2004 CHRYSLER 300 M light

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in
the tank.
2. Low Fuel Warning Light
When the fuel level drops to about 2 gallons (8
liters), the Low Fuel symbol will light and re-
main lit until fuel is added. A warning chime will
sound when the light comes on.
3. Low Oil Pressure Light
This light indicates low engine oil pressure. The
light should come on briefly as a bulb check
when the engine is first started. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off
the engine. DO NOT operate the vehicle until the
cause is corrected.This light does not show how
much oil is in the engine.The engine oil level must be
checked under the hood.4. TRAC ON/OFF Lights
The Traction Control On light (TRAC ON) will come on
momentarily as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned ON. If the light does not come on, have the
bulb replaced.
The TRAC ON light will also come on when the system
is controlling traction.
The Traction Control Off light (TRAC OFF) will come on
momentarily as a bulb check when the ignition switch is
first turned ON. If the light does not come on, have the
bulb checked.
The TRAC OFF light will come on when the Traction
Control switch has been used to turn the system off.
5. Trunk Ajar Light
This light indicates that the trunk is not latched
6. Tachometer
Measures engine revolutions-per-minute (R.P.M.). The
red numbers at the end on the scale show the maximum
permissible R.P.M. Ease off on the accelerator before
reaching the red area.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 113
4

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
4

have it replaced. If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
19. Odometer/Trip Odometer
Shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven.
U.S. Federal regulations require that upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the purchaser the
correct mileage that the vehicle has been driven. There-
fore, if the odometer reading is changed during repair or
replacement, be sure to keep a record of the reading
before and after the service so that the correct mileage can
be determined.
The Trip Odometer shows individual trip mileage and is
accessed by pressing the reset button.
20. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical
charging system. The light should come on
briefly when the ignition is first turned on and remain
on briefly as a bulb check. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s
electrical devices, such as the Fog Lights or RearDefroster. If the Charging System Light remains on, it
means that the vehicle is experiencing a problem with
the charging system and should be serviced immedi-
ately. See your local authorized dealer.
21. Transmission Range Indicator
This indicator illuminates to show the automatic trans-
mission gear selection.
22. ABS Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake system
described elsewhere in this manual. The yellow
ABS light will come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ON position and may stay on for several
seconds. If the ABS light does not come on have the
system checked by an authorized dealer. The warning
light should be checked frequently to assure that it is
operating properly.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the red BRAKE warning light is not on.
116 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes.
23. Brake System Warning Light
The dual brake system provides a reserve
braking capability if a failure occurs in a
portion of the hydraulic system.
This light monitors both the brake fluid level and the
parking brake. If the light comes on, it indicates either
that the parking brake is on or there is a low fluid level in
the brake master cylinder. On vehicles equipped with
anti-lock brakes (ABS), the brake light may also indicate
reduced braking performance. If the parking brake is off
and the light remains on, have the brake system in-
spected as soon as possible.
The light will also come on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition in the RUN position.The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. This can be done by turning
the ignition switch to START. The light should come on.
If the red brake light does not come on, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
In an ABS equipped vehicle, the Brake System Warning
light will come on if the ABS light is not functioning or if
the ABS system is not communicating.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 117
4

Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:On vehicles so equipped the radio, steering
wheel radio controls and 6 disc CD/DVD changer if
equipped, will remain active for up to 45 seconds after
the ignition switch has been turned off. Opening a
vehicle front door will cancel this feature.
SALES CODE RAZ—AM/ FM STEREO RADIO
WITH CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER AND CD PLAYER
— IF EQUIPPED
Operating Instructions — Radio
NOTE:
Power to operate the radio is controlled by the
ignition switch. It must be in the ON or ACC position to
operate the radio.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 119
4

Changing Tape Direction
If you wish to change the direction of tape travel (side
being played), press the PTY button. The lighted arrow in
the display window will show the new direction.
Metal Tape Selection
If a standard metal tape is inserted into the player, the
player will automatically select the correct equalization
and the 70 symbol will appear in the display window.
Pinch Roller Release
If ignition power or the radio ON/OFF switch are turned
off, the pinch roller will automatically retract to protect
the tape from any damage. When power is restored to the
tape player, the pinch roller will automatically reengage
and the tape will resume play.
Noise Reduction
The Dolby Noise Reduction System* is on whenever the
tape player is on, but may be switched off.
To turn off the Dolby Noise reduction System: Press the
Dolby button (button 2) after you insert the tape. The NRlight in the display will go off when the Dolby System is
off. The Dolby System is automatically reactivated each
time a tape is inserted.
* ”Dolby” noise reduction manufactured under license
from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Dolby
and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Labo-
ratories Licensing Corporation.
Operating Instructions — CD Player
NOTE:
The ignition switch must be in the ON or ACC
position and the volume control ON before the CD player
will operate.
Inserting The Compact Disc
The CD player contained within the radio is not a
multi-disc changer, and will only accept one CD. Gently
insert one CD into the CD player with the CD label facing
up. The CD will automatically be pulled into the CD
Player.
If the volume control is ON, the unit will switch from
radio to CD mode and begin to play. The display will
show the track number and index time in minutes and
seconds. Play will begin at the start of track one.
124 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

6 DISC CD CHANGER — IF EQUIPPED
The CD changer is located below the radio in the
instrument panel. The changer plays only 434inch (12
cm) discs. The changer holds up to 6 discs. Each disc is
loaded and ejected through a single slot in front of the
changer. Each disc has a numbered button with an amber
light above it which, when illuminated, indicates that a
disc is loaded in that particular chamber.
Loading the CD Changer
When inserting the first CD into the changer if the radio
is on, wait until the single slot is illuminated on both
sides and simply insert the first disc.To insert additional CDs into the changer, the instructions
follow:
1. Select and press any numbered button without an
illuminated light above it.
2. Insert the CD while the light above the chosen button
is flashing and the two lights on either side of the slot are
illuminated.
3. Upon insertion, the CD will begin to play, and both the
button light and the lights in the corner of the loading
slot will illuminate.
4. Repeat the process for loading any additional CDs.
The CD player will stop while additional CDs are loaded.
Playing Discs
The radio will show the CD number, the CD track
number, and the Track Time Elapsed while the radio is in
the CD mode. If more than one CD is loaded in the
changer, the changer will automatically play the next disc
after playing the last track of the current disc.
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL