traction control CHRYSLER 300 C 2009 1.G Owners Manual

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
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•The system will not be controlling the distance be-
tween your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. The vehicle
speed will only be determined by the position of the
accelerator pedal.
To Cancel
The system will disable ACC without erasing the
memory if:
•You softly tap the brake pedal.
•You depress the brake pedal.
•You pull the speed control lever toward you to CAN-
CEL.
•The Electronic Stability Program/Traction Control
System (ESP/TCS) activates.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 163
3

To Vary the Speed Setting
There are two ways to change the set speed:
•Use the accelerator pedal to adjust the vehicle to the
desired speed and push the lever down (“SET/
DECEL”).
•Tap the stalk up (“ACCEL”) or down (“DECEL”) to
increase or decrease the set speed in 1 mph (1 km/h)
increments respectively. Hold for 5 mph (10 km/h)
increments.
To Cancel
The system will disable Normal cruise control without
erasing the memory if:
•You softly tap or depress the brake pedal.
•You pull the speed control lever toward you (“CAN-
CEL”).
•The Electronic Stability Program/Traction Control
System (ESP/TCS) activates.
To Resume
Push the lever up and release (“RESUME/ACCEL”) and
then remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. The
EVIC will display the last set speed.
To Turn Off
The system will turn off and erase the set speed in
memory if:
•You push and release the “ON/OFF/MODE” button.
•You turn off the ignition.
•You switch off ESP.
If the cruise control system is turned off and reactivated,
the system will return to the Vehicle-to-vehicle (adaptive)
distance control mode.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179
3

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 - Air Outlet 7 - Radio 13 - Ignition Switch
2 - Instrument Cluster 8 - Climate Control 14 - Hood Release
3 - Hazard Switch 9 - Heated Seat Switch* 15 - Trunk Release Switch
4 - Analog Clock 10 - Power Outlet 16 - Headlight Switch
5 - Electronic Stability Program OFF But-
ton* / Traction Control System OFF Button*11 - Ash Tray* * If Equipped
6 - Glove Compartment 12 - Storage Compartment*UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
4

WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
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 Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
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,
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 215
4

All-Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped...... 333
Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 334
▫Acceleration........................ 334
▫Traction........................... 334
Driving Through Water................. 335
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 335
▫Shallow Standing Water............... 336
Power Steering....................... 337
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 338
Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
— 5.7L Engine Only.................... 339
Parking Brake........................ 339
Anti-Lock Brake System................. 341
Electronic Brake Control System........... 343▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)........... 343
▫Traction Control System (TCS)........... 343
▫Brake Assist System (BAS).............. 344
▫Electronic Stability Program (ESP)........ 344
▫Synchronizing ESP................... 347
▫ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light............... 347
Tire Safety Information................. 348
▫Tire Markings....................... 348
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)......... 352
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure.......... 353
Tires — General Information............. 357
▫Tire Pressure....................... 357
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the rear wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
334 STARTING AND OPERATING

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that include ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System), and ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
All four of these systems work together to enhance
vehicle stability and control in various driving condi-
tions.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions by controlling hydrau-
lic brake pressure. This prevents wheel lock-up to help
avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
driven wheel. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is
applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is
reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability.
STARTING AND OPERATING 343
5

Brake Assist System (BAS)
This system complements the ABS by optimizing the
vehicle braking capability during emergency brake ma-
neuvers. This system detects an emergency braking situ-
ation by sensing the rate and amount of brake application
and then applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This
can help reduce braking distances.
Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS
assistance. To receive the benefits of this system, you
must apply continuous brake pedal pressure during the
stopping sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.WARNING!
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•The ESP/TCS Indicator Light and the ESP/BAS Mal-
function Indicator Light will turn on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition switch is turned ON, the ESP
system will be on even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP control system will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is NORMAL; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan-
dards Code (TIN)4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades 348 STARTING AND OPERATING