2012 CHRYSLER 300 snow chains

▫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
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 345

ESC Operating Modes
The ESC system has two available operating modes:
ESC On
This is the normal operating mode for the ESC. When-
ever the vehicle is started, the ESC system will be in this
mode. This mode should be used for most driving
conditions. The ESC should only be turned OFF for
specific reasons as noted in the following paragraphs.
Partial Off
The “Partial Off” mode is intended for times when a
more spirited driving experience is desired. It is also
intended for driving in deep snow, sand, or gravel. This
mode disables the TCS portion of the ESC and raises the
threshold for ESC activation, which allows for more
wheel spin than what ESC normally allows.The “ESC Off” switch is located on the switch bank in the
center of the instrument panel. To enter the “Partial Off”
mode, momentarily press the “ESC Off” switch and the
“ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” will illu-
minate. To turn the ESC on again, momentarily press the
“ESC Off” switch and the “ESC Activation/Malfunction
Indicator Light” will turn off.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or when starting off in deep snow,
sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the
“Partial Off” mode by momentarily pressing the “ESC
Off” switch. Once the situation requiring “Partial Off”
mode is overcome, turn the ESC on again by momen-
tarily pressing the “ESC Off” switch. This may be done
while the vehicle is in motion.
382 STARTING AND OPERATING

Always use the lower suggested operating speed if both
the chain manufacturer and vehicle manufacturer sug-
gest a maximum speed. This notice applies to all chain
traction devices, including link and cable (radial) chains.
SNOW TIRES
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the winter. All season tires can be identified by the
M+S designation on the tire sidewall.
If you need snow tires, select tires equivalent in size and
type to the original equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four. Failure to do so may adversely affect the
safety and handling of your vehicle.Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should
not be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph
(120 km/h). For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to
original equipment or an authorized tire dealer for
recommended safe operating speeds, loading and cold
tire inflation pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid
and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states pro-
hibit studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
408 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. Accumulation of snow or ice around the wheels or
wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
Vehicles With Full Size Spare
1. The matching full size spare wheel and tire assembly
has a TPM sensor that can be monitored by the TPMS.
2. If you install the full size spare in place of a road tire
that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning limit,
upon the next ignition switch cycle, a chime will sound
and the TPM Telltale Light andLOW TIREmessage will
turn ON.
3. Driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above 15 mph
(24 km/h) will turn off the TPM Telltale Light andLOW
TIREmessage as long as no tire pressure is below the
low-pressure warning limit in any of the four active road
tires.Vehicles With Compact Spare
1. The compact spare tire does not have a TPM sensor.
Therefore, the TPMS will not monitor the pressure in the
compact spare tire.
2. If you install the compact spare tire in place of a road
tire that has a pressure below the low-pressure warning
limit, upon the next ignition switch cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPM Telltale Light andLOW TIRE
message will turn ON.
3. After driving the vehicle for up to 20 minutes above
15 mph (24 km/h), theLOW TIREmessage will turn off
and the TPM Telltale Light will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid.
4. For each subsequent ignition switch cycle, a chime will
sound and the TPM Telltale Light will flash on and off for
75 seconds and then remain on solid.
414 STARTING AND OPERATING

If the ignition switch is cycled, this sequence will repeat,
providing the system fault still exists. If the system fault
no longer exists, the TPM Telltale Light will no longer
flash, and theSERVICE TPM SYSTEMmessage will no
longer display, and a pressure value will display in place
of the dashes. A system fault can occur due to any of the
following:1. Signal interference due to electronic devices or driving
next to facilities emitting the same radio frequencies as
the TPM sensors.
2. Installing aftermarket window tinting that contains
materials that may block radio wave signals.
3. Accumulation of snow or ice around the wheels or
wheel housings.
4. Using tire chains on the vehicle.
5. Using wheels/tires not equipped with TPM sensors.
The EVIC will also display aSERVICE TPM SYSTEM
message for a minimum of five seconds when a system
fault related to an incorrect sensor location fault is
detected. In this case, theSERVICE TPM SYSTEM
message is then followed with a graphic display with
pressure values still shown. This indicates that the pres-
sure values are still being received from the TPM sensors
but they may not be located in the correct vehicle
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 417

SmartBeams........................... 177
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................. 406
Snow Tires............................ 408
Sound System
Kicker............................ 328
Spare Tire.......................401,402,450
Spark Plugs............................ 522
Specifications
Fuel (Gasoline)...................420,522
Oil ............................... 522
Speed Control (Cruise Control)...........196,199
Speedometer........................... 280
Starting.............................26,348
Automatic Transmission................ 348
Cold Weather....................... 351
Engine Fails to Start.................. 351
Remote............................ 26
Starting and Operating.................... 348
Starting Procedures...................... 348Steering
Column Controls..................... 180
Column Lock....................... 190
Power............................ 373
Tilt Column......................190,191
Wheel, Heated...................... 192
Wheel, Tilt......................190,191
Steering Wheel Audio Controls.............. 330
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 330
Storage............................262,516
Storage, Vehicle......................342,516
Storing Your Vehicle...................... 516
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 462
Sun Roof...........................247,251
Sunglasses Storage....................... 238
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 56
Sway Control, Trailer..................... 435
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 481
568 INDEX

System, Remote Starting.................... 26
Tachometer............................ 276
Telescoping Steering Column.............190,191
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)........ 340
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......284,449
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 75
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 18
Tilt Steering Column...................190,191
Time Delay, Headlight.................... 176
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 393
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 391
Tire Markings.......................... 387
Tire Safety Information.................... 387
Tires ............................86,397,549
Aging (Life of Tires).................. 404
Air Pressure........................ 397
Chains............................ 406Changing.......................449,453
Compact Spare...................... 401
Flat Changing....................... 449
General Information.................. 397
High Speed......................... 400
Inflation Pressures.................... 398
Jacking.........................452,453
Life of Tires........................ 404
Load Capacity....................393,394
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)......... 410
Pressure Warning Light................ 277
Quality Grading..................... 549
Radial............................ 400
Replacement........................ 405
Rotation........................... 409
Safety..........................387,397
Sizes............................. 389
Snow Tires......................... 408
Spare Tire.......................... 450
10
INDEX 569