2012 CHRYSLER 300 SRT instrument panel

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
Two latches must be released to open the hood.
1. Pull the hood release lever located under the left side
of the instrument panel.2. Move to the outside of the vehicle and push the safety
catch to the left. The safety catch is located under the
center front edge of the hood.
Hood Release Lever
Hood Safety Latch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 179

Use the hood prop rod (if equipped) to secure the hood in
the open position.
CAUTION!
To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Lower the hood, until it is open approxi-
mately 6 in (15 cm), and then drop it. This should
secure both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless
the hood is fully closed, with both latches engaged.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
LIGHTS
Headlight Switch
The headlight switch is located on the left side of
the instrument panel. This switch controls the
operation of the headlights, parking lights, instru-
ment panel lights, instrument panel light dimming, inte-
rior lights and fog lights.
180 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Rotate the headlight switch clockwise to the first detent
for parking light and instrument panel light operation.
Rotate the headlight switch to the second detent for
headlight, parking light and instrument panel light
operation.
Automatic Headlights — If Equipped
This system automatically turns the headlights on or off
according to ambient light levels. To turn the system on,
rotate the headlight switch counterclockwise to the
AUTO position. When the system is on, the headlight
time delay feature is also on. This means the headlights
will stay on for up to 90 seconds after you place the
ignition into the OFF position. To turn the automatic
system off, move the headlight switch out of the AUTO
position.
NOTE:The engine must be running before the head-
lights will come on in the automatic mode.
Headlight Switch
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 181

Headlights On With Wipers (Available With
Automatic Headlights Only)
When this feature is active, the headlights will turn on
approximately 10 seconds after the wipers are turned on
if the headlight switch is placed in the AUTO position. In
addition, the headlights will turn off when the wipers are
turned off if they were turned on by this feature.
NOTE:The Headlights On with Wipers feature can be
turned on or off using the Uconnect Touch™ System,
refer to “Uconnect Touch™ Settings” in “Understanding
Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
Headlight Time Delay
This feature provides the safety of headlight illumination
for up to 90 seconds (programmable) when leaving your
vehicle in an unlit area. To activate the delay feature, place the ignition in the OFF
position while the headlights are still on. Then, turn off
the headlights within 45 seconds. The delay interval
begins when the headlight switch is turned off.
If you turn the headlights or parking lights on, or place
the ignition in ACC or RUN, the system will cancel the
delay.
If you turn the headlights off before the ignition, they will
turn off in the normal manner.
NOTE:
•The lights must be turned off within 45 seconds of
placing the ignition in the OFF position to activate this
feature.
•The headlight delay time is programmable using the
Uconnect Touch™ System, refer to “Uconnect Touch™
Settings” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information.
182 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

SmartBeam™ — If Equipped
The SmartBeam™ system provides increased forward
lighting at night by automating high beam control
through the use of a digital camera mounted on the
inside rearview mirror. This camera detects vehicle spe-
cific light and automatically switches from high beams to
low beams until the approaching vehicle is out of view.
NOTE:
•SmartBeam™ can be turned on or off using the
Uconnect Touch™ System, refer to “Uconnect Touch™
Settings” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information.
•Broken, muddy, or obstructed headlights and taillights
of vehicles in the field of view will cause headlights to
remain on longer (closer to the vehicle). Also, dirt,
film, and other obstructions on the windshield or
camera lens will cause the system to function
improperly.
Adaptive Bi-Xenon High Intensity Discharge
Headlights — If Equipped
This system automatically swivels the headlight beam
pattern horizontally to provide increased illumination in
the direction the vehicle is steering.
NOTE:
•Each time the Adaptive Headlight System is turned
on, the headlights will initialize by performing a brief
sequence of rotations.
•The Adaptive Headlight System is active only when
the vehicle is moving forward.
The Adaptive Headlight System can be turned On or Off
using the Uconnect Touch™ System, refer to “Uconnect
Touch™ Settings” in “Understanding Your Instrument
Panel” for further information.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 183

Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
The LED Daytime Running Lights will come on when-
ever the ignition is placed in the RUN position, the
headlights are off and the parking brake is off. The
headlight switch must be used for normal nighttime
driving.
NOTE:The Daytime Running Lights can be turned on
and off using the Uconnect Touch™ System, refer to
“Uconnect Touch™ Settings” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further information.
Lights-On Reminder
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is placed in the OFF position, a chime will sound to alert
the driver when the driver’s door is opened.
Fog Lights — If Equipped
The front fog light switch is built into the headlight
switch.
Fog Light Switch
184 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 189

With the parking lights or headlights on, rotate the left
dimmer control upward or downward to increase or
decrease the brightness of the instrument panel lights
and cupholder rings (if equipped).Ambient Light Control
Rotate the right dimmer control upward or downward to
increase or decrease the brightness of the door handle
lights and ambient light located in the overhead console.
Instrument Panel DimmerDoor Handle/Ambient Light Dimmer
190 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE