2010 CHRYSLER 300 SRT parking brake

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 objects
lodged 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.2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 83

Also, dirt, film, and other obstructions on the windshield
or camera lens will cause the system to function
improperly.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for up to 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your
vehicle in an unlit area.
To activate the delay feature, place the ignition in the OFF
position while the headlights are still on. Then, turn off
the headlights within 45 seconds. The delay interval
begins when the headlight switch is turned off.
If you turn on the headlights or parking lights, or place
the ignition to ON again, the system will cancel the delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.NOTE:
The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds
of placing the ignition in OFF position to activate this
feature.
The Headlight delay time is programmable. Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)/
Customer-Programmable Features” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Daytime Running Lights — If Equipped
The high beam headlights will come on as Daytime
Running Lights whenever the ignition is placed in the
ON position, the headlights are off, and the parking
brake is released. The headlight switch must be used for
normal nighttime driving.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is placed in the OFF position, a chime will sound to alert
the driver when the driver’s door is opened.
144 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The automatic transmission will downshift while climb-
ing uphill or descending downhill. This downshift is
necessary to maintain vehicle set speed.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur, so
it may be preferable to drive without Electronic Speed
Control.
WARNING!
Electronic Speed Control can be dangerous where the
system cannot maintain a constant speed. Your ve-
hicle could go too fast for the conditions and you
could lose control. An accident could be the result.
Do not use Electronic Speed Control in heavy traffic
or on roads that are winding, icy, snow-covered or
slippery.
PARKSENSEREAR PARK ASSIST
The ParkSense Rear Park Assist system is a driver aid
that senses for obstacles behind the vehicle. Refer to
ParkSense System Usage Precautions for limitations of
this system and recommendations.
ParkSense is active when the driver shifts the transmis-
sion into the REVERSE position, and the parking brake is
not applied, and the vehicle speed is less than 10 mph
(16 km/h).
ParkSense can be turned on or off through the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) when the vehicle is in
PARK. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)/Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Fea-
tures)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
158 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

while driving, then have the system inspected at an
authorized dealer as soon as possible. Refer to “Occupant
Restraints” in “Things To Know Before Starting Your
Vehicle” for further information.
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.
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
RUN position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the RUN 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.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 193

•This feature will only function when applying the
brakes at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h).
•Engaging the parking brake will disable this feature.
•The word “READY” will flash when conditions are
met for the event to begin.
•The distance and speed measurements display while
the event is taking place.
•The distance measurement will be aborted if the brake
pedal is released before the vehicle comes to a com-
plete stop.
•The distance and speed measurements will continue to
display until the FUNCTION SELECT button is
pressed.
•Pressing the FUNCTION SELECT button will clear the
current run and prepare the cluster to record a new
run.
1/8 Mile, 1/4 Mile
When selected, this screen displays the time it takes the
vehicle to travel 1/8 mile (1/4 mile) within 30 seconds
and the vehicle’s speed when it reaches 1/8 mile (1/
4 mile).
•The feature will “ready” when the vehicle is at 0 mph
(0 km/h). The word “READY” will flash when condi-
tions are met for the event to begin.
•Dashes will display if the vehicle fails to reach
1/8 mile (1/4 mile) in less then 30 seconds.
•The time and speed will continue to display until the
FUNCTION SELECT button is pressed.
•Pressing the FUNCTION SELECT button will clear the
current run and display the vehicle’s best 1/8 mile
(1/4 mile) run.
210 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Operation ......................... 289
▫ General Information .................. 290
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 290
▫ Acceleration ........................ 290
▫ Traction ........................... 291
 Driving Through Water ................. 291
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 291
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 292
 Power Steering ....................... 293
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 294
 Parking Brake ........................ 295
 Brake System ........................ 297
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System ............... 298 
Electronic Brake Control System ........... 300
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 301
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 301
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 302
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ........ 302
▫ Synchronizing ESP ................... 306
▫ ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light ............... 306
 Tire Safety Information ................. 307
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 307
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 311
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 312
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 313
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the transmission into PARK, remove the key fob
from the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once
the key fob is removed from the ignition, the shift
lever is locked in the PARK position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave unattended children inside a
vehicle.
Over-Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission exceeds
normal operating temperature, the transmission will
change the way it shifts to help control the condition.This may result in a slightly different feeling or response
during normal operation in DRIVE position. After the
transmission cools down, it will return to normal
operation.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion. The key fob can only be removed from the ignition
when the ignition switch is in the LOCK position and
once removed the shift lever is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock (BTSI) system that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position (OFF position with Keyless Go™). To move the
shift lever out of the PARK position, the ignition switch
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 283