2012 CHRYSLER 300 wheel

▫Synchronizing ESC................... 387
Tire Safety Information................. 387
▫Tire Markings....................... 387
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)......... 391
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions......... 392
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure.......... 393
Tires — General Information............. 397
▫Tire Pressure....................... 397
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................ 398
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 400
▫Radial Ply Tires..................... 400
▫Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped.............. 400▫Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped........ 401
▫Full Size Spare – If Equipped............ 402
▫Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped......... 402
▫Tire Spinning....................... 403
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 404
▫Life Of Tire........................ 404
▫Replacement Tires.................... 405
Tire Chains.......................... 406
Snow Tires.......................... 408
Tire Rotation Recommendations........... 409
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 410
▫Base System........................ 412
▫Premium System – If Equipped.......... 415
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▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)...... 432
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)........ 432
▫Overloading........................ 432
▫Loading........................... 433
Trailer Towing........................ 433
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 433
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 436▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)........ 437
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight............. 438
▫Towing Requirements................. 439
▫Towing Tips........................ 444

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.). . 445
▫Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive.... 445
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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

Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may place the shift
lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise the load on the
transmission locking mechanism may make it difficult to
move the shift lever out of PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position as a substitute for
the parking brake. Always apply the parking
brake fully when parked to guard against vehicle
movement and possible injury or damage.
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not completely in PARK. Check by trying to
move the shift lever rearward (with the brake
pedal released), after you have placed it in PARK.
Make sure the transmission is in PARK before
leaving the vehicle.
(Continued)
360 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
Operation – 5.7L Engine
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the five available gears. To engage AutoStick, simply
move the shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in the
DRIVE position, or tap one of the steering wheel-
mounted shift paddles (+/-), if equipped. When
AutoStickis active, the current transmission gear is
displayed in the instrument cluster. In AutoStickmode,
the transmission will shift up or down when (+/-) is
manually selected by the driver (using the shift lever, or
the shift paddles [if equipped]), unless an engine luggingor overspeed condition would result. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or downshift is cho-
sen, except as described below.
•If AutoStickis engaged while in DRIVE mode, the
transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached.
•If AutoStickis engaged while in SPORT mode, the
transmission will remain in the selected gear even when
maximum engine speed is reached. The transmission
will upshift only when commanded by the driver.
•The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows down (to prevent engine lugging) and
will display the current gear.
•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 367

•Heavily pressing the accelerator pedal will generate an
automatic downshift (for improved acceleration)
when reasonable.
•You can start out in first or second gear. Tapping (+) (at
a stop) will allow starting in second gear. Starting out
in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy conditions.
•The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
•Avoid using speed control when AutoStickis en-
gaged.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStickis engaged.To disengage AutoStickmode, hold the shift lever to the
right or press and hold the (+) shift paddle (if equipped)
until “D” 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.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with an active on-demand
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system which makes available
optimum traction for a wide variety of road surface and
driving conditions. The system minimizes wheel slip by
automatically redirecting torque to the front and rear
wheels as necessary.
To maximize fuel economy, your AWD vehicle automati-
cally defaults to rear-wheel drive (RWD) when road and
environmental conditions are such that wheel slip is
unlikely to occur. When specific road and environmental
conditions require increased levels of road traction, the
vehicle automatically shifts into AWD mode. Automatic
AWD operation could be activated by outside tempera-
ture, wheel slip, or other predetermined conditions (there
may be a slight delay for AWD engagement after a wheel
slip condition occurs). AWD can also be manually se-
lected by moving the shift lever into the AutoStickmode
(+/-) or activating the windshield wipers for an extendedperiod of time. Drive mode, RWD or AWD, is displayed
momentarily in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) in the gage area of the vehicle display when the
transmission is first shifted into gear, and if the drive
mode changes during vehicle operation.
NOTE:If the “SERVICE AWD SYSTEM” warning mes-
sage appears after engine start up, or during driving, it
means that the AWD system is not functioning properly
and that service is required. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
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