2007 CHRYSLER 300 parking brake

treated confidentially. Confidential data will not be dis-
closed by DaimlerChrysler to any third party except
when:
1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved
2. Used in defense of litigation involving a
DaimlerChrysler product
3. Requested by police under a legal warrant
4. Otherwise required by law
Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
•Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
•Timeof airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
•Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
•Seatbelt status
•Brake status (service and parking brakes)
•Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
•Engine control status (including engine speed)
•Cruise control status (if applicable)
•Traction/stability control status (if applicable)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time — babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including 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.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
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 if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2

Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only)
The high beam headlights will come on as Daytime
Running Lights, whenever the ignition switch is on, the
headlights are off, and the parking brake is off. The
headlight switch must be used for normal nighttime
driving.
Lights-on Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver’s door is opened.
Fog Lights — If Equipped
The front fog light switch is on the headlight
switch below the dimmer control. To activate the
front fog lights, turn on the parking lights or the
low beam headlights and press the fog light switch.
An indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminates
when the fog lights are turned on.
NOTE:The fog lights will operate with the low beam
headlights or parking lights on. However, selecting the
high beam headlights will turn off the fog lights.
Multi-Function Lever
The multi-function lever controls the operation of the
turn signals, headlight beam selection, and passing
lights. The lever is located on the left side of the steering
column.
Multi-Function Lever
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The speed control lever (located on the left side of the
steering column) operates the ACC system.
Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
You can only activate ACC if the vehicle speed is between
25 mph and 100 mph (Canada 30 km/h and 180 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the READY state,
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) dis-
plays “ACC READY.”
When the system is OFF, the EVIC displays “ACC OFF.”
NOTE:You cannot enable ACC under the following
conditions:
•When you apply the brakes.
•When the parking brake is set.
•When the automatic transmission is in P (Park), R
(Reverse), or N (Neutral).
•When the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is
switched off.
•When pressing the RES/ACCEL switch without a
previously set speed in memory.
1 — RESUME/ACCEL
2 — SET/DECEL
3 — CANCEL
4 — DISTANCE SETTING
5 — ON/OFFUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 123
3

Narrow Vehicles
Some narrow vehicles traveling near the outer edges of
the lane or edging into the lane are not detected until they
have moved fully into the lane. There will not be suffi-
cient distance to the vehicle ahead.
General Information
CLASS 1 LASER PRODUCTClassification Specifications: DIN EN 60825-1:2003IEC 60825-1:2001
REAR PARK ASSIST SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED
The Rear Park Assist System is a driver aid that senses for
obstacles behind the vehicle. Refer to the Warnings,
Cautions, and Notes in this section for system limitations
and usage recommendations.
The Rear Park Assist System is active when the driver
shifts the transmission into the R (Reverse) position, and
the parking brake is not applied, and the vehicle speed is
less than 10 mph (16 km/h).
The system can be turned on or off when the vehicle is in
PARK through the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) — if equipped. For details, refer to “Personal
Settings (Customer Programmable Features)” under
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4 of this manual.
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

running. The system will turn this light on continu-
ously while the engine running if it detects a malfunc-
tion in either the ESP or the BAS or both. (See page 259
for more information.)
11. Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for 6 to 8 seconds as a
bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is either not on
during starting, or stays on, or turns on
while driving, then have the system inspected at your
authorized dealer as soon as possible. (See page 49 for
more information.)
12. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking
brake application. If the brake light turns on,
it may indicate that the parking brake is
applied, that the brake fluid level is low, or that there
is a problem with the anti-lock brake system (if
equipped).
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity to a portion of the hydraulic system in the event of afailure. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder drops
below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers due to a change in fluid level. If so,
the vehicle should have service performed and the brake
fluid level checked.
Immediate repair is necessary if brake failure is indicated.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
Both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light will
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 165
4

turn on in the event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair
of the ABS system is required in the event of an EBD
failure.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should turn on for approxi-
mately two seconds and then turn off. The light will
remain on if the parking brake is applied or if a brake
fault is detected. If the parking brake is not applied and
the light remains on, or if the light does not turn on, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
NOTE:The light will turn on when the ignition switch
in the ON position and the parking brake is applied. This
light shows only that the parking brake is applied. It does
not show the degree of brake application. (See page 253
for more information.)
13. Electronic Stability Program (ESP)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as
little throttle as possible. Adapt your speed
and driving to the prevailing road condi-
tions, and do not switch off the ESP or TCS — if
equipped. (See page 257 for more information.) (See
page 259 for more information.)
14. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.
The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
166 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures....................234
▫Automatic Transmission................235
▫Normal Starting......................235
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below20°F Or29°C)................235
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................235
▫After Starting........................236
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped........237
Automatic Transmission.................237
▫Automatic Transmission — General
Information.........................238
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 240▫4 Speed Automatic Transmission..........240
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........245
AutoStick— If Equipped...............249
▫AutoStickOperation..................249
All Wheel Drive — If Equipped...........250
Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............250
▫Acceleration.........................250
▫Traction............................251
Parking Brake.........................251
Brake System.........................253
▫Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped.....253
5