2023 Chrysler 300 Owners Manual - Towing a Disabled Vehicle

Towing a Disabled Vehicle

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

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 mandatory. 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, instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK for towing "⇨MANUAL PARK RELEASE".

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. Damage to your vehicle may result from improper towing.

• FCA US LLC does not recommend towing this vehicle using a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.

• If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the ignition must be in the ACC or RUN mode, not in the OFF mode.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) MODELS

FCA US LLC recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If the transmission and driveline are operable, AWD models can also be towed with the ignition in the ON/RUN mode, the transmission in NEUTRAL (N) (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 damage.

• Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

REAR WHEEL DRIVE (RWD) MODELS

FCA LLC US 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 transmission must be in NEUTRAL (N). Instructions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL (N) when the engine is off "⇨MANUAL PARK RELEASE".

• 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 approved requirements can cause severe transmission damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

WITHOUT THE KEY FOB

Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed with the ignition in the OFF mode. The only approved method of towing without the key fob is with a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the vehicle.

Your vehicle may be equipped with a tow eye that can be used to move a disabled vehicle.

When using a tow eye, be sure to follow the Tow Eye Usage Precautions.

Tow Eye Usage Precautions

CAUTION:

• The tow eye must only be used for roadside emergencies. Use with an appropriate device in accordance with highway code (a rigid bar or rope) to maneuver the vehicle in preparation for transport via a tow truck.

• The tow eye must not be used to move the vehicle off the road or where there are obstacles.

• Do not use the tow eyes for tow truck hookup or highway towing.

• Do not use the tow eye to free a stuck vehicle "⇨FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE".

• Damage to your vehicle may occur if these guidelines are not followed.

Tow Eye Warning Label

WARNING:

Stand clear of vehicles when pulling with tow eyes.

• Do not use a chain with a tow eye. Chains may break, causing serious injury or death.

• Do not use a tow strap with a tow eye. Tow straps may break or become disengaged, causing serious injury or death.

• Failure to follow proper tow eye usage may cause components to break resulting in serious injury or death.

TOW EYE INSTALLATION

The front tow eye receptacle is located behind a access door on the front fascia/bumper.

Tow Eye Access Door Location

To install the tow eye, open the door using the vehicle key or a small screwdriver, and thread the tow eye into the receptacle.

Insert the flat end of the jack handle through the tow eye and tighten. The tow eye must be fully seated to the attaching bracket through the lower front fascia/bumper. If the tow eye is not fully seated to the attaching bracket, the vehicle should not be moved.

Tow Eye Installation

Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS)

This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident Response System.

This feature is a communication network that takes effect in the event of an impact "⇨Enhanced Accident Response System".

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 performed under certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle "⇨Event Data Recorder (EDR)".