Page 85 of 538

WARNING! (Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver foot well while the vehicle is moving.
Objects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
the Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 223 of 538

12. Brake Warning LightThis 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 anti-lock brake system reservoir.
If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction. In this case, the light will
remain on until the condition has been corrected.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in 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 has
dropped below a specified level. The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
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.
222 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Page 307 of 538

▫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
Page 334 of 538

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 333
Page 336 of 538

apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturer’s recommended
power steering fluid.If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
MULTI-DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM (MDS) (IF
EQUIPPED) – 5.7L ENGINE ONLY
This feature offers improved fuel economy by shutting
off four of the engine’s eight cylinders during light load
and cruise conditions. The system is automatic with no
driver inputs or additional driving skills required.
NOTE:
The MDS system may take some time to return
to full functionality after a battery disconnect.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the shift lever in the
PARK position.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 335
Page 423 of 538

▫Adding Washer Fluid ................. 440
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 441
▫ Cooling System ..................... 444
▫ Brake System ....................... 449
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 452
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) – If Equipped ..... 454
▫ Rear Axle .......................... 454
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 455
Fuses .............................. 460
▫ Integrated Power Module .............. 460
▫ Rear Power Distribution Center .......... 463
Vehicle Storage ....................... 468
Replacement Bulbs .................... 468
Bulb Replacement ..................... 470
▫ Low Beam Headlamp, High Beam
Headlamp, Park/Turn Lamp, Inner Park
Lamp, And Outer Park Lamp – 300 Models . . 470
▫ Low Beam Headlamp, High Beam
Headlamp, And Park/Turn Lamp – 300C . . . 472
▫ Backup Lamp, Side Marker Lamp, And
Tail/Stop Turn Lamp — 300 Models ....... 472
▫ Tail/Stop, Tail, Turn Signal Lamp, And
Backup Lamp — 300C Models ........... 476
▫ License Lamp ....................... 479
Fluid Capacities ...................... 480
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 482
▫ Engine ............................ 482
▫ Chassis ........................... 483
422 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 424 of 538
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.7L
1 — Integrated Power Module6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 7 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post)
4 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 423
Page 425 of 538
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.5L
1 — Integrated Power Module6 — Engine Oil Fill
2 — Air Cleaner Filter 7 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post)
4 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE