2008 CHRYSLER 300 traction control

The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
driven wheel. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is
applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is
reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability.
The ESP/TCS indicator light, located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The indicator light also flashes when the
TCS is active. If the indicator 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 the prevailing road conditions.
When the TCS is switched off, the torque reduction
feature is cancelled. However, a feature of the system
remains active. This feature controls wheel spin across an
axle quite similarly to a limited slip differential. If one
wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel andallow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that
is not spinning. This wheel slip control is active up to 50
mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION!
When the ESP/TCS indicator light is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Avoid spin-
ning one drive wheel. This may cause serious dam-
age to the drive train.
NOTE:
•The Traction Control System comes on each time the
ignition switch is turned ON. This will occur even if
you used the ESP OFF button to turn OFF the system.
•The Traction Control System will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when in operation.
STARTING AND OPERATING 329
5

ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) —
IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, 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.This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
STARTING AND OPERATING 331
5

NOTE:For vehicles equipped with ESP, refer toSyn-
chronizing ESPunderElectronic Stability Programin
Section 5 of this manual if the ESP/BAS light (in the
instrument cluster) remains on continuously after start-
ing the engine of the vehicle with the discharged battery.
8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
— if equipped, or Traction Control System (TCS) — if
equipped before rocking the vehicle. For details, refer to
“Electronic Stability Program” or “Traction Control Sys-
tem” in this manual.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 407
6

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following describes the tire grading categories estab-
lished by the National highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration. The specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s
manufacturer in each category is shown on the sidewall
of the tires on your car.
All Passenger Car Tires Must Conform to Federal Safety
Requirements in Addition to These Grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
492 IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE

Electrical Power Outlets................... 187
Electronic Brake Control System
Brake Assist System.................... 330
Electronic Stability Program............... 331
Traction Control System................. 328
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses).... 451
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)....148,152
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 331
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 209
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 213
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 41
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 407
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 392
Jacking............................. 394
Jump Starting......................... 404
Overheating.......................... 393
Towing............................. 408
Emergency Trunk Release................... 41Emission Control System Maintenance......418,478
Engine........................76,414,415,416
Air Cleaner.......................... 426
Block Heater......................... 303
Break-In Recommendations................ 76
Checking Oil Level..................421,422
Compartment...................414,415,416
Coolant (Antifreeze).................436,475
Cooling............................. 435
Exhaust Gas Caution..................78,368
Fails to Start.......................... 302
Flooded, Starting...................... 302
Fuel Requirements..................... 365
Jump Starting......................... 404
Multi-Displacement..................... 328
Oil ...........................421,473,475
Oil Change Interval...............203,218,423
Oil Filler Cap......................423,424
Oil Filter............................ 425
INDEX 501
10

Heated Seats........................... 120
Heater............................... 282
Heater, Engine Block..................... 303
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 136
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 379
Holder, Coin........................... 190
Holder, Cup........................... 189
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 177
Hood Release.......................... 128
Hoses.............................440,441
Ignition............................... 14
Key ...............................12,14
Ignition Key Removal..................... 14
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Indicator, Traction Control................. 328
Infant Restraint........................67,68Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 210
Information Center, Vehicle................. 213
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 86
Instrument Cluster.................200,201,202
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 199
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 450
Interior Appearance Care.................. 448
Interior Fuses.......................... 451
Interior Lights.......................... 136
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 138
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 396
Jack Operation.......................... 398
Jacking Instructions...................... 398
Jump Starting.......................... 404
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
INDEX 505
10

Headlights On With Wipers............132,139
High Beam........................136,208
High Beam Indicator.................... 208
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 136
Illuminated Entry....................... 20
Instrument Cluster..................130,202
Intensity Control....................... 137
Interior..........................136,176
License............................. 472
Lights On Reminder.................... 134
Low Fuel............................ 202
LowTire ............................ 210
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 212
Map Reading......................136,176
Oil Pressure.......................... 212
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness).......... 137
Passing............................. 136
Reading..........................136,176
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 209Service...........................459,460
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 212
SmartBeams.......................... 132
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........210,355
Traction Control....................... 333
Turn Signal...................79,134,135,202
Vanity Mirror.......................... 90
Voltage............................. 211
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 202
Load Leveling System.................... 193
Loading Vehicle......................372,374
Capacities........................... 374
Tires ............................... 340
Locks................................. 29
Auto Unlock.......................... 32
Automatic Door........................ 31
Child Protection........................ 33
Door................................ 29
Power Door........................... 30
INDEX 507
10

Tires ............................79,344,492
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 350
Air Pressure.......................... 344
Alignment........................... 352
Chains.............................. 353
Changing.........................394,398
Compact Spare........................ 348
Flat Changing........................ 394
General Information.................... 344
High Speed.......................... 347
Inflation Pressures..................... 345
Jacking...........................395,398
Life of Tires.......................... 350
Load Capacity.....................340,341
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 355
Quality Grading....................... 492
Radial.............................. 347
Replacement......................... 351
Rotation............................. 354Safety...........................334,344
Self-Sealing.......................... 353
Sizes............................... 336
Snow Tires........................... 354
Spare Tire........................... 396
Spinning............................ 349
Trailer Towing........................ 384
Tread Wear Indicators................... 350
To Open Hood.......................... 128
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 381
Torque Converter Clutch................... 311
Towing............................... 375
Behind a Motor Home.................. 389
Disabled Vehicle....................... 408
Guide.............................. 380
Recreational.......................... 389
Weight.............................. 380
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home......... 389
Traction Control......................... 328
INDEX 515
10