2004 CHRYSLER 300 M fuel cap

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

▫Radial-Ply Tires......................168
▫Spare Tire Usage With Directional Tread Pattern
Tires (300M Special Only)...............169
▫Compact Spare Tire....................169
▫Tire Spinning........................170
▫Tire Chains..........................170
▫Snow Tires..........................170
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................171
▫Replacement Tires.....................172
▫Tire Rotation Recommendations...........173
▫Tire Rotation With Directional Tread Pattern Tires
(300M Special Only)...................173
▫Alignment And Balance.................174
Fuel Requirements.....................175▫300M..............................175
▫300M Special Only....................175
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................175
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............176
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................176
▫Materials Added To Fuel................177
▫Sulfur In Gasoline.....................177
Adding Fuel..........................177
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............177
Vehicle Loading.......................179
▫Luggage Racks.......................179
Trailer Towing........................179
▫Warranty Requirements.................179
154 STARTING AND OPERATING

Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States is required to
contain effective detergent additives. Use of additional
detergents or other additives is not needed under normal
conditions and would result in unnecessary cost. There-
fore, you should not have to add anything to the fuel.
Sulfur in Gasoline
If you live in the Northeast United States, your vehicle
may have been designed to meet California low emission
standards with cleaner burning California reformulated
gasoline with low sulfur. If such fuels are not available in
states adopting California emission standards, your ve-
hicle will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting Federal
specifications, but emission control system performance
may be adversely affected.
Gasoline sold outside of California is permitted to have
higher sulfur levels which may affect the performance of
the vehicle’s catalytic converter. This may cause the
Malfunction Indicator Light to illuminate. The manufac-
turer recommends that you try a different brand ofunleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related prior to returning your vehicle to
an authorized dealer for service.
CAUTION!
If the Malfunction Indicator Light is flashing, imme-
diate service is required. See the On Board Diagnos-
tics paragraph in the Maintenance section of this
manual.
ADDING FUEL
Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
The gas cap is behind the fuel filler door on the left side
of the vehicle. If the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure
the replacement cap is for use with this vehicle.
STARTING AND OPERATING 177
5

CAUTION!
Damage to the fuel system or emission control
system could result from using an improper fuel
tank filler tube cap (gas cap). A poorly fitting cap
could let impurities into the fuel system. The Mal-
function Indicator light will come on if the gas cap is
not properly secured.
NOTE:The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door
about 2 inches (50 mm) down from the opening. If fuel is
poured from a portable container, the container should
have a flexible nozzle long enough to force open the
restricting door.
CAUTION!
To avoid fuel spillage and overfilling, do not “top
off” the fuel tank after filling.
NOTE:
•
When the fuel nozzle “clicks” or shuts off, the fuel
tank is full.
•Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is properly
tightened.
The Malfunction Indicator light will come on if the gas
cap is not properly secured. Make sure that the gas cap
is tightened each time the vehicle is refueled.
WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions, engine, and
automatic transaxle control systems. When these systems
are operating properly, your vehicle will provide excel-
lent performance and fuel economy, as well as engine
emissions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator or Service Engine
Soon Light. It will also store diagnostic codes and other
information to assist your service technician in making
repairs. Although your vehicle will usually be driveable
and not need towing, see your dealer for service as soon
as possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
If the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
If the gas cap is not tightened properly, the light may
come on. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you
add fuel. Tighten the cap until you hear it “click.”
198 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Be sure to clean the top of the master cylinder area before
removing the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the
fluid level up to the requirements described on the brake
fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. However, low
fluid level may be caused by a leak and a checkup may be
needed.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to the Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genu-
ine Parts section for the correct fluid type.WARNING!
Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point or unidentified as to specification, may
result in sudden brake failure during hard pro-
longed braking. You could have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid as seal damage will result!
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and clamps which have unique
material characteristics to provide adequate sealing and
resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only the manufacturer specified
hoses and clamps, or their equivalent in material and
specification, in any fuel system servicing. It is manda-
tory to replace all clamps that have been loosened or
removed during service. Care should be taken in install-
ing new clamps to insure they are properly torqued.
Brake Master Cylinder
220 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)17 Gallons 64 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
3.5 Liter Engine 5 Qts 4.7 Liters
Cooling System *
3.5 Liter Engine 11 Qts 10.5 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
236 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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
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