DODGE CHALLENGER SRT 2014 3.G Owners Manual

•If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode, the
transmission will remain in the selected gear even
when maximum engine speed is reached. The trans-
mission will upshift only when commanded by the
driver. Engine overspeed protection will be provided
by fuel cut off at or near redline.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
• The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.
Tapping (+), (at a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or
icy conditions. •
The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
• Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is en-
gaged.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick® is engaged.
To disengage AutoStick® mode, hold the shift lever to the
right or press and hold the (+) shift paddle until “D” is
once again displayed in the instrument cluster. You can
shift in or out of the AutoStick® mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
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SPORT MODE
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic controlled
damping system. This system reduces body roll and pitch
in many driving situations including cornering, accelera-
tion and braking. In addition, the driver has the ability to
select a more aggressive shifting pattern. On the center
console, there is a “SPORT” button that when pressed
will cycle through three different driving modes. This is
the description of each mode of operation:•Off — This is the initial position. This mode will give
a sporty, but comfortable ride. Within this mode, the
suspension will adapt to the vehicle inputs, including
vehicle speed, steering inputs, braking and accelera-
tion. The transmission will be optimized for smooth,
SPORT Button
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less aggressive shifting. The system will return to OFF
when the ignition switch is cycled from RUN to OFF to
RUN, if this mode is selected.
• SPORT Mode — This mode is selected by the first
press of the “SPORT” button. A “SPORT” message will
display in the instrument cluster. The system will
return to SPORT mode when the ignition switch is
cycled from RUN to OFF to RUN, if this mode is
selected. This mode will set suspension for maximum
performance handling and is intended for spirited
driving.
• TRACK Mode — This includes SPORT mode and
affects automatic transmission shifting in either Auto
or Manual mode. Refer to “AutoStick” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information. In TRACK
mode, the transmission has a sportier, more aggressive
shift pattern. In Manual mode, the transmission will
hold gear at redline during manual shifting (console shifter or paddle shifters). A “TRACK” message will
display in the instrument cluster. The system will
return to SPORT mode when the ignition switch is
cycled from RUN to OFF to RUN, if this mode is
selected.
NOTE: For manual transmission vehicles, the available
driving modes are SPORT on or SPORT Off. TRACK is
not available.
LAUNCH MODE — IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with a Launch Control system
that is designed to allow the driver to achieve maximum
vehicle acceleration in a straight line. Launch Control is a
form of traction control that manages tire slip while
launching the vehicle. This feature is intended for use
during race events on a closed course where consistent
quarter mile and zero to sixty times are desired. The
system is not intended to compensate for lack of driver
experience or familiarity with the race track. Use of this
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feature in low traction (cold, wet, gravel, etc) conditions
may results in excess wheel slip outside this systems
control resulting in an aborted launch.
Preconditions:
•Launch control should not be used on public roads.
Always check track conditions and the surrounding
area.
• Launch Control is not available for the first 500 miles
of vehicle life.
• Launch Control should only be used when the engine
and transmission are at operating temperature.
• Launch Control is intended to be used on dry, paved
road surfaces only. Use on slippery or loose surfaces
may cause damage to vehicle components. Automatic Transmission (If Equipped):
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Press the “ESC OFF” button to put the vehicle into
ESC Partial mode. The “ESC OFF” lamp will illumi-
nate in the cluster.
2. Press the “ESC OFF” button a second time to put the vehicle into Launch Control. The “ESC OFF” lamp will
remain lit, and the cluster display will read “Launch
Control Enabled”.
3. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
4. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
5. Hold the brake and make sure the vehicle is in “Drive”.
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6. While holding the brake, rapidly apply the acceleratorpedal to wide open throttle. The engine speed will
hold at approximately 1825 RPM for the quickest
launch.
• Messages will appear in the cluster EVIC display to
inform the driver if one or more of the above
conditions (3 through 6) have not been met.
7. When conditions 3 through 6 have been met, the cluster EVIC display will read “Launch Ready Release
Brake”.
Release the brake and continue to hold wide open
throttle to launch.
8. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62 mph (100 kph), at which point the ESC system
continues in ESC Full ON mode. Activating Launch Control again from this state will require pressing the
“ESC OFF” button twice. Repeat steps 3 through 8.
Launch control will abort before launch completion and
display “Launch Aborted” in the cluster under any the
following conditions:
•
The accelerator pedal is released during launch. ESC
system continues in ESC Full ON.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line. ESC system continues in ESC
Full ON.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pressed to change the system
to another mode. One press puts the ESC system into
ESC Full ON.
NOTE: After launch control has been aborted, the vehicle
will resort back to ESC Full ON.
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Manual Transmission (If Equipped):
Vehicles with a manual transmission have an adjustable
launch RPM controlled through the EVIC Performance
Features. Set the desired launch rpm before entering
launch control. Details of this feature can be found under
Performance Features – Launch RPM Set.
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Press the “ESC OFF” button to put the vehicle intoESC Partial mode. The “ESC OFF” lamp will illumi-
nate in the cluster.
2. Press the “ESC OFF” button a second time to put the vehicle into Launch Control. The “ESC OFF” lamp will
remain lit, and the cluster display will read “Launch
Control Enabled”.
3. Make sure the vehicle is not moving. 4. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
5. Fully depress the clutch pedal and make sure the
vehicle is in first gear.
6. While holding the clutch depressed, rapidly apply the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. The engine
speed will hold at the pre-selected launch rpm. The
default engine speed is 3500 rpm.
• Messages will appear in the cluster EVIC display to
inform the driver if one or more of the above
conditions (3 through 6) have not been met.
7.
When conditions 3 through 6 have been met, the cluster
EVIC display will read “Launch Ready Release Clutch”.
Release the clutch quickly and continue to hold wide
open throttle to launch Execute shifts as described in the
section: Manual Transmission – Shifting.
8. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
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Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62 mph (100 kph), at which point the ESC system
continues in ESC Partial mode. Activating Launch Con-
trol again from this state will require pressing the “ESC
OFF” button once. Repeat steps 3 through 8.
Launch control will abort before launch completion and
display “Launch Aborted” in the cluster under any the
following conditions:
•The brake is applied during launch.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pressed to change the ESC
system to another mode. One press puts the ESC
system into ESC Full-On.
NOTE: After launch control has been aborted, the vehicle
will resort back to ESC Full ON.CAUTION!
Do not attempt to shift when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have traction. Damage to the
transmission may occur.
Launch RPM Set (Manual Transmission Only)
When selected, this screen displays the vehicle’s current
Launch RPM used for Launch Control (see ESC Operat-
ing Modes – Launch Control).
• This feature will only function when the vehicle is
stationary.
• Pressing the SELECT button will bring up a list of
available rpm values to use with Launch Control.
• Scroll to the desired launch rpm value using the
up/down arrow buttons and press the SELECT button
to set the launch rpm to the desired value.
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•The newly chosen launch rpm will then be displayed.
When Launch Control is activated, the engine speed
will hold at the newly chosen launch rpm.
NOTE: Launch mode is not available within the first 500
miles of engine break-in.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull
erratically to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs
when there is a difference in the surface traction under
the rear (driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have a collision. 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 the roads are slushy.
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2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first becomevisible.
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.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Limited Slip
Differential (LSD) that reduces, but does not eliminate,
the amount of wheel slip across a given axle for im-
proved handling.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Due to lower ground clearance, driving your ve-
hicle up steep driveways, approach ramps or near
parking blocks may cause damage to the front
fascia and ground effects.
• Driving through snow more than 4 inches (100 mm)
deep may cause damage to the front fascia and
ground effects.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on, or cross, a road or a path where
water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off).
Flowing water can wear away the road or path’s
surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper
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WARNING!(Continued)
water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Cautions
and Warnings before doing so.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stopping
distances. Therefore, after driving through stand-
ing water, drive slowly and lightly press on the
brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
• Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your pas-
sengers, and others around you.
CAUTION!
• Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
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