2014 CHRYSLER 300 SRT automatic transmission

Operation
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the five available gears. To engage AutoStick®, simply
tap the shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in theDRIVE 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 trans-
mission will shift up or down when (+/-) is manually
selected by the driver (using the shift lever, or the shift
paddles), unless an engine lugging or overspeed condi-
tion would result. It will remain in the selected gear until
another upshift or downshift is chosen, except as de-
scribed below.
•
If AutoStick® is engaged while in DRIVE mode, the
transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached.
1 — (–) Shift Paddle 2 — (+) Shift Paddle
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 387

•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.
• 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 en-
gaged.
• 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.
388 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan when-
ever the hood is raised. It can start anytime the
ignition switch is ON. You can be injured by
moving fan blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Set the parking brake, shift the automatic transmission into PARK and turn the ignition to LOCK.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri- cal accessories. 3. If using another vehicle to jump-start the battery, park
the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
Jump-Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump-starting procedure could
result in personal injury or property damage due to
battery explosion.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 473

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.4L ..........483
 ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . .484
 EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .484
 REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................486
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .486
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........487
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .487
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... .489
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................490 ▫
Maintenance-Free Battery ...............490
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............492
▫ A/C Air Filter ...................... .493
▫ Body Lubrication .....................495
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............496
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................496
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .497
▫ Cooling System ..................... .499
▫ Brake System ....................... .506
▫ Automatic Transmission ................508
7

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
484 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer ’s specified transmission fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain
the transmission fluid at the correct level using the
508 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

recommended fluid. No chemical flushes should be used
in any transmission; only the approved lubricant should
be used.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer ’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission.Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid
leaks. Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 509

Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission Use only ATF+4® Automatic Transmission Fluid. Fail-
ure to use ATF+4® fluid may affect the function or
performance of your transmission. We recommend
MOPAR® ATF+4® fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR® DOT 3 brake fluid. If
DOT 3 brake fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is
acceptable.
Power Steering Reservoir We recommend you use MOPAR® Power Steering Fluid
+ 4, or MOPAR® ATF+4® Automatic Transmission
Fluid.
Rear Axle We recommend you use MOPAR® Synthetic Gear Lu-
bricant SAE 75W–90 (API GL-5) in addition to MOPAR®
Friction Modifier — Hypoid Gear Additive).
536 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE