Chrysler 300M (2004 year). Manual — part 12

adequate performance. For Example, choose “4” if the
desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or “2” if
needed to maintain the desired speed.

Extended driving at high RPM’s should be avoided to
prevent excess heat generation. A reduction in vehicle
speed may be necessary to avoid extended driving at
high RPMs. Return to a higher gear range or vehicle
speed when road conditions and RPM level allow.

• The trailer tongue load must be considered as part of

the tow vehicle load capacity when loading the ve-
hicle.

• If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg), it

should have its own brakes.

WARNING!

Connecting trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hydraulic
brake lines can overload your brake system and
cause it to fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have an accident.

• Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer

size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are
recommended for motoring safety.

• The automatic transmission fluid, filter, and hypoid

differential fluid should be changed per Maintenance
Schedule “B” if you tow a trailer.

• If your Engine Coolant Light comes on, see the para-

graph on Overheating in Section 6 of this manual.

NOTE:

Check the automatic transmission fluid level

before all towing. Fluid discoloration, or a burnt odor,
shows the need for a transmission fluid and filter change.

180

STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CONTENTS

䡵 Hazard Warning Flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
䡵 If Your Engine Overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
䡵 Jacking And Tire Changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

▫ Preparations For Jacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
▫ Jacking And Changing a Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
▫ Compact Spare Tire-For Temporary Emergency

Use Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

▫ Wheel Cover Installation (If Required) . . . . . . 188

䡵 Jump-Starting The Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
䡵 Driving On Slippery Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

▫ Acceleration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
▫ Traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

䡵 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
䡵 Towing A Disabled Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

6

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER

The flasher switch is on the steering column, just
behind the steering wheel. Push in the flasher
switch and all front and rear directional signals

will flash. Press the flasher switch a second time to turn
the flashers off.

Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.

If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.

NOTE:

With extended use, the flasher may run down

your battery.

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS

In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.

• On the highways — Slow down.
• In city traffic — While stopped, put transaxle in

neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.

NOTE:

There are steps that you can take to slow down

an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and

182

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

the fan 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.

CAUTION!

Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads “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
the “H”, turn the engine off immediately, and call 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 a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, see Section 7, Maintenance, of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Cooling
System Pressure Cap paragraph.

JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING

WARNING!

Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

183

6

Preparations For Jacking

• Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers and park the

vehicle on a firm level surface, avoiding ice or slippery
areas.

• Put the gear shift in PARK (Automatic transmission)

or REVERSE (Manual Transmission).

• Set the parking brake and turn off the engine.

WARNING!

Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.

Jacking and Changing a Tire

1. Block the wheel diagonally
opposite the flat tire. Passengers
should not remain in the vehicle
when the vehicle is being jacked.

2. Remove the spare tire, scissors, jack and lug wrench.

184

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Before raising the vehicle, use the lug wrench to loosen
the lug nuts of the flat tire.

4. Turn the jack screw clockwise to firmly engage the jack
saddle with the lift area of the sill flange, use the lift area
closest to the flat tire.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

185

6

5. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove the flat tire
and install the spare tire.

6. Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped) and
tire. Remove the cover by hand, do not pry off.

186

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!

Death or serious injury can occur if magnetically
sensitive devices are exposed to this magnet. Mag-
nets can affect pacemakers.

7. Mount the spare tire. For vehicles equipped with
wheel covers, see the wheel cover installation instruc-
tions. Do not attempt to install a wheel cover on a
compact spare.

8. Tighten all the lug nuts on the mounting studs.

9. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counterclockwise.

10. Fully tighten the lug nuts. Torque the wheel lug nuts
to 100 ft/lb. (135N. m).

11. Store the flat tire, jack and tools.

WARNING!

Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.

WARNING!

A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

187

6

Compact Spare Tire-For Temporary Emergency
Use Only

• Keep tire inflated to 60 PSI (414 KPa) Cold Inflation

Pressure.

• Avoid driving more than 50 miles (80 km) before

replacing tire and wheel.

• This tire is designed as an emergency spare only-do

not exceed 50 MPH (80 km/h) speed.

Wheel Cover Installation (If Required)

1. Tighten the two lug nuts on the mounting studs on
each side of the stud which is in alignment with the valve
stem.

2. Align the valve notch in the wheel cover with the
valve stem on the wheel.

3. Install the cover by hand, snapping the cover over the
two lug nuts. Do not use a hammer or excessive force to
install the cover.

4. Return to Changing a Tire Section, Item #8 above.

188

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

JUMP-STARTING THE BATTERY

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 hurt by the fan.

CAUTION!

Do not try to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Your vehicle cannot be started this way.
Pushing with another vehicle may damage the trans-
axle or the rear of your vehicle. If your vehicle has a
discharged (dead) battery, booster cables may be
used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow the procedure carefully.

WARNING!

Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing.
Don’t lean over battery when attaching clamps or
allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush the contaminated area
immediately with large quantities of water.

A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or
any other booster source with an output that exceeds
12 volts.

NOTE:

The battery is stored in a compartment in front

of the tire in the right front fender and is accessible
through the engine compartment. The tire and wheel
need not be removed to gain access to the battery.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

189

6

Remote jump starting terminals are located in the
engine compartment.

Check the Battery Test Indicator. If a light or bright
colored dot is visible in the indicator, DO NOT jump-start
the battery.

If the indicator is dark or shows a green dot, proceed as
follows:

1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.

2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach but
without letting the vehicles touch. Set parking brake,
place automatic transaxle in PARK, and turn ignition to
OFF for both vehicles.

Remote Jump Starting Terminals

190

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

3. Turn off heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.

4. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the positive
jump start attachment of the booster battery. Connect the
other end of the same cable to the positive jump start
attachment of the discharged battery.

5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative jump start
attachment of the booster battery and then to the engine
of the vehicle with the discharged battery. Make sure you
have a good contact on the engine.

6. Start the engine in the vehicle which has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, then start the
engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.

7. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES

Acceleration

Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

191

6

WARNING!

Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is danger-
ous. Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of
the front wheels. You could lose control of the
vehicle and possibly have an accident. Accelerate
slowly and carefully whenever there is likely to be
poor traction (ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).

Traction

When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:

1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.

2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.

3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.

4. Keep tires properly inflated.

5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.

NOTE:

If so equipped, turn on the Traction Control

System to accelerate on slippery surfaces.

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE

If your vehicle is equipped with Traction Control, turn
the system off before attempting to “rock” the vehicle.

If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.

192

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!

Racing 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).

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

Only two ways of towing are approved; front towing and
flat bed towing.

CAUTION!

• Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front

with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.

• Always use wheel lift equipment when towing

from the front. The only other approved method
of towing is with a flat bed truck.

• Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to

the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.

• Do not push or tow this vehicle with another

vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
axle may result.

If damage to the vehicle prevents towing from the front,
move the vehicle onto a flat bed tow truck.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

193

6

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CONTENTS

䡵 3.5L Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
䡵 Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) . . . . . . . 198
䡵 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance

Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

䡵 Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
䡵 Dealer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
䡵 Maintenance Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

▫ Engine Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
▫ Chassis Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
▫ Drive Shaft Universal Joints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
▫ Body Lubrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

▫ Windshield Washers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
▫ Exhaust System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
▫ Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
▫ Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses . . . . . . . 218
▫ Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
▫ Fuel System Hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
▫ Automatic Transaxle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From

Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223

䡵 Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227

▫ Fuse Block Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
▫ Underhood Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228

7