2013 CHRYSLER 300 SRT wheel

Operation
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the trans-
mission will operate automatically, shifting between the
five available gears. To engage AutoStick®, simply tap the
shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in the DRIVE
position, or tap one of the steering wheel-mounted shift
paddles (+/-). Tapping (-) to enter AutoStick® mode will
downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, while
using (+) to enter AutoStick® mode will retain the current
gear. When AutoStick® is active, the current transmission
gear is displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) portion of the instrument cluster. In
AutoStick® mode, the transmission will shift up or down
when (+/-) is manually selected by the driver (using the
shift lever, or the shift paddles, unless an engine lugging oroverspeed condition would result. It will remain in the
selected gear until another upshift or downshift is chosen,
except as described below.
•
If AutoStick® is engaged while in DRIVE mode, the
transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached.
• If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode, the
transmission will remain in the selected gear even
when maximum engine speed is reached. The trans-
mission will upshift only when commanded by the
driver. Engine overspeed protection will be provided
by fuel cut off at or near redline.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 385

•The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.
Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or
icy conditions.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
•
Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is engaged.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick® is engaged. To disengage AutoStick® mode, hold the shift lever to the
right or press and hold the (+) shift paddle until “D” is
once again displayed in the instrument cluster. You can
shift in or out of the AutoStick® mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
386 STARTING AND OPERATING

•AUTO mode will provide a sporty comfortable ride,
where as SPORT or TRACK will be a firmer, sportier
suspension with better handling.
• Track Mode — This mode includes SPORT suspension
and affects transmission shifting in either “Auto” or
“Manual” mode. Refer to “AutoStick” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information. In TRACK
mode, the transmission has a sportier, more aggressive
shift pattern. In Manual mode, the transmission will
hold gear at redline during manual shifting (console
shifter or paddle shifters).
• When TRACK mode is enabled, a flag symbol will
light up in the instrument cluster. Refer to “Instrument
Cluster Description” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.LAUNCH MODE – IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with a Launch Control system that
is designed to allow the driver to achieve maximum vehicle
acceleration in a straight line. Launch Control is a form of
traction control that manages tire slip while launching the
vehicle. This feature is intended for use during race events
on a closed course where consistent quarter mile and zero to
sixty times are desired. The system is not intended to
compensate for lack of driver experience or familiarity with
the race track. Use of this feature in low traction (cold, wet,
gravel, etc) conditions may results in excess wheel slip
outside this systems control resulting in an aborted launch.
Preconditions:
•
Launch control should not be used on public roads.
Always check track conditions and the surrounding area.
• Launch Control is not available for the first 500 miles
of vehicle life.
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Launch Control should only be used when the engine
and transmission are at operating temperature.
• Launch Control is intended to be used on dry, paved
road surfaces only. Use on slippery or loose surfaces
may cause damage to vehicle components.
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Press the “ESC OFF” button to put the vehicle into ESC Partial mode. The “ESC OFF” lamp will illumi-
nate in the cluster.
2. Press the “ESC OFF” button a second time to put the vehicle into Launch Control. The “ESC OFF” lamp will
remain lit, and the cluster display will read “Launch
Control Enabled”.
3. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
4. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight. 5.Hold the brake and make sure the vehicle is in “Drive”.
6.While holding the brake, rapidly apply the accelerator
pedal to wide open throttle. The engine speed will hold
at approximately 1825 RPM for the quickest launch.
•Messages will appear in the cluster EVIC display to
inform the driver if one or more of the above condi-
tions (3 through 6) have not been met.
7.When conditions 3 through 6 have been met, the cluster
EVIC display will read “Launch Ready Release Brake”.
Release the brake and continue to hold wide open
throttle to launch.
8. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62 mph (100 kph), at which point the ESC system
continues in ESC Partial mode. Activating Launch Con-
trol again from this state will require pressing the “ESC
OFF” button once. Repeat steps 3 through 8.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 389

Launch control will abort before launch completion and
display “Launch Aborted” in the cluster under any the
following conditions:
•The accelerator pedal is released during launch. ESC
system continues in ESC Partial.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line. ESC system continues in ESC
Partial.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pressed to change the system
to another mode. One press puts the ESC system into
ESC Full-On.
NOTE: Launch mode is not available within the first 500
miles of engine break-in.DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the rear (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 stopping
distances. Therefore, after driving through stand-
ing 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 pas-
sengers, and others around you.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:
• Increased noise levels at the end of the steering wheel
travel are considered normal and do not indicate that
there is a problem with the power steering system.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 393

•Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steer-
ing pump may make noise for a short amount of time.
This is due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering
system. This noise should be considered normal, and it
does not in any way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
Power Steering Fluid Check
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through an autho-
rized dealer.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your power steering
system as the chemicals can damage your power
steering components. Such damage is not covered by
the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
394 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the transmis-
sion is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will
flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound
to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle.
•
This light only shows that the parking brake is applied.
It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. Apply the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
Parking Brake
396 STARTING AND OPERATING