2009 CHRYSLER 300 SRT Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.................... 307
▫Automatic Transmission............... 308
▫Keyless Go (If Equipped)............... 308
▫Normal Starting..................... 309
▫Extremely Cold Weather (Below -20°F Or
-29°C)............................ 310
▫If Engine Fails To Start................ 311
▫After Starting....................... 312
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped........ 312Automatic Transmission................. 313
▫Automatic Transmission — General
Information........................ 313
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 315
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override.......................... 316
▫5-Speed Automatic Transmission......... 317
AutoStick.......................... 321
▫AutoStickOperation................. 321
▫AutoStickGeneral Information.......... 322
5

Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 323
▫Acceleration........................ 323
▫Traction........................... 323
Driving Through Water................. 324
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 324
▫Shallow Standing Water............... 324
Power Steering....................... 326
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 326
Parking Brake........................ 327
Brake System........................ 329
▫Anti-Lock Brake System............... 329
Electronic Brake Control System........... 332
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)........... 332▫TCS (Traction Control System)........... 332
▫BAS (Brake Assist System).............. 333
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program)........ 333
▫Synchronizing ESP................... 337
▫ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light............... 337
Tire Safety Information................. 338
▫Tire Markings....................... 338
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)......... 342
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure.......... 343
Tires — General Information............. 347
▫Tire Pressure....................... 347
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................ 348
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 349
304 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Radial Ply Tires..................... 350
▫Tire Spinning....................... 350
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 351
▫Life Of Tire........................ 351
▫Replacement Tires.................... 352
Tire Chains.......................... 353
Snow Tires.......................... 355
Tire Rotation Recommendations........... 355
▫Tire Rotation — Standard Tires.......... 356
▫Tire Rotation — All Season Tires......... 356
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 356
▫Base System........................ 359
▫Premium System — If Equipped......... 362▫General Information.................. 366
Fuel Requirements..................... 367
▫6.1L Engine........................ 367
▫Reformulated Gasoline................ 367
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 367
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 368
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 369
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 369
▫Fuel System Cautions................. 369
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............ 370
Adding Fuel......................... 371
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap).............. 371
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 372
STARTING AND OPERATING 305
5

Vehicle Loading...................... 373
▫Vehicle Certification Label.............. 373
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)...... 374
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)........ 374
▫Overloading........................ 374▫Loading........................... 375
Trailer Towing........................ 375
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................ 375
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
•Be sure to turn OFF the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever. Accidents
can also be caused by pressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the ex-
haust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle
fire, which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
STARTING AND OPERATING 307
5

Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Keyless Go (If Equipped)
This function allows the driver to op-
erate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the ENGINE
START/STOP button is installed and
the Keyless Go ignition key (FOBIK)
can be detected inside of the vehicle.
Removing and Re-Installing the Engine Start/Stop
Button
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be removed
from the receptacle to allow the vehicle ignition to be
controlled conventionally by inserting the FOBIK. The
button may be removed using the valet key from the
FOBIK as a thin tool. Insert the metal part of the valet key
under the chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position, and
gently pry the button loose.
308 STARTING AND OPERATING

To reinstall the button, position it with its lettering
oriented horizontal and readable. Gently insert the but-
ton into the receptacle by pressing on the center of the
button. If the button slips in easily, it has been installed
correctly. Press firmly on the center of the button to seat
the button into the receptacle.
The ENGINE START/STOP button should only be re-
moved or inserted with the ignition in the OFF position.
Keyless Go Functions — With Driver ’s Foot Off
The Brake Pedal (In PARK Position)
•
Press the ENGINE START/STOP buttononce (ACC
position)to activate the radio, wipers, and windows.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP buttontwice (ON
position)to activate the heating/air conditioning
(HVAC) controls, and the instrument cluster.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP buttonthree times
(OFF position)to turn off the ignition switch.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. From any ignition state, press and hold the
brake pedal while pressing the ENGINE START/STOP
button. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds. If you wish to
stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine
starting, press the button again.
STARTING AND OPERATING 309
5

Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Do notpress the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in
10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release the
ENGINE START/STOP button. If the shift lever is not in
PARK, the ENGINE START/STOP button must be held
for two seconds and the ignition state changes to ACCES-
SORY (ACC). Regardless if the ignition state changes to
ACCESSORY (ACC) or OFF, the engine is shut off.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below -20°F or -29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING