2012 CHRYSLER 300 display

•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time
to return the ignition switch to the OFF position (EVIC
displays “OFF”).
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 351

Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission – 3.6L
Engine
This vehicle is equipped with a state of the art, fuel
efficient eight-speed transmission. The electronic shift
lever in this vehicle does not slide like a conventional
shifter. Instead, the shift lever is spring loaded and moves
forward and rearward, always returning to the center
position after each gear is selected.
The transmission gear (PRND) is displayed both on the
shift lever and in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC).
Standard Shifter
The standard shift lever has PARK, REVERSE, NEU-
TRAL, DRIVE, and LOW shift positions. Using the LOW
position manually downshifts the transmission to a
lower gear based on vehicle speed.Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 355

Shifting From PARK To DRIVE
•
Firmly press the brake pedal, press the lock button on
the shift lever, then pull and hold the shift lever fully
rearward until “D” is displayed in the EVIC.
•To shift back into PARK from DRIVE, bring the vehicle
to a complete stop, fully press the brake pedal, press
the lock button on the shift lever, then push and hold
the shift lever fully forward until “P” is displayed in
the EVIC.
Shifting From REVERSE To NEUTRAL
•
Pull the shift lever rearward to the first detent and
release. “N” will display in the EVIC.
•To shift back into REVERSE from NEUTRAL, firmly
press the brake pedal, press the lock button on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever forward to the first
detent and release. “R” will display in the EVIC.
Shifting From NEUTRAL To DRIVE
•
Firmly press the brake pedal, press the lock button on
the shift lever, then pull the shift lever rearward and
release. “D” will display in the EVIC.
•To shift back into NEUTRAL from DRIVE, firmly press
the brake pedal, press the lock button on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever forward and release.
“N” will display in the EVIC.
Shifting From REVERSE To DRIVE
•
Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, firmly press the
brake pedal, press the lock button on the shift lever,
then pull the shift lever rearward and release when
“D” is displayed in the EVIC.
•To shift back into REVERSE from DRIVE, bring the
vehicle to a complete stop, firmly press the brake
pedal, press the lock button on the shift lever, then
push the shift lever forward and release when “R” is
displayed in the EVIC.
356 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shifting From DRIVE To SPORT/LOW
Vehicles Equipped With SPORT Mode
•To shift from DRIVE to SPORT, pull the shift lever
rearward until “S” is displayed in the EVIC.
•To shift back into DRIVE from SPORT, pull the shift
lever rearward until “D” is displayed in the EVIC.
Vehicles Equipped With LOW Mode
•To shift from DRIVE to LOW, pull the shift lever
rearward until “L” is displayed in the EVIC.
•To shift back into DRIVE from LOW, pull the shift
lever rearward until “D” is displayed in the EVIC.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission mayoperate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission
may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and
restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will
inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and
indicate what actions may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps.
NOTE:In cases where the instrument cluster message
indicates the transmission may not re-engage after en-
gine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired
location (preferably, at your authorized dealer).
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 357

3. Turn the engine OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no
longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation.
NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has diagnos-
tic equipment to determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
Optional Shifter With AutoStick
The optional shift lever (with AutoStickshift paddles
mounted on the steering wheel) provides PARK, RE-
VERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and SPORT shift positions.Once in the DRIVE range, tapping the shift lever rear-
ward will toggle between SPORT mode and DRIVE
mode. You do not need to press the shift lever button
when toggling between DRIVE and SPORT modes.
Manual shifts can be made using the AutoStickshift
control (refer to “AutoStick” in this section). Pressing
the shift paddles (-/+) while in the DRIVE or SPORT
position will manually select the transmission gear, and
will display the current gear in the instrument cluster as
8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Five-Speed Automatic Transmission – 5.7L
Engine
The shift lever position display (located in the instrument
panel cluster) indicates the transmission gear range. You
must press the brake pedal to move the shift lever out of
the PARK position (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift
Interlock System” in this section). To drive, move the shift
lever from PARK or NEUTRAL to the DRIVE position.
358 STARTING AND OPERATING

The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be
done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
pedal when moving the shift lever between these gears.
The transmission shift lever has only PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, and DRIVE shift positions. Manual shifts can
be made using the “AutoStick” shift control (refer to
“AutoStick” in this section). Moving the shift lever to
the left or right (-/+) while in the DRIVE position will
manually select the transmission gear, and will display
that gear in the instrument cluster as 4, 3, 2, 1.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
PARK
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Shift Lever
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STARTING AND OPERATING 359

•Look at the shift lever position display and verify that
it indicates the PARK position.
•With brake pedal released, verify that the shift lever
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with engine running. The engine may be started
in this range. Set the parking brake and shift the trans-
mission into PARK if you must leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can result
in severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recre-
ational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and
“Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In
Emergencies” for further information.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 363

Operation – 3.6L Engine
When the transmission is in DRIVE or SPORT mode, it
will operate automatically, shifting between the eight
available gears. To engage AutoStick, simply tap one of
the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles (+/-) while in
DRIVE or SPORT mode. When AutoStickis active, the
current transmission gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster. In AutoStickmode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when (+/-) is manually selected by the
driver, except as described below. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or downshift is cho-
sen.
•If AutoStickis engaged while in DRIVE mode, lack of
accelerator pedal activity will cause the transmission
to revert to automatic operation. The transmission will
also upshift automatically once redline is reached. If
the pedal is pressed to the floor, the transmission will
downshift when possible (based on current vehicle
speed and gear).
•If AutoStickis engaged while in SPORT mode,
manual gear selection will be maintained until either
SPORT mode is exited or as described below. The
transmission will not upshift automatically at redline
in this mode, nor will downshifts be obtained if the
pedal is pressed to the floor.
•In either DRIVE or SPORT mode, the transmission will
automatically downshift as the vehicle slows to a stop
(to prevent engine lugging) and will display the cur-
rent gear. Tapping the (+) paddle (at a stop) will allow
starting in second gear. After a stop, the driver should
manually upshift (+) the transmission as the vehicle
accelerates.
To disengage AutoStickmode, press and hold the (+)
shift paddle until “D” or “S” is once again displayed in
the instrument cluster. You can shift in or out of the
AutoStickmode at any time without taking your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
366 STARTING AND OPERATING