trailer DODGE CHALLENGER 2018 Owner's Manual

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The transmission
controls include a drive strategy to avoid frequent shifting
when towing. However, if frequent shifting does occur
while in DRIVE, you can use the AutoStick shift control to
manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 261

AutoStick
•When using the AutoStick shift control, select the high-
est gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “5” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “4” or “3”
if needed to maintain the desired speed.
• To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as necessary
to avoid extended driving at high RPM. Return to a
higher gear or vehicle speed when grade and road
conditions allow.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
• Reduce speed.
• Temporarily turn off air conditioning.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME,
ETC.)
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground, or
using a tow dolly) is NOT ALLOWED. The only accept-
able method for towing this vehicle (behind another ve-
hicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels OFFthe
ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine, transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing
is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
262 STARTING AND OPERATING

SCHEDULED SERVICING
3.6L And 5.7L Engines
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (800 km).
The “Oil Change Required” message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.
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 thanyour authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350 hours of
engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a dusty and
off-road environment, or is operated predominantly at idle
or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before your next scheduled service.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 319

Mileage or time passed (which-ever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Change the transfer case fluid; if
using your vehicle for any of the
following: police, taxi, fleet, off-
road, or frequent trailer towing.
(All Wheel Drive Only). XX
Change the rear axle fluid and on
models equipped with All Wheel
Drive (AWD) change the front axle
fluid if using your vehicle for any of
the following: police, taxi, fleet,
off-road, or frequent trailer towing. XX X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if
necessary. X
* The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.WARNING!
•
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
(Continued)
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 323

Miles:6,000
12,000
18,000
24,000
30,000
36,000
42,000
48,000
54,000
60,000
66,000
72,000
78,000
84,000
90,000
96,000
102,000
108,000
114,000
120,000
126,000
132,000
138,000
144,000
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120 126 132 138 144 150
Or Kilometers:
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
160,000
170,000
180,000
190,000
200,000
210,000
220,000
230,000
240,000
250,000
Inspect the manual transmission fluid
(If Equipped). XXXXXXXX
Inspect the rear axle fluid. X X X X X X X X
Change the manual transmission fluid
(if equipped). XX X
Change the rear axle fluid if using your
vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet or frequent trailer towing. XX X
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X X X X X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X X X X X X X XXXX
Inspect and replace the PCV Valve if
necessary X
Replace the spark plugs –
6.4L Engine ** X
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 327

Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and sparetires.Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operat-
ing” section of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross
axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles
must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and
trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting
And Operating” section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer
tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 365

Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750
(5x150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consultthis manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and there will
be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 295 kg (635-
340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.
NOTE:
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The following
table shows examples on how to calculate total load,
cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle
with varying seating configurations and number and
size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes
only and may not be accurate for the seating and load
carry capacity of your vehicle.
• For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
366 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Run Flat Tires — If Equipped
Run Flat tires allow you the capability to drive 50 miles
(80 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h) after a rapid loss of inflation
pressure. This rapid loss of inflation is referred to as the
Run Flat mode. A Run Flat mode occurs when the tire
inflation pressure is of/or below 14 psi (96 kPa). Once a
Run Flat tire reaches the run flat mode it has limited
driving capabilities and needs to be replaced immediately.
A Run Flat tire is not repairable.
It is not recommended driving a vehicle loaded at full
capacity or to tow a trailer while a tire is in the run flat
mode.
See the tire pressure monitoring section for more informa-
tion.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping.
Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emer-
gency” for further information.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire damage or
failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) for more than 30 seconds continuously when
you are stuck, and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 371

Additives............................. .393
Clean Air ............................. .393
Ethanol .............................. .394
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ..................... .250
Gasoline .............................. .391
Materials Added ........................ .393
Methanol ............................. .394
Octane Rating ....................... .391, 398
Requirements .......................... .391
Specifications .......................... .398
Tank Capacity .......................... .396
Fueling ................................. .250
Fuses .................................. .278
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ................82
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .....................250
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................ .393
Gasoline, Reformulated ..................... .393
Gear Ranges ..............................211
Glass Cleaning ........................... .386
Gross Axle Weight Rating .................252, 254
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...............252, 253
GVWR ................................. .252Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ......................... .264
Hazard Warning Flashers .....................269
Headlights Automatic ..............................56
Cleaning .............................. .383
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........55
Lights On Reminder .......................57
On With Wipers ..........................56
Passing ................................55
Switch .................................54
Time Delay ..............................56
Washers .............................. .333
Head Restraints ......................... .46, 47
Head Rests ............................ .46, 47
Heated Mirrors .............................52
Heater ...................................64
Heater

, Engine Block ....................... .199
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch ......55
Hill Start Assist ........................... .129
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .256
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ................82
Hood Prop ................................78
12
INDEX 503

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