2012 CHRYSLER 300 SRT trunk

Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the sunroof (if equipped) in certain
open or partially open positions. This is a normal occur-
rence and can be minimized. If the buffeting occurs with
the rear windows open, then open the front and rear
windows together to minimize the buffeting. If the
buffeting occurs with the sunroof open, then adjust the
sunroof opening to minimize the buffeting.
TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
The trunk lid can be released from inside the vehicle by
pressing the TRUNK RELEASE button located on the
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:The transmission must be in PARK before the
button will operate. The trunk lid can be released from
outside the vehicle by pressing the
TRUNK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
twice within five seconds or by
using the external release switch
located on the underside of the
decklid overhang. The release fea-
ture will function only when the
vehicle is in the unlock condition.
With the ignition in the ON/RUN position, the Trunk
Open symbol will display in the instrument cluster
indicating that the trunk is open. The odometer display
will reappear once the trunk is closed.
With the ignition in the OFF position, the Trunk Open
symbol will display until the trunk is closed.
Refer to “Keyless Enter-N-Go” in “Things To Know
Before Starting Your Vehicle” for more information on
trunk operation with the Passive Entry feature.
Trunk Release Button
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41

TRUNK SAFETY WARNING
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape,
even if they entered through the rear seat. If trapped
in the trunk, children can die from suffocation or
heat stroke.
Trunk Emergency Release
As a security measure, a trunk internal emergency release
lever is built into the trunk latching mechanism. In the
event of an individual being locked inside the trunk, the
trunk can be simply opened by pulling on the glow-in-the-
dark handle attached to the trunk latching mechanism.
Trunk Emergency Release
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),
follow these safety tips:
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to move
your vehicle in or out of the area.
•If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate
open, make sure that all windows are closed and
the climate control BLOWER switch is set at high
speed. DO NOT use the recirculation mode.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling
controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set
the blower at high speed.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Pinch Protect Feature ................. 261
▫ Wind Buffeting ...................... 261
▫ Sunroof Maintenance ................. 261
▫ Ignition Off Operation ................. 262
▫ Sunroof Fully Closed .................. 262
 Electrical Power Outlets ................. 262
 Cupholders .......................... 267
▫ Front Seat Cupholders ................. 267
▫ Rear Seat Cupholders ................. 269
 Storage ............................. 270
▫ Glovebox Storage .................... 270
▫ Console Features .................... 270 ▫
Door Storage ....................... 272
▫ Rear Seat Armrest Storage — If Equipped . . . 272
▫ Cargo Area — Vehicles Equipped With
60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seat ............ 273
 Cargo Area Features ................... 274
▫ Trunk Mat — If Equipped .............. 274
▫ Grocery Bag Hooks ................... 275
 Rear Window Features .................. 276
▫ Rear Window Defroster ................ 276
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 95

Interior Lights
The interior lights come on when a door is opened.
To protect the battery, the interior lights will turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition switch is
moved to the LOCK position. This will occur if the
interior lights were switched on manually or are on
because a door is open. This includes the glove box light,
but not the trunk light. To restore interior light operation,
either turn the ignition switch ON or cycle the light
switch.
Dimmer Control
The dimmer control is part of the headlight switch and is
located on the left side of the instrument panel.
Dimmer Controls
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 189

WARNING!
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can
change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle han-
dling. To avoid loss of control resulting in personal
injury, follow these guidelines for loading your vehicle:
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
•Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed
weight over or behind the rear axle can cause the
rear of the vehicle to sway.
•Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or be-
come a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or
collision.
CARGO AREA FEATURES
Trunk Mat — If Equipped
A trunk mat covers the bottom of the cargo area. The
trunk mat is used to protect the interior of the trunk from
mud, snow, and debris.
274 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 — Air Outlet8 — Uconnect Touch™ System Hard Controls 15 — Dimmer Controls
2 — Instrument Cluster 9 — SD Memory Card Slot 16 — Hood Release
3 — Hazard Switch 10 — Power Outlet 17 — Headlight Switch
4 — Uconnect Touch™ System 11 — CD/DVD Slot 18 — Analog Clock
5 — Climate Control Hard Controls 12 — Storage Compartment 19 — Paddle Shifters
6 — Glove Compartment 13 — Engine Start/Stop Button
7 — ESC Off Switch 14 — Trunk Release Button
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 279

•Windshield Washer Fluid Low IndicatorThis telltale will turn on to indicate the wind-
shield washer fluid is low.
•Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) MalfunctionThis light will turn on when a ACC is not
operating and needs service. For further infor-
mation, refer to “Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC)” in “Understanding The Features Of
Your Vehicle.”
EVIC Red Telltales
This area will show reconfigurable red telltales. These
telltales include:
•Door Ajar
This telltale turns on when one or more doors
are ajar. The telltale will show which doors are
ajar.
•Trunk AjarThis light will turn on to indicate that the trunk
lid is ajar.
•Oil Pressure Warning TelltaleThis telltale indicates low engine oil pressure. If
the light turns on while driving, stop the vehicle
and shut off the engine as soon as possible. A chime will
sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked under the hood.
•Charging System Telltale This telltale shows the status of the electrical
charging system. If the telltale stays on or comes
on while driving, turn off some of the vehicle’s non-
essential electrical devices or increase engine speed (if at
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 297