towing DODGE CHALLENGER 2013 3.G Owner's Manual

•Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have a
collision.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in a
collision.
398 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
Four-Pin Connector
1 — Female Pins 4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
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STARTING AND OPERATING 399

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVErange can be selected when towing. The
transmission controls include a adaptive drive strategy to
avoid frequent shifting when towing. However, if frequent
shifting does occur while in DRIVE, you can use the
AutoStick® shift control to manually select a lower gear.
NOTE: Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you
REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45 minutes
of continuous operation, then change the transmission
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes 400 STARTING AND OPERATING

fluid and filter as specified for “police, taxi, fleet, or
frequent trailer towing.” Refer to the “Maintenance Sched-
ule” for the proper maintenance intervals.
Electronic Speed Control – If Equipped
•Do not use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
AutoStick®
• When using the AutoStick® shift control, select the
highest gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “4” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or
“2” if needed to maintain the desired speed. •
To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as neces-
sary to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to
a higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, shift the transmission
into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 401

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing ConditionWheels OFF The
Ground Manual Transmission Automatic Transmission
Flat Tow None
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 65 mph (105 km/h)
maximum speed
NOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow FrontNot Recommended NOT ALLOWED
Rear Not Recommended Not Recommended
On Trailer AllOK OK
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Recreational towing (with rear wheels on the ground) is
NOT ALLOWED. The only acceptable method for tow-
ing this vehicle (behind another vehicle) is on a vehicle
trailer with all four wheelsOFFthe ground. Use of a towing dolly (with rear wheels on the ground) is
NOT ALLOWED, as severe transmission damage will
occur. Use of a towing dolly (with front wheels on the
ground) is not recommended, as vehicle damage may
occur.
402 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Vehicles with a manual transmission may be flat towed
(with all four wheels on the ground) under the following
conditions:
•The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 65 mph
(105 km/h).
• There is no limitation on towing distance. Manual transmission vehicles may also be towed using a
vehicle trailer (with all four wheels off the ground).
Use of a towing dolly is not recommended, as vehicle
damage may occur.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 403

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
HAZARD WARNING FLASHERS ...........406
 IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS ............406
 TIREFIT KIT ......................... .407
▫ TIREFIT Storage ..................... .408
▫ TIREFIT Kit Components And Operation .....408
▫ TIREFIT Usage Precautions ...............410
▫ Sealing A Tire With TIREFIT ..............412
 JACKING AND TIRE CHANGING ..........418
▫ Jack Location/Spare Tire Stowage .........419
▫ Preparations For Jacking ................421 ▫
Jacking And Changing A Tire .............422
▫ Road Tire Installation ...................427
 JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES ...........427
▫ Preparations For Jump-Start ..............428
▫ Jump-Starting Procedure ................430
 FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE .............432
 SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE ................433
 TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........435
▫ Automatic Transmission .................437
▫ Manual Transmission ...................438
6

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial wrecker service.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF TheGroundAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is
operable:
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
speed
• 15 miles (24 km) max
distance If transmission is
operable:
• Transmission in
NEUTRAL
• 65 mph (105 km/h)
max speed
Wheel Lift or Dolly Tow FrontNOT ALLOWED NOT RECOMMENDED
Rear NOT RECOMMENDED NOT RECOMMENDED
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD BEST METHOD
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 435

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 equip-
ment 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
position, not the ACC position.If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, see “Shift Lever Override” in this section for
instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out of
PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•
Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not
attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
• The manufacturer does not recommend towing this
vehicle using a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may
occur.
436 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Automatic Transmission
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) under the following condi-
tions:
•The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km).
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• DO NOT flat tow any vehicle equipped with an
automatic transmission, damage to the drivetrain
could result. If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must
be towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than
15 miles (24 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. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, see “Shift Lever Override” in this section for
instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out of
PARK for towing.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 437