2004 CHRYSLER 300 M Owners Manual

NOTE:The map lights or reading lights that are manu-
ally switched on will not turn off automatically.
Instrument Panel Lighting
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer switch.
Daytime Brightness Feature
Certain instrument panel components can be illuminated
at full brightness during the daytime. These are the
Odometer, Transmission Range Indicator, Radio, Climate
Controls, and the Overhead Travel Information Center.
This can be helpful when driving with your headlightson during the daytime such as in a parade or a funeral
procession. To activate this feature, rotate the Dimmer
Control upward to the first detent.
Front Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors. Each
light is turned On by pressing the lens. Press the lens a
second time to turn the light Off. The lights also come on
when a door is opened or the dimmer switch is turned
fully upward, past the second detent.
NOTE:The lights will remain on until the switch is
pressed a second time, so be sure they have been turned
off before leaving the vehicle. They will not turn off
automatically.
Rear Seat Reading/Courtesy Lights
These lights may be individually operated by a switch
next to the light. The Battery Saver feature will not turn
these lights off. Be sure the lights are off before leaving
the vehicle. The lights also come on when a door is
opened or the dimmer switch is turned to the dome light
position, past the detent.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 65
3

EXTERIOR LIGHTS
Headlights And Parking Lights
When the headlight switch is turned clockwise
from Off to the first position, the parking lights,
taillights, side marker lights, license plate light and
instrument panel lights are all turned on. The headlights
turn on when the switch is turned to the second position.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are left on after the
ignition is turned Off, a chime will sound when the
driver’s door is opened.
Automatic Headlights
This system automatically turns your headlights on at a
preset level of outdoor lighting. To turn the system on,
turn the headlight switch to the extreme left. When the
system is on, the headlight delay feature is also on. This
means that your headlights will stay on for about 90
seconds after you turn the ignition switch off. To turn the
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic system off, turn the headlight switch clock-
wise, to the off position.
The engine must be running before the headlights will
come on in the automatic mode.
NOTE:The Automatic Headlight System will turn on
the headlights if it detects that the windshield wipers
have been in operation for more than 10 seconds.
NOTE:Your 300M Special vehicle may be equipped
with high intensity headlights (HID). When first turned
on these lights take on a blue hue for about 15 seconds
after which they brighten to a clear light.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for about 90 seconds when leaving your vehicle in an
unlighted area. For vehicles equipped with Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC), this is customer pro-
grammable to Off, 30, 60, or 90 seconds. (See the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) section of this
manual.)To activate the delay, turn off the ignition while the
headlights are still on. Then turn off the headlights within
45 seconds. The delay interval begins when the ignition is
turned off.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will go off in the normal manner.
Battery Saver Feature
If an exterior light is left on when the ignition switch is
moved to the Off position, it will automatically turn off
after 10 minutes. Normal operation will resume when the
ignition is turned On or when the headlight switch is
turned to another position.
Fog Lights
Turn the headlight switch to any ON position,
then pull out the headlight switch knob to turn on
the fog lights. A light near the switch will illumi-
nate to show that the Fog Lights are On.
NOTE:Turning on the high beam headlights will turn
off the fog lights. Fog light operation will resume when
the high beams are turned off and the lights return to the
low beam, parking light, or automatic positions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 67
3

Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The headlights are on at a dimmer level whenever the
vehicle is started and the parking brake is released. The
lights remain on until the ignition switch is turned OFF.
MULTIFUNCTION CONTROL LEVERTurn Signals
The arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show operation of the front and rear turn signal lights. If
either light flashes at an extremely fast rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If both of the indicators fail
to light when the lever is moved, it would suggest that
the fuse or indicator bulbs are defective.
Headlight Dimmer Switch
Pull the multi-function control lever toward the steering
wheel to switch the headlights from high or low beam.
Passing Light
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multi-function lever toward the steer-
ing wheel. This will cause the headlights to turn on at
high beam and remain on until the lever is released.
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Windshield Wipers And Washers
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch in the
control lever. Turn the end of the handle to select the
desired wiper speed.
To use the washer, push the knob in when spray is
desired. If the button is pushed while in the delay range,
the wiper will operate for several seconds after the knob
is released, and then resume the intermittent interval.
If the button is pushed and held while in the OFF
position, the wiper will operate for several wipes then
turn off.If the button is pushed while in the OFF position, the
wipers will cycle twice.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with the defroster before and during
windshield washer use.
Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wipers System
Use the intermittent feature of this system when weather
conditions make a single wiping cycle, with a variable
pause between cycles, desirable.
For maximum delay between cycles, turn the control
knob into the upper end of the delay range. The delay
interval decreases as you turn the knob until it enters the
LO continual speed position. The delay can be regulated
from a maximum of about 18 seconds between cycles, to
a cycle every 1/2 second.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 69
3

NOTE:Vehicle speed is monitored to calculate wiper
delay intervals. The delay between cycles is shortened
when the vehicle is moving above 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h)
and lengthened below 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).
TILT STEERING COLUMN
To tilt the column, pull the small lever below the turn
signal control toward you and move the wheel up or
down, as desired. Release the lever to lock the wheel
firmly in place.
WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH
To turn the Traction Control System Off, press the switch
located on the instrument panel, to the right of the
steering column, until the TRAC OFF light in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To turn the Traction Control System On, press the switch
until the TRAC OFF light in the instrument cluster turns
off.
NOTE:Traction Control System comes on each time the
ignition switch is turned On. This will occur even if you
used the switch to turn the Traction system off during the
previous ignition cycle.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
This device can be engaged to take over the accelerator
operation at speeds between 30 mph (48 km/h) and 85
mph (137 km/h). The controls are mounted on the
steering wheel.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 71
3

To Activate:
Push the ON/OFF button to turn the system ON. The
CRUISE light in the instrument cluster will illuminate
when the system is ON.
NOTE:You must press the ON/OFF button to activate
the system each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you are not using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, and the
system is activated, press and release the SET button.
Release the accelerator and the vehicle will operate at the
selected speed.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pushing the CANCEL
button or normal brake pressure while slowing the
vehicle will deactivate the speed control without erasing
the memory. Pushing the ON/OFF button or turning off
the ignition turns the speed control system off and erases
the memory.
72 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE