spare tire DODGE CHALLENGER 2018 Owner's Manual

Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires to
help you in determining when your tires should be re-
placed.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes a 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm). When the tread isworn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be
replaced. Refer to “Replacement Tires” in this section for
further information.
Life Of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying factors
including, but not limited to:
•
Driving style.
• Tire pressure - Improper cold tire inflation pressures can
cause uneven wear patterns to develop across the tire
tread. These abnormal wear patterns will reduce tread
life, resulting in the need for earlier tire replacement.
• Distance driven.
• Performance tires, tires with a speed rating of V or
higher, and Summer tires typically have a reduced tread
life. Rotation of these tires per the vehicle scheduled
maintenance is highly recommended.
WARNING!
Tires and the spare tire should be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to
follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure.
(Continued)
Tire Tread
1—WornTire
2—NewTire 372 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Snow Tires
Some areas of the country require the use of snow tires
during the Winter. Snow tires can be identified by a
“mountain/snowflake” symbol on the tire sidewall.If you need snow tires, select tires
equivalent in size and type to the origi-
nal equipment tires. Use snow tires only
in sets of four; failure to do so may
adversely affect the safety and handling
of your vehicle.
Snow tires generally have lower speed ratings than what
was originally equipped with your vehicle and should not
be operated at sustained speeds over 75 mph (120 km/h).
For speeds above 75 mph (120 km/h) refer to original
equipment or an authorized tire dealer for recommended
safe operating speeds, loading and cold tire inflation
pressures.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid and
traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded tires. Some states prohibit stud-
ded tires; therefore, local laws should be checked before
using these tire types.
Spare Tires — If Equipped
NOTE: For vehicles equipped with Tire Service Kit instead
of a spare tire, please refer to “Tire Service Kit” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with a
compact or limited use temporary spare installed.
Damage to the vehicle may result.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire And
Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire and wheel
equivalent in look and function to the original equipment
tire and wheel found on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle. This spare tire may be used in the tire rotation for
your vehicle. If your vehicle has this option, refer to an
authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire rotation
pattern.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 375

Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use only. You
can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a compact spare
by looking at the spare tire description on the Tire and
Loading Information Placard located on the driver ’s side
door opening or on the sidewall of the tire. Compact spare
tire descriptions begin with the letter “T” or “S” preceding
the size designation. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original equipment
tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare tire.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire and wheel
on the vehicle at any given time.
WARNING!
Compact and collapsible spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares
have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire
needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings,
which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result
in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Collapsible Spare Tire — If Equipped
The collapsible spare is for temporary emergency use only.
You can identify if your vehicle is equipped with a collaps-
ible spare by looking at the spare tire description on the
Tire and Loading Information Placard located on the
driver ’s side door opening or on the sidewall of the tire.
Collapsible spare tire description example: 165/80-17 101P.
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original equipment
tire should be repaired (or replaced) and reinstalled on
your vehicle at the first opportunity.
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is properly
installed to the vehicle. Inflate the collapsible tire using the
electric air pump before lowering the vehicle.
376 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the collapsible spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the collapsible spare tire.
WARNING!
Compact and Collapsible spares are for temporary
emergency use only. With these spares, do not drive
more than 50 mph (80 km/h). Temporary use spares
have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to the
tread wear indicators, the temporary use spare tire
needs to be replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings,
which apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result
in spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
Full Size Spare — If Equipped
The full size spare is for temporary emergency use only.
This tire may look like the originally equipped tire on the
front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not. This spare
tire may have limited tread life. When the tread is worn to
the tread wear indicators, the temporary use full size spare
tire needs to be replaced. Since it is not the same as your
original equipment tire, replace (or repair) the original
equipment tire and reinstall on the vehicle at the first
opportunity.
Limited Use Spare — If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
only. This tire is identified by a label located on the limited
use spare wheel. This label contains the driving limitations
for this spare. This tire may look like the original equipped
tire on the front or rear axle of your vehicle, but it is not.
Installation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle
handling. Since it is not the same as your original equip-
ment tire, replace (or repair) the original equipment tire
and reinstall on the vehicle at the first opportunity.
WARNING!
Limited use spares are for emergency use only. Instal-
lation of this limited use spare tire affects vehicle
handling. With this tire, do not drive more than the
speed listed on the limited use spare wheel. Keep
inflated to the cold tire inflation pressures listed on
your Tire and Loading Information Placard located on
the driver ’s side B-Pillar or the rear edge of the driver ’s
side door. Replace (or repair) the original equipment
tire at the first opportunity and reinstall it on your
vehicle. Failure to do so could result in loss of vehicle
control.8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 377

CAUTION!(Continued)
important that only traction devices in good condi-
tion are used. Broken devices can cause serious
damage. Stop the vehicle immediately if noise occurs
that could indicate device breakage. Remove the
damaged parts of the device before further use.
• Install device as tightly as possible and then re-
tighten after driving about ½ mile (0.8 km).
• Do not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Drive cautiously and avoid severe turns and large
bumps, especially with a loaded vehicle.
• Do not drive for prolonged period on dry pavement.
• Observe the traction device manufacturer ’s instruc-
tions on the method of installation, operating speed,
and conditions for use. Always use the suggested
operating speed of the device manufacturer ’s if it is
less than 30 mph (48 km/h).
• Do not use traction devices on a compact spare tire.
Tire Rotation Recommendations
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving, and
braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at unequal
rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires. The
benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with aggres-
sive tread designs such as those on all season type tires.
Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain mud,
snow and wet traction levels, and contribute to a smooth,
quiet ride.
Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in “Servicing And Mainte-
nance” for the proper maintenance intervals. The reasons
for any rapid or unusual wear should be corrected prior to
rotation being performed.
The suggested rotation method is the “rearward cross”
shown in the following diagram. This rotation pattern does
not apply to some directional tires that must not be
reversed.
380 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Caps, FillerFuel ................................. .250
Oil (Engine) ........................ .329, 337
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) .................351
Carbon Monoxide Warning ................188, 396
Cargo Vehicle Loading ......................... .251
Car Washes .............................. .383
Cellular Phone ........................... .469
Certification Label ......................... .251
Chains, Tire ............................. .379
Changing A Flat Tire ....................... .358
Chart, Tire Sizing .......................... .360
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) ....119
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............187
Checks, Safety ............................ .187
Child Restraint ........................... .171
Child Restraints Booster Seats ........................... .175
Child Seat Installation .....................184
How To Stow An unused ALR Seat Belt ........181
Infant And Child Restraints .................173
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children .......177
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........174
Seating Positions ........................ .176Clean Air Gasoline
........................ .393
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .378
Climate Control ............................64
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .199
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................489
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .376
Contract, Service .......................... .494
Cooling Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ............351
Cooling System ........................... .349
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................350
Coolant Level ....................... .349, 352
Cooling Capacity ........................ .396
Disposal
Of Used Coolant ..................352
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................349
Inspection ............................. .352
Points To Remember ..................... .352
Pressure Cap ........................... .351
Radiator Cap .......................... .351
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......350, 396, 398
Corrosion Protection ....................... .382
Cruise Control (Speed Control) ..............219, 222
Cruise Light ..............................117
Customer Assistance ....................... .492
Customer Programmable Features ...............405
500 INDEX

Seats............................ .39, 41, 42, 44
Adjustment .......................... .39, 41
Head Restraints ....................... .46, 47
Heated .................................42
Height Adjustment ........................41
Power .................................41
Rear Folding ......................... .39, 45
Seatback Release ...................... .39, 45
Tilting ........................... .39, 41, 44
Vented .................................43
Ventilated ...............................43
Security Alarm ......................... .31, 110
Arm The System ..........................31
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............398
Sentry Key Key Programming .........................30
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ......................29
Sentry Key Replacement ....................22, 30
Service Assistance ......................... .492
Service Contract .......................... .494
Service Manuals .......................... .496
Shift Indicator Light ........................ .207
Shifting ................................ .207
Automatic Transmission ................207, 209
Shoulder Belts ............................ .150Side View Mirror Adjustment
...................51
Signals, Turn ....................... .58, 117, 191
Siri .................................... .483
SiriusXM Guardian Vehicle Health Alert ...................... .481
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ....................379
Snow Tires .............................. .375
Spare Tires .....................291, 375, 376, 377
Spark Plugs ............................. .398
Specifications Fuel (Gasoline) ......................... .398
Oil.................................. .398
Speed Control Accel/Decel ........................ .220, 221
Cancel ............................... .222
Resume .............................. .222
S

et .................................. .220
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ..........219, 220, 222
Sport Mode .............................. .218
Starting ............................. .196, 197
Automatic Transmission ....................196
Button .................................23
Cold Weather .......................... .199
Engine Fails To Start ..................... .199
Starting And Operating ...................196, 197
12
INDEX 509

Starting Procedures..................... .196, 197
Steering ..................................48
Column Lock ............................48
Power ............................... .218
Tilt Column .......................... .48, 49
Wheel, Heated ...........................50
Wheel, Tilt .......................... .48, 49
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .................468
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . . . .468
Storage ................................. .382
Storage, Vehicle ........................ .71, 382
Storing Your Vehicle ....................... .382
Stuck, Freeing .............................311
Sun Roof .................................75
Supplemental Restraint System – Air Bag ..........160
Synthetic Engine Oil ....................... .337
Telescoping Steering Column ................48, 49
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ............70
Tilt Steering Column ..................... .48, 49
Time Delay Headlight ...............................56
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............364
Tire Markings ............................ .358
Tires......................... .190, 368, 375, 381Aging (Life Of Tires)
..................... .372
Air Pressure ........................... .368
Chains ............................... .379
Changing ....................290, 293, 297, 358
Compact Spare ......................... .376
Flat Changing .......................... .297
General Information ...................368, 375
High Speed ............................ .370
Inflation Pressure ....................... .369
Jacking ........................ .292, 293, 358
Life Of Tires ........................... .372
Load Capacity ...................... .364, 365
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........114,141
Quality Grading ........................ .381
Radial ............................... .370
Replacement ........................ .297,

373
Rotation .............................. .380
Safety ............................ .358, 368
Sizes ................................ .360
Snow Tires ............................ .375
Spare Tires ..................... .291, 375, 377
Spinning .............................. .371
Trailer Towing .......................... .258
Tread Wear Indicators .....................372
Wheel Mounting ........................ .297
510 INDEX