2005 CHRYSLER 300 tow

TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer carefully re-
view this information to tow your load as efficiently and
safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Perform maintenance services as prescribed in the main-
tenance schedules manual. When your vehicle is used for
trailer towing, never exceed the gross axle weight rating
(GAWR) by the addition of:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
²Remember that everything put in or on the trailer adds
to the load on your vehicle.
Warranty Requirements
The Manufacturer's Passenger Vehicle Warranty will
apply to vehicles used to tow trailers for non-commercial
use. However the following conditions must be met:
²The maximum frontal area of the trailer cannot exceed
32 square feet (2.97 square meters).
²The trailer tongue load must be considered as part of
the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire
and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire±
Safety Information Section in this manual.
²The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However,
if frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º
range must be selected.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
5

WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
²Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
²Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
recommended for motoring safety.
²The automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed if you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more
than 45 minutes of continuous operation. See Schedule
ªBº in section 8 of this manual for transmission fluid
change intervals.
NOTE:
²
For vehicles equipped with Autostick. By using the
Autostick modes, and selecting a specific gear range,
frequent shifting can be avoided. The highest gear
range should be selected that allows for adequate
performance. For example, choose ª4º if the desired
speed can be maintained. Choose ª3º or ª2º if needed
to maintain the desired speed.
²Extended driving at high RPM should be avoided to
prevent excess heat generation. A reduction in vehicle
speed may be required to avoid extended driving at
high RPM. Return to a higher gear range or vehicle
speed when road conditions and RPM level allows.
260 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRAVEL
CONDI-
TIONMAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT-
(TRAILER FRONTAL AREA NOT TO
EXCEED 32 SQ. FT.)
2.7L EN-
GINE3.5L EN-
GINE5.7L EN-
GINE
UP TO 3
PERSONS
& LUG-
GAGE1000 lbs
(454 kg)2000 lbs
(907 kg)2000 lbs
(907 kg)
UP TO 4
PERSONS
& LUG-
GAGE1000 lbs
(454 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)1500 lbs
(680 kg)
UP TO 5
PERSONS
& NO LUG-
GAGE1000 lbs
(454 kg)1000 lbs
(454 kg)1000 lbs
(454 kg)
A load equalizing hitch is recommended for loaded
trailer weights above 1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for
weights above 2,000 lbs (907 kg).CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle's hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Recreational towing on this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing make sure all 4
wheels are off the ground.
STARTING AND OPERATING 261
5

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
mHazard Warning Flasher.................264
mIf Your Engine Overheats................264
mJacking And Tire Changing...............265
NPreparations For Jacking................266
NJack Location........................267
NSpare Tire Stowage....................268
NJacking And Changing a Tire.............269
NCompact Spare Tire....................272
NWheel Cover Installation (If Required)......273
mJump-Starting Procedures If Battery Is Low...273
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces.............276NAcceleration.........................276
NTraction............................276
mFreeing A Stuck Vehicle.................277
mTowing A Disabled Vehicle...............278
NWith Ignition Key.....................278
NWithout The Ignition Key...............279
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................279
NTowing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
With A Tow Dolley....................2796

Jack Location
The jack is stowed under an access cover in the trunk.
Follow these steps to access the jack.
NOTE:The spare tire must be removed in order to
access the jack.
²Open the trunk.
²Lift the access cover using the pull strap.
²Remove the fastener securing the spare tire.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 267
6

²Remove the spare tire.
²Remove the fastener securing the jack.
Spare Tire Stowage
The spare tire is stowed under an access cover in the
trunk. Follow these steps to access the spare tire.
²Open the trunk.
²Lift the access cover using the pull strap.
268 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

7. Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and
tire. Remove the cover by hand, do not pry off.
8. Mount the spare tire. For vehicles equipped with
wheel covers, see the wheel cover installation instruc-
tions. Do not attempt to install a wheel cover on a
compact spare.
9. Tighten all the lug nuts on the mounting studs.
10. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.
11. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque the wheel lug nuts
to 100 ft/lb. (135N. m).
12. Store the flat tire, jack and tools.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
Compact Spare Tire
The compact spare tire is for temporary emergency use
with radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
²Keep tire inflated to 60 PSI (414 KPa) Cold Inflation
Pressure.
²Avoid driving more than 50 miles (80 km) before
replacing tire and wheel.
²This tire is designed as an emergency spare only-do
not exceed 50 MPH (80 km/h) speed.
272 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous
if done improperly, so follow this procedure care-
fully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing.
Don't lean over battery when attaching clamps or
allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush contaminated area immedi-
ately with large quantities of water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from
the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or any
other booster source with an output that exceeds 12
volts.
NOTE:The battery is stored under an access cover in
the trunk. Remote battery terminals are located in the
engine compartment for jump starting.
NOTE:The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that
should not be disconnected and should only be replaced
with a battery of the same type (vented).
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach and
without letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake,
place the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the
ignition switch to the OFF (or LOCK) position for both
vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
274 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES