2008 CHRYSLER 300 C Owners Manual

\3Acceleration.........................319
\3Traction............................320
\1Driving Through Water..................320
\3Flowing/Rising Water..................320
\3Shallow Standing Water.................321
\1Parking Brake.........................322
\1Brake System..........................324
\3Anti-Lock Brake System — If Equipped.....325
\1Power Steering........................327
\1Multi Displacement System (MDS) —
5.7L Engine Only.......................328
\1Traction Control System (TCS) — If Equipped . . 328
\1Brake Assist System (BAS) — If Equipped.....330\1Electronic Stability Program (ESP) —
If Equipped...........................331
\3Synchronizing ESP....................333
\3ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator And
ESP/TCS Indicator Lights...............333
\1Tire Safety Information...................334
\3Tire Markings........................334
\3Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........338
\3Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........340
\1Tires — General Information...............344
\3Tire Pressure.........................344
\3Tire Inflation Pressures.................345
\3Radial-Ply Tires......................347
\3Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........348
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

\3Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........348
\3Tire Spinning........................349
\3Tread Wear Indicators..................350
\3Life Of Tire.........................350
\3Replacement Tires.....................351
\3Alignment And Balance.................352
\1Self-Sealing Tires — If Equipped............353
\1Tire Chains...........................353
\1Snow Tires...........................354
\1Tire Rotation Recommendations............354
\1Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped...........................355
\3Base System — If Equipped..............358\3Premium System — If Equipped..........360
\3General Information...................364
\1Fuel Requirements......................365
\32.7L Engine.........................365
\33.5L And 5.7L Engines..................365
\3Reformulated Gasoline.................366
\3Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............366
\3MMT In Gasoline.....................367
\3Materials Added To Fuel................367
\3Fuel System Cautions..................367
\3Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............368
\1Adding Fuel..........................369
\3Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............369
STARTING AND OPERATING 297
5

\3Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............371
\1Vehicle Loading........................372
\3Vehicle Certification Label...............372
\3Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......372
\3Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........373
\3Overloading.........................373
\3Loading............................374
\1Trailer Towing.........................375
\3Common Towing Definitions.............375\3Trailer Hitch Classification...............379
\3Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........380
\3Trailer And Tongue Weight..............381
\3Towing Requirements..................383
\3Towing Tips.........................388
\1Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 389
\3Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................389
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
•Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the gear selection lever. Ac-
cidents can also be caused by pressing the accel-
erator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the
exhaust system, resulting in overheating and ve-
hicle fire, which may cause serious or fatal
injuries.
STARTING AND OPERATING 299
5

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the “N” (Neutral) or “P”
(Park) position before you can start the engine. Apply the
brakes before shifting into any driving gear.CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do notpress the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10
seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (below\120°F or\129°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 301
5

If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
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 dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6 of
this manual for proper jump starting procedures
and follow them carefully.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5