heating CHRYSLER 300 2012 2.G User Guide

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 a problem increase blower speed.
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild but
rainy or humid weather.
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.
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.
342 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause collisions.
•Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re-
sult in tire over-heating and failure.
•Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire failure.
•Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting
in loss of vehicle control.
•Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 397

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.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground,
or using a tow dolly) isNOT ALLOWED. The only
acceptable method for towing this vehicle (behind an-
other vehicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels
OFFthe ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 445

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the center
of the instrument panel between the center air outlets.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flashers. When the switch is activated, all direc-
tional turn signals will flash on and off to warn
oncoming traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a
second time to turn off the Hazard Warning flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition is placed in the OFF position.
NOTE:With extended use the Hazard Warning flashers
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower 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.
448 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

8. Disconnect the positive(+)jumper cable from the
positive(+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive(+)end of the jumper cable
from the remote positive(+)post of the discharged
vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories that can be plugged into the vehicle
power outlets draw power from the vehicle’s battery,
even when not in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.).
Eventually, if plugged in long enough, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
462 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
— if equipped, or Traction Control System (TCS) — if
equipped before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving 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 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 463

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 491

Door Locks............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 32
Door Opener, Garage..................... 238
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 370
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water............................. 371
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy.... 294
E-85 Fuel............................. 424
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 267
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 97
Electrical Power Outlets................... 254
Electronic Brake Control System............. 379
Anti-Lock Brake System................ 379
Brake Assist System................... 380
Traction Control System................ 380
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses).... 508
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)....196,199Electronic Stability Control (ESC)............. 381
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................235,285
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 43
Emergency Trunk Release................... 43
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 462
Hazard Warning Flasher............... 448
Jacking............................ 449
Jump Starting....................... 458
Overheating........................ 448
Towing............................ 467
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 475
Engine............................... 474
Air Cleaner......................... 482
Block Heater........................ 352
Break-In Recommendations.............. 81
Checking Oil Level................... 479
Compartment....................473,474
556 INDEX

Compartment Identification............. 473
Coolant (Antifreeze)................492,522
Cooling........................... 492
Exhaust Gas Caution................83,424
Fails to Start........................ 351
Flooded, Starting..................... 351
Fuel Requirements.................... 420
Jump Starting....................... 458
Multi-Displacement................... 374
Oil .........................479,521,522
Oil Change Interval................293,480
Oil Filler Cap....................... 481
Oil Filter........................... 482
Oil Filter Disposal.................... 482
Oil Selection.....................480,521
Oil Synthetic........................ 481
Overheating........................ 448
Starting........................... 348
Temperature Gauge................... 284Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 481
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 21
Ethanol............................... 421
Event Data Recorder...................... 70
Exhaust Gas Caution...................83,424
Exhaust System.......................83,489
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 95
Exterior Lighting........................ 175
Exterior Lights.......................... 86
Filler Location Fuel...................... 280
Filters
Air Cleaner......................... 482
Air Conditioning..................342,486
Engine Oil.......................482,522
Engine Oil Disposal................... 482
Flash-To-Pass........................... 181
10
INDEX 557

MTBE/ETBE........................... 421
Multi-Displacement Engine System........... 374
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 180
Navigation System (Uconnect™ gps).......... 235
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 81
Occupant Restraints...................43,62,67
Occupant Restraints (Sedan).............60,62,66
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 522
Odometer............................. 276
Oil Change Indicator..................277,293
Oil Change Indicator, Reset..............277,293
Oil Filter, Change........................ 482
Oil Filter, Selection....................... 482
Oil, Engine.........................479,522
Capacity........................... 521
Change Interval...................293,480
Checking.......................... 479Dipstick........................... 479
Disposal........................... 482
Filter..........................482,522
Filter Disposal....................... 482
Identification Logo................... 480
Materials Added to................... 481
Recommendation..................480,521
Synthetic.......................... 481
Viscosity........................481,521
Onboard Diagnostic System................ 475
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®)........... 238
Operating Precautions.................... 475
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors.................. 95
Overdrive............................. 365
Overdrive OFF Switch.................... 365
Overhead Console....................... 237
Overheating, Engine...................284,448
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual).........4,547
564 INDEX