2012 CHRYSLER 300 Owners Manual

The most common causes are:
•Road salt, dirt, and moisture accumulation.
•Stone and gravel impact.
•Insects, tree sap, and tar.
•Salt in the air near seacoast localities.
•Atmospheric fallout/industrial pollutants.
Washing
•
Wash your vehicle regularly. Always wash your ve-
hicle in the shade using MOPARCar Wash or a mild
car wash soap, and rinse the panels completely with
clear water.
•If insects, tar, or other similar deposits have accumu-
lated on your vehicle, use MOPARSuper Kleen Bug
and Tar Remover or equivalent to remove.
•Use a high quality cleaner wax, such as MOPAR
Cleaner Wax or equivalent to remove road film, stains
and to protect your paint finish. Take care never to
scratch the paint.
•Avoid using abrasive compounds and power buffing
that may diminish the gloss or thin out the paint
finish.
CAUTION!
•Do not use abrasive or strong cleaning materials
such as steel wool or scouring powder that will
scratch metal and painted surfaces.
•Use of power washers exceeding 1,200 psi
(8 274 kPa) can result in damage or removal of
paint and decals.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 503

Special Care
•
If you drive on salted or dusty roads or if you drive
near the ocean, hose off the undercarriage at least once
a month.
•It is important that the drain holes in the lower edges
of the doors, rocker panels, and trunk be kept clear
and open.
•If you detect any stone chips or scratches in the paint,
touch them up immediately. The cost of such repairs is
considered the responsibility of the owner.
•If your vehicle is damaged due to a collision or similar
cause that destroys the paint and protective coating,
have your vehicle repaired as soon as possible. The
cost of such repairs is considered the responsibility of
the owner.
•If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
•If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
•Use MOPARTouch Up Paint or equivalent on
scratches as soon as possible. Your authorized dealer
has touch up paint to match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel And Wheel Trim Care
•
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels, should be cleaned regularly
with a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion.
•To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use
MOPARWheel Cleaner or equivalent or select a
non-abrasive, non-acidic cleaner.
504 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not use scouring pads, steel wool, a bristle brush,
or metal polishes. Do not use oven cleaner. These
products may damage the wheel’s protective finish.
Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic solutions
or harsh brushes that may damage the wheel’s pro-
tective finish. Only MOPARWheel Cleaner or
equivalent is recommended.
Stain Repel Fabric Cleaning Procedure – If
Equipped
Stain Repel seats may be cleaned in the following man-
ner:
•Remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting
with a clean, dry towel.
•Blot any remaining stain with a clean, damp towel.
•For tough stains, apply MOPARTotal Clean or a mild
soap solution to a clean, damp cloth and remove the
stain. Use a fresh, damp towel to remove soap residue.
•For grease stains, apply MOPARMulti-Purpose
Cleaner or equivalent high quality cleaner to a clean,
damp cloth and remove the stain. Use a fresh, damp
towel to remove soap residue.
•Do not use any harsh solvents or any other form of
protectants on Stain Repel products.
Interior Care
Use MOPARFabric Cleaner or equivalent to clean fabric
upholstery and MOPARCarpet Cleaner or equivalent
for carpeting.
Interior Trim should be cleaned starting with a damp
cloth, or MOPARSatin Select or equivalent. Do not use
harsh cleaners or Armor All. Use MOPARTotal Clean
or equivalent to clean vinyl upholstery.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 505

MOPARTotal Clean or equivalent is specifically recom-
mended for leather upholstery.
Your leather upholstery can be best preserved by regular
cleaning with a damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt
can act as an abrasive and damage the leather upholstery
and should be removed promptly with a damp cloth.
Stubborn soils can be removed easily with a soft cloth
and MOPARTotal Clean or equivalent. Care should be
taken to avoid soaking your leather upholstery with any
liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning fluids,
solvents, detergents, or ammonia-based cleaners to clean
your leather upholstery. Application of a leather condi-
tioner is not required to maintain the original condition.
WARNING!
Do not use volatile solvents for cleaning purposes.
Many are potentially flammable, and if used in
closed areas they may cause respiratory harm.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.
Do not use abrasive cleaning components, solvents, steel
wool or other aggressive material to clean the lenses.
Glass Surfaces
All glass surfaces should be cleaned on a regular basis
with MOPARGlass Cleaner or any commercial
household-type glass cleaner. Never use an abrasive type
cleaner. Use caution when cleaning the inside rear win-
dow equipped with electric defrosters or the right rear
506 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

quarter window equipped with the radio antenna. Do
not use scrapers or other sharp instrument that may
scratch the elements.
When cleaning the rear view mirror, spray cleaner on the
towel or rag that you are using. Do not spray cleaner
directly on the mirror.
Cleaning Plastic Instrument Cluster Lenses
The lenses in front of the instruments in this vehicle are
molded in clear plastic. When cleaning the lenses, care
must be taken to avoid scratching the plastic.
1. Clean with a wet soft rag or micro-fiber towel. A mild
soap solution may be used, but do not use high alcohol
content or abrasive cleaners. If soap is used, wipe clean
with a clean damp rag.
2. Dry with a soft cloth.
Seat Belt Maintenance
Do not bleach, dye, or clean the belts with chemical
solvents or abrasive cleaners. This will weaken the fabric.
Sun damage can also weaken the fabric.
If the belts need cleaning, use MOPARTotal Clean, a
mild soap solution, or lukewarm water. Do not remove
the belts from the vehicle to wash them. Dry with a soft
cloth.
Replace the belts if they appear frayed or worn or if the
buckles do not work properly.
Cleaning The Center Console Cupholders
Clean with a damp cloth or towel using a mild detergent
with the cupholder in the center console.
NOTE:The cupholder cannot be removed.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 507

FUSES
Integrated Power Module
The Integrated Power Module is located in the engine
compartment. This module contains fuses and relays.
CAUTION!
•When installing the integrated power module
cover, it is important to ensure the cover is prop-
erly positioned and fully latched. Failure to do so
may allow water to get into the integrated power
module and possibly result in an electrical system
failure.
•When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to
use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating.
The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system over-
load. If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, it
indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
Integrated Power Module
508 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
1 — — Fuse – Spare
2 40 Amp
Green— Radiator Fan #1
3 50 Amp
Red— Power Steering #1
4 30 Amp
Pink— Starter
5 40 Amp
Green— Anti-Lock Brakes
6 — — Fuse – Spare
7 — — Fuse – Spare
8 — — Fuse – Spare
9 — 20 Amp
YellowAll-Wheel Drive Module –
If Equipped
10 — 10 Amp
RedSecurity
11 — 20 Amp
YellowHornsCavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
12 — 10 Amp
RedAir Conditioning Clutch
13 — — Fuse – Spare
14 — 25 Amp
NaturalAnti-Lock Brakes
15 — 25 Amp
NaturalTransmission
16 — — Fuse – Spare
18 50 Amp
Red— Radiator Fan #2
19 50 Amp
Red— Power Steering #2
20 30 Amp
Pink— Wiper Motor
21 30 Amp
Pink— Headlamp Washers
22 — — Fuse – Spare
23 — — Fuse – Spare
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 509

Cavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
24 — — Fuse – Spare
28 — 25 Amp
NaturalFuel Pump
29 — 15 Amp
BlueTransmission/Shifter
30 — — Fuse – Spare
31 — 25 Amp
NaturalEngine Module
32 — — Fuse – Spare
33 — — Fuse – Spare
34 — 25 Amp
NaturalPowertrain #1
35 — 20 Amp
YellowPowertrain #2
36 — 10 Amp
RedAnti-Lock Brake Module
37 — 10 Amp
RedEngine Controller/Rad
Fan RelaysCavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
38 — 10 Amp
RedAirbag Module
39 — 10 Amp
RedPower Steering
Module/AC Clutch Relay
48 — 10 Amp
RedAWD Module/Front Axle
Disconnect
49 — — Fuse – Spare
50 — — Fuse – Spare
51 — 20 Amp
YellowVacuum Pump
52 — — Fuse – Spare
53 — — Fuse – Spare
510 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE