Chrysler 300 (2019 year). Instruction — part 21

JUMP STARTING

If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can be jump
started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in another
vehicle, or by using a portable battery booster pack. Jump
starting can be dangerous if done improperly, so please
follow the procedures in this section carefully.

WARNING!

Do not attempt jump starting if the battery is frozen. It
could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.

CAUTION!

Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any other
booster source with a system voltage greater than 12
Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor, alternator
or electrical system may occur.

NOTE:

When using a portable battery booster pack, follow

the manufacturer’s operating instructions and precautions.

Preparations For Jump Start

The battery is stored under an access cover in the trunk.
Remote battery posts are located on the right side of the
engine compartment for jump starting.

WARNING!

• Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever

the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is ON. You can be injured by moving fan
blades.

(Continued)

Jump Starting Locations

(+) — Remote Positive Post
(-) — Remote Negative Post

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

329

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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. Apply the parking brake, shift the automatic transmis-

sion into PARK and cycle the ignition to OFF.

2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical

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.

CAUTION!

Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.

NOTE:

Make sure at all times that unused ends of jumper

cables are not contacting each other or either vehicle while
making connections.

Connecting The Jumper Cables

1. Connect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable to the

remote positive (+) post of the discharged vehicle.

2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper

cable to the positive (+) post of the booster battery.

3. Connect the negative end (-) of the jumper cable to the

negative (-) post of the booster battery.

330

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-) jumper

cable to the remote negative (-) post of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.

WARNING!

Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative (-) post
of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury. Only use the specific ground point, do
not use any other exposed metal parts.

5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster

battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.

CAUTION!

Do not run the booster vehicle engine above 2,000 rpm
since it provides no charging benefit, wastes fuel, and
can damage booster vehicle engine.

6. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in

the reverse sequence:

Disconnecting The Jumper Cables

1. Disconnect the negative (-) end of the jumper cable from

the remote negative (-) post of the discharged vehicle.

2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative (-) jumper

cable from the negative (-) post of the booster battery.

3. Disconnect the positive (+) end of the jumper cable from

the positive (+) post of the booster battery.

4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+) jumper

cable from the remote positive (+) post of the discharged
vehicle.

5. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote positive

(+)

post of the discharged vehicle.

If frequent jump starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system tested at
an authorized dealer.

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

331

CAUTION!

Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if plugged
in long enough without engine operation, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS

In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
• On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in

NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.

NOTE:

There are steps that you can take to slow down an

impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C

system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.

• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum

heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.

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 try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.

CAUTION!

Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your
vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT (H), 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 HOT
(H), and you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine
off immediately and call for service.

332

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

MANUAL PARK RELEASE

WARNING!

Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake before activating the Instruction Park Re-
lease. In addition, you should be seated in the driver’s
seat with your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
activating the Instruction Park Release. Activating the
Manual Park Release will allow your vehicle to roll
away if it is not secured by the parking brake, or by
proper connection to a tow vehicle. Activating the
Manual Park Release on an unsecured vehicle could
lead to serious injury or death for those in or around
the vehicle.

In order to move the vehicle in cases where the transmis-
sion will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead battery), a
Instruction Park Release is available.

Follow these steps to use the Instruction Park Release:

1. Firmly apply the parking brake.

2. Remove the console storage bin to access the Instruction

Park Release lever.

3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, fish the tether

strap up through the opening in the console base.

4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.

Instruction Park Release Lever Location

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

333

5. Insert the screwdriver into the slot in the center of the

lever, and disengage the lever locking tab by pushing it
to the right.

6. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged posi-

tion, pull the tether strap to rotate the lever up and
rearward, until it locks in place in the vertical position.
The vehicle is now out of PARK and can be moved.
Release the parking brake only when the vehicle is
securely connected to a tow vehicle.

To Reset The Instruction Park Release:

1. Push the latch (at the base of the lever, on the rear side)

rearward (away from the lever) to unlatch the lever.

2. Rotate the Instruction Park Release lever forward and

down, to its original position, until the locking tab snaps
into place to secure the lever.

3. Pull up gently on the tether strap to confirm that the

lever is locked in its stowed position.

4. Tuck the tether strap into the base of the console.

Reinstall the console storage bin.

Locking Tab Location

Tether Strap Location

334

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. Then, shift back and forth between DRIVE and
REVERSE while gently pressing the accelerator. Use the
least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will main-
tain the rocking motion, without spinning the wheels or
racing the engine.

NOTE:
• Shifts between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be

achieved at wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or less.
Whenever the transmission remains in NEUTRAL for
more than two seconds, you must press the brake pedal
to engage DRIVE or REVERSE.

• Push the ⬙ESC Off⬙ switch, to place the Electronic

Stability Control (ESC) system in

⬙Partial Off⬙ mode,

before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control System” in “Safety” for further information.
Once the vehicle has been freed, push the

⬙ESC Off⬙

switch again to restore

⬙ESC On⬙ mode.

WARNING!

Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or even
failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could explode and
injure someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels
faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for longer than 30
seconds continuously without stopping when you are
stuck and do not let anyone near a spinning wheel, no
matter what the speed.

CAUTION!

• Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead

to transmission overheating and failure. Allow the
engine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL
for at least one minute after every five rocking-
motion cycles. This will minimize overheating and
reduce the risk of transmission failure during pro-
longed efforts to free a stuck vehicle.

• When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between

DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.

(Continued)

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

335

CAUTION! (Continued)

• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast

may lead to transmission overheating and failure. It
can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no transmis-
sion shifting occurring).

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service.

Towing Condi-

tion

Wheels OFF
The Ground

RWD MODELS

AWD MODELS

Flat Tow

NONE

If transmission is

operable:

• Transmission in

NEUTRAL

• 30 mph (48 km/h) max speed

• 30 miles (48 km) max distance

NOT ALLOWED

Wheel Lift Or

Dolly Tow

Front

NOT RECOMMENDED (but, if

used, same limitations as above)

NOT ALLOWED

Rear

NOT RECOMMENDED

NOT RECOMMENDED, but, if used:

• Ignition in ON/RUN mode

• Transmission in NEUTRAL

(NOT in PARK)

Flatbed

ALL

BEST METHOD

BEST METHOD

336

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equipment
manufacturer’s instructions. Use of safety chains is man-
datory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or
associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles
under tow must be observed.

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
mode, not the ACC mode.

If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to

⬙Instruction Park Release⬙ in this section

for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK
for towing.

CAUTION!

• Do not use sling type equipment when towing.

Vehicle damage may occur.

• When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do not

attach to front or rear suspension components. Dam-
age to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

• The manufacturer does not recommend towing this

vehicle using a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

337

All Wheel Drive (AWD) Models

The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If the transmission and driveline are operable, AWD mod-
els can also be towed with the ignition in the ON/RUN
mode, the transmission in NEUTRAL (not in PARK!), and
the rear wheels OFF the ground with no limitation on
speed or distance. Since the ignition MUST be in the
ON/RUN mode to tow in this manner, AWD vehicles must
be towed with ALL FOUR wheels OFF the ground (e.g. on
a flatbed truck) if the key fob is unavailable.

CAUTION!

• Towing this vehicle using any other method can

cause severe transmission and/or transfer case dam-
age.

• Damage from improper towing is not covered under

the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Models

The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, this vehicle may be flat towed (with all four
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The automatic transmission must be in NEUTRAL.

Refer to

⬙Instruction Park Release⬙ in this section for instruc-

tions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL when
the engine is off.

• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30
miles (48 km), then the only acceptable method of towing
is with a flatbed truck.

CAUTION!

Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Damage
from improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.

338

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)

This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.

Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System (EARS) function.

EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record data that
will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed under certain crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle.

Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).

7

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

339

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

CONTENTS

䡵 SCHEDULED SERVICING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343

▫ Maintenance Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344

䡵 ENGINE COMPARTMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348

▫ 3.6L Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348
▫ 5.7L Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .349
▫ Checking Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350
▫ Adding Washer Fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351

䡵 DEALER SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352

▫ Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353
▫ Engine Oil Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . .358

▫ Body Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360
▫ Exhaust System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .362
▫ Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364
▫ Brake System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369
▫ Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped . . . . . . .372
▫ Rear Axle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372

䡵 RAISING THE VEHICLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373
䡵 TIRES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373

▫ Tire Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373
▫ Tires — General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . .383
▫ Tire Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .389
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390

8

▫ Wheel And Wheel Trim Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . .393
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) . . . . . . . . . . . . .394
▫ Tire Rotation Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . .395

䡵 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM

TIRE QUALITY GRADES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396

▫ Treadwear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396
▫ Traction Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397
▫ Temperature Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397

䡵 VEHICLE STORAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .397
䡵 BODYWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .398

▫ Protection From Atmospheric Agents . . . . . . . .398
▫ Body And Underbody Maintenance . . . . . . . . . .398
▫ Preserving The Bodywork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .398

䡵 INTERIORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400

▫ Seats And Fabric Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400
▫ Plastic And Coated Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .400
▫ Leather Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401
▫ Glass Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .401

342

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULED SERVICING

Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.

Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).

The “Oil Change Required” message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.

Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

NOTE:

Under no circumstances should oil change inter-

vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), 12 months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.

Severe Duty All Models

Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350 hours of
engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a dusty and
off-road environment, or is operated predominantly at idle
or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty.

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or

damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before your next scheduled service.

• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake

master cylinder, and power steering (if equipped) and
fill as needed.

• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.

8

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

343

Maintenance Plan

Required Maintenance Intervals:

Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page
for the required maintenance intervals.

At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil

Change Indicator System:

• Change oil and filter
• Rotate the tires

Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it
occurs before your next scheduled service

At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil

Change Indicator System:

• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as

required

• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and

park brake

• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
• Inspect exhaust system
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or

off-road conditions

344

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE