CHRYSLER 300 M 2004 1.G Owners Manual

Automatic Transaxle
All front wheel drive vehicles have a transaxle and
differential assembly contained within a single housing.
Selection of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transaxle to assure optimum transaxle performance. Use
only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to the Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts section for correct fluid type. It is impor-
tant that the transmission fluid be maintained at the
prescribed level using the recommended fluid.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Using a transmission fluid other than that
recommended by the manufacturer will result in
more frequent fluid and filter changes. Refer to the
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
section for correct fluid type.
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Fluid Level Check
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and of the fluid.
Procedure For Checking Fluid Level
To properly check the automatic transaxle fluid level, the
following procedure must be used:
•The vehicle must be on level ground.
•The engine should be running at curb idle speed for a
minimum of 60 seconds.
•Fully apply parking brake.
•Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in P (PARK).
•Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated.
Remove dipstick and note reading.
•If the fluid is hot(180° F / 82° C), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked ”HOT” (between the
upper two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid is cold(80° F / 27° C), the reading should be
in the cross hatched area marked “COLD” (between
the lower two holes in the dipstick).
•If the fluid level shows low, add sufficient transmis-
sion fluid to bring to the proper level.
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CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can
cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transaxle after checking or replen-
ishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is
seated properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Maintenance schedule “A”— No change necessary.
Maintenance schedule “B”–Every 60,000 miles (96 000
km) change fluid and filter under the following condi-
tions:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is drivenregularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for mainte-
nance schedules.If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any fluid additives to the transaxle. The only exception to
this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting
fluid leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be
avoided as they may adversely affect seals.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
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7

The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
What Causes Corrosion?
Corrosion is the result of deterioration or removal of
paint and protective coatings from your vehicle.
The most common causes are:
•Road salt, dirt and moisture accumulation.
•Stone and gravel impact.
•Insects, tree sap and tar.
•Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
•Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
•Bird droppings.
Washing
•
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using a mild car wash soap, and
rinse the panels completely with clear water.
•If insects, tar or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, wash it as soon as possible.
•Use Mopar auto polish to remove road film and stains
and to polish your vehicle. Take care never to scratch
the paint.
•Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder, which will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
Special Care
•
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
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•It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and rear deck lid be kept
clear and open.
•If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
•Use Mopar touch up paint on scratches or chips as
soon as possible. Your dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
•If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible.
The cost of such repairs is considered the responsibil-
ity of the owner.
•Aluminum and chrome wheels should be cleaned
regularly with mild soap and water to prevent corro-
sion. To remove heavy soil, select a non abrasive,
non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring pads or metal
polishes. Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic
solutions or harsh brushes that may damage the
wheels’ protective finish.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
deicer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
Interior Care
Use Mopar Fabric Cleaner to clean fabric upholstery and
carpeting.
Use a mild soap and warm water solution to clean vinyl
or leather upholstery. For stubborn stains, use Mopar
Vinyl Cleaner.
Mopar Vinyl Cleaner is specifically recommended for
vinyl trim.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 225
7

CAUTION!
The use of vinyl, leather or plastic protectants may
cause excessive gloss and/or discoloration of interior
trim parts.
Leather Seat Care and Cleaning
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an
abrasive and damage the leather surface and should be
removed immediately with a damp cloth. Stubborn soils
can be removed easily with a soft cloth and Mopar Total
Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking the leather
with any liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents, or ammonia based cleaners
to clean the leather. Application of a leather conditioner is
not required to maintain the original condition.
Wooden Steering Wheel Care — If Equipped
If your vehicle is equipped with a wood steering wheel,
it is finished with a clear topcoat. Please take care to
avoid scratching the surface with sharp or abrasive
materials.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with any commercial household-type glass cleaner.
Never use an abrasive type cleaner. Use caution when
cleaning inside rear windows equipped with electric
defrosters. Do not use scrapers or other sharp instru-
ments which may scratch the elements.
Instrument Panel Cover
The instrument panel cover has a low glare surface which
minimizes reflections in the windshield. Do not use
226 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

protectants or other products which may cause undesir-
able reflections. Use soap and warm water to restore the
low glare surface.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
•Clean with a wet soft rag. A mild soap solution may be
used, but do not use high alcohol content or abrasive
cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean with a clean damp
rag.
•Dry with a soft tissue.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the
vehicle to wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
FUSES
The fuse block is behind the end cover at the left side of
the instrument panel. Pull the cover straight away from
the instrument panel for access to the fuses.
Fuse Block Relays
The location and identification of fuse block relays can be
found on the inside of the instrument panel end cover.
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Underhood Fuses
A Power Distribution center is located in the engine
compartment. This center contains fuses and relays for
circuits that operate only under the hood. A label which
identifies these components is located on the underside
of the cover.CAUTION!
When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to use
only a fuse having the correct amperage rating. The
use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated may
result in a dangerous electrical system overload. If a
properly rated fuse continues to blow, it indicates a
problem in the circuit that must be corrected.
Interior Fuses
Cavity Fuse Circuits
1 10 Amp
RedTransmission Controller, Gauges,
Autostick
2 10 Amp
RedRight High Beam Headlight
3 10 Amp
RedLeft High Beam Headlight
4 10 Amp
RedRadio, CD Player
5 10 Amp
RedWasher Motor
6 15 Amp
Lt. BluePower Outlet
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Cavity Fuse Circuits
7 20 Amp
YellowTail, License, Parking, Illumina-
tion Lights, Instrument Cluster
8 10 Amp
RedAirbag
9 10 Amp
RedTurn Signal Lights, Turn Signal/
Hazard Indicator
10 15 Amp
Lt. BlueRight Low Beam
11 20 Amp
YellowHigh Beam Relay, High Beam
Indicator, High Beam Switch
12 15 Amp
Lt. BlueLeft Low Beam Headlight
13 10 Amp
RedFuel Pump Relay, Power Train
Control Module
14 10 Amp
RedCluster, Day/Night Mirror, Sun-
roof, Overhead Console, Garage
Door Opener, Body Control Mod-
ule
15 10 Amp
RedDaytime Running Light Module
(Canada)
16 20 Amp
YellowFog Light IndicatorCavity Fuse Circuits
17 10 Amp
RedABS Control, Back Up Lights,
Daytime Running Lights, A/C
Heater Control,
18 20 Amp
YellowPower Amplifier, Horn
19 15 Amp
Lt. BlueOverhead Console, Garage Door
Opener, Trunk, Overhead, Rear
Reading, and Visor Vanity Lights,
Trunk Release Solenoid, Power
Mirrors, Power Door Locks, Body
Control Module, Aspirator Motor
20 20 Amp
YellowBrake Lights
21 10 Amp
RedLeak Detection Pump, Low Rad
Relay, High Rad Relay, A/C
Clutch Relay
22 10 Amp
RedAirbag
23 30 Amp
GreenBlower Motor, ATC Power Mod-
ule
24 20 Amp
C/BRKRPower Window Motors
25 20 Amp
C/BRKRPower Door Lock Motors, Power
Seats
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REPLACEMENT LIGHT BULBS
Interior Light Bulbs Bulb No.
Turn Signal...........................PC194
Climate Control.......................... 330
Overhead Console, Front Reading, Courtesy, Grab
Handle................................ 192
Trunk................................. 906
Exterior Light Bulbs Bulb No.
Low Beam Headlights..................9006XS
High Beam Headlights................9005XSLL
Park, Turn, & Side Marker.................3157
Fog Lights.............................. H3
Center Stop Light........................ 921
Tail, Stop, Turn & Side Marker..............3057
Back-Up..............................3057
License................................ 168
NOTE:If equipped with the optional (HID) High
Intensity Discharge Headlamp Light Bulb, please seek
dealer service for replacement.
NOTE:You will note on vehicles equipped with the
optional (HID) High Intensity Discharge Headlamp Light
Bulb that upon turning the lamps on there is a blue hue
to the lamps. This diminishes and becomes more white
after approximately 10 seconds as the system charges.
BULB REPLACEMENT
Headlight and Parking Light Removal
1. Remove the headlamp sight shield.
230 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE