2021 CHRYSLER 300 warning

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 203
Other causes could be if the vehicle is unused for
an extended period of time, incorrect oil, extended
oil changes or extended idling. If the engine
continues to tick or if the Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) comes on, see the nearest authorized
dealer.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine
Oil Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has been
certified by the American Petroleum
In
stitute (API). The manufacturer only
recommends API Certified engine oils.
This symbol certifies 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30,
5 W

-30 and 10W-30 engine oils.
Synthetic Engine Oils
You may use synthetic engine oils provided the
recommended oil quality requirements are met,
and the recommended maintenance intervals for
oil and filter changes are followed. Synthetic engine oils which do not have both the
e
n

gine oil certification mark and the correct SAE
viscosity grade number should not be used.
Materials Added To Engine Oil
The manufacturer strongly recommends against
the addition of any additives (other than leak
detection dyes) to the engine oil. Engine oil is an
engineered 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 an
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.
ENGINE OIL FILTER
The engine oil filter should be replaced with a new
filter at every engine oil change.
Engine Oil Filter Selection
This manufacturer's engines have a full-flow type
d i

sposable oil filter. Use a filter of this type for
replacement. The quality of replacement filters
varies considerably. Only high quality filters should be used to ensure most efficient service. Mopar®
engine oil filters are high quality oil filters and are
recommended.
ENGINE AIR CLEANER FILTER
For the proper maintenance intervals
Ú page 195.
Engine Air Cleaner Filter Selection
The quality of replacement engine air cleaner
f i

lters varies considerably. Only high quality filters
should be used to ensure most efficient service.
Mopar® engine air cleaner filters are a high quality
filter and are recommended.
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.
WARNING!
The air induction system (air cleaner, hoses,
etc.) can provide a measure of protection in the
case of engine backfire. Do not remove the air
induction system (air cleaner, hoses, etc.) unless
such removal is necessary for repair or
maintenance. Make sure that no one is near the
engine compartment before starting the vehicle
with the air induction system (air cleaner, hoses,
etc.) removed. Failure to do so can result in
serious personal injury.
8

204 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an authorized
dealer at the start of each warm season. This
service should include cleaning of the condenser
fins and a performance test. Drive belt tension
should also be checked at this time.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-134a — If Equipped
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluo -
rocarbon (HFC) that is an ozone-friendly
s u
bstance. The manufacturer recommends that
air conditioning service be performed by an
authorized dealer or other service facilities using
recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:
Use only manufacturer approved A/C system PAG
c om
pressor oil and refrigerants.
Refrigerant Recovery And Recycling
R-1234yf — If Equipped
R-1234yf Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydroflu -
oroolefin (HFO) that is endorsed by the
E n
vironmental Protection Agency and is an
ozone-friendly substance with a low global-
warming potential. The manufacturer recommends that air conditioning service be
performed by an authorized dealer using recovery
and recycling equipment.
NOTE:
Use only manufacturer approved A/C system PAG
c om
pressor oil, and refrigerants.
Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter is located in the fresh air inlet
under the hood, behind a removable panel in the
cowl on the passenger side of the vehicle, next to
the windshield wipers. When installing a new cabin
air filter, ensure its proper orientation.

1. R emove the access door in the cowl screen by
p
ressing the retaining clips.

Access Door

WARNING!
Use only refrigerants and compressor lubri -
cants approved by the manufacturer for your
a i
r conditioning system. Some unapproved
refrigerants are flammable and can explode,
injuring you. Other unapproved refrigerants or
lubricants can cause the system to fail,
requiring costly repairs. Refer to Warranty
Information Book, for further warranty infor -
mation.
The air conditioning system contains refrig -
erant under high pressure. To avoid risk of
p e
rsonal injury or damage to the system,
adding refrigerant or any repair requiring lines
to be disconnected should be done by an
experienced technician.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your air condi -
tioning system as the chemicals can damage
y ou
r air conditioning components. Such damage
is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited War -
ranty.

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 205
(Continued)
2. Unsnap both ends and lift the cabin air filter access cover.

Filter Access Cover

3. R emove the used cabin air filter.
4
. I nstall the new cabin air filter with arrows
p
ointing in the direction of airflow, which is
toward the rear of the vehicle (text and arrows
on the cabin air filter will indicate this).
Cabin Air Filter

5. Close the cabin air filter access cover.
F
or the proper maintenance intervals
Ú page 195.
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT INSPECTION
When inspecting accessory drive belts, small
cracks that run across ribbed surface of belt from
rib to rib, are considered normal. These are not a
reason to replace belt. However, cracks running
along a rib (not across) are not normal. Any belt
with cracks running along a rib must be replaced.
Also have the belt replaced if it has excessive wear,
frayed cords or severe glazing.

Accessory Belt (Serpentine Belt)

WARNING!
Do not attempt to inspect an accessory drive
belt with vehicle running.
When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead. The fan is
temperature controlled and can start at any
time regardless of ignition mode. You could be
injured by the moving fan blades.
You can be badly injured working on or around
a motor vehicle. Only do service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equip -
ment. If you have any doubt about your ability
t o

perform a service job, take your vehicle to a
competent mechanic.
WARNING!
8

208 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
4. Slide the wiper blade onto the arm until motion stops, then fold down the locking tab to
secure.
NOTE:
The locking tab will not snap into place until the
b l
ade is properly positioned on the wiper arm hook.
5. Gently lower the wiper blade onto the glass.
EXHAUST SYSTEM
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained
engine exhaust system.
If you notice a change in the sound of the exhaust
s y

stem; or if the exhaust fumes can be detected
inside the vehicle; or when the underside or rear of
the vehicle is damaged; have an authorized
technician inspect the complete 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, have the exhaust system inspected each
time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace as required. Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic
c
on
verter will not require maintenance. However, it
is important to keep the engine properly tuned to
ensure proper catalyst operation and prevent
possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:
Intentional tampering with emissions control
s y
stems can result in civil penalties being
assessed against you.
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you uncon -
scious and can eventually poison you. To
a v

oid breathing CO Ú page 178.
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you
park over materials that can burn. Such mate -
rials might be grass or leaves coming into
c on

tact with your exhaust system. Do not park
or operate your vehicle in areas where your
exhaust system can contact anything that can
burn.
CAUTION!
The catalytic converter requires the use of
unleaded fuel only. Leaded gasoline will
destroy the effectiveness of the catalyst as an
emissions control device and may seriously
reduce engine performance and cause
serious damage to the engine.
Damage to the catalytic converter can result if
your vehicle is not kept in proper operating
condition. In the event of engine malfunction,
particularly involving engine misfire or other
apparent loss of performance, have your
vehicle serviced promptly. Continued opera -
tion of your vehicle with a severe malfunction
c ou

ld cause the converter to overheat,
resulting in possible damage to the converter
and vehicle.
CAUTION!

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 209
In unusual situations involving grossly
malfunctioning engine operation, a scorching odor
may suggest severe and abnormal catalyst
overheating. If this occurs, stop the vehicle, turn off
the engine and allow it to cool. Service, including a
tune-up to manufacturer's specifications, should
be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter
da

mage:
Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the igni -
tion when the transmission is in gear and the
v e
hicle is in motion.
Do not try to start the engine by pushing or
towing the vehicle.
Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diag -
nostic testing, or for prolonged periods during
ve
ry rough idle or malfunctioning operating
conditions.
NOTE:
Your vehicle’s exhaust system may be equipped
w i
th an Electronic Exhaust Valve (EEV) system, if
the exhaust system is replaced with aftermarket
products a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will
illuminate.
COOLING SYSTEM
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather,
w h
ere applicable). If the engine coolant is dirty, the
system should be drained, flushed, and refilled
with fresh Organic Additive Technology (OAT)
coolant (conforming to MS.90032) by an authorized dealer. Check the front of the radiator
for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty,
clean by gently spraying water from a garden hose
vertically down the face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle
r
u

bber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the
connection at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the
entire system for leaks. DO NOT REMOVE THE
COOLANT PRESSURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING
SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush And Refill
NOTE:
Some vehicles require special tools to add coolant
p r
operly. Failure to fill these systems properly
could lead to severe internal engine damage. If any
coolant is needed to be added to the system
please contact an authorized dealer.
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
c on

tains visible sediment, have an authorized
dealer clean and flush with Organic Additive
Technology (OAT) coolant (conforming to
MS.90032).
For the proper maintenance intervals
Ú page 195.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot
engine coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your
radiator. If you see or hear steam coming from
under the hood, do not open the hood until the
radiator has had time to cool. Never open a
cooling system pressure cap when the radi
-
ator or coolant bottle is hot.
Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away
from the radiator cooling fan when the hood is
raised. The fan starts automatically and may
start at any time, whether the engine is
running or not.
When working near the radiator cooling fan,
disconnect the fan motor lead or turn the igni -
tion to the OFF mode. The fan is temperature
c on

trolled and can start at any time the igni -
tion is in the ON mode.
8

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 211
Disposal Of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol-based coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal.
Check with your local authorities to determine the
disposal rules for your community. To prevent
ingestion by animals or children, do not store
ethylene glycol-based coolant in open containers
or allow it to remain in puddles on the ground,
clean up any ground spills immediately. If ingested
by a child or pet, seek emergency assistance
immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method
for determining that the coolant level is adequate.
With the engine off and cold, the level of the engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be
between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so
t
h

ere is no need to remove the radiator/coolant
pressure cap unless checking for engine coolant
freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
service attendant of this. As long as the engine
operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month.
When additional engine coolant is needed to
m a

intain the proper level, only OAT coolant that
meets the requirements of FCA Material Standard
MS.90032 should be added to the coolant bottle.
Do not overfill.
Cooling System Notes
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/kilo -
meters of operation, you may observe vapor
c om

ing from the front of the engine compartment.
This is normally a result of moisture from rain,
snow, or high humidity accumulating on the
radiator and being vaporized when the thermostat
opens, allowing hot engine coolant (antifreeze) to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment
s h

ows no evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the
vehicle may be safely driven. The vapor will soon
dissipate.
Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator
and in the coolant expansion bottle. If engine
coolant needs to be added, the contents of the
coolant expansion bottle must also be protected
against freezing.
If frequent engine coolant additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure
tested for leaks.
Maintain engine coolant concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS.90032) and distilled water for proper corro -
sion protection of your engine which contains
a l

uminum components.
Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle
overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your
vehicle is equipped with air conditioning, keep
the front of the condenser clean.
Do not change the thermostat for Summer or
Winter operation. If replacement is ever neces -
sary, install ONLY the correct type thermostat.
O t

her designs may result in unsatisfactory
engine cooling performance, poor gas mileage,
and increased emissions.
WARNING!
Do not open hot engine cooling system. Never
add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the
engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine.
Heat causes pressure to build up in the
cooling system. To prevent scalding or injury,
do not remove the pressure cap while the
system is hot or under pressure.
Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
8

212 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
(Continued)
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to ensure brake system performance, all
brake system components should be inspected
periodically
Ú page 195.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder
immediately if the brake system warning light
indicates system failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when
pe

rforming underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before
re
moving the cap. Add fluid to bring the level up to
the top of the “FULL” mark on the side of the
master cylinder reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it
ma
y cause leaking in the system.
Add enough fluid to bring the level up to the
re
quirements described on the brake fluid reservoir. With disc brakes, fluid level can be
expected to fall as the brake pads wear. However,
low fluid level may be caused by a leak and a
checkup may be needed.
Use only brake fluid that has been recommended
b
y

the manufacturer, and has been kept in a tightly
closed container to avoid contamination from
foreign matter or moisture
Ú page 250.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 supplemental additives. Therefore, do
not add any fluid additives to the transmission.
Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in
abnormally high brake temperatures, excessive
lining wear, and possible brake damage. You
would not have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
WARNING!
Use only manufacturer's recommended brake
fluid Ú page 250. Using the wrong type of
brake fluid can severely damage your brake
s y
stem and/or impair its performance. The
proper type of brake fluid for your vehicle is
also identified on the original factory installed
hydraulic master cylinder reservoir.
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 prolonged
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.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contam -
inate the brake fluid. Brake seal components
c ou
ld be damaged, causing partial or
complete brake failure. This could result in a
collision.
WARNING!

214 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
FUSES
General Information
The fuses protect electrical systems against
excessive current.
When a device does not work, you must check the
fu

se element inside the blade fuse for a break/
melt.
Also, please be aware that when using power
ou t

lets for extended periods of time with the
engine off may result in vehicle battery discharge.

Blade Fuses

Underhood Fuses
The Front Power Distribution Center is located in
the engine compartment. This module contains
fuses and relays. Fuse cavity location and
descriptions are printed on the inside of the power
distribution center cover.

Front Power Distribution Center
Front Power Distribution Center

WARNING!
When replacing a blown fuse, always use an
appropriate replacement fuse with the same
amp rating as the original fuse. Never replace
a fuse with another fuse of higher amp rating.
Never replace a blown fuse with metal wires or
any other material. Do not place a fuse inside
a circuit breaker cavity or vice versa. Failure to
use proper fuses may result in serious
personal injury, fire and/or property damage.
Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the
ignition is off and that all the other services
are switched off and/or disengaged.
If the replaced fuse blows again, contact an
authorized dealer.
If a general protection fuse for safety systems
(air bag system, braking system), power unit
systems (engine system, transmission
system) or steering system blows, contact an
authorized dealer.1 — Fuse Element
2 — Blade Fuse with a good/ functional fuse
element
3 — Blade fuse with a bad/ not functional fuse
el
ement (blown fuse)