2008 CHRYSLER 300 C Owners Manual

details, refer to “Automatically Move Seat Back on Exit,”
under “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Fea-
tures),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
Two latches must be released to open the hood. First, pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Next, move to the outside of the vehicle and push the
safety catch to the left. The safety catch is located under
the center front edge of the hood.
Hood Release Lever
128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Use the hood prop rod (if equipped) to secure the hood in
the open position.To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood, until it is open approximately 6
inches (15 cm), and then drop it. This should secure both
latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is fully
closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
You could have a collision. Be sure all hood latches
are fully latched before driving.
Hood Safety Catch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 129
3

LIGHTS
Headlight Switch
The headlight switch is located on the left side of
the instrument panel. This switch controls the
operation of the headlights, parking lights, instru-
ment panel lights, instrument panel light dimming, inte-
rior lights, and fog lights.
Rotate the headlight switch clockwise to the first detent
for parking light and instrument panel light operation.
Turn it to the second detent for headlight, parking light,
and instrument panel light operation.
Headlight Switch
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Headlights – If Equipped
This system automatically turns the headlights ON or
OFF according to ambient light levels. To turn the system
ON, rotate the headlight switch counter-clockwise to the
AUTO (A) position. When the system is ON, the Head-
light Time Delay feature is also ON. This means the
headlights will stay ON for up to 90 seconds after you
turn the ignition switch OFF. To turn the Automatic
System OFF, move the headlight switch out of the AUTO
(A) position.
NOTE:The engine must be running before the head-
lights will come ON in the Automatic mode.
Headlight Switch
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
3

Headlights On with Wipers (Available with Auto
Headlights Only)
When this feature is active, the headlights will turn on
approximately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on
if the headlight switch is placed in the AUTO position. In
addition, the headlights will turn off when the wipers are
turned off if they were turned on by this feature.
The Headlights On with Wipers feature can be turned on
or off through the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) — if equipped. For details, refer to ”Headlights
On with Wipers,” under “Personal Settings (Customer
Programmable Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle In-
formation Center” in Section 4 of this manual.
SmartBeams — If Equipped
The SmartBeam system provides increased forward light-
ing at night by automating high beam control through
the use of a digital camera mounted on the inside
rearview mirror. This camera detects vehicle specific lightand automatically switches from high beams to low
beams until the approaching vehicle is out of view.
To Activate:
1. Select “Automatic High Beams — ON” through the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). For details,
refer to “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter” in Section 4 of this manual.
2. Rotate the headlight switch counter-clockwise to the
AUTO (A) position.
3. Push the Multi-Function Lever away from you to
switch the headlights to the HIGH BEAM position.
NOTE:This system will not activate until the vehicle is
at or above 25 mph (40 km/h).
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Deactivate:
Perform either of the following steps to deactivate the
SmartBeam system.
1. Pull the Multi-Function Lever toward you to switch
the headlights from the HIGH BEAM to the LOW BEAM
position.
2. Rotate the headlight switch clockwise from the AUTO
(A) to the ON position.
NOTE:Broken, muddy, or obstructed headlights and
taillights of vehicles in the field of view will cause
headlights to remain on longer (closer to the vehicle).
Also, dirt, film, and other obstructions on the windshield
or camera lens will cause the system to function improp-
erly.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your ve-
hicle in an unlighted area.
To activate the delay feature, turn off the ignition switch
while the headlights are still on. Then, turn off the
headlights within 45 seconds. The delay interval begins
when headlight switch is turned off.
If you turn the headlights, park lights, or ignition switch
on again, the system will cancel the delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of turning the ignition off to activate this feature.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3

The Headlight delay time is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). For details, refer to “Delay Turning Headlights
Off,” under “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
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.
134 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Turn Signals
Move the Multi-Function Lever up or down and the
corresponding turn signal indicator in the instrument
cluster flashes to show proper operation of the front and
rear turn signal lights.Moving the Multi-Function Lever up or down also causes
the corresponding turn signal indicator in the outside
mirror (if so equipped) to flash. For details, refer to
“Outside Mirrors with Turn Signal & Approach Light-
ing” under “Mirrors” in this section.
You can also signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down without moving beyond the detent.
Releasing the lever at the detent will provide 3 flashes.
If either indicator has a very fast flash rate, check for a
defective outside light bulb. If an indicator fails to light
when the lever is moved, see your authorized dealer for
service.
NOTE:A “Turn Signal On” message will appear in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) — if
equipped and a continuous chime will sound if the
vehicle is driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km) with either
turn signal on.
Multi-Function Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3