2008 CHRYSLER 300 SRT battery

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The HAZARD switch is located in the center of the
instrument panel between the center air outlets.Depress the switch to activate the flashers. When acti-
vated, all directional turn signals will flash on and off to
warn oncoming traffic of an emergency. Push the switch
a second time to turn off the flashers.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
hazard warning flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
NOTE:With extended use, the hazard earning flashers
may wear down your battery.
Hazard Flasher Switch
370 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised.
It can start anytime the ignition switch is ON. You can be hurt by the
fan.
•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 discharged battery, booster cables may be used to obtain a start
from another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done
improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow battery fluid to
contact eyes, skin, or clothing. Don’t lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes
or on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with large quantities
of water.
•A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
Keep flame or spark away from the vent holes.
•Do not use a booster battery or any other booster source with an output
that exceeds 12 Volts.
•The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that should not be discon-
nected and should only be replaced with a battery of the same type
(vented).
NOTE:The battery is stored under an access cover in
the trunk. Remote battery terminals are located in the
engine compartment for jump-starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watchbands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach, but
do not allow the vehicles to touch one another.
WARNING!
Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 377
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3. Set the parking brake, place the automatic transmis-
sion in PARK, and turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position on both vehicles.
4. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads.
5. Connect one end of the jumper cable to the remote
jump-start positive battery post(+)in the engine com-
partment. Connect the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump-starting connections.
6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine ground (-)
of the vehicle with the discharged battery.Make sure
you have a good contact on the engine ground. Refer to
the following illustration for jump-starting connections.
Jump-Starting
378 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
7. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes. Then, start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.NOTE:Refer toSynchronizing ESPunderElectronic
Stability Programin Section 5 if the ESP/BAS light (in
the instrument cluster) remains on continuously after
starting 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:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 379
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

6.1L Engine Compartment................386

Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........387
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap..................387

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................388

Replacement Parts......................389

Authorized Dealer Service................390

Maintenance Procedures..................390
▫Engine Oil..........................391▫Engine Oil Filter......................393
▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 393
▫Spark Plugs.........................394
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................394
▫Fuel Filter..........................395
▫Catalytic Converter....................395
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................397
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............399
▫A/C Air Filter — If Equipped............400
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6.1L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post 6 — Power Steering Fluid
2 — Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center) 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Coolant Bottle 10 — Washer Fluid Bottle 386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

TRIP ODOMETER button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an I/M (Inspection and
Maintenance), this check verifies the MIL is func-
tioning and is not on when the engine is running,
and that the OBD II system is ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced or recently had a dead battery or had a batteryreplacement. If the OBD II system should be determined
not ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Insert your ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn your key to the ON position, you
will see the MIL symbol come on as part of a normal bulb
check.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition key or start the engine. This means that
your vehicle’s OBD II system isnot readyand you
shouldnotproceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II
system isready, and you can proceed to the I/M
station.
If your OBD II system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD IIsystem to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL is illuminated during
normal vehicle operation, you should have your vehicle
serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M station
can fail your vehicle because the MIL is on with the
engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPARparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-MOPARparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
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