2005 CHRYSLER 300 instrument panel

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
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INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...........................9
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................61
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL.................................133
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STARTING AND OPERATING................................................205
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES.............................................263
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................281
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MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES................................................335
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IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.......................................351
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INDEX...................................................................361
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2. Remove and replace the battery. Avoid touching the
new battery with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To reassemble the transmitter case, join the two halves
of the case together. Install and tighten the screw until
snug. Make sure there is an even ªgapº between the two
halves. Test transmitter operation.
VEHICLE THEFT ALARM Ð IF EQUIPPED
This system monitors the vehicle doors and ignition
switch for unauthorized entry or operation. When the
alarm is activated, the system provides both audible and
visual signals. The horn will pulse, headlights/park
lights will flash, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer
light, located on the instrument panel below the Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center buttons will flash, and
the vehicle will not start. If the alarm is triggered and no
action is taken to disarm it, the system will turn off the
horn after three minutes and after 15 minutes of light
only operation the system will then rearm itself.To arm the system:Remove the key from the ignition
switch and either:
1. Press a power door lock switch while the driver's or
passenger's door is open.
2. Press the LOCK button on the keyless entry transmit-
ter.
After the last door is closed, or if all doors are closed, the
system will arm itself in about 16 seconds. During that
time, the Vehicle Theft Alarm/Immobilizer light will
flash. If it does not illuminate, the system is not arming.
If you open a door during this arming period, the system
will cancel the arming process. You must repeat one of
the previously described arming sequences to rearm the
system.
To disarm the system:Press the UNLOCK button on the
keyless entry transmitter. Also, using a valid sentry key
and moving the ignition switch to the ON/START posi-
tion will disarm the system. If something has triggered
the system in your absence, the horn will sound three
times when you disarm the system. Check the vehicle for
tampering.
24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
Use the Remote Keyless Entry Transmitter to open the
trunk from outside the vehicle. The trunk lid can be
released from inside the vehicle by pressing the Trunk
Release Button located on the instrument panel to the left
of the steering wheel. The transmission must be in Park
before the switch will operate.With the ignition ON, the trunk open symbol will be
displayed in the instrument cluster indicating that the
trunk is open. The odometer display will reappear once
the trunk is closed.
With the key in lock position or key out, the trunk open
symbol will be displayed until the trunk is closed.
TRUNK SAFETY WARNING
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 airbag is mounted in the center of
the steering wheel. The passenger's front airbag is
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
airbag covers.This vehicle may also be equipped with left and right
side curtain airbags to protect the driver and passengers
sitting next to a window. If the vehicle is equipped with
side curtain airbags, they are located above the side
windows. Their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.
NOTE:Airbag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open to allow airbag deploy-
ment.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37
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WARNING!
²Relying 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.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has left and right side curtain
airbags, they also need room to inflate. Do not
lean against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.
Airbag System Components
The front airbag system consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module
²AIRBAGReadiness Light
²PASS AIRBAG OFFReadiness Light
²Front Impact Accelerometer sensors
²Side Impact Accelerometer sensors
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The side curtain airbag system, on vehicles so equipped,
consists of the following:
²Airbag Control Module
²AIRBAGReadiness Light
²Left and Right Side Curtain Airbags Above Side
Windows
²Left and Right Side Impact Sensors
²Interconnection Wiring
How The Airbag System Works
²
The airbag control module determines if a frontal
collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate. The control module receives the level of colli-
sion severity, determines the proper level of airbag to
be deployed. The frontal airbag inflators are designed
to provide three different rates of airbag inflation.
²The airbag control module will not detect a rollover.
²The airbag control module also monitors the readiness
of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or ON positions. Theseinclude all of the items listed above except the knee
bolster, the instrument panel, and the steering wheel
and column. If the key is in the ªLOCKº position, in
the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate.
²The airbag control module also turns on the
AIRBAGlight, and thePassenger Airbag
Disable (PAD) Indicator Lightin the instru-
ment panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the
ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off. If it
detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the light either momentarily or continuously.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won't have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
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way and inflates (in about the same time it takes to blink
your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you are not
belted and seated properly, or if items are positioned in
the area where the side curtain airbag inflates. This
especially applies to children. The side curtain airbag is
only about 3
1¤2inches (83¤4cm) thick when it is inflated.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbags are not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or
the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Occupant Classification System
²
TheOccupant Classification System (OCS)is part of
a Federally regulated safety system required for this
vehicle. It is designed to turn off the front passenger
airbag in the unlikely event that a rear-facing infant
seat is in the front passenger seat.
NOTE:Children 12 years and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat in an appropriate child restraint.
²ThePassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
(an amber light located in the center of the instrument
panel) tells the driver and front passenger when the
front passenger airbag is turned off. The PAD Indica-
tor lamp illuminates the words9PASS AIRBAG OFF9
to show that the passenger airbag will not inflate
during a collision requiring airbags.This light should not be illuminated when an adult
passenger is properly seated in the front passenger
seat. In this case, the airbag is ready to be inflated if a
collision requiring an airbag occurs. The PAD Indica-
tor Light is also turned off when the seat is empty. The
only time that the PAD Indicator Light is turned on is
when a small weight is in the front passenger seat. The
system is required to turn on the PAD Indicator Light
when the weight in the front passenger seat is close to
a rear-facing infant seat. Relatively light objects like
brief cases and grocery bags will also turn on the PAD
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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