check engine light DODGE CHALLENGER 2011 3.G User Guide

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light” (MIL). It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and drivability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
”gASCAP” message will display in the odometer or a
“Check Gascap” message will display in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) (if equipped). If this
occurs, tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Trip Odometer button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the MIL.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not
on when the engine is running, and that the OBD II
system is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may
notbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387

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.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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S440 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 145
Bulb Replacement ..................... 426,427
Bulbs, Light .......................... 84,426
Calibration, Compass ..................... 197
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 433
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 330
Oil (Engine) ........................ 392
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 405
Car Washes ............................ 413
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............80,325
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 332
Cellular Phone ........................ 94,238
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 431
Certification Label ....................... 332
Chains, Tire ............................ 309
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 360
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 292 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)
............... 387
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 80
Checks, Safety ........................... 80
Child Restraint .................. 70,71,72,75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,75
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 322
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 415
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 398
Clock ............................. 205,214
Cold Weather Operation ................... 257
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 237
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 304
Compass .............................. 197
Compass Calibration ..................... 197
Compass Variance ....................... 198
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 193
468 INDEX

Checking Oil Level................... 390
Compartment .................... 384,385
Compartment Identification ............. 384
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 402,434
Cooling ........................... 402
Exhaust Gas Caution ................80,325
Fails to Start ........................ 258
Flooded, Starting ..................... 258
Fuel Requirements .................... 321
Jump Starting ....................... 370
Oil ......................... 390,433,434
Oil Change Interval ................ 182,391
Oil Filler Cap ....................... 392
Oil Filter ........................... 393
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 393
Oil Selection ..................... 391,433
Oil Synthetic ........................ 393
Overheating ........................ 349
Starting ........................... 252 Temperature Gauge
................... 177
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 392
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ................. 392
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 66
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 322
Event Data Recorder ...................... 69
Exhaust Gas Caution ................... 80,325
Exhaust System ....................... 80,399
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 91
Exterior Lighting ........................ 139
Exterior Lights .......................... 84
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 330
Filters Air Cleaner ......................... 393
Air Conditioning ..................... 245
Engine Oil ....................... 393,434
Engine Oil Disposal ................... 393
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INDEX 471

Flash-To-Pass........................... 144
Flashers Hazard Warning ..................... 349
Turn Signal .................... 84,143,178
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 360
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ...................... 329
Engine Oil ......................... 328
Fuel Requirements ................. 326,327
Maintenance ........................ 329
Replacement Parts .................... 329
Starting ........................... 329
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 258
Fluid Capacities ......................... 433
Fluid Leaks ............................. 84
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ................ 411
Brake ............................. 408
Cooling System ...................... 402 Engine Oil
......................... 390
Fluid, Brake ........................... 435
Fluids ................................ 434
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 434
Fog Lights .......................... 142,181
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 136
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 374
Fuel ................................. 321
Adding ........................... 330
Additives .......................... 324
Clean Air .......................... 322
Conserving ......................... 193
Ethanol ........................... 322
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................. 330
Gasoline ........................... 321
Gauge ............................ 176
Materials Added ..................... 324
Methanol .......................... 322
Octane Rating .................... 321,434
472 INDEX

Courtesy/Reading................. 144,152
Cruise ............................ 176
Daytime Running .................... 141
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...........143,144
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 290
Electronic Throttle Control Warning ....... 177
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 179
Exterior ............................ 84
Fog ............................ 142,181
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 349
Headlight Switch ..................... 139
Headlights ...................... 139,427
Headlights On Reminder ............... 142
Headlights On With Wipers ..........140,148
High Beam ...................... 144,180
High Beam Indicator .................. 180
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............ 144
Illuminated Entry ..................... 20
Instrument Cluster ................. 139,176Intensity Control
..................... 145
Interior ......................... 145,152
License ............................ 432
Lights On Reminder .................. 142
Low Fuel .......................... 187
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 187
Map Reading ..................... 144,152
Oil Pressure ........................ 180
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ........ 145
Passing ............................ 144
Reading ........................ 144,152
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 180
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 185
Service ......................... 426,427
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 187
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 185
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......185,312
Traction Control ..................... 290
476 INDEX

Turn Signal.................... 84,143,178
Vanity Mirror ........................ 92
Voltage ............................ 176
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 176
Loading Vehicle ...................... 332,334
Capacities .......................... 334
Tires .............................. 296
Locks ................................. 30
Auto Unlock ......................... 33
Automatic Door ...................... 32
Door .............................. 30
Power Door ......................... 31
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 312
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH) ..................... 73,75
Lubrication, Body ....................... 397
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 394
Maintenance Procedures ................... 389 Maintenance Schedule
.................... 438
Maintenance, General ..................... 389
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 162
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 187,387
Manual Transmission ...............260,410,412
Fluid Level Check ................. 410,412
Manual, Service ......................... 461
Map/Reading Lights .................. 144,152
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 408
Methanol ............................. 322
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 193
Mirrors ................................ 89
Automatic Dimming ................... 90
Electric Powered ...................... 91
Electric Remote ....................... 91
Exterior Folding ...................... 91
Heated ............................. 92
Outside ............................ 90
Vanity ............................. 92
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INDEX 477