2004 CHRYSLER 300 M tow

•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather above 90°F (32°C)
•Trailer towing
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial service)
•Off road or desert operation
•If equipped for and operating with E —85 (ethanol)
fuel
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on scheduleAof theMainte-
nance Schedulessection of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
oil aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could dam-
age your engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, we only recommend en-
gine oils that are API Certified and meet the requirements
of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard MS-6395. Use Mo-
par or an equipvalent oil meeting the specification MS-
6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
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CAUTION!
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition. In
the event of engine malfunction, particularly involv-
ing engine misfire or other apparent loss of perfor-
mance, have your vehicle serviced promptly. Contin-
ued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and the
vehicle.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
Engine Timing Belt
Replace the engine timing belt at the intervals described
in the appropriate maintenance schedule.
Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from sticking or plugging due to deposits. As vehicle
mileage builds up, the PCV valve and passages may
accumulate deposits. If a valve is not working properly,
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 207
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CAUTION!
Do not overfill. Dirt and water in the transaxle can
cause serious damage. To prevent dirt and water
from entering the transaxle after checking or replen-
ishing fluid, make certain that the dipstick cap is
seated properly.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Maintenance schedule “A”— No change necessary.
Maintenance schedule “B”–Every 60,000 miles (96 000
km) change fluid and filter under the following condi-
tions:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is drivenregularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
NOTE:Refer to Section 8 of this manual for mainte-
nance schedules.If the transaxle is disassembled for any reason, the fluid
and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
The manufacturer recommends against the addition of
any fluid additives to the transaxle. The only exception to
this policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting
fluid leaks. The use of transmission sealers should be
avoided as they may adversely affect seals.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside parking,
which exposes your vehicle to airborne contaminants,
road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated, extreme
hot or cold weather and other extreme conditions will
have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and under-
body protection.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
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EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The “Scheduled” maintenance services, listed inbold
typemust be done at the times or mileages specified to
assure the continued proper functioning of the emission
control system. These, and all other maintenance services
included in this manual, should be done to provide best
vehicle performance and reliability. More frequent main-
tenance may be needed for vehicles in severe operating
conditions such as dusty areas and very short trip
driving.
Inspection and service also should be done any time a
malfunction is suspected.
NOTE:Maintenance, replacement, or repair of the
emission control devices and systems on your vehicle
may be performed by any automotive repair establish-
ment or individual using any automotive part which has
been certified pursuant to U.S. EPA or, in the State of
California, California Air Resources Board regulations.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
There are two maintenance schedules that show the
requiredservice for your vehicle.
First is Schedule“B”. It is for vehicles that are operated
under the conditions that are listed below and at the
beginning of the schedule.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).
•Off-road or desert operation.
240 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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SCHEDULE “B”
Follow schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions. Change
the automatic transmission fluid and filter every 60,000
miles (96 000 km) if the vehicle is usually operated under
one or more of the conditions marked with an.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32° F (0° C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16.2 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90° F (32° C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).
•Off-road or desert operation.
•If equipped for and operating with E-85 (ethanol)
fuel.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow schedule “B” of the
Maintenance Schedulessection of this manual.
SCHEDULE “B” 243
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Disabled Vehicle Towing................. 193
Disposal
Antifreeze........................... 215
Engine Oil.......................... 205
Door Ajar............................. 114
Door Ajar Light........................ 114
Door Locks..........................14,15
Door Locks, Automatic................... 16
Door Locks, Central...................... 15
Door Opener, Garage...................75,80
Drive Belts............................ 205
Drive Shaft Universal Joints............... 211
Driver’s Seat Glide Feature................ 58
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 191
With an Automatic Transaxle............ 157
With an Automatic Transmission.......... 157
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 55
Electronic Speed Control.................. 71
Electronic Vehicle Information Center......... 88
Emergency Flashers..................... 182
Emission Control System Maintenance . 199,207,240Engine
Air Cleaner Filter..................... 206
Block Heater......................... 157
Break-In Recommendations............... 47
Checking Oil Level.................... 201
Compartment........................ 197
Cooling.......................... 114,214
Fails to Start......................... 156
Oil ............................. 113,201
Oil Change Interval................... 202
Oil Selection......................... 203
Oil Synthetic......................... 204
Overheating...................... 114,182
Timing Belt.......................... 207
Entry System, Illuminated................. 14
Exhaust Gas Caution..................47,214
Exhaust System........................ 213
Exterior Lights.......................66,230
Filler Location Fuel..................... 113
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 206
Automatic Transaxle................... 223
INDEX 269
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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