manual transmission DODGE CHALLENGER 2009 3.G Owners Manual

TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE
The trunk lid can be released from inside the vehicle by
pressing the Trunk Release button. The button is located
on the instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel.
NOTE:The transmission must be in PARK before the
button will operate. If equipped with a manual transmis-
sion, the vehicle speed must be under 5 mph (8 km/h)
before the button will operate.
The trunk lid can be released from
outside the vehicle by pressing the
Trunk Release button on the Re-
mote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter twice within five seconds.With the ignition switch in the ON position, the Trunk
Open symbol will display in the instrument cluster
indicating that the trunk is open. The odometer display
will reappear once the trunk is closed.
With the ignition switch in the LOCK position or the key
removed from the ignition switch, the Trunk Open sym-
bol will display until the trunk is closed.
Trunk Release
Button
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

•Electronic Speed Control may not engage if a different
size tire is installed on one wheel, such as the compact
spare tire.
To Deactivate
The system will disable Electronic Speed Control without
erasing the memory if you:
•Softly tap the brake pedal.
•Press the brake pedal, or press the clutch pedal to the
floor (manual transmission).
•Pull the speed control lever toward you (CANCEL).
Pushing and releasing the ON/OFF button or turning the
ignition OFF erases the set speed from memory.
To Resume Speed
If you deactivated the Electronic Speed Control without
erasing the set speed from memory and your vehicle
speed is above 20 mph (32 km/h), you can resume theprevious set speed. To do so, push the lever upward to
RESUME ACCEL and release. Then remove your foot
from the accelerator pedal.
To Vary the Speed Setting
When the Electronic Speed Control is set, you can in-
crease speed by pushing up and holding the lever in
RESUME ACCEL. When the lever is released, a new set
speed will be established.
Tapping the lever to RESUME ACCEL once will result in
a 1 mph (1.6 km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is
tapped speed increases, so tapping the lever three times
will increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while Electronic Speed Control is set,
push down and hold the lever in SET DECEL. Release the
lever when the desired speed is reached, and a new set
speed will be established.
130 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.................... 243
▫Manual Transmission — If Equipped...... 243
▫Automatic Transmission — If Equipped.... 244
▫Keyless Go — If Equipped.............. 245
▫Normal Starting..................... 246
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below20°F Or29°C)............... 248
▫If Engine Fails To Start................ 249
▫After Starting....................... 250Engine Block Heater — If Equipped........ 250
Manual Transmission — If Equipped........ 251
▫Six-Speed Manual Transmission.......... 251
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped...... 255
▫General Information.................. 255
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 257
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override.......................... 257
▫Four-Speed Automatic Transmission
(3.5L Engine)....................... 259
5
239

▫Five-Speed Automatic Transmission (5.7L
Engine)........................... 264
▫Gear Ranges........................ 264
AutoStick— If Equipped............... 268
▫AutoStickOperation................. 268
Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 269
▫Acceleration........................ 269
▫Traction........................... 270
Driving Through Water................. 270
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 271
Power Steering....................... 273
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 273
Parking Brake........................ 274▫Manual Transmission — If Equipped...... 275
▫Automatic Transmission — If Equipped.... 276
Brake System........................ 277
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped.......................... 277
Multi-Displacement System (MDS) (If
Equipped) – 5.7L Engine Only............. 280
Electronic Brake Control System........... 280
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) — If
Equipped.......................... 280
▫TCS (Traction Control System) — If
Equipped.......................... 281
▫BAS (Brake Assist System) — If Equipped . . . 281
▫HSA (Hill Start Assist) — Manual
Transmission Only................... 283
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫5.7L Engine (With Manual Transmission).... 317
▫Reformulated Gasoline................ 317
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 317
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 318
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 319
▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 319
▫Fuel System Cautions................. 319
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............ 320
Adding Fuel......................... 321
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap).............. 321
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message........... 323
Vehicle Loading...................... 323
▫Vehicle Certification Label.............. 323▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)...... 324
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)........ 324
▫Overloading........................ 324
▫Loading........................... 325
Trailer Towing........................ 325
▫Common Towing Definitions............ 325
▫Trailer Hitch Classification.............. 328
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)..................... 329
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight............. 329
▫Towing Requirements................. 330
▫TowingTips ........................ 335
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................ 336
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and press the clutch pedal before starting vehicle.
This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlocking igni-
tion system. It will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting with Integrated Key — Manual
Transmission
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Press the clutch pedal fully to the floor, and turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release when
the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 243

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic con-
verter and once the engine has started, ignite and
damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has
a discharged 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. See Section 6 of this manual for
jump-starting instructions.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:The ENGINE START/STOP button should only
be removed or inserted with the ignition in the OFF
position.
Normal Starting
Using the ENGINE START/STOP Button —
Automatic Transmission Only
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, the transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL. Press and hold the brake pedal while press-
ing the ENGINE START/STOP button once. The system
takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically after
10 seconds. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine
prior to the engine starting, press the button again.
Using the ENGINE START/STOP Button —
Manual Transmission Only
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
To start the engine, press and hold the clutch pedal while
pressing and holding the ENGINE START/STOP button.
Release the button when the engine starts. If the vehicle
fails to start within 15 seconds, release the button, wait 10
to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” proce-
dure. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior
to the engine starting, release the button.
To Turn Off the Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button — Automatic Transmission
Only
1. Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds and vehicle
speed must be above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain in
the ACC position until the shift lever is in PARK and the
button is pressed twice to the OFF position. If the shifter
lever is not in PARK and the ENGINE START/STOP
button is pressed once, the EVIC (if equipped) will
display a “Vehicle Not In Park” message and the engine
will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of the
PARK position, or it could roll.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after
60 minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.To Turn Off the Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button — Manual Transmission
Only
1. With the vehicle stopped, place the shift lever in
NEUTRAL, then press and release the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. Place the shift lever in first gear or Reverse and then
apply the parking brake.
NOTE:
•If the ignition switch is left in the ACC position the
system will automatically time out after 60 minutes of
inactivity and the ignition will switch to the OFF
position.
•If the vehicle speed is above 5 mph (8 km/h), the
ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds before the engine will shut off. The ignition
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 247

If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle. If the vehicle has a discharged battery,
booster cables may be used to obtain a start from a
booster battery or the battery in another vehicle. This
type of start can be dangerous if done improperly.
Refer to Section 6 for proper jump-starting proce-
dures and follow them carefully.
Clearing a Flooded Engine (Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button) — Automatic Transmission
Only
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weatherproce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, press
and hold the brake pedal, push the accelerator pedal all
the way to the floor and hold it, then press and release the
ENGINE START/STOP button once. The starter motor
will engage automatically, run for 10 seconds, and then
disengage. Once this occurs, release the accelerator pedal
and the brake pedal, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Clearing a Flooded Engine (Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button) — Manual Transmission
Only
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weatherproce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, press
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 249