2010 CHRYSLER 300 engine overheat

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
— if equipped, or Traction Control System (TCS) — if
equipped before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween 1st and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 417

WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO, refer to “Safety Tips/Exhaust Gas” in “Things
To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for further
information.
•A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park
over materials that can burn. Such materials might
be grass or leaves coming into contact with your
exhaust system. Do not park or operate your ve-
hicle in areas where your exhaust system can
contact anything that can burn.
CAUTION!
•The catalytic converter requires the use of un-
leaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the
effectiveness of the catalyst as an emissions con-
trol device and may seriously reduce engine per-
formance and cause serious damage to the engine.
•Damage to the catalytic converter can result if your
vehicle is not kept in proper operating condition.
In the event of engine malfunction, particularly
involving engine misfire or other apparent loss of
performance, have your vehicle serviced promptly.
Continued operation of your vehicle with a severe
malfunction could cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter and
vehicle.
442 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 443

NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447

Emergency, In Case ofFreeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 417
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 400
Jacking ............................. 401
Jump Starting ......................... 413
Overheating .......................... 400
Towing ............................. 418
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 44
Emission Control System Maintenance ......427,486
Engine .......................... 423,424,425
Air Cleaner .......................... 433
Block Heater ......................... 314
Break-In Recommendations ................ 80
Checking Oil Level ..................... 430
Compartment ................... 423,424,425
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 444,482
Cooling ............................. 444
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 81,378
Fails to Start .......................... 312 Flooded, Starting
...................... 312
Fuel Requirements ..................... 374
Jump Starting ......................... 413
Multi-Displacement .................... 335
Oil ........................... 430,480,482
Oil Change Interval ...............219,236,431
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 432
Oil Filter ............................ 433
Oil Filter Disposal ..................... 433
Oil Selection ....................... 431,480
Oil Synthetic ......................... 433
Overheating .......................... 400
Starting ............................. 309
Temperature Gauge .................... 223
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 432
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 375
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 81,378
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INDEX 521

Recommendation................... 431,480
Synthetic ............................ 433
Viscosity ......................... 432,480
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 433
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 433
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............426,427
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 190
Operating Precautions .................... 426
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 92
Overdrive ............................. 321
Overhead Console ....................... 189
Overheating, Engine ................... 224,400
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,511
Paint Care ............................. 455
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Park Sense System, Rear ................... 184
Parking Brake .......................... 335 Passing Light
........................... 149
Passive Entry ........................... 35
Pedals, Adjustable ....................... 156
Personal Settings ........................ 245
Pets .................................. 80
Phone, Cellular .......................... 96
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 96
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 351
Power Deck Lid Release ....................... 43
Distribution Center (Fuses) ............460,463
Door Locks ........................... 32
Mirrors .............................. 94
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 200
Seats ............................... 130
Steering ............................. 334
Sunroof ............................. 196
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column .......... 155
Windows ............................. 40
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INDEX 529