2011 CHRYSLER 300 traction control

WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive speed
in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of an ESC
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize the
user ’s safety or the safety of others.
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
The HSA system is designed to assist the driver when
starting a vehicle from a stop on a hill. HSA will maintain
the level of brake pressure the driver applied for a short
period of time after the driver takes their foot off of thebrake pedal. If the driver does not apply the throttle
during this short period of time, the system will release
brake pressure and the vehicle will roll down the hill. The
system will release brake pressure in proportion to the
amount of throttle applied as the vehicle starts to move in
the intended direction of travel.
HSA Activation Criteria
The following criteria must be met in order for HSA to
activate:
•Vehicle must be stopped.
•Vehicle must be on a 6% (approximate) grade or
greater hill.
•Gear selection matches vehicle uphill direction (i.e.,
vehicle facing uphill is in forward gear; vehicle back-
ing uphill is in REVERSE gear).
344 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light and
ESC OFF Indicator Light
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position. It should go out with the engine
running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” comes on continuously with the engine running, a
malfunction has been detected in the ESC system. If this
light remains on after several ignition cycles, and the
vehicle has been driven several miles (kilometers) at
speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/ Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.
NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.
The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 347

WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains or other traction aids that meet
SAE type “Class S” specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer. Install tire chains only on P215/65R17 and
P225/60R18 size tires. Refer to tirechains.com for more
information.NOTE:
Do not use tire chains on a compact spare tire.
CAUTION!
To avoid damage to your vehicle or tires, observe the
following precautions:
•Because of restricted chain clearance between tires
and other suspension components, it is important
that only chains in good condition are used. Bro-
ken chains can cause serious damage. Stop the
vehicle immediately if noise occurs that could
indicate chain breakage. Remove the damaged
parts of the chain before further use.
•Install chains on the rear wheels as tightly as
possible and then retighten after driving about12
mile (0.8 km).
•Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 367

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 DRIVE 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).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 423

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 509

DisposalAntifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 454
Engine Oil ......................... 440
Door Locks ............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 223
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 331
Through Flowing, Rising, or
Shallow Standing Water ................ 332
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy .... 278
E-85 Fuel ............................. 385
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 250
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 96
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 237
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 340
Anti-Lock Brake System ................ 340
Brake Assist System ................... 341 Traction Control System
................ 341
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) .... 466
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ....183,186
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 342
Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) ....................... 219,269
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 42
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 42
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 422
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 408
Jacking ............................ 409
Jump Starting ....................... 418
Overheating ........................ 408
Towing ............................ 425
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 433
Engine ............................... 432
Air Cleaner ......................... 440
Block Heater ........................ 322
516 INDEX

Bulb Replacement................. 475,476
Daytime Running .................... 166
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...........168,169
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) Indicator ...................... 347
Exterior ............................ 86
Fog ............................ 167,259
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 408
Headlight Switch ..................... 164
Headlights ...................... 164,476
Headlights On Reminder ............... 166
Headlights On With Wipers ..........165,175
High Beam ......................... 169
High Beam Indicator .................. 259
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 169
Illuminated Entry ..................... 20
Instrument Cluster ................... 164
Intensity Control ..................... 171
Interior ............................ 170 License
............................ 479
Lights On Reminder .................. 166
Low Fuel .......................... 273
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 262
Map Reading ....................... 169
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ........ 173
Passing ............................ 169
Reading ........................ 169,222
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 267
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 265
Service ......................... 475,476
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 262
SmartBeams ........................ 166
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 265
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......261,370
Traction Control ..................... 347
Turn Signal ....................... 86,168
Vanity Mirror ........................ 98
522 INDEX

Safety.......................... 348,358
Sizes ............................. 350
Snow Tires ......................... 368
Spare Tire .......................... 410
Spinning ........................... 364
Trailer Towing ....................... 400
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 365
To Open Hood .......................... 162
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 397
Towing ............................... 393
Behind a Motorhome .................. 405
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 425
Guide ............................. 397
Recreational ........................ 405
Weight ............................ 397
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome .......... 405
Traction Control ......................... 341
Trailer Towing .......................... 393
Cooling System Tips .................. 405 Hitches
............................ 396
Minimum Requirements ................ 399
Tips .............................. 404
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 397
Wiring ............................ 402
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 397
Trailer Weight .......................... 397
Transfer Case ........................... 460
Fluid .......................... 460,482
Maintenance ........................ 460
Transmission ........................... 458
Automatic .................... 322,325,458
Fluid ............................. 482
Range Indicator ...................... 326
Shifting ........................... 322
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 23
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
530 INDEX