2004 CHRYSLER 300 M automatic transmission

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

Language
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
computer functions. Press the STEP button while in this
display selects English, Francaise, Deutsch, Italiano, or
Espanol. As you continue the displayed information will
be shown in the selected language.
US or Metric
Pressing the STEP button when in this display selects US
or Metric. The overhead console and instrument panel
displays will be in the selected units.
Auto Door Locks
When this feature is selected, all doors lock automatically
when the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (25 km/h).
Pressing the STEP button when in this display will select
“Yes” or “No.”
Auto Unlock On Exit (Available Only When the
AUTO DOOR LOCKS Feature is Turned On)
When this feature is selected all the vehicle’s doors will
unlock when the driver’s door is opened if the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) position. Pressing the STEP button when in this
display will select “Yes” or “No.”
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................155
▫Normal Starting......................155
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below -20°F Or -29°C).................155
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................156
▫After Starting........................157
Engine Block Heater — Optional U.S. And
Standard Canada
......................157
Automatic Transaxle....................157
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock.............157
▫Transaxle Reset Mode..................158
▫Gear Ranges.........................158
Autostick............................159
▫Autostick Operation...................159
▫Autostick General Information............160
Parking Brake.........................161
Brake System.........................162
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............163
Power Steering........................163
Traction Control.......................163
Ti re s................................164
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................165
▫Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped . . 166
▫High Speed Operation..................168
5

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — Optional U.S. and
Standard Canada
These heaters use a common power cord which is stored
under the hood, behind the Air Cleaner housing. Plug the
cord into any 110 volt AC outlet and both heaters will be
energized. Use the heaters when temperatures below 0°F
(-18°C) are expected to last for several days.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
Brake/Transmission Interlock
This interlock system prevents you from moving the gear
selector out of the Park position unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the key is in the
RUN position.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle
speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK or NEUTRAL into
any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
The electronically controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self-
calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
shift cycles.
STARTING AND OPERATING 157
5

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
5

Autostick General Information
•
The transmission will automatically upshift from first
to second gear and from second to third gear when
engine speed reaches about 6300 rpm.
•Downshifts from third to second gear above 85 mph
(137 km/h) and from second to first gear above 47
mph (76 km/h) will be ignored.
•You can start out in first, second, or third gear. Shifting
into fourth gear can occur only after vehicle speed
reaches 17 mph (27 km/h).
•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
•Starting out in second or third gear is helpful in snowy
or icy conditions.
•While in the Autostick mode, Speed Control will only
function in third or fourth gear.
Downshifting out of third gear turns off speed control.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
•If the system detects a problem it will disable the
Autostick mode and the transmission will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
•The transmission will automatically downshift from
fourth to third gear at speeds between 15 mph (24
km/h and 50 mph (80 km/h) under certain conditions.
This is to avoid poor fourth gear performance with
accelerator pedal actuation at lower speeds.
160 STARTING AND OPERATING