2010 CHRYSLER 300 Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 309
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 309
▫ Keyless Go™ ....................... 310
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 311
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below 20°F Or
29°C) ............................ 312
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 312
▫ After Starting ....................... 314
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 314
Automatic Transmission ................. 314
▫ General Information .................. 315
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 317
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 317
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 318
▫ Four-Speed Automatic Transmission
– If Equipped ....................... 319
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 319
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▫Five-Speed Automatic Transmission
– If Equipped ....................... 324
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 324
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 328
▫ Operation ......................... 329
 All-Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped ...... 329
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 330
▫ Acceleration ........................ 330
▫ Traction ........................... 331
 Driving Through Water ................. 331
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 332
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 332
 Power Steering ....................... 334 ▫
Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 334
 Multi-Displacement System (MDS)
(If Equipped) – 5.7L Engine Only ........... 335
 Parking Brake ........................ 335
 Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 338
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 340
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 340
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 340
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 341
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ........ 341
▫ Synchronizing ESP ................... 344
▫ ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light ............... 344
306 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Safety Information ................. 345
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 345
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 349
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 350
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 351
 Tires — General Information ............. 355
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 355
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 356
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 358
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 358
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 358
▫ Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 359
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 360 ▫
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 360
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 361
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 362
 Self-Sealing Tires — If Equipped ........... 363
 Snow Tires .......................... 363
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 364
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 365
▫ Base System ........................ 367
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 370
▫ General Information .................. 374
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 374
▫ 2.7L Engine ........................ 374
▫ 3.5L And 5.7L Engine ................. 374
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STARTING AND OPERATING 307

▫Reformulated Gasoline ................ 375
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 375
▫ E85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 376
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 377
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 377
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 377
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 378
 Adding Fuel ......................... 379
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 379
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 381
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 381
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 382
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 382▫
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 382
▫ Overloading ........................ 383
▫ Loading ........................... 383
 Trailer Towing ........................ 384
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 384
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 386
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 388
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 388
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 389
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 395
 Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . 396
▫ Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive .... 396
308 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 seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key fob in
the ignition switch. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
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.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 309

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.
Keyless Go™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the ENGINE
START/STOP button is installed and
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter is in the passenger compart-
ment.
Installing and Removing the ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Installing the Button
1. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
2. Insert the ENGINE START/STOP button into the
ignition switch with the lettering facing up and readable.
3. Press firmly on the center of the button to secure it into
position.
Removing the Button
1. The ENGINE START/STOP button can be removed
from the ignition switch for key fob use.
2. Insert the metal part of the emergency key under the
chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position and gently pry the
button loose.
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The ENGINE START/STOP button should only
be removed or inserted with the ignition in the LOCK
position (OFF position for Keyless Go™).
Normal Starting
Using the ENGINE START/STOP Button
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. Press and hold the brake pedal while press-
ing the ENGINE START/STOP button once. 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.
To Turn Off the Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds and vehicle
speed must be above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever is in PARK and the
button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shift
lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pressed once, the EVIC (if equipped) will
display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and the engine
will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the
PARK position, or it could roll.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 311