automatic transmission DODGE CHALLENGER SRT 2016 3.G Owner's Guide

WARNING!(Continued)
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always shift an
automatic transmission into PARK, or a manual
transmission into FIRST gear or REVERSE, turn
the engine OFF, apply the parking brake, and
remove the ignition key. Always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in “OFF” mode. When the
ignition is in the OFF mode, an automatic transmis-
sion is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob and lock your vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the gear selector out of PARK, you
must start the engine and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could
result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
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CAUTION!(Continued)
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain or traveling into strong head winds),
use the AutoStick shift control (refer to AutoStickin this
section for further information) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified depend-
ing on engine and transmission temperature as well as
vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
MANUAL (M)
The MANUAL (M, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE
position) enables full manual control of transmission
shifting (also known as AutoStick mode; refer to
“AutoStick” in this section for further information). Tog-
gling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward (+) while
in the MANUAL (AutoStick) position will manually
select the transmission gear, and will display the current
gear in the instrument cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc.
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Operation
When the gear selector is in the DRIVE (D) position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the eight available gears. To activate AutoStick, move the
gear selector into the MANUAL (M) position (beside the
DRIVE position). The current transmission gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster, along with a high-
lightedM(Manual) indication. When the gear selector
is in the MANUAL (M) position, tap the gear selector
forward (-) (or tap the (-) shift paddle on the steering
wheel) to downshift the transmission to the next lower
gear, (or tap the lever rearward (+) or tap the (+) shift
paddle), to command an upshift. NOTE:
Tapping one of the steering wheel-mounted shift
paddles (+/-), while the gear selector is in DRIVE, will
activate a temporary AutoStick mode. Tapping (-) to
enter AutoStick mode will downshift the transmission to
the next lower gear, while using (+) to enter AutoStick
mode will retain the current gear. The current gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster, but the Mwill not
be highlighted. The transmission will revert back to
normal operation (if the gear selector remains in DRIVE)
after a period of time, depending on accelerator pedal
activity.
In AutoStick mode, the transmission will shift up or
down when (+/-) is manually selected by the driver
(using the gear selector, or the shift paddles), unless an
engine lugging or overspeed condition would result. It
will remain in the selected gear until another upshift or
downshift is chosen, except as described below.
398 STARTING AND OPERATING

•In temporary AutoStick mode (gear selector in
DRIVE), the transmission will automatically shift up
when maximum engine speed is reached. Lack of
accelerator pedal activity will cause the transmission
to revert to automatic operation.
• If normal AutoStick mode is engaged (gear selector in
MANUAL position), manual gear selection will be
maintained until the gear selector is returned to
DRIVE, or as described below. The transmission will
not upshift automatically at redline in this mode, nor
will downshifts be obtained if the accelerator pedal is
pressed to the floor.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear. •
The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
• You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.
Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear can be helpful in
snowy or icy conditions.
• If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
over-speed, that shift will not occur.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
• Holding the (-) paddle depressed, or holding the gear
selector in the (-) position, will downshift the trans-
mission to the lowest gear possible at the current
speed.
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•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
• The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a
fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear selector to
the DRIVE position, or press and hold the (+) shift paddle
(if the gear selector is already in DRIVE) until “D” is once
again indicated in the instrument cluster. You can shift in
or out of the AutoStick mode at any time without taking
your foot off the accelerator pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
DRIVE MODES
Your SRT vehicle is equipped with a SRT Drive Mode
feature. This feature gives the driver control over the
systems in the vehicle which affect its performance,
enabling the driver to tune it for desired driving sce-
narios. Below are the modes of operation:
NOTE: Refer to “Drive Modes” in “Understanding Your
Instrument Panel” for further descriptions of these
modes.
400 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•This selection is available with the RED or BLACK
RKE Key Fob “500 HP”.
• When selecting 500 HP, the vehicle will lock into
“Street” mode. Eco and Valet mode are still selectable.
• DEFAULT MODE — This mode will be activated
automatically when restarting the vehicle unless Valet
mode or ECO mode (if equipped) is active. This mode
is for typical driving conditions where the ABS and
Transmission will be operating in their STREET set-
tings, which cannot be changed while in this mode.
The Steering (electric power steering — if equipped)
assist and Suspension (active dampening system) stiff-
ness may be configured to either the STREET, SPORT
or TRACK settings within this mode. Steering wheel
mounted paddle shifters may be enabled or disabled
while in this mode as well. •
VALET MODE — To enter this mode the operator
must select it from the Drive Modes interface and enter
a four digit PIN code. The PIN code is not predeter-
mined, so the operator is free to select any four digit
numeric combination that will be easy to remember.
While in Valet Mode the following vehicle configura-
tions are set and locked to prevent unauthorized
modification:
• Engine limited to a lowest power output state.
• Transmission locks out access to first gear and shifts
earlier than normal.
• Traction, Steering and Suspension are forced to
STREET settings.
• Steering wheel mounted paddle shifters are disabled.
• The SRT Drive Modes are not available. Pushing the
SRT button will display the unlock keypad.
404 STARTING AND OPERATING

•The ESC Off button is disabled.
• The Launch Control button is disabled.
NOTE:
• To exit VALET Mode the operator must enter the same
four digit PIN that was used to enter the mode. The
unlock keypad can be accessed by either pushing the
SRT button or selecting to disable Valet on the
Uconnect touchscreen.
• The vehicle will restart with VALET active if VALET
was active when the vehicle was last shut down.
• Eco (Automatic Transmission only) — Eco modifies
the vehicle’s engine and transmission settings to pro-
vide improved fuel economy at a trade-off with accel-
eration performance. Increased engine exhaust noise
and/or vibration may be noticed while Eco is active,
this is normal and will not damage the vehicle. NOTE:
Changing the Drive Mode will deactivate Eco.
Launch Mode — If Equipped
This vehicle is equipped with a Launch Control system
that is designed to allow the driver to achieve maximum
vehicle acceleration in a straight line. Launch Control is a
form of traction control that manages tire slip while
launching the vehicle. This feature is intended for use
during race events on a closed course where consistent
quarter mile and zero to sixty times are desired. The
system is not intended to compensate for lack of driver
experience or familiarity with the race track. Use of this
feature in low traction (cold, wet, gravel, etc.) conditions
may results in excess wheel slip outside this systems
control resulting in an aborted launch.
NOTE:Launch mode is not available within the first 500
miles of engine break-in.
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Preconditions:
•Launch control should not be used on public roads.
Always check track conditions and the surrounding
area.
• Launch mode is not available within the first 500 miles
of engine break-in.
• Launch Control should only be used when the engine
and transmission are at operating temperature.
• Launch Control is intended to be used on dry, paved
road surfaces only. Use on slippery or loose surfaces
may cause damage to vehicle components and is not
recommended.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed: 1. Push the LAUNCH button on the center stack switch
bank.
NOTE: Pushing the SRT button on the center stack or
pressing the “Apps” button on the touchscreen are two
other options to access launch control features. Please
refer to “Drive Modes” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
2. Press the “Launch RPM Set-Up” button on the touch- screen. This screen will allow you to adjust your
launch RPM’s for optimum launch/traction.
3. Press the “Activate Launch Mode” button on the touchscreen.
4. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
5. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
6. Hold the brake and make sure the vehicle is in “Drive”.
406 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:This system may take some time to return to full
functionality after a battery disconnect.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
PARK or REVERSE (manual transmission only) position.
When the parking brake is applied and the ignition
switch is in the ON position (RUN position with Keyless
Enter-N-Go), the “Brake Warning Light” in the instru-
ment cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:
• When the parking brake is applied and the transmis-
sion is placed in gear, the “Brake Warning Light” will
flash. If vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound
to alert the driver. Fully release the parking brake
before attempting to move the vehicle. •
This light only shows that the parking brake is ap-
plied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. For vehicles equipped
with an automatic transmission, apply the parking brake
before placing the gear selector in PARK, otherwise the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the gear selector out of PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
The foot operated parking brake is positioned below the
lower left corner of the instrument panel. To release the
parking brake, pull the parking brake release handle.
418 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
The foot operated parking brake is located below the lower
left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the park brake,
firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To release the
parking brake, press the park brake pedal a second time
and let your foot up as you feel the brake disengage.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position of an automatic
transmission as a substitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake fully when parked
(Continued)
Manual Transmission Parking Brake ReleaseAutomatic Transmission Parking Brake
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