2005 CHRYSLER 300 maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1
INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...........................9
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................61
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL.................................133
5
STARTING AND OPERATING................................................205
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES.............................................263
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................281
8
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES................................................335
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.......................................351
10
INDEX...................................................................361
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INTRODUCTION
This manual has been prepared with the assistance of
service and engineering specialists to acquaint you with
the operation and maintenance of your new vehicle. It is
supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet and
various customer oriented documents. You are urged to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE:After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your dealer
knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained techni-
cians and genuine Mopartparts, and is interested in
your satisfaction.
WARNING!
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain
vehicle components contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition,
certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner's manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

²TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC). The ORC uses the occupant category to
determine whether the front passenger airbag should
be turned off. It also determines the rate of airbag
inflation during a collision.
²ThePassenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator
Lightindicates to the driver and passenger when the
airbag is turned OFF. In the presence of a properly
seated occupant, when the PAD indicator light is
illuminated, the airbag is OFF. Also, when the Occu-
pant Classification System detects either an empty seat
or a weight less than the predetermined threshold, the
ORC will not illuminate the PAD indicator light even
though the airbag is turned OFF.
²Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in an impact. While the airbag system is designed to
be maintenance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system promptly:
²TheAIRBAGlight does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an airbag deployment, your vehicle is
designed to record up to 2-seconds of specific vehicle
data parameters (see list below) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment. Please note
that such data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
and are otherwise unavailable. In conjunction with other
data gathered during a complete accident investigation,
the electronic data may be used by DaimlerChrysler and
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NSecurity............................124
mPower Sunroof Ð If Equipped............124
NExpress Open Feature..................125
NWind Buffeting.......................126
NSunroof Maintenance...................126
mElectrical Power Outlets.................127
NElectrical Outlet Use With Engine Off.......128
mCupholders..........................129
NFront Seat Cupholders..................129
NRear Seat Cupholders..................130
mStorage..............................130
NConsole Features......................130
NCargo Tie-Down Hooks.................131
mLoad Leveling System Ð If Equipped.......132
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²Never leave children in a vehicle, with the keys in
the ignition switch. Occupants, particularly unat-
tended children, can become entrapped by the
power sunroof while operating the power sunroof
switch. Such entrapment may result in serious
injury or death.
²In an accident, there is a greater risk of being
thrown from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You
could also be seriously injured or killed. Always
fasten your seat belt properly and make sure all
passengers are properly secured too.
²Do not allow small children to operate the sun-
roof. Never allow fingers or other body parts, or
any object to project through the sunroof opening.
Injury may result.
Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, open the front and rear windows
together to minimize the buffeting. If the buffeting occurs
with the sunroof open, adjust the sunroof opening to
minimize the buffeting or open any window.
Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
126 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOperation Instructions -
(CD Mode For MP3 And WMA Audio Play) . . 185
NLoad/Eject Button
(CD Mode For MP3 And WMA Play).......185
mSatellite Radio Ð If Equipped.............187
NSystem Activation.....................187
NElectronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ENS/SID)....................187
NSelecting Satellite Mode In REF, RAQ, And RAK
Radios.............................188
NSelecting a Channel....................188
NStoring And Selecting Pre-Set Channels......188
NUsing The PTY (Program Type) Button
(If Equipped)........................189
NPTY Button9Scan9.....................189
NPTY Button9Seek9.....................189NSatellite Antenna......................189
NReception Quality.....................189
mRemote Sound System Controls...........190
NRadio Operation......................191
NTape Player.........................191
NCD Player..........................191
NSatellite............................191
mRadio General Information...............191
NRadio Broadcast Signals.................191
NTwo Types Of Signals..................192
NElectrical Disturbances..................192
NAM Reception.......................192
NFM Reception........................192
mCassette Tape And Player Maintenance......192
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 135
4

mCD/DVD Disc Maintenance..............193
mRadio Operation And Cellular Phones.......194
mClimate Controls......................194
NClimate Controls Ð Manual..............194
NAutomatic Temperature Control Ð
If Equipped.........................197
NSummer Operation....................202NWinter Operation.....................203
NVacation Storage......................203
NWindow Fogging.....................203
NOutside Air Intake....................203
NA/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped............203
NOperating Tips.......................204
136 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals... AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary... and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:On vehicles so equipped the radio, steering
wheel radio controls and 6 disc CD/DVD changer if
equipped, will remain active for 10 minutes after the
ignition has been turned off, and the driver door has not
been opened. This feature is programmable through the
electronic vehicle information center (EVIC) Ð if
equipped. Refer to ªDelay Power Off to Accessories Until
Exitº under ªPersonal Settingsº in the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center section for details.
CASSETTE TAPE AND PLAYER MAINTENANCE
To keep the cassette tapes and player in good condition,
take the following precautions:
1. Do not use cassette tapes longer than C-90; otherwise,
sound quality and tape durability will be greatly dimin-
ished.
2. Keep the cassette tape in its case to protect from
slackness and dust when it is not in use.
3. Keep the cassette tape away from direct sunlight, heat
and magnetic fields such as the radio speakers.
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL