ESP CHRYSLER 300 SRT 2005 1.G Owner's Guide

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.
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 or equivalent 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.
•It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels and trunk 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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 261
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•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.
•All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels should be cleaned regularly
with mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To
remove heavy soil, select a nonabrasive, non-acidic
cleaner. Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle
brush or metal polishes. Only Mopar or equivalent
cleaners are recommended. Do not use oven cleaner.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions
or harsh brushes that may damage the wheels’ protec-
tive finish.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer 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.
•Use Mopar touch up paint or equivalent on scratches
as soon as possible. Your dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
Interior Care
Use Mopar Fabric Cleaner or equivalent to clean fabric
upholstery and carpeting.
Interior Trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth, a damp cloth with a mild detergent, then MOPAR
Vinyl Cleaner or equivalent if absolutely necessary. Do
not use harsh cleaners or Armorall. Use Mopar Vinyl
Cleaner or equivalent to clean vinyl upholstery.
Mopar Total Clean or equivalent is specifically recom-
mended for leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and Mopar Total Clean or equivalent. Care should be
taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery with any
liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,
262 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

solvents, detergents, or ammonia based cleaners to clean
your leather upholstery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
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 the inside rear window equipped with electric
defrosters and radio antenna. Do not use scrapers or
other sharp instruments which may scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use a mild soap solution or
lukewarm water. Do not remove the belts from the car to
wash them.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 263
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Miles 93,000 96,000 99,000 100,000 102,000 105,000
(Kilometers) (155 000) (160 000) (165 000) (170 000) (175 000) (180 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XXX X X
Inspect theair cleaner filter
and replace if re-
quired.*XXX
Inspect theair cleaner filter
and replace if re-
quired.X
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugs.X
Inspect the front and rear brake linings and rotors. X
Check and Inspect the accessory drive belt and ten-
sioner. Replace if required.X
Change the rear axle fluid. X
Replace the air conditioning filter.X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 102,000 miles if
not done at 60 months.X
Rotate the tires. X X
* This maintenance is recommended by the manufacture
to the owner but is not required to maintain the emis-
sions warranty.
‡ This maintenance is not required if previously replaced.Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts.
SCHEDULE “B” 287
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Miles 78,000 84,000 90,000 96,000 100,000 102,000
(Kilometers) (130 000) (140 000) (150 000) (160 000) (170 000) (180 000)
[Months] [78] [84] [90] [96] [102]
Change engine oil and engine oil filter. X X X X X
Inspect theair cleaner filter
and replace if re-
quired.*XXXX
Replace theair cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugs.X
Inspect the front and rear brake linings and ro-
tors.X
Check and Inspect the accessory drive belt and
tensioner. Replace if required.X
Check and replace, if necessary, thePCV valve.
*‡
X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 102,000
miles if not done at 60 months.X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X
Rotate the tires. X X X X X
* This maintenance is recommended by the manufacturer
to the owner but is not required to maintain the emis-
sions warranty.
‡ This maintenance is not required if previously replaced.Inspection and service should also be performed anytime
a malfunction is observed or suspected. Retain all re-
ceipts.
290 SCHEDULE “A”
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Service Contract
You may have purchased a service contract for your
vehicle to help protect you from the high cost of unex-
pected repairs after your manufacturer’s new vehicle
limited warranty expires. The manufacturer stands be-
hind only the manufacturer’s Service Contracts. If you
purchased a manufacturer’s Service Contract, you will
receive Plan Provisions and an Owner Identification Card
in the mail within three weeks of your vehicle delivery
date. If you have any questions about your service
contract, call the manufacturer’s Service Contract Na-
tional Customer Hotline at 1-800-521-9922.
The manufacturer will not stand behind any service
contract that is not the manufacturer’s Service Contract. It
is not responsible for any service contract other than themanufacturer’s Service Contract. If you purchased a
service contract that is not a manufacturer’s Service
Contract, and you require service after your manufactur-
er’s new vehicle limited warranty expires, please refer to
your contract documents, and contact the person listed in
those documents.
We appreciate that you have made a major investment
when you purchased your new vehicle. Your dealer has
also made a major investment in facilities, tools, and
training to assure that you are absolutely delighted with
your ownership experience. You’ll be pleased with their
sincere efforts to resolve any warranty issues or related
concerns.
296 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (highest), B, and C, repre-
senting the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and
its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the
tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup
and possible tire failure.
302 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Break-In Recommendations............... 56
Checking Oil Level.................... 241
Compartment........................ 237
Coolant (Antifreeze)................252,276
Cooling............................ 252
Exhaust Gas Caution................56,217
Fails to Start......................... 182
Fuel Requirements.................214,275
Oil ..........................241,275,276
Oil Change Interval................... 242
Oil Selection......................242,275
Overheating......................... 225
Temperature Gauge................... 137
Engine Oil Viscosity..................... 243
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................ 243
Enhanced Accident Response Feature......... 46
Event Data Recorder..................... 47
Exhaust Gas Caution...............56,217,251
Exhaust System........................ 251
Exterior Folding Mirrors.................. 64
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 244Air Conditioning..................177,249
Engine Fuel......................... 245
Engine Oil.......................243,276
Engine Oil Disposal................... 243
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 224
Turn Signal.......................... 134
Flash-To-Pass.......................... 101
Floor Console.......................... 126
Fluid Capacities........................ 275
Fluid Leaks............................ 58
Fluid Level Checks
Brake.............................. 258
Cooling System....................... 252
Engine Oil.......................... 241
Power Steering....................... 249
Fluids............................... 276
Fog Lights.........................101,134
Folding Rear Seat....................... 93
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 232
Fuel................................. 214
Adding............................. 218
Additives........................... 216
INDEX 307
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