2006 CHRYSLER 300 SRT tires

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

MIRRORS
Automatic Dimming Inside Mirror
When the switch is placed in the “AUTO” position the
mirror will automatically adjust for annoying headlight
glare from vehicles behind you. The mirror will normally
be in the “AUTO” mode unless “OFF” is pressed on the
switch at the base of the mirror. A green light in the base
of the mirror will illuminate to indicate when this feature
is on.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning,
never spray any cleaning solution directly onto the
mirror. Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and
wipe the mirror clean.
Driver’s Side Outside Mirror Auto Dimmer
The driver’s side outside mirror automatically adjusts for
annoying headlight glare from vehicles behind you. This
feature can be turned on or off by pressing the button at
the base of the Inside Rearview Mirror.
Tilt in Reverse Feature
TheTilt in Reversefeature tilts the outside rearview
mirrors down when the vehicle is shifted into REVERSE
with the ignition switch in the RUN position. This feature
provides the customer with a better view of the ground
and vehicle in the area of the rear tires when backing up.
The mirrors move back to their previous position when
the vehicle is shifted out of REVERSE. This feature is
disabled from the factory, but can be enabled by the
Automatic Dimming Mirror
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63
3

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
WARNING!
TCS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
afforded. The TCS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a
TCS-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
The traction control system is part of the elec-
tronic stability program (ESP). The traction
control system (TCS) warning light is located in
the instrument cluster. The TCS light will flash
as soon as the tires lose traction and the wheels begin to
spin. This indicates that the TCS system is active. If the
TCS warning light begins to flash during acceleration,
ease up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to theprevailing road conditions. When the TCS warning light
is illuminated continuously, the TCS is switched off. To
return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by TCS,
press the electronic stability program switch (the TCS
warning light in the instrument cluster goes out). Avoid
spinning one drive wheel. This may cause serious dam-
age to the drive train.
The electronic stability program switch is located on the
center of the instrument panel. To turn the traction
control system OFF press the electronic stability program
switch until the traction control Indicator in the instru-
ment cluster lights up.
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off the TCS system by pressing the electronic
stability program switch.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

WARNING!
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of
the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS. The yellow BAS mal-
function indicator light and the yellow ESP
warning light in the instrument cluster both
come on with the key in the ignition switch turned to the
“ON” position. They should go out with the enginerunning. If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator light
comes on continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in either the BAS or the ESP
system. If this light stays illuminated, have the BAS and
ESP checked at your authorized dealer as soon as pos-
sible.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)
WARNING!
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
afforded. The ESP cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109
3

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................183
▫Normal Starting......................183

Transmission Shifting...................185
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........185
▫Automatic Transmission — General
Information.........................190

AutoStick............................192
▫AutoStick Operation...................192
▫AutoStick General Information............193

Parking Brake.........................194

Brake System.........................195
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................195

Power Steering........................198

Tire Safety Information..................199
▫Tire Markings........................199
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........203
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........204

Tires—General Information...............208
▫Tire Pressure.........................208
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................209
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................211
▫Tire Spinning........................211
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................212
▫Life Of Tire.........................212
5

▫Replacement Tires.....................213
▫Alignment And Balance.................214

Tire Pressure Monitor System — If Equipped. . 214
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring................214
▫General Information...................216

Tire Chains...........................217

Snow Tires...........................218

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........218
▫Tire Rotation — Standard Tires............218
▫Tire Rotation — All Season Tires..........219
▫Tire Rotation — General Information.......219

Ground Clearance.....................220

Fuel Requirements.....................220
▫Spark Knock.........................220
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................221
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............221▫MMT In Gasoline.....................221
▫Materials Added To Fuel................222
▫Fuel System Cautions..................222
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............223

Adding Fuel..........................224
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............224

Vehicle Loading.......................225
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............225
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......226
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........226
▫Overloading.........................226
▫Loading............................226

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.). 228
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................228

Trailer Towing........................228
182 STARTING AND OPERATING

The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents the
rear wheels from over-braking and provides greater
control of available braking forces applied to the rear
axle.
WARNING!
Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to an accident.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
The ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
196 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason, the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and does not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
198 STARTING AND OPERATING