maintenance CHRYSLER 300 M 2004 1.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...........................7
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................49
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL.................................107
5
STARTING AND OPERATING................................................153
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES.............................................181
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................195
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES................................................239
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.......................................255
10
INDEX...................................................................265
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE:After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold.
When it comes to service, remember that your manufac-
turers dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-
trained technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is
interested in your satisfaction.
WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner’s manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for your
protection in an impact. While the airbag system
is designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the
system immediately.
•The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time– babies and children too. 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 under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat. According to crash statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat rather than the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile inside the vehicle. The
force required to hold even an infant on your lap
could become so great that you could not hold the
child, no matter how strong you are. The child and
others could be badly injured. Any child riding in
your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the
child’s size.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner’s manual to ensure you have the right seat for
your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child:
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Programming The Universal Transceiver......76
▫“Rolling Code” Programming.............77
▫Canadian Programming/Gate Programming . . .79
▫Operation............................79
▫Reprogramming A Single Button...........79
▫Security.............................80
Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........80
▫Programming The Universal Transceiver......81
▫Reprogramming a Single Universal Transceiver
Button..............................83
▫Operation............................84
▫Multiple Security Code Systems (Rolling Code
System).............................84
▫For Your Security......................85
▫What May Cause The Universal Transceiver Not
ToWork .............................85
Power Sun Roof — If Equipped............86▫Wind Buffeting........................87
▫Sun Roof Maintenance...................87
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) —
If Equipped
...........................88
▫Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped . . .89
▫Customer Programmable Features..........91
▫Compass/Temperature/Trip Computer.......98
▫Trip Computer........................98
Overhead Travel Information Center —
If Equipped
..........................102
▫US/M Button........................102
▫Reset Button.........................102
▫Global Reset.........................103
▫Step Button.........................103
▫Average Fuel Economy (AVG ECO)........103
▫Distance To Empty (DTE)...............103
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 51
3

The sunshade can be opened manually. It will also open
as the sun roof opens. The sunshade cannot be closed if
the sun roof is open.
WARNING!
In an accident, there is a greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sun roof. You could also
be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your
seatbelt properly and make sure all passengers are
properly secured too.
Do not allow small children to operate the sun roof.
Never allow fingers or other body parts, or any
object to project through the sun roof opening.
Injury may result.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if so equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting.
Sun Roof Maintenance
Use only a non abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system uses wireless
technology to monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors,
mounted to each wheel as part of the valve stem transmit
tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the over-
head console.
The tire pressure is shown in the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) display. The TPM system
remains active even if it is not displayed in the EVIC.CAUTION!
The TPM system is designed to monitor your tire
pressure and will not function as a tire pressure
gauge while adjusting the pressure in your tires.
There will be a delay between the instant you adjust
the air pressure in a tire and when the system
updates the display.
NOTE:The TPM system can inform you about a low or
high tire pressure condition, but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. The TPM system is not in-
tended to provide you with notification of rapid pressure
loss.
1. If any tire pressure has exceeded the low or high
pressure (refer to “Starting and Operating, Tires Sec-
tion”), the TPM system will display a message in the
EVIC and sound a chime. It will then go into the tire
pressure display screen and flash the pressure value of
the tire that is low or high. This will be displayed for the
rest of the ignition cycle, or until either the C/T, MENU,
STEP, or RESET button is pressed.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 89
3

▫Loading The CD Changer...............140
▫Playing Discs........................140
▫Seek Button.........................141
▫FF/Tune/RW........................141
▫Mode Button........................141
▫Program Button 1.....................141
▫Program Button 4 (Random Play)..........141
▫Program Button 5.....................141
▫Time Button.........................141
▫Changing Modes......................141
▫Removing Discs From The CD Changer.....142
▫CD Changer Operation With The Changer
Off ...............................142Remote Sound System Controls —
If Equipped
..........................142
▫Radio Operation......................143
▫Tape Player.........................143
▫CD Player — Single Disc In Radio.........143
▫CD Player — 6 Disc CD Changer..........143
Cassette Tape And Player Maintenance......144
Compact Disc Maintenance...............145
Radio Operation And Cellular Phones.......145
Climate Controls......................146
▫Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......146
110 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If you press the switch up or down twice it plays the
second track, three times, it will play the third, etc.
The button in the center of the left hand switch will cause
the CD changer to play the next available disc.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.
2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
4. Before inserting a tape, make sure that the label is
adhering flatly to the cassette.
5. A loose tape should be corrected before use. To rewind
a loose tape, insert the eraser end of a pencil into the tape
drive gear and twist the pencil in the required directions.Maintain your cassette tape player. The head and capstan
shaft in the cassette player can pick up dirt or tape
deposits each time a cassette is played. The result of
deposits on the capstan shaft may cause the tape to wrap
around and become lodged in the tape transport. The
other adverse condition is low or “muddy” sound from
one or both channels, as if the treble tone control were
turned all the way down. To prevent this, you should
periodically clean the head with a commercially available
WET cleaning cassette.
As preventive maintenance, clean the head about every
30 hours of use. If you wait until the head becomes very
dirty (noticeably poor sound), it may not be possible to
remove all deposits with a simple WET cleaning cassette.
144 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

COMPACT DISC MAINTENANCE
To keep the compact discs in good condition, take the
following precautions:
1. Handle the disc by its edge; avoid touching the
surface.
2. If the disc is stained, clean the surface with a soft cloth,
wiping from center to edge.
3. Do not apply paper or tape to the disc; avoid scratch-
ing the disc.
4. Do not use solvents such as benzine, thinner, cleaners,
or antistatic sprays.
5. Store the disc in its case after playing.
6. Do not expose the disc to direct sunlight.
7. Do not store the disc where temperatures may become
too high.
NOTE:If you experience difficulty in playing a particu-
lar disc, it may be damaged, oversized, or have theft
protection encoding. Try a known good disc before
considering disc player service.
RADIO OPERATION AND CELLULAR PHONES
Under certain conditions, the operation of a cellular
phone in your vehicle can cause erratic or noisy perfor-
mance from your radio. This condition may be lessened
or eliminated by relocating the cellular phone antenna.
This condition is not harmful to the radio. If your radio
performance does not satisfactorily “clear” by the repo-
sitioning of the antenna, it is recommended that the radio
volume be turned down or off during cellular phone
operation.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 145
4

period. The cold inflation pressure must not exceed the
maximum values molded into the tire side wall.
Tire pressure may increase from 2 to 6 psi [.13 to.41 bars]
(13 to 40 kPa) during operation. Do NOT reduce this
normal pressure build up or your tire pressure will be too
low.
The tire pressures shown on the tire label apply only to
the tire sizes listed on the label.
Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPM) monitors the
pressure in all 4 road tires and the full size spare. The
TPM system uses wireless technology to monitor tire
pressure levels. Sensors, mounted to each wheel as part
of the valve stem, transmit tire pressure readings to a
receiver located in the overhead console. The tire pres-
sure status is shown in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) display. Pressure in the spare tire, al-
though monitored, is not displayed in the EVIC. Refer to
“Understanding the Features of Your Vehicle, Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” for more informa-
tion. The TPM system functions even when the EVIC is
not set on the tire pressure display screen.The TPM system informs you of a low or high tire
pressure condition. If this occurs, correct your tire infla-
tion pressure as soon as possible, and inspect all of your
tires. Be sure to use a high quality gauge when adjusting
pressure. The TPM system is designed to periodically
monitor your tire pressure but cannot be expected to
function as a tire pressure gauge. There can be a delay
between the instant you adjust the air pressure in a tire
and when the system updates the display. The TPM
system is not intended to provide you with notification of
rapid air loss.
The following chart indicates the TPM system pressure
levels. A threshold is the level at which the TPM system
provides you with an indication.
300M 300M Special
High Pressure
Threshold45 psi (310 kPa) 45 psi (310 kPa)
Placard Pressure 30 psi (207 kPa) 32 psi (220 kPa)
Low Pressure
Threshold24 psi (165 kPa) 26 psi (179 kPa)
NOTE:A TPM system does not replace normal tire
maintenance.
166 STARTING AND OPERATING