steering DODGE CHALLENGER 2009 3.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around thefront wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program,” or “Traction Control” in Section 5.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “1st” and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
•Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.5L
1 — Integrated Power Module 6 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
2 — Air Cleaner Filter 7 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Coolant Pressure Cap 9 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
5 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 10 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post 366 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Integrated Power Module 6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Coolant Pressure Cap 7 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 — Engine Oil Dipstick
4 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 9 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
5 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 367

CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of
your vehicle and also allow extended maintenance
intervals. Do not use chemical flushes in these
components as the chemicals can damage your
engine, transmission, power steering or air condi-
tioning. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed
because of component malfunction, use only the
specified fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level — 3.5L Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level atregular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to
check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Maintain
the oil level between the MIN and MAX markings on the
dipstick. Adding 1.0 qt (1.0 L) of oil when the reading is
at the MIN mark will result in a MAX reading on these
engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Checking Oil Level — 5.7L Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Car-
tridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
23———
24———
25———
26———
27 — 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC)
28 — 10 Amp
RedIgnition Run
29 — 5 Amp
OrangeCluster/Electronic Sta-
bility Program (ESP)/
Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)/STOP
LIGHT Switch
30 — 10 Amp
RedDoor Modules/Power
Mirrors/Steering Con-
trol Module (SCM)Cavity Car-
tridge
FuseMini-
FuseDescription
31———
32———
33———
34———
35 — 5 Amp
OrangeAntenna Module - if
equipped/Power Mir-
rors
36 — 25 Amp
ClearHands-Free Phone - if
equipped/Radio/
Amplifier Feed
37 — 15 Amp
BlueTransmission
38 — 10 Amp
RedCargo Light/Vehicle In-
formation Module - if
equipped
406 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Manual Transmission MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake Master Cylinder MOPARDOT 3, SAE J1703 or equivalent should be used. If DOT 3 brake
fluid is not available, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended
brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir MOPARPower Steering Fluid + 4, MOPARATF+4 Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid
Rear Axle (3.5L Engine) MOPARSynthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W140 (API GL-5) or equiva-
lent.
Rear Axle (5.7L Engine) MOPARSynthetic Gear Lubricant SAE 75W90 (API GL-5) or equivalent
(with MOPARFriction Modifier — Hypoid Gear Additive).
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Oil Change
Required” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center(EVIC)” in Section 4 or under “Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” under “Instrument Cluster Descriptions” in Sec-
tion 4.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Engine Oil” under
“Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering, and add as
needed.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 419

Parking............................. 274
Warning Light.....................163,277
Brakes.............................277,389
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 257
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 66
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 124
Bulb Replacement.....................408,409
Bulbs,Light .......................... 69,408
Calibration, Compass..................... 176
Capacities, Fluid........................ 414
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 321
Oil (Engine).......................... 374
Power Steering........................ 273
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 387
Car Washes............................ 395
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 67,320
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 323Cellular Phone.......................... 78
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 413
Certification Label....................... 323
Chains, Tire............................ 304
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 345
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 290
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 369
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety............. 67
Checks, Safety........................... 67
Child Restraint.................. 57,58,59,62,63
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 60,62
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 317
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 397
Windshield Wiper Blades................ 380
Climate Control......................... 230
Clock ........................183,194,198,207
Cold Weather Operation................... 248
446 INDEX

Defroster, Rear Window................... 147
Defroster, Windshield................ 69,232,233
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 125
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 368
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 123
Dipsticks
Oil (Engine).......................... 372
Power Steering........................ 273
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 360
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 387
Engine Oil........................... 375
Door Locks............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 30
Door Opener, Garage..................... 133
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces................... 269
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 270Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy.... 172
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 76
Electrical Power Outlets................... 142
Electronic Brake Control System............. 280
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses).... 403
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 128
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 284
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 157
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 168
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 35
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 359
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 338
Jacking............................. 345
Jump Starting......................... 356
Overheating.......................... 338
Towing ............................. 360
Emergency Trunk Release................... 35
448 INDEX

Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 376
Air Conditioning...................... 236
Engine Oil........................375,415
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 375
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 338
Turn Signal...................... 69,122,158
Flash-To-Pass........................... 123
Flat Tire Changing....................... 345
Flooded Engine Starting................... 249
Fluid, Brake........................... 416
Fluid Capacities......................... 414
Fluid Leaks............................. 69
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission................. 393
Brake.............................. 390
Cooling System....................... 384
Engine Oil........................... 372Power Steering........................ 273
Fluids ................................ 415
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 415
FogLights ..........................121,160
Folding Rear Seat........................ 116
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 359
Fuel................................. 316
Adding............................. 321
Additives ............................ 319
CleanAir ............................ 317
Conserving.......................... 172
Ethanol............................. 317
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 321
Gasoline............................ 316
Gauge.............................. 156
Materials Added....................... 319
Methanol............................ 317
Octane Rating......................316,415
Requirements......................... 316
450 INDEX