2004 CHRYSLER 300 M steering

WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
extender when the lap belt is not long enough when
it is worn low and snug, and in the recommended
seating positions. Remove and store the extender
when not needed.
Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger’s front airbag
is mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove
compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on
the airbag covers.
If the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, they are
located inside the driver and front passenger seats, and
their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33
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be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats appropriate for the size and age
of the child.
Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled
up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.
If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the
seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child
restraint. See the section on “Child Restraint”.
You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder belts
properly.
3. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the front airbags room to
inflate.4. If your vehicle has side airbags, do not lean against the
door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space be-
tween you and the door.
WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you
have airbags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury.
•Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfort-
ably extending your arms to reach the steering
wheel or instrument panel.
•If the vehicle has side airbags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door. Sit
upright in the center of the seat.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35
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Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
•ACM (Airbag Control Module)
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
•Optional Driver and Passenger Side Airbags.
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Crash Sensors
•Knee Impact Bolsters
The side airbag system, on vehicles so equipped, consists
of the following:
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Side Airbag in the Driver’s Seat
•Side Airbag in the Passenger’s Seat
•ACM (Airbag Control Module)
•SIACM (Side Impact Airbag Control Module)
•Interconnecting Wiring
How the Frontal Airbag System Works
•
The front airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate.
•The airbag control module will not detect side, roll
over, or rear collisions.
•The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the OFF position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
•The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAG light in the instrument panel for 6 to
8 seconds when the ignition is first turned on,
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫To Turn The Interior Lights On.............64
▫Battery Saver Feature—Interior Lights........64
▫Instrument Panel Lighting................65
▫Front Map/Reading Lights...............65
▫Rear Seat Reading/Courtesy Lights.........65
Exterior Lights.........................66
▫Headlights And Parking Lights............66
▫Lights-On Reminder....................66
▫Automatic Headlights...................66
▫Headlight Time Delay...................67
▫Battery Saver Feature...................67
▫Fog Lights...........................67
▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)......68
Multifunction Control Lever...............68
▫Turn Signals..........................68
▫Headlight Dimmer Switch................68▫Passing Light.........................68
▫Windshield Wipers And Washers...........69
▫Speed Sensitive Intermittent Wipers System....69
Tilt Steering Column.....................70
Traction Control Switch..................70
Electronic Speed Control..................71
▫To Activate...........................72
▫To Set At A Desired Speed................72
▫To Deactivate.........................72
▫To Resume Speed......................73
▫To Vary The Speed Setting................73
▫To Accelerate For Passing................73
▫Using Speed Control On Hills.............73
Overhead Console......................74
▫Dome/Reading Lights...................74
Garage Door Opener — If Equipped.........75
50 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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

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
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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