2005 CHRYSLER 300 SRT Owners Manual

Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
NOTE:See Operating Tips chart (for Manual A/C
Control) at the end of this section for suggested control
settings in different weather conditions.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The
Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear
windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes a problem increase blower speed.
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild but
rainy or humid weather.
NOTE:Recirculate without A/C should not be used for
long periods as fogging may occur.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow and if they
enter the plenum they could plug the water drains. In
winter months make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush and snow.
A/C Air Filter — If Equipped
The climate control system filters outside air containing
dust, pollen and some odors. Strong odors cannot be
totally filtered out. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in
your Owner’s Manual for filter replacement instructions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
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Operating Tips
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................181
▫Normal Starting......................181

Transmission Shifting...................183
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........183
▫Automatic Transmission —
General Information...................188

AutoStick............................190
▫AutoStick Operation...................190
▫AutoStick General Information............191

Parking Brake.........................191

Brake System.........................193
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................193

Power Steering........................196

Tire Safety Information..................197
▫Tire Markings........................197
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........200
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........201

Tires—General Information...............205
▫Tire Pressure.........................205
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................206
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................208
▫Tire Spinning........................208
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................209
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▫Replacement Tires.....................209
▫Alignment And Balance.................210

Tire Chains...........................211

Snow Tires...........................212

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........212
▫Tire Rotation — Standard Tires............213
▫Tire Rotation — All Season Tires..........213
▫Tire Rotation — General Information.......213

Ground Clearance.....................214

Fuel Requirements.....................214
▫Spark Knock.........................214
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................215
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............215
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................215
▫Materials Added To Fuel................216▫Fuel System Cautions..................216
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............217

Adding Fuel..........................218
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............218

Vehicle Loading.......................219
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............219
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......220
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........220
▫Overloading.........................220
▫Loading............................220

Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)
................222
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................222
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Startingof either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the “START” position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the “OFF” position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather(below
20°F or
29°C) To
insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
STARTING AND OPERATING 181
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WARNING!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Un-
burned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
once the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. See section 6 of
this manual for the proper jump starting proce-
dures and follow them carefully.
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING” procedure, it may be flooded.Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key once
the engine is running smoothly. Do not overspeed en-
gine.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “NORMAL STARTING” procedure
should be repeated.
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle you should shift
the transmission into Park, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the park brake. Once the key is
removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the Park position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle. The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the transmission shift
lever into the “Park” position:
•When shifting into Park move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console
to ensure it is in the “P” position.Gear Selector
STARTING AND OPERATING 183
5

Park Position
The PARK position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped. The PARK
position is not intended to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always use
the parking brake in addition to placing the selector lever
in PARK to secure the vehicle.
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion.
NOTE:
•
If the key is in the ACC or ON position, you must press
the brake pedal to shift out of the PARK position.
•The key can be removed from the ignition switch only
with the selector lever in the PARK position. With the
key removed, the selector lever is locked in the PARK
position.
For electrical system malfunctions there is an override for
the interlock system. In order to override this system the
key must be in the ignition with the switch in the ACC orON positions. Remove the rubber storage tray from the
bin located to the right of the shifter lever. The override
can be activated by pressing the pink-colored tab, which
can be accessed through a hole inside the bin. While the
override is pressed, the shifter can be moved out of the
park position without pressing the brake. After operation
return rubber storage tray to its original position.
Reverse
Shift into REVERSE gear only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
Brake Interlock Override
184 STARTING AND OPERATING