2012 CHRYSLER 300 SRT oil temperature

The gauge pointer will likely indicate a higher tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades,
or when towing a trailer. It should not be allowed to
exceed the upper limits of the normal operating range.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot engine cooling system could
damage your vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads
“260” pull over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle
with the air conditioner turned off until the pointer
drops back into the normal range. If the pointer
remains on the “260” and you hear continuous
chimes, turn the engine off immediately and call an
authorized dealership for service.
WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call an authorized dealer-
ship for service if your vehicle overheats. If you
decide to look under the hood yourself, see “Main-
taining Your Vehicle”. Follow the warnings under the
Cooling System Pressure Cap paragraph.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 291

If the telltale turns on while driving, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. If the A/C system is on, turn it off. Also,
shift the transmission into NEUTRAL and idle the ve-
hicle. If the temperature reading does not return to
normal, turn the engine off immediately and call for
service. Refer to “If Your Engine Overheats” in “What To
Do In Emergencies” for more information.
•Transmission Temperature Warning TelltaleThis telltale indicates that the transmission
fluid temperature is running hot. This may
occur with severe usage, such as trailer towing.
If this telltale turns on, safely pull over and
stop the vehicle. Then, shift the transmission into NEU-
TRAL and run the engine at idle or faster until the light
turns off.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Telltale illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
WARNING!
If the Transmission Temperature Warning Telltale is
illuminated and you continue operating the vehicle,
in some circumstances you could cause the fluid to
boil over, come in contact with hot engine or exhaust
components and cause a fire.
•Electric Power Steering Malfunction This telltale is on when the Electric Power
Steering is not operating and needs service.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 299

Instantaneous G-Force
When selected, this screen displays the current G-Force
(lateral and longitudinal).
Peak G-Force
When selected, this screen displays all four G-Force
values (two lateral and two longitudinal).
•When a force greater than zero is measured, the
display will update the value as it climbs. As the
G-Force falls, the peak forces will continue to display.
•Pressing and holding the SELECT button for five
seconds will clear the peak force values.
Vehicle Info (Customer Information Features)
Press and release the UP or DOWN button untilVehicle
Info is highlighted in the EVIC. Press and release the
SELECT button and Coolant Temp will be displayed.
Press the UP or DOWN button to scroll through the
following information displays.
•Coolant Temp
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Trans Temperature
Displays the actual transmission temperature.
•Engine Hours
Displays the number of hours of engine operation.
308 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The following describes each feature and its operation:
Timers
0-60 mph (0-100 km/h), 1/8 Mile, 1/4 Mile
When selected, this screen displays the time it takes for
the vehicle to go from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h),
1/8 mile or 1/4 mile.
•The feature will be “ready” when the vehicle speed is
at 0 mph (0 km/h).
•Soft-keys allow access to the current, best and last
times recorded.
Braking Distance
When selected, this screen displays the vehicle’s braking
distance and the speed at which the brake pedal was
depressed.
•This feature will only function when applying the
brakes at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h).
•The distance measurement will be aborted if the brake
pedal is released before the vehicle comes to a com-
plete stop.
G-Force
When selected, this screen displays all four G-Force
values (two lateral and two longitudinal) as well as
steering angle.
When a force greater than zero is measured, the display
will update the value as it climbs. As the G-Force falls,
the peak forces will continue to display.
Gauges 1
When selected, this screen displays the following values:
•Oil Temperature
Shows the actual oil temperature within the range of the
gauge.
•Oil Pressure
Shows the actual oil pressure.
326 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•Battery Voltage
Shows the actual battery voltage.
Gauges 2
When selected, this screen displays the following values:
•Coolant Temperature
Shows the actual coolant temperature within the range of
the gauge.
•Oil Temperature
Shows the actual oil temperature within the range of the
gauge.
•Transmission Temperature
Shows the actual transmission temperature within the
range of the gauge.
•Intake Air Temperature
Shows the actual intake air temperature within the range
of the gauge.
•Oil Pressure
Shows the actual oil pressure.
•Battery Voltage
Shows the actual battery voltage.
Engine
When selected, this screen displays miles per hour (mph),
horsepower (hp), torque (ft/lb), oil pressure (psi) and
gear selector values.
Handling
When selected, this screen displays peak g-force, instan-
taneous g-force, steering and yaw angles.
Options
When selected, this screen allows you to choose a stan-
dard or custom display for your SRT home page.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 327

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your engine oil as the
chemicals can damage your engine. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 0W-40 engine oil is preferred for use in all operating
temperatures.
The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended engine
oil viscosity for your engine. For information on engine oil
filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compartment” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the recom-
mended oil quality requirements are met, and the recom-
mended maintenance intervals for oil and filter changes
are followed.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
Do not add any supplemental materials, other than leak
detection dyes, to the engine oil. Engine oil is an engi-
neered product and its performance may be impaired by
supplemental additives.
Disposing Of Used Engine Oil And Oil Filters
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil and
oil filters from your vehicle. Used oil and oil filters,
indiscriminately discarded, can present a problem to the
environment. Contact your authorized dealer, service
station, or governmental agency for advice on how and
where used oil and oil filters can be safely discarded in
your area.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 459

Automatic Door Locks..................... 31
Automatic Headlights .................... 181
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ............. 300
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 341
Automatic Transaxle Special Additives ..................... 479
Automatic Transmission .............355,479,480
Adding Fluid .................... 480,504
Autostick .......................... 362
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 480
Fluid Change ....................... 480
Fluid Level Check .................... 480
Fluid Type ......................... 504
Special Additives ..................... 479
Autostick ............................. 362
Axle Fluid ............................. 504
Axle Lubrication (Axle Fluid) ............... 504
B-Pillar Location ........................ 391 Battery
............................... 461
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 24
Location ........................... 461
Belts, Seat ............................ 47,85
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 466
Brake Assist System ...................... 377
Brake Control System, Electronic ............. 376
Brake Fluid ............................ 504
Brake System ........................ 373,476
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 374
Fluid Check ..................... 477,504
Master Cylinder ..................... 477
Parking ........................... 371
Warning Light .................... 287,373
Brake, Parking .......................... 371
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 355
Brakes ............................. 373,476
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 82
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 189
10
INDEX 535

Exhaust Gas Caution................84,418
Fails to Start ........................ 352
Flooded, Starting ..................... 352
Fuel Requirements .................... 414
Jump Starting ....................... 440
Oil ......................... 458,502,503
Oil Change Interval ................ 300,458
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 459
Oil Filter ........................... 460
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 459
Oil Selection ..................... 458,502
Oil Synthetic ........................ 459
Overheating ........................ 428
Starting ........................... 349
Temperature Gauge ................... 290
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 459
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 415 Event Data Recorder
...................... 70
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 84,418
Exhaust System ....................... 84,468
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 97
Exterior Lighting ........................ 180
Exterior Lights .......................... 87
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 286
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 460
Air Conditioning .................. 343,464
Engine Oil ....................... 460,503
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 459
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 186
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 428
Turn Signal .................... 87,186,281
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 352
Floor Console .......................... 270
10
INDEX 539