2008 CHRYSLER 300 SRT warning

WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked
into position. If the seatback in not securely
locked into position, the seat will not provide
the proper stability for child seats and/or pas-
sengers. An improperly latched seat could cause
serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with
the rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded
down position) should not be used as a play
area by children when the vehicle is in motion.
They could be seriously injured in an accident.
Children should be seated and using the proper
restraint system.
•To help protect against personal injury, passen-
gers should not be seated in the rear cargo area.
The rear cargo space is intended for load carry-
ing purposes only, not for passengers, who
should sit in seats and use seat belts.
WARNING!
•The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and ve-
hicle handling. To avoid loss of control resulting
in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
192 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
CONTENTS

Instrument Panel And Controls.............197

Premium Instrument Cluster...............198

Instrument Cluster Descriptions............199

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) . . . 209
▫Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Displays............................211
▫Trip Functions.......................215
▫Performance Pages — If Equipped.........217
▫Compass Display.....................220▫Telephone — If Equipped...............222
▫Navigation — If Equipped...............224
▫Driver-Selectable Surround Sound (DSS) –
If Equipped.........................225
▫System Warnings (Customer Information
Features)...........................225
▫Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)...........................226

Setting The Analog Clock.................231

Radio General Information................2314

Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“Check Gascap” message will display in the EVIC.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the 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 Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
(See page 387 for more information.)
7. Tachometer
The red segments indicate the maximum permissible
engine revolutions per minute (RPM x 1000) for each gear
range. Ease up on the accelerator before reaching the red
area.8. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light will turn on and a single chime will
sound to warn of an overheated engine condition.
When this light turns on, the engine temperature
is critically hot. The vehicle should be turned OFF
immediately and serviced as soon as possible. (See page
371 for more information.)
9. Anti-Lock Brake Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving,
then the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system is not
functioning and service is required. However, the con-
ventional brake system will continue to operate normally
if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
200 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer. (See page 317 for
more information.)
10. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) / Brake Assist
System (BAS) Malfunction Indicator Light
The yellow ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator
Light will turn on when the key in the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position. The light
should go out with the engine running. If the
light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected. (See page 320 for more infor-
mation.)11. Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for six to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is either not on during
starting, or stays on, or turns on while driving,
then have the system inspected at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.(See page 61 for more information.)
12. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the ABS.
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The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity to a portion of the hydraulic system in the event of a
failure. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder drops
below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers due to a change in fluid level. If so,
the vehicle should have service performed and the brake
fluid level checked.
Immediate repair is necessary if brake failure is indicated.WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with ABS are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Both the Brake
Warning Light and the ABS Light will turn on in the
event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair of the ABS is
required in the event of an EBD failure.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the LOCK position to
the ON position. The light should turn on for approxi-
mately two seconds and then turn off. The light will
remain on if the parking brake is applied or if a brake
fault is detected. If the parking brake is not applied and
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads 240°F
(116°C) or greater, pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle
the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range 200–
230°F (93–110°C). If the pointer remains at 240°F
(116°C) or greater and you hear a chime, turn the
engine OFF immediately, and call for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7 and follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
15. Trip Odometer Button
Press this button to change the display from odometer to
either of two trip odometer settings. The letter “A” or “B”
will appear when in the trip odometer mode. Push in and
hold the button for two seconds to reset the trip odometer
to 0 mi (km). The odometer must be in TRIP mode to
reset it.
204 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

16. High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are ON. Push the multifunction lever
away from the steering wheel to switch the headlights to
high beam. (See page 137 for more information.)
17. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
18. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light will turn on for five to eight seconds as
a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. A chime will sound if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled during the bulb check. The Seat Belt
Warning Light will flash, or remain on continuously, if
the driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled after the bulb
check or when driving. (See page 46 for more informa-
tion.)19. Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) Indicator Light — If
Equipped
The VSA Indicator Light flashes rapidly when the VSA is
arming, and slowly when the VSA is armed. (See page 18
for more information.)
20. Fuel Gauge
The pointer shows the level of fuel in the fuel tank when
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
21. Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light will turn on briefly, as a bulb check,
when the ignition switch is turned ON. This
light will also turn on while the engine is
running if there is a problem with the Elec-
tronic Throttle Control system.
If the light comes on while the engine is running, safely
bring the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible,
place the shift lever in PARK, and cycle the ignition key.
The light should turn off. If the light remains lit with the
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 205
4

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.
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 347 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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
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