2008 CHRYSLER 300 C tires

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
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. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
2

Tilt in Reverse Feature — If Equipped
The\4Tilt in Reverse\4feature tilts the outside rearview
mirrors downward when the ignition switch is to the ON
position and the transmission is in the “R” (Reverse)
position. This feature provides the driver with a better
view of the ground and vehicle in the area of the rear tires
when backing up. The mirrors will move back to their
previous position when the transmission is shifted out of
“R” (Reverse).
The\4Tilt in Reverse\4feature can be enabled or disabled
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 Section 4 of this
manual.
Power Remote Control Mirrors
The power mirror switch is located on the driver’s door
trim panel next to the power door lock switch. A rotary
knob selects the left mirror, right mirror, or off position.
After selecting a mirror, move the knob in the same
direction you want the mirror to move. Use the center off
position to guard against accidentally moving a mirror
position.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 89
3

22. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light — If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires are significantly under-inflated. Ac-
cordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on asignificantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
210 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly. (See page 355 for more
information.)CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
23. Charging System Light
This light shows the status of the electrical charg-
ing system. The light should turn on when the
ignition switch is first turned ON and remain on briefly
as a bulb check. If the light stays on or turns on while
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 211
4

\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

ALL WHEEL DRIVE — IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control.
The front wheels provide 38% of the torque, and the rear
wheels provide 62% of the torque. The system is auto-
matic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills
required.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the rear wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
STARTING AND OPERATING 319
5

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches deep will
require extra caution to ensure safety and prevent dam-
age to your vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on or cross a road or a path where water
is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow-
ing water can wear away the road or path’s surface
and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry
your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
320 STARTING AND OPERATING