2004 CHRYSLER 300 M flat tire

Spare Tire Usage with Directional Tread Pattern
Tires (300M Special Only)
The 300M Special model offers tires with a directional
tread pattern. These tires are designed to optimize dry
handling as well as wet performance. To obtain the full
benefits of this design, the tires must be installed so that
they rotate in the correct direction. The rotation direction
of this type of tire is indicated by arrows on the side wall
of the tire. The full size spare tire is mounted as a direct
replacement for the right side of the vehicle. For road-
side replacement of a flat tire on the left side of the
vehicle, the full size spare can be used as mounted. If this
is required, correct the rotation as soon as possible to
restore optimum wet performance.
Compact Spare Tire
Maintain the compact spare tire inflation pressure at 60
psi [4.1 bars](414 kPa). Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
while the compact spare is installed on the vehicle.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed.
WARNING!
Temporary-use spare tires are for emergency use
only. With the compact spare tire assembly installed
on your vehicle, do not exceed 50 mph (80 km).
Vehicle handling and braking performance will be
reduced. Also, do not drive more than 50 mph (80
km) with the compact spare installed. Failure to
follow compact spare tire warning may result in an
accident and/or fatal injury. Temporary-use spare
tires have a total tread life of 2,000 miles (3 200 km).
Be sure to follow the warnings, which apply to your
spare. Failure to do so could result in spare tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
STARTING AND OPERATING 169
5

WARNING!
The 300M Special is equipped with tires that are
optimized for driving in dry and wet weather con-
ditions. However, these tires have reduced traction
capability in snow and ice. When driving a 300M
Special in these conditions with these tires, you must
take special care to maintain control and avoid
accidents. We recommend that you equip your ve-
hicle with “SNOW” or “ALL SEASON” tires on all
four wheels for driving in snowy and icy conditions.
It is necessary to select tires equivalent in size and
load rating to the original equipment tires. “SNOW”
tires may have lower speed rating than factory
equipped tires and may not match the maximum
vehicle speed. Do not use tires or wheels other than
the size recommended by the manufacturer for this
vehicle.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
load rating to the original equipment tires. Refer to the
tire pressure label for inflation pressure.Snow tires may have a lower speed rating than factory
equipped tires and may not match the maximum vehicle
speed.
Snow tires should not be operated at sustained speeds
over 75 mph (120 km/h).
Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.
STARTING AND OPERATING 171
5

These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.
Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct inflation pressure. The manufacturer
strongly recommends that you use tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and performance when replace-
ment is needed (see the paragraph on tread wear indica-
tors). Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may
adversely affect the safety, handling, and ride of your
vehicle. We recommend that you contact your original
equipment dealer on any questions you may have on tire
specifications or capability.
WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combina-
tions of unapproved tires and wheels may change
suspension dimensions and performance charac-
teristics, resulting in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your vehicle. This can cause
unpredictable handling and stress to steering and
suspension components. You could lose control
and have an accident resulting in serious injury or
death. Use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire smaller than the minimum tire
size listed on your vehicle’s tire label located on
the driver’s door. Using a smaller tire could result
in tire overloading and failure. You could lose
control and have an accident.
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
•Overloading your tires is dangerous. Like under
inflation, overloading can cause tire failure. Use
tires of the recommended load capacity for your
vehicle and never overload them.
172 STARTING AND OPERATING

Preparations For Jacking
•
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers and park the
vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or slippery
areas.
•Put the gear shift in PARK (Automatic transmission)
or REVERSE (Manual Transmission).
•Set the parking brake and turn off the engine.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
Jacking and Changing a Tire
1. Block the wheel diagonally
opposite the flat tire. Passengers
should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.
2. Remove the spare tire, scissors, jack and lug wrench.
184 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Before raising the vehicle, use the lug wrench to loosen
the lug nuts of the flat tire.4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange, use the lift area
closest to the flat tire.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 185
6

5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove the flat tire
and install the spare tire.
6. Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and
tire. Remove the cover by hand, do not pry off.
186 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
Death or serious injury can occur if magnetically
sensitive devices are exposed to this magnet. Mag-
nets can affect pacemakers.
7. Mount the spare tire. For vehicles equipped with
wheel covers, see the wheel cover installation instruc-
tions. Do not attempt to install a wheel cover on a
compact spare.
8. Tighten all the lug nuts on the mounting studs.
9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.
10. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque the wheel lug nuts
to 100 ft/lb. (135N. m).
11. Store the flat tire, jack and tools.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 187
6

Compact Spare Tire-For Temporary Emergency
Use Only
•
Keep tire inflated to 60 PSI (414 KPa) Cold Inflation
Pressure.
•Avoid driving more than 50 miles (80 km) before
replacing tire and wheel.
•This tire is designed as an emergency spare only-do
not exceed 50 MPH (80 km/h) speed.
Wheel Cover Installation (If Required)
1. Tighten the two lug nuts on the mounting studs on
each side of the stud which is in alignment with the valve
stem.
2. Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with the
valve stem on the wheel.
3. Install the cover by hand, snapping the cover over the
two lug nuts. Do not use a hammer or excessive force to
install the cover.
4. Return to Changing a Tire Section, Item #8 above.
188 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES