instrument panel CHRYSLER 300 M 2004 1.G User Guide

must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to
8 seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
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.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫To Turn The Interior Lights On.............64
▫Battery Saver Feature—Interior Lights........64
▫Instrument Panel Lighting................65
▫Front Map/Reading Lights...............65
▫Rear Seat Reading/Courtesy Lights.........65
Exterior Lights.........................66
▫Headlights And Parking Lights............66
▫Lights-On Reminder....................66
▫Automatic Headlights...................66
▫Headlight Time Delay...................67
▫Battery Saver Feature...................67
▫Fog Lights...........................67
▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)......68
Multifunction Control Lever...............68
▫Turn Signals..........................68
▫Headlight Dimmer Switch................68▫Passing Light.........................68
▫Windshield Wipers And Washers...........69
▫Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wipers System....69
Tilt Steering Column.....................70
Traction Control Switch..................70
Electronic Speed Control..................71
▫To Activate...........................72
▫To Set At A Desired Speed................72
▫To Deactivate.........................72
▫To Resume Speed......................73
▫To Vary The Speed Setting................73
▫To Accelerate For Passing................73
▫Using Speed Control On Hills.............73
Overhead Console......................74
▫Dome/Reading Lights...................74
Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........75
50 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
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 when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in an accident. Children should
be seated and using the proper restraint system.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
up on the hood release lever located under the left side of
the instrument panel.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63
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NOTE:The map lights or reading lights that are manu-
ally switched on will not turn off automatically.
Instrument Panel Lighting
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer switch.
Daytime Brightness Feature
Certain instrument panel components can be illuminated
at full brightness during the daytime. These are the
Odometer, Transmission Range Indicator, Radio, Climate
Controls, and the Overhead Travel Information Center.
This can be helpful when driving with your headlightson during the daytime such as in a parade or a funeral
procession. To activate this feature, rotate the Dimmer
Control upward to the first detent.
Front Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors. Each
light is turned On by pressing the lens. Press the lens a
second time to turn the light Off. The lights also come on
when a door is opened or the dimmer switch is turned
fully upward, past the second detent.
NOTE:The lights will remain on until the switch is
pressed a second time, so be sure they have been turned
off before leaving the vehicle. They will not turn off
automatically.
Rear Seat Reading/Courtesy Lights
These lights may be individually operated by a switch
next to the light. The Battery Saver feature will not turn
these lights off. Be sure the lights are off before leaving
the vehicle. The lights also come on when a door is
opened or the dimmer switch is turned to the dome light
position, past the detent.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 65
3

EXTERIOR LIGHTS
Headlights And Parking Lights
When the headlight switch is turned clockwise
from Off to the first position, the parking lights,
taillights, side marker lights, license plate light and
instrument panel lights are all turned on. The headlights
turn on when the switch is turned to the second position.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are left on after the
ignition is turned Off, a chime will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.
Automatic Headlights
This system automatically turns your headlights on at a
preset level of outdoor lighting. To turn the system on,
turn the headlight switch to the extreme left. When the
system is on, the headlight delay feature is also on. This
means that your headlights will stay on for about 90
seconds after you turn the ignition switch off. To turn the
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Vehicle speed is monitored to calculate wiper
delay intervals. The delay between cycles is shortened
when the vehicle is moving above 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h)
and lengthened below 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull the small lever below the turn
signal control toward you and move the wheel up or
down, as desired. Release the lever to lock the wheel
firmly in place.
WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH
To turn the Traction Control System Off, press the switch
located on the instrument panel, to the right of the
steering column, until the TRAC OFF light in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Language
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
computer functions. Press the STEP button while in this
display selects English, Francaise, Deutsch, Italiano, or
Espanol. As you continue the displayed information will
be shown in the selected language.
US or Metric
Pressing the STEP button when in this display selects US
or Metric. The overhead console and instrument panel
displays will be in the selected units.
Auto Door Locks
When this feature is selected, all doors lock automatically
when the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (25 km/h).
Pressing the STEP button when in this display will select
“Yes” or “No.”
Auto Unlock On Exit (Available Only When the
AUTO DOOR LOCKS Feature is Turned On)
When this feature is selected all the vehicle’s doors will
unlock when the driver’s door is opened if the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) position. Pressing the STEP button when in this
display will select “Yes” or “No.”
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Headlamp On With Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
When this feature is selected and the headlight switch
has at least once been moved to the AUTO position, the
headlights will turn on when the wipers are turned on.
The headlights will also turn off when the wipers are
turned off if they were turned on in this way. Pressing the
STEP button when in this display will select “Yes” or
“No.”
NOTE:Turning the headlights on during the daytime
causes the instrument panel lights to dim. To increase the
brightness, refer to “Lights” in this section.
Service Interval
When this feature is selected a service interval between
2,000 (3 200 km) and 6,000 miles (9 600 km) in 500 mile
(800 km) increments may be selected. Pressing the STEP
button when in this display will select distances between
2,000 (3 200 km) and 6,000 miles (9 600 km) in 500 mile
(800 km) increments.
Reset Service Distance (Displays Only if Service
Interval was Changed)
When this feature is selected the current accumulated
service distance can be reset to the newly selected service
interval. Pressing the STEP button when in this display
will select “Yes” or “No.”
Easy Exit Seat
When this feature is selected the driver’s seat moves
rearward two inches (55 mm) or to the farthest rearward
position if this distance is less than two inches (55 mm)
when the key is removed from the ignition switch so that
the driver can more easily exit the vehicle. The seat will
return to the memorized seat location (if REMOTE LINK
TO MEMORY is set to YES) when the remote keyless
entry transmitter is used to unlock the door. Pressing the
STEP button when in this display will select “Yes” or
“No.”
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Outside Temperature
Because engine temperature can increase the displayed
temperature, temperature readings are slowly updated
when vehicle speed is below 20 mph (30 km/h).
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
Your vehicle may be equipped with two power outlets.
The primary power outlet is located in the forward
portion of the center console and in the lower center of
the instrument panel. Accessories powered through this
outlet are protected by a 15 amp fuse. The outlet may be
converted to a cigar lighter by installing the dealer
obtained smoker’s package. The outlet is operated by the
ignition switch, when in the “on/run” or “acc” positions
only. You may convert the outlet from ignition to battery
power by performing the following:
•Remove the fuse cover from the left end of the
instrument panel (see the paragraph on fuses in sec-
tion 7 of this manual.)
•Remove fuse #6 (its on the upper right of the fuse
block) from its “IGN” position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS
Instruments And Controls................111
Instrument Cluster.....................112
Instrument Cluster Description............113
Setting The Analog Clock................118
Electronic Digital Clock.................118
▫Clock Setting Procedure.................118
Radio General Information...............118
▫Radio Broadcast Signals.................118
▫Two Types Of Signals..................119
▫Electrical Disturbances..................119
▫AM Reception.......................119
▫FM Reception........................119
Sales Code RAZ—AM/ FM Stereo Radio With
Cassette Tape Player And CD Player — If
Equipped
............................119
▫Operating Instructions — Radio...........119
▫Power Switch, Volume Control............120
▫Seek Button (Radio Mode)...............120
▫Tuning.............................120
▫PTY (Program Type) Button..............120
▫Balance............................121
▫Fade..............................121
▫Tone Control........................122
▫AM/FM Selection.....................122
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