CHRYSLER 300 SRT 2008 1.G Owners Manual

WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes. Then, start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.NOTE:Refer toSynchronizing ESPunderElectronic
Stability Programin Section 5 if the ESP/BAS light (in
the instrument cluster) remains on continuously after
starting the engine of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 379
6

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and DRIVE. Usually, the least accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion without spin-
ning the wheels is most effective.
NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program,” or “Traction Control” in Section 5.CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “1st” and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
•Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
380 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 35
mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and don’t let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flat-bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the following
limitations
With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL, the distance
to be traveled must not exceed 30 mi (48 km), and the
towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmission
geartrain failure. If the transmission is not operative or if
the vehicle is to be towed more than 30 mi (48 km), the
vehicle must be transported using a flat-bed truck.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 381
6

CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•If the transmission is not operative or if the
vehicle is to be towed more than 30 mi (48 km),
then the only approved method of towing is with
a flat-bed truck. Damage to the transmission may
result.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON position,
not the ACC position. Make certain the transmission
remains in NEUTRAL.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle With
A Tow Dolly
The manufacturerdoes not recommendthat you tow this
vehicle on a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.
382 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

6.1L Engine Compartment................386

Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........387
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap..................387

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................388

Replacement Parts......................389

Authorized Dealer Service................390

Maintenance Procedures..................390
▫Engine Oil..........................391▫Engine Oil Filter......................393
▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 393
▫Spark Plugs.........................394
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................394
▫Fuel Filter..........................395
▫Catalytic Converter....................395
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................397
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............399
▫A/C Air Filter — If Equipped............400
7

▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............400
▫Front And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......401
▫Steering Linkage......................401
▫Body Lubrication.....................401
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................402
▫Windshield Washers/Headlight Washers.....402
▫Exhaust System......................403
▫Cooling System.......................404
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......409
▫Fuel System.........................409
▫Brake System........................410
▫Automatic Transmission................413
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........414▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................414
▫Cleaning The Center Console Cupholders....419

Fuses (Power Distribution Centers)..........419
▫Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center).....419
▫Fuses (Rear Power Distribution Center)......422

Vehicle Storage........................427

Replacement Bulbs......................427

Bulb Replacement......................428
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
And Park/Turn Light..................428
▫Tail/Stop, Tail, Turn Signal Light, And Backup
Light ..............................431
▫License Light........................434
384 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluids And Capacities...................435

Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts........436▫Engine.............................436
▫Chassis............................437
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
7

6.1L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post 6 — Power Steering Fluid
2 — Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center) 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Coolant Bottle 10 — Washer Fluid Bottle 386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL). It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the “MIL” on could cause
further damage to the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions tests
can be performed.
If the “MIL” is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“Check Gascap” message will display in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) (if equipped). If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387
7

TRIP ODOMETER button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance), this check verifies the MIL is func-
tioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD II system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced or recently had a dead battery or had a batteryreplacement. If the OBD II system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see the MIL symbol come on as part of a normal bulb
check.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE