2012 CHRYSLER 300 SRT brake light

If the light remains on when the parking brake has been
disengaged, and the fluid level is at the full mark on the
master cylinder reservoir, it indicates a possible brake
hydraulic system malfunction or that a problem with the
Brake Booster has been detected by the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS) / Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
In this case, the light will remain on until the condition
has been corrected. If the problem is related to the brake
booster, the ABS pump will run when applying the brake
and a brake pedal pulsation may be felt during each stop.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. A leak in either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:
The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the red brake light on is
dangerous. Part of the brake system may have failed.
It will take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have
a collision. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
288 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Vehicles equipped with the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS), are also equipped with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD). In the event of an EBD failure, the
Brake Warning Light will turn on along with the ABS
Light. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
Operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked by
turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to the
ON/RUN position. The light should illuminate for ap-
proximately two seconds. The light should then turn off
unless the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is
detected. If the light does not illuminate, have the light
inspected by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON/RUN position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application. 18. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light — If Equipped
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” in the instrument cluster will come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON/RUN position. It should go out with the
engine running. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction In-
dicator 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 authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and corrected.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 289

•Unstored Messages
This message type is displayed indefinitely or until the
condition that activated the message is cleared. Examples
of this message type are Turn Signal On(if a turn signal
is left on) and Lights On(if driver leaves the vehicle).
•Unstored Messages Until RUN
These messages deal primarily with the Remote Start
feature. This message type is displayed until the ignition
is in the RUN state. Examples of this message type are
Remote Start Aborted - Door Ajar andPress Brake
Pedal and Push Button to Start.
•Five Second Unstored Messages
When the appropriate conditions occur, this type of
message takes control of the main display area for five
seconds and then returns to the previous screen. Ex-
amples of this message type are Memory System Un-
available - Not in Park andAutomatic High Beams On. The Reconfigurable Telltales section is divided into the
white telltales area on the right, amber telltales in the
middle, and red telltales on the left.
EVIC White Telltales
This area will show reconfigurable white caution tell-
tales. These telltales include:
•Shift Lever Status
The selected AutoStick gear is displayed as 1,2,3,
4, 5,or6 and indicate the Electronic Range Select
(ERS) feature has been engaged and the gear selected is
displayed. For further information on ERS, refer to
“Starting And Operating”.
•Electronic Speed Control ON This telltale will illuminate when the electronic
speed control is ON. For further information,
refer to “Electronic Speed Control” in “Under-
standing The Features Of Your Vehicle.”
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 295

Oil Change Required
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. TheOil Change Duemessage will
display in the EVIC for five seconds after a single chime
has sounded at the start of each ignition that an oil
change is due. The engine oil change indicator system is
duty cycle based, which means the engine oil change
interval may fluctuate dependent upon your personal
driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you cycle the ignition to the ON/RUN position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
MENU button. To reset the oil change indicator system
(after performing the scheduled maintenance), perform
the following procedure:
1. Without pressing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE
START/STOP button and cycle the ignition to the ON/
RUN position (Do not start the engine.) 2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal, slowly, three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Without pressing the brake pedal, push the ENGINE
START/STOP button once to return the ignition to the
OFF/LOCK position.
NOTE:
If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
Fuel Economy
Press and release the UP or DOWN button until Fuel
Economy is highlighted. Press the SELECT button and
the next screen will display the following:
•Average Fuel Economy/Miles Per Gallon
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
•Miles Per Gallon (MPG)
300 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Rain Sensing Auto Wipers
When this feature is selected, the system will automati-
cally activate the windshield wipers if it senses moisture
on the windshield. To make your selection, touch the
Rain Sensing soft-key, until a check-mark appears next to
setting, showing that setting has been selected. Touch the
back arrow soft-key to return to the previous menu.
•Hill Start Assist — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, the Hill Start Assist (HSA)
system is active. Refer to “Electronic Brake Control Sys-
tem” in “Starting And Operating” for system function and
operating information. To make your selection, touch the
Hill Start Assist soft-key, until a check-mark appears next
to setting, showing that setting has been selected. Touch the
back arrow soft-key to return to the previous menu.
Lights
After pressing the Lights soft-key the following settings
will be available.
•Headlight Illumination On Approach
When this feature is selected, the headlights will activate
and remain on for 0, 30, 60, or 90 seconds when the doors
are unlocked with the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter. To change the Illuminated Approach status,
touch the + or - soft-key to select your desired time
interval. Touch the back arrow soft-key to return to the
previous menu.
•Headlights With Wipers — If Equipped
When this feature is selected, and the headlight switch is
in the AUTO position, the headlights will turn on ap-
proximately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on.
The headlights will also turn off when the wipers are
turned off if they were turned on by this feature. To make
your selection, touch the Headlights With Wipers soft-
key, until a check-mark appears next to setting, showing
that setting has been selected. Touch the back arrow
soft-key to return to the previous menu.
316 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 366
▫ Acceleration ........................ 366
▫ Traction ........................... 366
 Driving Through Water ................. 367
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 367
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 367
 Power Steering ....................... 369
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 370
 Parking Brake ........................ 371
 Brake System ........................ 373
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System ............... 374
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 376
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 377▫
Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 377
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 377
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 378
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 382
▫ Ready Alert Braking .................. 383
▫ Rain Brake Support ................... 383
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 384
▫ Synchronizing ESC ................... 385
 Tire Safety Information ................. 385
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 385
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 389
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 390
346 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Getting water inside your vehicle’s engine can cause
it to lock up and stall out, and leave you stranded.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your passen-
gers, and others around you.
368 STARTING AND OPERATING

PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the shift lever in the
PARK position.
The foot operated parking brake is located below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the
park brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To
release the parking brake, press the park brake pedal a
second time and let your foot up as you feel the brake
disengage.When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch in the ON position, the “Brake Warning Light” in
the instrument cluster will illuminate.
Parking Brake
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STARTING AND OPERATING 371