the ACC system turns off due to an
internal system fault that requires service from an
authorized dealer. Refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)” in Section 3 (if equipped).
•Adjustable Pedals Disabled – Cruise Engaged (with a
single chime) — only available on vehicles equipped
with memory seats.
•Adjustable Pedals Disabled – Vehicle In REVERSE
(with a single chime) — only available on vehicles
equipped with memory seats.
•Channel # Transmit
•Channel # Training
•Channel # Trained
•Clearing Channels
•Channels Cleared
224 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Be sure to turn OFF the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever. Accidents
can also be caused by pressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the ex-
haust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle
fire, which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 309
5

occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than in other gear range selections.
CAUTION!
Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can cause overheating and damage to the transmis-
sion.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission in this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1–3 miles [1.6–4.8 km] of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pulling the shift lever
into the “3” position will show that the transmission is
able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and it will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within
five seconds of shifting from PARK into any other gear
position.
320 STARTING AND OPERATING