DODGE CHALLENGER SRT 2012 3.G Owners Manual

Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 249

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 255
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 255
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 256
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go ................... 257
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 258
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 261
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 261
▫ After Starting ....................... 263 
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 263
 Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 263
▫ Six-Speed Manual Transmission .......... 263
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 267
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 269
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 269
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 269
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 270
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AutoStick .......................... 276
▫ Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters Or
Console Mounted Shifter ............... 276
 Sport Mode .......................... 278
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 279
▫ Acceleration ........................ 279
▫ Traction ........................... 280
 Driving Through Water ................. 281
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 281
 Power Steering ....................... 283
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 284
 Parking Brake ........................ 285
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 286▫
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 286
 Brake System ........................ 288
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 288
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 291
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 291
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 292
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 292
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) ................ 293
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 295
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 299
▫ Synchronizing ESC ................... 300
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Safety Information ................. 300
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 300
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 305
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 306
 Tires — General Information ............. 310
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 310
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 311
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 313
▫ F1 Three-Season Tires — If Equipped ...... 313
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 314
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 314
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 315
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 316 
Tire Chains .......................... 317
 Snow Tires .......................... 319
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 319
▫ Tire Rotation – Four Season/Rsa Tires ..... 320
▫ Tire Rotation – F1 Three Season Tires ...... 321
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 321
▫ Premium System .................... 324
▫ General Information .................. 328
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 329
▫ 6.4L Engine ........................ 329
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 329
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 330
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 330
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STARTING AND OPERATING 253

▫MMT In Gasoline .................... 331
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 331
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 332
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 333
 Adding Fuel ......................... 334
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 334
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 335
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 335
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 336 ▫
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 336
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 336
▫ Overloading ........................ 337
▫ Loading ........................... 337
 Trailer Towing ........................ 337
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 338
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .... 338
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ...... 339
254 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!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave a vehicle equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 255

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.
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. Refer to “Jump Starting” in
“What To Do In Emergencies” for further informa-
tion.
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.
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
Do not press the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in
10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
Keyless Enter-N-Go
This feature allows the driver to operate
the ignition switch with the push of a
button, as long as the ENGINE START/
STOP button is installed and the Re-
mote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter is
in the passenger compartment.
Installing And Removing The ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Installing The Button
1. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
2. Insert the ENGINE START/STOP button into the
ignition switch with the lettering facing up and readable.
3. Press firmly on the center of the button to secure it into
position.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 257

Removing The Button
1. The ENGINE START/STOP button can be removed
from the ignition switch for key fob use.
2. Insert the metal part of the emergency key under the
chrome bezel at the 6 o’clock position and gently pry the
button loose.
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”
258 STARTING AND OPERATING