2012 CHRYSLER 300 traction control

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.
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.
(Continued)
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 readings.
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
using standard chains, on P225/60R18 and P235/55R18
using model 0143 (tirechaindealer.com) and on P235/
55R19 using model Z-575 (scc-chain.com).
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 463

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 549

Door Locks............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 32
Door Opener, Garage..................... 238
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 370
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water............................. 371
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy.... 294
E-85 Fuel............................. 424
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 267
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 97
Electrical Power Outlets................... 254
Electronic Brake Control System............. 379
Anti-Lock Brake System................ 379
Brake Assist System................... 380
Traction Control System................ 380
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses).... 508
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)....196,199Electronic Stability Control (ESC)............. 381
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC).............................235,285
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 43
Emergency Trunk Release................... 43
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 462
Hazard Warning Flasher............... 448
Jacking............................ 449
Jump Starting....................... 458
Overheating........................ 448
Towing............................ 467
Emission Control System Maintenance......... 475
Engine............................... 474
Air Cleaner......................... 482
Block Heater........................ 352
Break-In Recommendations.............. 81
Checking Oil Level................... 479
Compartment....................473,474
556 INDEX

Exterior............................ 86
Fog ............................179,276
Hazard Warning Flasher............... 448
Headlight Switch..................... 175
Headlights......................175,517
Headlights On Reminder............... 179
Headlights On With Wipers..........176,188
High Beam......................... 181
High Beam Indicator.................. 276
High Beam/Low Beam Select............ 181
Illuminated Entry..................... 21
Instrument Cluster................... 175
Intensity Control..................... 184
Interior............................ 184
License............................ 520
Lights On Reminder.................. 179
Low Fuel.......................... 289
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)...... 279
Map Reading.....................182,183Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness)........ 186
Passing............................ 181
Reading......................182,183,237
Seat Belt Reminder................... 284
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)............ 281
Service.........................516,517
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator)................ 279
SmartBeams........................ 177
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............ 281
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).......277,410
Traction Control..................... 386
Turn Signal....................86,180,181
Vanity Mirror........................ 98
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 276
Load Leveling System.................... 270
Loading Vehicle......................431,433
Capacities.......................... 433
Tires .............................. 393
562 INDEX

Spinning........................... 403
Trailer Towing....................... 441
Tread Wear Indicators................. 404
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 438
Towing............................... 433
Behind a Motorhome.................. 445
Disabled Vehicle..................... 467
Guide............................. 437
Recreational........................ 445
Weight............................ 437
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome.......... 445
Traction Control......................... 380
Trailer Towing.......................... 433
Cooling System Tips.................. 445
Hitches............................ 436
Minimum Requirements................ 439
Tips .............................. 444
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 438
Wiring............................ 442Trailer Towing Guide..................... 437
Trailer Weight.......................... 437
Transfer Case........................... 501
Fluid..........................501,523
Maintenance........................ 501
Transmission........................... 499
Automatic....................355,358,499
Fluid............................. 523
Shifting........................... 353
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 25
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) . . 238
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)........ 21
Transporting Pets........................ 81
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 404
Trip Odometer.......................... 276
Trunk Lid (Deck Lid)....................41,43
570 INDEX