2009 CHRYSLER 300 SRT traction control

•Transmission gear selection
•Cruise control status
•Traction/stability control status
•Tire Pressure Monitoring System status (if equipped)
Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child’s
size.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner’s Manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Cancel
The system will disable ACC without erasing the
memory if:
•You softly tap the brake pedal.
•You depress the brake pedal.
•You pull the speed control lever toward you to CAN-
CEL.
•The Electronic Stability Program/Traction Control
System (ESP/TCS) activates.
To Turn Off
The system will turn off and erase the set speed in
memory if:
•You push and release the ON/OFF/MODE button.
•You turn off the ignition.
•You switch off ESP.
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To set a Desired Speed
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, tap the lever
down and release (“SET/DECEL”). The EVIC will dis-
play the set speed.
NOTE:You must observe the display when setting or
changing speed, not the speedometer.
To Vary the Speed Setting
There are two ways to change the set speed:
•Use the accelerator pedal to adjust the vehicle to the
desired speed and push the lever down (“SET/
DECEL”).
•Tap the stalk up (“ACCEL”) or down (“DECEL”) to
increase or decrease the set speed in 1 mph (1 km/h)
increments respectively. Hold for 5 mph (10 km/h)
increments.
To Cancel
The system will disable Normal cruise control without
erasing the memory if:
•You softly tap or depress the brake pedal.
•You pull the speed control lever toward you (“CAN-
CEL”).
•The Electronic Stability Program/Traction Control
System (ESP/TCS) activates.
To Resume
Push the lever up and release (“RESUME/ACCEL”) and
then remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. The
EVIC will display the last set speed.
174 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
13. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) / Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, ease up on the accelerator and apply as
little throttle as possible. Adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions, and
do not switch off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
14. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading within the normal range indicates that
the engine cooling system is operating satisfactorily.The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 209
4

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

•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostickis engaged.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the rear wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
STARTING AND OPERATING 323
5

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system commonly referred to as ESP. This
system includes the ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System), the
TCS (Traction Control System), the BAS (Brake Assist
System), and the ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
These systems work together to enhance both vehicle
stability and control in various driving conditions.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions by controlling hydrau-
lic brake pressure. This prevents wheel lock-up to help
avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking. For
more information about ABS, refer to “Anti-Lock Brake
System” in Section 5.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting 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 ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
TCS (Traction Control System)
This system 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.
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

BAS (Brake Assist System)
This system complements the ABS by optimizing the
vehicle braking capability during emergency braking
maneuvers. This system detects an emergency braking
situation by sensing the rate and amount of brake appli-
cation and then applies optimum pressure to the brakes.
This can help reduce braking distances.
Applying the brakes very quickly results in the best BAS
assistance. To receive the benefits of this system, you
must apply continuous brake pedal pressure during the
stopping sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure
unless braking is no longer desired. Once the brake pedal
is released, the BAS is deactivated.WARNING!
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting 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 a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
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
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
5