trunk CHRYSLER 300 2021 User Guide

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 55
NOTE:
All accessories connected to the “battery” powered
ou t
lets should be removed or turned off when the
vehicle is not in use to protect the battery against
discharge.
The front power outlet is located inside the storage
ar
ea on the center stack of the instrument panel.

Front Power Outlet
In addition to the front power outlet, there is also a
p
ow

er outlet located in the storage area of the
center console.

Center Console Power Outlet

NOTE:
If the Media Hub is in use, do not exceed the
m a
ximum power of 100 Watts (8 Amps) for the
center console power outlet. When the Media Hub
is not in use, the outlet can deliver up to 120 Watts
(10 Amps). If the power rating is exceeded, the
fuse protecting the system will need to be
replaced.
The instrument panel power outlet and dual rear
c on

sole USB ports can be changed to “battery”
powered at all times by moving the #12 20 Amp
fuse from “IGN” to “B+”. These fuses are located in
the fuse box in the trunk, below the load floor.
Power Outlet Fuse Locations

WARNING!
Do not place ashes inside the cubby bin located
on the center console on vehicles not equipped
with the ash receiver tray. A fire leading to bodily
injury could result.
1 — #12 Fuse 20 Amp Yellow Instrument Panel
Power Outlet/Dual USB Charge Only Ports
2 — #38 Fuse 20 Amp Yellow Center Console
Power Outlet/Media Hub
WARNING!
To avoid serious injury or death:
Only devices designed for use in this type of
outlet should be inserted into any 12 Volt
outlet.
Do not touch with wet hands.
Close the lid when not in use and while driving
the vehicle.
If this outlet is mishandled, it may cause an
electric shock and failure.
2

60 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
2. Reach under the hood, move the safety latch
to the left, and lift the hood.

Hood Safety Latch

CLOSING THE HOOD
Hoods equipped with gas props are closed from
the point where the props no longer hold the hood
open.
TRUNK
OPENING THE TRUNK
The trunk may be opened in several ways:
Power trunk release button on the instrument
panel
Trunk button on the key fob
Trunk Passive Entry button Ú page 20
With the ignition in the ON/RUN position, the trunk
op e

n symbol will display in the instrument cluster
indicating that the trunk is open. The odometer
display will reappear once the trunk is closed.
With the ignition in the OFF position, the trunk
ope
n symbol will display until the trunk is closed.
Power Trunk Release Button The trunk can be opened from inside the
vehicle using the power trunk release
bu

tton located on the instrument panel
to the left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:
The transmission must be in PARK before the
b u
tton will operate.
Key Fob Trunk Release Button
Push the power trunk button on the key
fob twice within five seconds to release
th
e trunk.
Passive Entry Button

Push the trunk Passive Entry button which is located
o n

the right side of the trunk lid. With a valid Passive
Entry key fob within 5 ft (1.5 m) of the trunk, push
th

e Passive Entry button to open the trunk.
Trunk Passive Entry Button

CLOSING THE TRUNK
With one or more hands placed on the outside
trunk surface push the trunk lid down until you
hear the trunk lock latch into place.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving
your vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it
could open when the vehicle is in motion and
block your vision. Failure to follow this warning
could result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the
hood to close it. Lower hood to approximately
12 inches (30 cm) and drop the hood to close.
Ma

ke sure hood is fully closed for both latches.
Never drive vehicle unless hood is fully closed,
with both latches engaged.

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE 61
(Continued)
NOTE:
Before closing the trunk lid make sure your key fob
i s
n’t inside the trunk area. The trunk will latch then
automatically unlock if the key fob is detected, not
allowing the key fob to be locked in the trunk area.
TRUNK SAFETY
Trunk Emergency Release
As a security measure, a trunk internal emergency
r e

lease lever is built into the trunk latching
mechanism. In the event of an individual being
locked inside the trunk, the trunk can be opened
by actuating the glow-in-the-dark handle attached
to the trunk latching mechanism.

Trunk Emergency Release

CARGO AREA FEATURES
60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat —
If Equipped
The 60/40 split-folding rear seat provides
cargo-carrying versatility. The seatbacks fold down
easily by pulling nylon tabs between the seatbacks
and the bolsters. When the seats are folded down,
they provide a continuous, nearly-flat extension of
the load floor.
When the seatback is folded to the upright
pos
ition, make sure it is latched by strongly pulling
on the top of the seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the
trunk, either by climbing into the trunk from
outside, or through the inside of the vehicle.
Always close the trunk lid when your vehicle is
unattended. Once in the trunk, young children
may not be able to escape, even if they entered
through the rear seat. If trapped in the trunk,
children can die from suffocation or heat stroke.
WARNING!
Be certain that the seatback is securely
locked into position. If the seatback is not
securely locked into position, the seat will not
provide the proper stability for child seats
and/or passengers. An improperly latched
seat could cause serious injury.
The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with
the rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded
down position) should not be used as a play
area by children at any time. They could be
seriously injured in a collision. Children should
be seated and using the proper restraint
system.
To help protect against personal injury,
passengers should not be seated in the rear
cargo area. The rear cargo space is intended
for load carrying purposes only, not for
passengers, who should sit in seats and use
seat belts.
2

62 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
Trunk Mat — If Equipped
A trunk mat covers the bottom of the cargo area.
The trunk mat is used to protect the interior of the
trunk from mud, snow, and debris.
Grocery Bag Hooks
The rear cargo area is equipped with grocery bag
hooks, located on either side of the rear cargo
area.

Grocery Bag Hooks

Cargo Net — If Equipped
The rear cargo area may be equipped with a cargo
net to keep items secure while driving.
Rear Cargo Net

Attachment
To attach the cargo net, the clips must be hooked
t h

rough the loops on both sides of the cargo area.

Cargo Net Attachments

The weight and position of cargo and
pa

ssengers can change the vehicle center of
gravity and vehicle handling. To avoid loss of
control resulting in personal injury, follow these
guidelines for loading your vehicle:
Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor.
Put heavier objects as low and as far forward
as possible.
Place as much cargo as possible in front of the
rear axle. Too much weight or improperly
placed weight over or behind the rear axle can
cause the rear of the vehicle to sway.
Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the
top of the seatback. This could impair visibility
or become a dangerous projectile in a sudden
stop or collision.
WARNING!
CAUTION!
Do not exceed the maximum weight limit 50 lb
(22 kg) of the grocery bag hook. Damage may
occur to hook and mounting surface.
1 — Top Attachment
2 — Bottom Attachment

74 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Trunk Open Warning Light
This indicator will illuminate when the
trunk is open and not fully closed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving, there will also be a single
c h
ime.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to
indicate low engine oil pressure. If the
li
ght turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle, shut off the engine as soon as
possible, and contact an authorized dealer. A
chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is
c or

rected. This light does not indicate how much oil
is in the engine. The engine oil level must be
checked under the hood.
Oil Temperature Warning Light
This warning light will illuminate to
indicate the engine oil temperature is
h i
gh. If the light turns on while driving,
stop the vehicle and shut off the engine
as soon as possible. Wait for oil temperature to
return to normal levels.
Transmission Temperature Warning Light
— If Equipped
This warning light will illuminate to warn
of a high transmission fluid temperature.
T h
is may occur with strenuous usage
such as trailer towing. If this light turns
on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle or
slightly faster, with the transmission in PARK or
NEUTRAL, until the light turns off. Once the light
turns off, you may continue to drive normally.
Vehicle Security Warning Light —
If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for
approximately 15 seconds when the
V e
hicle Security system is arming, and
then will flash slowly until the vehicle is
disarmed.
YELLOW WARNING LIGHTS
Service Adaptive Cruise Control Warning
Light — If Equipped
This light will turn on when a ACC is not
operating and needs service Ú page 94.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Warning
Light
This warning light monitors the ABS. The
light will turn on when the ignition is
p
l
aced in the ON/RUN or ACC/ON/RUN
position and may stay on for as long as
four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while
dr
iving, then the Anti-Lock portion of the brake
system is not functioning and service is required as
soon as possible. However, the conventional brake
system will continue to operate normally,
assuming the Brake Warning Light is not also on.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the
Transmission Temperature Warning Light is
illuminated you could cause the fluid to boil over,
come in contact with hot engine or exhaust
components and cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission
Temperature Warning Light illuminated will
eventually cause severe transmission damage
or transmission failure.

112 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
NOTE:
In certain cold conditions, ice may prevent the fuel
d oor
from opening. If this occurs, lightly push on
the fuel door to break the ice buildup and
re-release the fuel door using the inside release
button. Do not pry on the door.
3. T here is no fuel filler cap. Two flapper doors
i
nside the pipe seal the system.
4. Insert the fuel nozzle fully into the filler pipe – t
he nozzle opens and holds the flapper doors
while refueling.
5. F ill the vehicle with fuel – when the fuel nozzle
“
clicks” or shuts off the fuel tank is full.
6. Maintain nozzle in filler for five seconds to a
llow nozzle to drain.
7. Remove the fuel nozzle and close the fuel d
oor.
NOTE:
A funnel is provided (located in the trunk in the
s p
are tire area) to open the flapper doors to allow
for emergency refueling with a gas can.
EMERGENCY FUEL FILLER DOOR
R
ELEASE
If you are unable to open the fuel filler door, use
the fuel filler door emergency release located in
the trunk.
Follow the steps below to open the fuel door in
c a

se of an emergency:

1. Open the trunk.

2
. R emove the access cover (located on the left
s
ide inner trim panel).
Access Cover

3. P ull the release cable.

R
elease Cable

WARNING!
Never have any smoking materials lit in or
near the vehicle when the fuel door is open or
the tank is being filled.
Never add fuel when the engine is running.
This is in violation of most state and federal
fire regulations and may cause the Malfunc -
tion Indicator Light to turn on.
A fire may result if fuel is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle.
You could be burned. Always place fuel
containers on the ground while filling.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
WARNING!

SAFETY 177
(Continued)
(Continued)
Defroster
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. See an authorized dealer for service if
your defroster is inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your vehicle.
Only use a floor mat that does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator, brake or clutch
pedals. Only use a floor mat that is securely
attached using the floor mat fasteners so it cannot
slip out of position and interfere with the
accelerator, brake or clutch pedals or impair safe
operation of your vehicle in other ways.
PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD
M
AKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven
wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or
other objects lodged in the tread or sidewall.
Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect
sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges. Check the
WARNING!

An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners
may cause your floor mat to interfere with the
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and cause a
loss of vehicle control. To prevent SERIOUS
INJURY or DEATH:
ALWAYS securely attach your floor mat using
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your
f l
oor mat upside down or turn your floor mat
over. Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured
using the floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.
ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR MAT
FROM THE VEHICLE before installing any
other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an addi -
tional floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that cannot
be properly attached and secured to your
vehicle. If a floor mat needs to be replaced, only
use a FCA approved floor mat for the specific
make, model, and year of your vehicle.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the
driver’s side floor area. To check for interfer -
ence, with the vehicle properly parked with the
e n

gine off, fully depress the accelerator, the
brake, and the clutch pedal (if present) to check
for interference. If your floor mat interferes with
the operation of any pedal, or is not secure to
the floor, remove the floor mat from the vehicle
and place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on the
passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide
into the driver’s side floor area when the vehicle
is moving. Objects can become trapped under
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and could
cause a loss of vehicle control.

WARNING!

NEVER place any objects under the floor mat
(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could
change the position of the floor mat and may
cause interference with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and
re-installed, always properly attach carpet to
the floor and check the floor mat fasteners are
secure to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each
pedal to check for interference with the acceler -
ator, brake, or clutch pedals then re-install the
f l

oor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap and
water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,
always check your floor mat has been properly
installed and is secured to your vehicle using
the floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.

WARNING!
6

178 SAFETY
(Continued)
lug nuts/bolt torque for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks.
Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should
be located and corrected immediately.
EXHAUST GAS
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained
engine exhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the
ex

haust system, when exhaust fumes can be
detected inside the vehicle, or when the underside
or rear of the vehicle is damaged, have an
authorized dealer inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts.
Open seams or loose connections could permit
exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger
compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust
system each time the vehicle is raised for
lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
CARBON MONOXIDE WARNINGS
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 these safety tips:
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 you are required to drive with the trunk/lift -
gate/rear doors open, make sure that all
w i
ndows are closed and the climate control
BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT
use the recirculation mode.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with
the engine running, adjust your heating or
cooling controls to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is
deadly. Follow the precautions below to prevent
carbon monoxide poisoning:
Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless
gas, which can kill. Never run the engine in a
closed area, such as a garage, and never sit in
a parked vehicle with the engine running for
an extended period. If the vehicle is stopped in
an open area with the engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation
system to force fresh, outside air into the
vehicle.
Guard against carbon monoxide with proper
maintenance. Have the exhaust system
inspected every time the vehicle is raised.
Have any abnormal conditions repaired
promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 183
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. P lace the gear selector into PARK (P).
5
. T urn the ignition to the OFF position.
6
. B lock both the front and rear of the wheel
d
iagonally opposite the jacking position. For
example, if the driver’s front wheel is being
changed, block the passenger’s rear wheel.

Wheel Blocked

NOTE:
Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when
t h
e vehicle is being lifted or raised.
JACK LOCATION/SPARE TIRE STOWAGE
The jack and spare tire are both stowed under an
access cover in the trunk. Follow these steps to
access the jack and spare tire.
NOTE:
The spare tire must be removed in order to access
t h
e jack.

1. Open the trunk.

2

. Li ft the access cover using the pull strap.
3
. R otate the fastener securing the spare tire
c
ounterclockwise to remove it.

Spare Tire Fastener

4. R emove the spare tire.
5
. R otate the fastener securing the jack counter -
c
lockwise to remove it.
Jack Fastener

6. R emove the jack and lug wrench assembly
f
rom under the spare tire. Turn the jack screw
to the left to loosen the lug wrench, and
remove the wrench from the jack assembly.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision
or hard stop could endanger the occupants of
the vehicle. Always stow the jack parts and the
spare tire in the places provided. Have the
deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced
immediately.7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 187
PREPARATIONS FOR JUMP START
The battery is stored under an access cover in the
trunk. Remote battery posts are located on the
right side of the engine compartment for jump
starting.

Jump Starting Locations

NOTE:
The remote battery posts are viewed by standing
on
the right side of the vehicle looking over the
fender. The positive battery post may be covered
with a protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain
access to the positive battery post. Do not jump off
fuses. Only jump directly off positive post which
has a positive (+) symbol on or around the post.
Jump Starting Posts

See below steps to prepare for jump starting:

1. Apply the parking brake, shift the automatic t
ransmission into PARK and cycle the ignition
to OFF.

2. T urn off the heater, radio, and all electrical
a
ccessories.
3. If using another vehicle to jump start the b
attery, park the vehicle within the jumper
cables reach, set the parking brake, and make
sure the ignition is OFF.
Remote Positive (+) Post
Remote Negative (-) Post
Remote Positive (+) Post
Remote Negative (-) Post
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and
personal injury could result.
WARNING!
Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan
whenever the hood is raised. It can start
anytime the ignition switch is ON. You can be
injured by moving fan blades.
Remove any metal jewelry such as rings,
watch bands and bracelets that could make
an inadvertent electrical contact. You could be
seriously injured.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn
your skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas
which is flammable and explosive. Keep open
flames or sparks away from the battery.7