2005 CHRYSLER 300 headlights

Automatic Headlights±If equipped
This system automatically turns your headlights ON or
OFF based on ambient light levels. To turn the system
ON, rotate the headlamp switch counter-clockwise to the
AUTO (A) position. When the system is ON, the Head-
light Time Delay feature is also ON. This means your
headlights will stay ON for up to 90 seconds after you
turn the ignition switch OFF. To turn the Automatic
System OFF, move the headlamp switch out of the AUTO
(A) position.
NOTE:The engine must be running before the head-
lights will come ON in the Automatic mode.
Headlamps On With Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
The headlights will turn on approximately 10 seconds
after the wipers are turned on if the headlight switch is
placed in the AUTO position. The headlights will also
turn off when the wipers are turned off if they were
turned on by this feature. This feature can be turned on or
off using the Electronic Vehicle Information Center(EVIC) Ð If equipped. Refer to ºHeadlamps On With
Wipersº in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
section of this manual for details.
Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The high beam headlights will come on as Daytime
Running Lights whenever the ignition switch is on, the
headlights are off, and the parking brake is off. The
headlight switch must be used for normal night time
driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver's door is opened.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your ve-
hicle in an unlighted area.
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To activate the delay feature, turn off the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The 90 second delay inter-
val begins when headlight switch is turned off. If the
headlights or park lights are turned back on or the
ignition switch is turned on, the delay will be cancelled.
If the headlights are turned off before the ignition, they
will turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of turning the ignition off to activate this feature
The Headlamp delay time is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). Refer to ªDelay Turning Headlamps Offº in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center section for details.
Fog Lights Ð If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the headlamp
switch below the dimmer control. To activate the
front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or the
low beam headlights and press the fog lamp switch.
NOTE:The fog lights will operate with the low beam
headlights, or parking lights on. However, selecting the
high beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Lever up or down and the
arrows on each side of the instrument cluster flash to
show proper operation of the front and rear turn signal
lights. You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
Releasing the lever at the detent will provide 3 flashes.
If either light has a very fast flash rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If an indicator fails to light
when the lever is moved, it would suggest that the fuse
or indicator bulb is defective or there may be a circuit
failure.
NOTE:The message ªTurn Signal Onº will appear in
the electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) Ð if
equipped, and a continuous chime will be heard when
the vehicle has been driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km)
with either turn signal on.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
3

Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch
Push the Multi-Function Lever away from you to switch
the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the Lever towards
you to switch the headlights back to LOW beam.
Flash to Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the Multi-Function Lever toward you.
This will cause the headlights to turn on at high beam
and remain on until the lever is released.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The wipers and washers are operated by the
multi-function lever. The lever is located on the
left side of the steering column. Rotate the end of
the control lever to select the desired wiper speed.
Windshield Washers
To use the front washer, push the lever in and hold while
spray is desired. If the lever is released while in the delay
range, the wiper will operate for two wipe cycles after the
lever is released, and then resume the intermittent inter-
val previously selected.
If the lever is pushed while in the OFF position, the
wipers will operate for two wipe cycles, then turn OFF.
Multi-Function Lever
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rain Sensing WipersÐIf Equipped
This feature senses moisture on the windshield and
automatically activates the wipers for the driver. The
feature is especially useful when road splash or over-
spray from the windshield washers of the vehicle ahead
requires quick but brief wiping action. The sensitivity of
the system to the amount of water on the glass can be
adjusted with the rotary knob on the wiper stalk. Wiper
delay positions 1±6 indicate the rain sensing wiper sen-
sitivity where 1 is the least sensitive, and 6 is the most
sensitive.
NOTE:The rain sensing feature will not operate when
the wiper switch is in the LOW or HIGH speed position.
CAUTION!
Turn the windshield wipers off when driving
through an automatic car wash. Damage to the
windshield wipers may result if the wiper switch is
left in any position other than OFF.
NOTE:A customer programmable feature in the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) allows the Rain
Sense feature to be turned off. Refer to ªPersonal Set-
tingsº in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center sec-
tion of this manual for details.
Mist Feature
Push the wiper lever in to activate a single wipe to clear
off road mist or spray from a passing vehicle. As long as
the lever is pushed in, the wipers will continue to
operate.
Headlamps On With Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
The headlights will turn on approximately 10 seconds
after the wipers are turned on if the headlight switch is
placed in the AUTO position. The headlights will also
turn off when the wipers are turned off if they were
turned on by this feature. This feature can be turned on or
off using the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) Ð If equipped. Refer to ºHeadlamps On With
Wipersº in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
section of this manual for details.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads (H),
pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with
the air conditioner turned off until the pointer drops
back into the normal range. If the pointer remains on
the ªHº, and you hear continuous chimes, turn the
engine off immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual. Follow
the warnings under the Cooling System Pressure
Cap paragraph.
15. Trip Odometer Button
Trip Odometer Button Ð Standard Cluster
The word9TRIP9will appear when this button is pressed.
Push in and hold the button for two seconds when the
trip odometer is displayed to reset it to 0 miles or
kilometers. A second press of the button will display the
outside temperature in the odometer.
Trip Odometer Button Ð Premium Cluster
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of the two trip odometer settings. The letter ªAº or
ªBº will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in
and hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip
odometer to 0 miles or kilometers. The odometer must be
in trip mode to reset.
16. High Beam Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the Multi-Function lever away from
the steering wheel to switch the headlights to high
beam.
144 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

FUNCTION SELECT button when in this display until
ªONº or ªOFFº appears to make your selection.
Sound Horn with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected a short horn sound will occur when
the remote keyless entry ªLockº button is pressed. This
feature may be selected with or without the flash lights
on lock/unlock feature. Press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button when in this display until ªONº or
ªOFFº appears to make your selection.
Flash Lights with Remote Key Lock
When ON is selected, the front and rear turn signals will
flash when the doors are locked or unlocked using the
remote keyless entry transmitter. This feature may be
selected with or without the sound horn on lock feature
selected. Press and release the FUNCTION SELECT
button when in this display until ªONº or ªOFFº appears
to make your selection.
Delay Turning Headlamps Off
When this feature is selected the driver can choose to
have the headlamps remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 secondswhen exiting the vehicle. Press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button when in this display until 0, 30, 60,
or 90 appears to make your selection.
Headlamps On With Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
When ON is selected and the headlight switch is in the
AUTO position, the headlights will turn on approxi-
mately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on. The
headlights will also turn off when the wipers are turned
off if they were turned on by this feature. Press and
release the FUNCTION SELECT button when in this
display until ªONº or ªOFFº appears to make your
selection.
NOTE:Turning the headlights on during the daytime
causes the instrument panel lights to dim. To increase the
brightness, refer to ªLightsº in this section.
Rain Sensing Intermittent Wipers Ð If Equipped
When ON is selected the system senses moisture on the
windshield and automatically activates the wipers for the
driver. Press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button
156 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Do not touch the new bulb with your fingers. Oil
contamination will severely shorten bulb life. If the
bulb comes in contact with an oily surface, clean the
bulb with rubbing alcohol.
Low Beam Headlamp, High Beam Headlamp, and
Park/Turn Lamp ± 300C
High Intensity Discharge Headlights (HID) Ð If
Equipped
The headlights are a type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the circuit even with the
headlight switch off and the key removed.Because of
this, you should not attempt to service a headlight bulb
yourself. If a headlight bulb fails, take your vehicle to
an authorized dealer for service.
WARNING!
A transient high tension occurs at the bulb sockets of
High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights when the
headlight switch is turned ON. It may cause serious
electrical shock or electrocution if not serviced prop-
erly. See your authorized dealer for service.
324 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:On vehicles equipped with High Intensity Dis-
charge Headlights (HID), when the headlights are turned
on there is a blue hue to the lights. This diminishes and
becomes more white after approximately 10 seconds, as
the system charges.
²Open the hood.
²Twist the appropriate bulb socket assembly counter-
clockwise and pull out. Pull the bulb out of the socket
assembly.
NOTE:Removal of the air cleaner filter housing may be
necessary prior to replacing bulbs on driver's side head-
lamp assembly.
²Replace the bulb and push into socket assembly.
Reinstall the socket assembly, and turn clockwise.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 325
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