2006 CHRYSLER 300 LX fuel

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

2.7L Engine..........................292

3.5L Engine..........................293

5.7L Engine..........................294

Onboard Diagnostic System—OBD II......295

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs
............................296

Replacement Parts.....................297

Dealer Service........................297

Maintenance Procedures.................298
▫Engine Oil..........................298
▫Engine Oil Filter......................303▫Drive Belts—Check Condition And
Tensioner...........................303
▫Spark Plugs.........................303
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................304
▫Fuel Filter..........................304
▫Catalytic Converter....................304
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................306
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............307
▫A/C Air Filter—If Equipped............308
▫Power Steering—Fluid Check............309
▫Front & Rear Suspension Ball Joints........309
▫Steering Linkage......................309
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▫Body Lubrication.....................309
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................310
▫Windshield Washers/Headlight Washers—
If Equipped.........................310
▫Exhaust System......................311
▫Cooling System.......................312
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......316
▫Brakes.............................317
▫Brake Fluid Level Check................318
▫Fuel System Hoses....................319
▫Automatic Transmission................319
▫All Wheel Drive (AWD)—If Equipped.....320
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........321
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................321
▫Cleaning The Center Console Cup Holders—
300 Models..........................324▫Cleaning The Center Console Cup Holders—
300C And 300 Touring Models............325

Power Distribution Centers...............325
▫Front Power Distribution Center...........325
▫Rear Power Distribution Center...........328

Vehicle Storage........................332

Replacement Light Bulbs................332

Bulb Replacement......................334
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Park/Turn Light, Inner Park Light, And Outer
Park Light–300 Models................334
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
And Park/Turn Light–300C.............336
▫Backup Light, Side Marker Light, And Tail/Stop
Turn Light—300 Models...............338
▫Tail/Stop, Tail, Turn Signal Light, And Backup
Light—300C Models..................340
▫License Light........................343
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ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM—OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the“Malfunction Indicator Light.”It will
also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your dealer for service as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the“Malfunction Indicator
Light”on could cause further damage to the emis-
sion control system. It could also affect fuel economy
and driveability. The vehicle must be serviced before
any emissions tests can be performed.
If the“Malfunction Indicator Light”is flashing
while the engine is running, severe catalytic con-
verter damage and power loss will soon occur. Im-
mediate service is required.
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WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level—2.7L, 3.5L Engines
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding one quart (.9L) of oil when the reading
is at the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
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CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Checking Oil Level—5.7L Engines
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.The best time to check the engine oil level is about 5
minutes after a fully warmed engine is shut off or before
starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level in the“SAFE”range. Adding one quart (.9L)
of oil when the reading is at the bottom of the“SAFE”
range will result in an oil level at the top of the“SAFE”
range on these engines.
Engine Oil Dipstick
Engine Oil Dipstick
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recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395. Use Moparor an equivalent oil meeting the
specification MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacture only recommends
API Certified engine oils that
meet the requirements of
DaimlerChrysler Material Stan-
dard MS-6395. Use Moparor an
equivalent oil meeting the specifi-
cation MS-6395.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)—2.7L and 5.7L
Engines
SAE 5W-20 engine oil is recommended for all operating
temperatures. This engine oil improves low temperature
starting and vehicle fuel economy.The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to the Engine Com-
partment illustration in this section.
NOTE:Vehicles equipped with 5.7L engines must use
SAE 5W-20 oil. Failure to do so may result in improper
operation of the Multiple Displacement System (MDS).
Refer to Multi Displacement System under Starting and
Operating for details.
In areas where these grades are not generally available,
higher SAE grades may be used. Lubricants which have
both an SAE grade number and the API Certification
Symbol or ACEA category shown on the container
should be used.
Lubricants which do not have both, the engine oil certi-
fication mark and the correct SAE viscosity grade num-
ber should not be used.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart—3.5L Engines
SAE 10W-30 engine oil is preferred for use in 3.5L
Engines within the operating temperatures shown in the
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Engine Air Cleaner Filter
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on Schedule“A.”If, however, you
drive the vehicle frequently under dusty or severe con-
ditions, the filter element should be inspected periodi-
cally and replaced if necessary at the intervals shown on
Schedule“B.”
WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide a measure of protection
in the case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
cleaner unless such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle with
the air cleaner removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
Fuel Filter
A plugged fuel filter can cause stalling, limit the speed at
which a vehicle can be driven or cause hard starting.
Should an excessive amount of dirt accumulate in the
fuel tank, filter replacement may be necessary. See your
local dealer for service.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
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Use only manufacturers recommended brake fluid, refer
to Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts for correct fluid
type.
WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARDOT 3
product or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to
FMVSS specification may result in sudden brake
failure during hard prolonged braking. You could
have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
CAUTION!
Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
Fuel System Hoses
Electronic Fuel Injection high pressure fuel systems are
designed with hoses and quick connect fittings which
have unique material characteristics to provide adequate
sealing and resist attack by deteriorated gasoline.
You are urged to use only the manufacture specified
hoses with quick connect fittings, or their equivalent in
material and specification, in any fuel system servicing. It
is mandatory to replace any damaged hoses or quick
connect fittings that have been removed during service.
Care should be taken in installing quick connect fittings
to insure they are properly installed and fully connected.
See your authorized dealer for service.
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