2004 CHRYSLER 300 M tow

7. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever.
8. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever towards the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or
low beam.
9. Seat Belt Reminder Light
The light will come on after the ignition is
turned on. The light will remain lit until the seat
belt is fastened.
10. Door Ajar Light
This light shows that a door is not completely
closed. A warning chime will sound if the vehicle
is moving with a door partially closed.
11. Speedometer
Shows vehicle speed in miles-per-hour or kilometers-per-
hour.
12. Low Washer Fluid Light
This symbol will light whenever the fluid reser-
voir is less than 1/4 filled. Adding washer fluid
will cause the light to go out the next time the
ignition is cycled. A warning chime will sound when
the light comes on.
13. Cruise (Speed Control) Light
This light shows that the Speed Control System is ON.
14. Temperature Light
This light warns of an overheated engine cool-
ant condition. A warning chime will sound
when the light comes on.
15. Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant
temperature. Any reading within the 5 gauge
marks between Hot and Cold shows that the
engine cooling system is operating properly. The
gauge pointer may show a higher than normal tem-
perature when driving in hot weather, up mountain
grades, in heavy stop and go traffic, or when towing a
trailer.
114 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the pointer rises to the “H” mark, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the problem is corrected.
CAUTION!
Continuing to drive with an overheated engine cool-
ing system can cause damage to the engine or other
components.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
16. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control systems. Thelight will illuminate when the key is in the ON
position before engine start. If the bulb does not come
on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap or
poor fuel quality may illuminate the light after engine
start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on
through several of your typical driving cycles. In most
situations the vehicle will drive normally and will not
require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert to serious
conditions that could lead to immediate loss of power or
severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle should be
serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
17. Trip Odometer Reset Knob
To reset the trip odometer, push the reset knob for about
two seconds.
18. Airbag Light
The light will come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch
is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit during starting,
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115
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Operating Instructions — Tape Player
Insert the cassette with the exposed tape side toward the
right and the mechanical action of the player will gently
pull the cassette into the play position.
NOTE:When subjected to extremely cold temperatures,
the tape mechanism may require a few minutes to warm
up for proper operation. Sometimes poor playback may
be experienced due to a defective cassette tape. Clean and
demagnetize the tape heads at least twice a year.
Seek Button
Press the SEEK button up for the next selection on the
tape and down to return to the beginning of the current
selection.
Press the SEEK button up or down to move the track
number to skip forward or backward 1 to 6 selections.
Press the SEEK button once to move 1 selection, twice to
move 2 selections, etc.
Fast Forward (FF)
Press the FF button up momentarily to advance the tape
in the direction that it is playing. The tape will advance
until the button is pressed again or the end of the tape is
reached. At the end of the tape, the tape will play in the
opposite direction.
Rewind (RW)
Press the RW button momentarily to reverse the tape
direction. The tape will reverse until the button is pressed
again or until the end of the tape is reached. At the end of
the tape, the tape will play in the opposite direction.
Tape Eject
Press the EJT Tape button and the cassette will disengage
and eject from the radio.
Scan Button
Press this button to play 10 seconds of each selection.
Press the scan button a second time to cancel the feature.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 123
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Hot Weather Automatic Recirculation
The system will automatically recirculate the air inside
the vehicle when the interior is very warm. This will
provide maximum cooling. The system will also occa-
sionally return to REC on hot, humid days to maintain
occupant comfort. See Operating Tips chart at the end of
this section for suggested control settings in different
weather conditions.
Side Window Demisters
Side window demisters are located on the instrument
panel. These non adjustable outlets direct air toward the
side windows in any mode except Panel or Panel Recir-
culation. The air is directed toward the area of the side
windows through which you view the outside rearview
mirrors.
Rear Seat Air Outlets
The center console on vehicles with bucket seats has
upper and lower outlets located on the rear of the
console.
Air is directed through the outlets in all Modes. A control
can be used to direct the flow of air to either the upper or
lower outlets.
On vehicles with 50/50 bench seats, air is routed under
the seats.
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Radial-Ply Tires......................168
▫Spare Tire Usage With Directional Tread Pattern
Tires (300M Special Only)...............169
▫Compact Spare Tire....................169
▫Tire Spinning........................170
▫Tire Chains..........................170
▫Snow Tires..........................170
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................171
▫Replacement Tires.....................172
▫Tire Rotation Recommendations...........173
▫Tire Rotation With Directional Tread Pattern Tires
(300M Special Only)...................173
▫Alignment And Balance.................174
Fuel Requirements.....................175▫300M..............................175
▫300M Special Only....................175
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................175
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............176
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................176
▫Materials Added To Fuel................177
▫Sulfur In Gasoline.....................177
Adding Fuel..........................177
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............177
Vehicle Loading.......................179
▫Luggage Racks.......................179
Trailer Towing........................179
▫Warranty Requirements.................179
154 STARTING AND OPERATING

If Engine Fails To Start
CAUTION!
Do not try to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Your vehicle cannot be started this way.
Pushing with another vehicle may damage the trans-
axle or the rear of your vehicle. See Section 6 of this
manual for the proper jump starting procedures.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
If the engine fails to start after following the Normal
Starting procedure, it may be flooded. Push the accelera-
tor pedal all the way to the floor and hold it there while
cranking the engine. This should clear any excess fuel in
case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking with the accel-
erator pedal pushed all the way to the floor. Release the
accelerator pedal and the key once the engine is running
smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the Normal Starting procedure should
be repeated.
156 STARTING AND OPERATING

Transaxle Reset Mode
The transaxle is monitored for abnormal conditions. If a
condition is detected that could cause damage, the trans-
axle automatically shifts into second gear. The transaxle
remains in second gear despite the forward gear selected.
Park (P), Reverse (R), and Neutral (N) will continue to
operate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven
to a dealer for service without damaging the transaxle.
If the problem has been momentary, the transaxle can be
reset to regain all forward gears.
•Stop the vehicle and shift into PARK (P).
•Turn the key to OFF then start the engine.
•Shift into “D” and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transaxle can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could recur.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, dealer service is required.
Gear Ranges
“P” Park
NOTE:
If the key is in the RUN position, you must
press the brake pedal to shift out of the “P” Park position.
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transaxle.
Engine can be started in this range. Never attempt to use
PARK while vehicle is in motion.
Apply parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range.
“R” Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“N” Neutral
The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or is being towed.
“D” Overdrive
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides smoothest up shifts and down shifts
and best fuel economy.
158 STARTING AND OPERATING

When frequent transaxle shifting occurs when using the
Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoStick mode and select the “3” range.
AUTOSTICK
Autostick is a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting capability to provide you with more
control. Autostick allows you to maximize engine brak-
ing, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and
improve overall vehicle performance. This system can
also provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
Autostick Operation
The autostick position is just below the Overdrive posi-
tion. When you place the shift lever in the AutoStick
position, it can be moved from side to side. Moving the
lever to the left (-) triggers a downshift and to the right
(+) an upshift.You can shift in or out of the autostick mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you
choose the Overdrive mode, the transmission will oper-
ate automatically; shifting between the four available
gears. When you wish to engage autostick, simply move
the autostick lever to the AutoStick position. The trans-
mission will remain in the current gear until an upshift or
downshift is chosen. The gear selection will be displayed
on the instrument cluster.
Move the lever back to the Overdrive position to shift out
of the Autostick mode.
STARTING AND OPERATING 159
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