2004 CHRYSLER 300 M flat tire

WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
NOTE:If so equipped, turn on the Traction Control
System to accelerate on slippery surfaces.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to “rock” the 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 Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
192 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
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 30 mph (48 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Only two ways of towing are approved; front towing and
flat bed towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•Always use wheel lift equipment when towing
from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.
•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-
axle may result.
If damage to the vehicle prevents towing from the front,
move the vehicle onto a flat bed tow truck.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 193
6

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.
264 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Saving Feature....................64,65,67
Belts, Drive........................... 205
Belts, Engine.......................... 207
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 211
Brake, Parking......................... 161
Brake System.......................162,218
Anti-Lock........................... 163
Fluid Check......................... 219
Hoses.............................. 219
Master Cylinder...................... 219
Warning Light....................... 117
Brake/Transmission Interlock...........157,158
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 47
Brightness, Interior Lights................. 65
Bulb Replacement...................... 230
Bulbs, Light........................... 230
Calibration, Compass.................... 104
Capacities, Fluid....................... 236
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 179
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 177
Car Washes........................... 225Cargo Compartment
Capacity............................ 179
Luggage Carrier...................... 179
Carpeting............................. 225
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 144
Cassette Tape Player............... 119,126,144
Catalytic Converter..................... 206
CD Changer........................130,135
CD Player...................124,132,134,143
Central Door Locks...................... 15
Chains, Tire........................... 170
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 183
Charging System Light................... 116
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............ 47
Child Restraint...................40,42,44,45
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........43,44
Child Safety Locks....................... 16
Circuit Breakers........................ 228
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 175
Cleaning
Carpets............................. 225
Cloth.............................. 225
Glass.............................. 226
INDEX 267
10

Engine Fuel......................... 206
Engine Oil.......................... 205
Flashers
Hazard Warning...................... 182
Flat Tire Changing...................... 183
Floor Shift Interlock...................... 13
Fluid Capacities........................ 236
Fluid Leaks............................ 48
Fog Lights............................. 67
Folding Rear Seat....................... 62
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.................. 192
Fuel.............................. 113,175
Adding............................. 177
Additives........................... 177
Filler Cap........................... 177
Filter.............................. 206
Gauge.............................. 113
Light.............................. 113
Octane Rating........................ 175
System Hoses........................ 220
Fueling.............................. 177
Fuses.............................227,228Garage Door Opener...................75,80
GasCap .............................. 177
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............... 176
Gauges
Coolant Temperature................... 114
Fuel............................... 113
Oil Pressure......................... 113
Speedometer/Odometer................ 116
Glass Cleaning......................... 226
Glove Compartment..................... 13
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 182
Head Restraints......................... 62
Headlights
Automatic........................... 66
Bulb Replacement..................... 230
Cleaning............................ 226
Dimmer Switch....................... 68
Lights On Reminder.................... 66
Switch.............................. 66
Time Delay........................66,67
Heated Mirrors......................... 55
Heated Seats........................... 59
270 INDEX

Synthetic Engine Oil..................... 204
System, Navigation..................... 136
Tachometer........................... 113
Tape Player........................... 143
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant...... 114,183
Theft Alarm............................ 23
Theft System........................... 23
Tilt Steering Column..................... 70
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 67
Timing Belt........................... 207
Tires ...........................48,164,263
Air Pressure......................164,165
Alignment.......................... 174
Balancing........................... 174
Chains............................. 170
Changing........................183,184
Flat Changing........................ 183
High Speed......................... 168
Jacking............................. 184
Pressure Label....................... 165
Pressure Monitor System.............89,166
Quality Grading...................... 263Radial............................. 168
Replacement......................... 172
Rotation.........................167,173
Snow Tires.......................... 170
Spare Tire........................... 169
Spinning............................ 170
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 171
To Open Hood.......................... 63
Towing.............................. 179
Disabled Vehicle...................... 193
Trailering........................... 179
Traction Control...................70,113,163
Trailer Towing......................... 179
Transaxle
Additives........................... 223
Automatic........................157,221
Autostick........................... 159
Filter.............................. 223
Operation........................... 158
Selection of Lubricant.................. 221
Transmission
Range Indicator.................... 116,158
Transmitter Battery Service................ 23
276 INDEX