2004 CHRYSLER 300 M tires

must remain open, close all windows. Adjust the
heating or cooling system to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Safety belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should 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, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for
brake fluid, fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if
gasoline fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) system uses wireless
technology to monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors,
mounted to each wheel as part of the valve stem transmit
tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the over-
head console.
The tire pressure is shown in the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC) display. The TPM system
remains active even if it is not displayed in the EVIC.CAUTION!
The TPM system is designed to monitor your tire
pressure and will not function as a tire pressure
gauge while adjusting the pressure in your tires.
There will be a delay between the instant you adjust
the air pressure in a tire and when the system
updates the display.
NOTE:The TPM system can inform you about a low or
high tire pressure condition, but it does not replace
normal tire maintenance. The TPM system is not in-
tended to provide you with notification of rapid pressure
loss.
1. If any tire pressure has exceeded the low or high
pressure (refer to “Starting and Operating, Tires Sec-
tion”), the TPM system will display a message in the
EVIC and sound a chime. It will then go into the tire
pressure display screen and flash the pressure value of
the tire that is low or high. This will be displayed for the
rest of the ignition cycle, or until either the C/T, MENU,
STEP, or RESET button is pressed.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 89
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NOTE:This display will return 60 seconds after either
the C/T, MENU, STEP, or RESET button is pressed. If a
tire is low or high, you should correct your tire inflation
pressure as soon as possible and inspect all of your tires.
Refer to “Starting and Operating, Tires Section, Tire
Inflation Pressures” for more details. Once the low or
high tire pressure message has occurred, it will continue
to blink until the tire pressure is corrected.
2. If the spare tire pressure has exceeded the low or high
pressure allowed, the TPM system will display a message
in the EVIC for 60 seconds and sound a chime per every
ignition cycle.
NOTE:This message will return every ignition cycle,
until the tire pressures are corrected.
3. When the vehicle is moving and the EVIC cannot
receive a valid sensor signal from the tire pressure
sensors, the TIRE PRESSURE UNAVAILABLE message
will be displayed for 5 seconds along with a chime. The
display will then shift to the individual tire pressure
display screen and display dashes for the tire or tires that
are affected. Once the TIRE PRESSURE UNAVAILABLE
message has been displayed, and valid sensor signals arereceived, the EVIC will display the TIRE PRESSURE
NOW AVAILABLE message for 5 seconds along with a
chime. This is meant to inform you when the TPM system
has returned to it’s normal operation. This will occur
when valid tire pressure sensor messages have been
received from all 4 road tires. The TPM system function is
temporarily unavailable due to external electromagnetic
interference, such as electronic devices or nearby radio or
TV towers.
4. In addition to monitoring the vehicle tires, the TPM
system monitors faults within the system. When any
fault has been set, the TPM system will display TIRE
SENSOR BAD/MISSING. Be sure to inspect your tires for
proper inflation pressure. After you determine that your
tires are properly inflated, see your authorized dealer for
service to diagnose the problem with the TPM system.
5. If a road tire is replaced by the spare, the TPM system
will automatically detect that the tires have been
switched (after the ignition has been cycled) and display
SPARE SWAP DETECTED along with a chime. This
could take up to 10 minutes with vehicle speed above 25
mph (40 km/h).
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

When this feature is selected, the TPM system will start
the retraining procedure. Pressing the STEP button when
in this display will select “Yes” or “No”. Then press
Menu button to enter selection.
The following describes how to use this feature:
1. Locate the training magnet under the spare tire cover
(shaped like a doughnut).
2. Press the MENU button until RETRAIN TIRE SEN-
SORS is displayed.
3. Press the STEP button to select YES to retrain the TPM
sensor.
4. Press the MENU button to enter selection.
5. Display will read TRAIN LEFT FRONT TIRE.
NOTE:There is a 60 second timer for training the first
tire and a 30 second timer between training the remain-
ing tires. If either of these timers expire, the EVIC will
abort the training procedure.6. Starting at the left front tire, place the training magnet
over the valve stem until the horn chirps. (This takes
approximately 5 seconds.)
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
Distance To Empty
Shows the estimated distance that can be travelled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This is calibrated using the
miles per gallon for the last few minutes.
Trip Odometer
Shows the distance travelled since the last reset.
Elapsed Time
Shows the accumulated ignition ON time since the last
reset.
Miles to Service
Shows the distance remaining to require service.
NOTE:This display can be reset to the set service
interval by pressing and holding the RESET button for 3
seconds.
Tire Pressure Display — If Equipped
Shows the current pressure of all 4 road tires.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 99
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NOTE:Tires heat up during normal driving conditions.
Heat will cause the tire pressure to increase from 2 to 6
psi (14 to 41 kPa) during normal driving conditions. Refer
to “Tire Inflation Pressures” in Starting and Operating,
About Your Tires Section for additional information.
Blank Screen
Shows a blank screen. Pressing the STEP button returns
to the compass and temperature display.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating which eliminates the
need to manually set the compass. When the vehicle is
new, the compass may appear erratic and the CAL
symbol will be displayed.
After completing three 360° turns in an area free from
large metal or metallic objects, the CAL symbol will turn
off and the compass will function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic and the CAL symbol does
not appear, you must manually put the compass into the
“Calibration” mode.
NOTE:To ensure proper compass calibration, make
sure the compass variance is properly set before manu-
ally calibrating the compass (see variance map).
To Put Into a Calibration Mode
Turn on the ignition and set the display to “Compass/
Temperature.” Press and hold the RESET button to
change the display between VAR (compass variance) and
CAL (compass calibration) modes. When the CAL sym-
bol is displayed complete three 360 degree turns in an
area free from large metal objects or power lines. The
CAL symbol will turn off and the compass will function
normally.
100 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

▫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

Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The ABS gives increased vehicle stability and brake
performance under most braking conditions. The system
automatically “pumps” the brakes during severe braking
conditions to prevent wheel lock-up.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
tires must be properly inflated to produce accurate
signals for the ABS computer. However, the system will
compensate when the compact spare is in use.
During stops where ABS is activated, a vibration of the
brake pedal may be felt and associated system noises
may be heard.
WARNING!
Pumping of the brake pedal will diminish the effec-
tiveness of Anti-lock brakes and may lead to an
accident. Pumping makes the stopping distance
longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when
you need to slow down or stop.
POWER STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power assisted steering as
standard equipment. The power assisted steering system
of your vehicle provides mechanical steering capability
in the event power assist is lost.
If for some reason the hydraulic pressure is interrupted,
it will still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these
conditions you will observe a substantial increase in
steering effort.
TRACTION CONTROL
The Traction Control System reduces wheel slip and
maintains traction at the driving (front) wheels. The
system reduces wheel slip by engaging the brake on the
wheel that is losing traction while spinning. The traction
system operates at speeds below 35 mph (56 km/h).
The system is always in the “stand by” mode unless:
•The Traction Control switch has been used to turn the
system off;
•There is a Anti-Lock Brake System malfunction;
•There is a Traction Control System malfunction;
STARTING AND OPERATING 163
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