2008 CHRYSLER 300 SRT Owners Manual

CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer
readings.
Alignment And Balance
Poor suspension alignment may result in:
•Fast tire wear.
•Uneven tire wear, such as feathering and one-sided
wear.
•Vehicle pull to right or left.
Tires may also cause the vehicle to pull to the left or right.
Alignment will not correct this condition. See your
authorized dealer for proper diagnosis.Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
TIRE CHAINS
If driving conditions require tire chains for your vehicle,
use only chains that meet SAE type “Class S” specifica-
tions. In addition, only install tire chains on 245/45ZR20
size tires. Contact you local dealership or tire dealer for
these size tires.
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CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the following
precautions:
•Because of restricted chain clearance between tires and other
suspension components, it is important that only chains in
good condition are used. Broken chains can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs that
could indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged parts of
the chain before further use.
•Install chains on the rear wheels as tightly as possible and
then retighten after driving about
12mi (0.8 km).
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large bumps,
especially with a loaded vehicle.
•Use on rear wheels only.
•Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement.
•Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instructions on the
method of installation, operating speed, and conditions for
use. Always use the lower suggested operating speed of the
chain manufacturer if different from the speed recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
NOTE:In order to avoid damage to tires, chains, and
your vehicle do not drive for a prolonged period on dry
pavement. Observe the tire chain manufacturer’s instruc-
tions on method of installation, operating speed, and
conditions for usage.
Always use the lower suggested operating speed if both
the chain manufacturer and vehicle manufacturer sug-
gest a maximum speed. This notice applies to all chain
traction devices, including link and cable (radial) chains.
SNOW TIRES
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the winter. Standard tires are of the all season type
and satisfy this requirement as indicated by the M+S
designation on the tire sidewall.
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If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four. Failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120
km/h).
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates and tend to develop irregular wear pat-
terns. These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of
tires. The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile
with aggressive tread designs such as those on all seasontype tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to main-
tain mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to
a smooth, quiet ride.
Follow the Maintenance Schedule in Section 8 for the
recommended tire rotation frequency. Remember, more
frequent rotation is permissible if desired. Also, correct
for anything causing rapid or unusual wear prior to
performing the tire rotation.
Tire Rotation — Standard Tires
The suggested rotation method is the “side-to-side” as
shown in the following diagram.
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Tire Rotation — All Season Tires
The suggested rotation method for vehicles equipped
with all season tires is the “forward-cross” as shown in
the following diagram.
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) — IF
EQUIPPED
•
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) will warn
the driver of a low tire pressure based on the vehicle
recommended cold placard pressure.
•The tire pressure will vary with temperature by about
1 psi (6.9 kPa) for every 12°F (6.5°C). This means that
when the outside temperature decreases, the tire pres-
sure will decrease. Tire pressure should always be set
based on cold inflation tire pressure. This is defined as
the tire pressure after the vehicle has not been driven
for at least three hours, or driven less than 1 mi (1 km)
after a three hour period. The cold tire inflation
pressure must not exceed the maximum inflation
pressure molded into the tire sidewall. Refer to the
“Tires – General Information” in this section for infor-
mation on how to properly inflate the vehicle’s tires.The tire pressure will also increase as the vehicle is
driven - this is normal and there should be no adjust-
ment for this increased pressure.
•The TPMS will warn the driver of a low tire pressure
if the tire pressure falls below the low-pressure warn-
ing limit for any reason, including low temperature
effects and natural pressure loss through the tire.
•The TPMS will continue to warn the driver of low tire
pressure as long as the condition exists, and will not
turn off until the tire pressure is at or above the
recommended cold placard pressure. Once the low tire
pressure warning (Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale
Light) illuminates, you must increase the tire pressure
to the recommended cold placard pressure in order for
the Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light to turn off.
The system will automatically update and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off once
the system receives the updated tire pressures. The
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vehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes
above 15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to
receive this information.
For example, your vehicle may have a recom-
mended cold (parked for more than three hours)
placard pressure of 30 psi (207 kPa). If the ambient
temperature is 68°F (20°C) and the measured tire
pressure is 27 psi (186 kPa), a temperature drop to
20°F (-7°C) will decrease the tire pressure to ap-
proximately 26 psi (179 kPa). This tire pressure is
sufficiently low enough to turn ON the Tire Pressure
Monitoring Telltale Light. Driving the vehicle may
cause the tire pressure to rise to approximately 27
psi (186 kPa), but the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light will still be ON. In this situation, the
Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn
OFF only after the tires are inflated to the vehicle’s
recommended cold placard pressure value.
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
operation or sensor damage may result when us-
ing replacement 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.
•After inspecting or adjusting the tire pressure,
always reinstall the valve stem cap. This will
prevent moisture and dirt from entering the valve
stem, which could damage the Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Sensor.
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NOTE:
•The TPMS is not intended to replace normal tire care
and maintenance or to provide warning of a tire failure
or condition.
•The TPMS should not be used as a tire pressure gauge
while adjusting your tire pressure.
•Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes
the tire to overheat 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.
•The TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire mainte-
nance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to maintain
correct tire pressure using an accurate tire pressure
gauge, even if under-inflation has not reached the
level to trigger illumination of the Tire Pressure Moni-
toring Telltale Light.
•Seasonal temperature changes will affect tire pressure,
and the TPMS will monitor the actual tire pressure in
the tire.
Base System — If Equipped
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) uses wireless
technology with wheel rim mounted electronic sensors to
monitor tire pressure levels. Sensors mounted to each
wheel as part of the valve stem transmit tire pressure
readings to the receiver module.
NOTE:It is particularly important for you to check the
tire pressure in all of the tires on your vehicle monthly
and to maintain the proper pressure.
The TPMS consists of the following components:
•Receiver Module
•Four Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors
•Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light
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The matching full size spare wheel and tire assembly (if
equipped) has a tire pressure monitoring sensor. The
matching full size spare can be used in place of any of the
four road tires. The TPMS will only monitor the pressure
in the full size spare when it is used in place of a road tire.
Otherwise, a spare with a pressure below the low-
pressure limit will not cause the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light to illuminate or the chime to sound.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Low Pressure Warnings
The Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will
illuminate in the instrument cluster and a chime
will sound when tire pressure is low in one or
more of the four active road tires. Should this occur, you
should stop as soon as possible, check the inflation
pressure of each tire on your vehicle, and inflate each tire
to the vehicle’s recommended cold placard pressure
value. Once the system receives the updated tire pres-
sures, the system will automatically update and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off. Thevehicle may need to be driven for up to 10 minutes above
15 mph (25 km/h) in order for the TPMS to receive this
information.
Check TPMS Warning
If a system fault is detected, the Tire Pressure Monitoring
Telltale Light will flash on and off for 75 seconds and then
remain on solid. The system fault will also sound a
chime. If the ignition key is cycled, this sequence will
repeat, providing the system fault still exists. The Tire
Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light will turn off when the
fault condition no longer exists. A system fault can occur
due to any of the following:
1. Signal interference due to electronic devices or driving
next to facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as
the TPM sensors.
2. Installing aftermarket window tinting that contains
materials that may block radio wave signals.
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