engine DODGE CHALLENGER 2008 Owner's Guide

Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to “Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter months
is not recommended because it may cause window
fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air
conditioning system at idle for about five minutes in the
fresh air and high blower settings. This will ensure
adequate system lubrication to minimize the possibility
of compressor damage when the system is started again.
Window Fogging
Interior fogging on the windshield can be quickly re-
moved by turning the mode selector to Defrost. The
Defrost/Floor mode can be used to maintain a clear
windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes a problem, increase blower speed.
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild but
rainy or humid weather.
NOTE:Recirculation without A/C should not be used
for long periods as fogging may occur.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is located at each end of
the instrument panel. These non-adjustable outlets direct
air toward the side windows when the system is in the
Floor, Mix, or Defrost mode. The air is directed at the area
of the windows through which you view the outside
mirrors.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 207
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STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures .....................214
▫ Automatic Transmission ................215
▫ Keyless Go ..........................216
▫ Normal Starting ......................217
▫ Extremely Cold Weather
(Below
20°F Or
29°C) ................217
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................218
▫ After Starting ........................219

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped .........219

Automatic Transmission ..................220
▫ General Information ...................220
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 222
▫ 5-Speed Automatic Transmission ..........223

AutoStick ...........................228
▫ AutoStick Operation ..................228
▫ AutoStick General Information ...........229

Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............229
▫ Acceleration .........................229
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Tire Chains ...........................261

Snow Tires ...........................262

Tire Rotation Recommendations ............262
▫ Tire Rotation — Standard Tires ............263
▫ Tire Rotation — Optional Tires ............263

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........264
▫ Premium System ......................266
▫ General Information ...................269

Fuel Requirements ......................270
▫ 6.1L Engine .........................270
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................270
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............271
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................271
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................272 ▫
Fuel System Cautions ..................272
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ..............273

Adding Fuel ..........................274
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............274
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............275

Vehicle Loading ........................276
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............276
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......276
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........276
▫ Overloading .........................277
▫ Loading ............................277

TrailerTowing .........................278

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 278
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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. Don’t 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.
•Be sure to turn OFF the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever. Accidents
can also be caused by pressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the ex-
haust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle
fire, which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
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Automatic Transmission
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.
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Keyless Go
This function 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 Keyless Go igni-
tion key (FOBIK) is in the passen-
ger compartment.
Installing And Removing The Engine Start/Stop
Button
1. Remove the ignition key (FOBIK).
2. Insert the ENGINE START/STOP button into the
ignition switch.
NOTE:The ENGINE START/STOP button can be re-
moved from the ignition switch (WIN) for regular igni-
tion key (FOBIK) use. Keyless Go Functions — With Driver’s Foot Off The
Brake Pedal (In PARK Position)
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button
onceto acti-
vate the radio, wipers, and windows.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button twiceto
activate the heating/air conditioning (HVAC) controls,
and the instrument cluster.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button three timesto
turn off the ignition switch.
Keyless Go Functions - With Driver’s Foot On The
Brake Pedal (PARK or NEUTRAL Gear Position Only)
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button onceto oper-
ate all of the accessories.
•Press the ENGINE START/STOP button twiceto start
the engine.
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Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.
Press and hold your foot on the brake pedal and then press
and release the ENGINE START/STOP button twice. The
starter motor will engage and continue to run, and it will
disengage automatically when the engine is running. If the
engine fails to start, the starter will disengage automati-
cally in 10 seconds. If this occurs, wait 10 to 15 seconds,
then repeat the normal starting procedure.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Press and hold your foot on the brake pedal.
2. Place the shift lever in PARK, then press and release
the ENGINE START/STOP button.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE: Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing 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 automati-
cally 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.
Extremely Cold Weather (Below
20°F or
29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
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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 improp-
erly. Refer to Section 6 for proper jump-starting
procedures and follow them carefully.
Clearing A Flooded Engine - Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, press
and hold the brake pedal with your left foot, push and
hold the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor with
your right foot, and then press and release the ENGINE
START/STOP button twice. The starter motor will en-
gage automatically, run for 10 seconds, and then disen-
gage. 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 Fob With Integrated
Key
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
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Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to move the shift lever out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
General Information
The automatic transmission selects individual gears au-
tomatically, dependent upon:
•Altitude
•Vehicle loading
•Driving style
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