battery DODGE CHALLENGER SRT 2018 Owner's Guide

WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is ON. You can be injured by moving fan
blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Apply the parking brake, shift into PARK (automatic transmission) or FIRST GEAR (manual transmission)
and cycle the ignition to OFF.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
3. If using another vehicle to jump start the battery, park the vehicle within the jumper cables reach, set the
parking brake and make sure the ignition is OFF.
WARNING!
Do not allow vehicles to touch each other as this could
establish a ground connection and personal injury
could result.
Jump Starting Procedure
WARNING!
Failure to follow this jump starting procedure could
result in personal injury or property damage due to
battery explosion.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.
Connecting The Jumper Cables
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable to the
remote positive (+)post of the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery.
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2. Connect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable to the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative (-)end of the jumper cable to the
negative (-)post of the booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper
cable to the remote negative (-)post of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.
WARNING!
Do not connect the jumper cable to the negative (-) post
of the discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury. Only use the specific ground point, do
not use any other exposed metal parts.
5. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery. 6. Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
Disconnecting The Jumper Cables
1. Disconnect the negative (-)end of the jumper cable from
the remote negative (-)post of the vehicle with the
discharged battery.
2. Disconnect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper
cable from the negative (-)post of the booster battery.
3. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable from
the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
4. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper
cable from the remote positive (+)post of the vehicle
with the discharged battery.
If frequent jump starting is required to start your vehicle
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at an authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular devices, etc.). Eventually, if plugged
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 305

CAUTION!(Continued)
in long enough without engine operation, the vehicle’s
battery will discharge sufficiently to degrade battery
life and/or prevent the engine from starting.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate action.
•On the highways — slow down.
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle speed
while preventing vehicle motion with the brakes.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
• You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If you
see or hear steam coming from under the hood, do not
open the hood until the radiator has had time to cool.
Never try to open a cooling system pressure cap when
the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage your
vehicle. If the temperature gauge reads HOT (H), pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on HOT
(H), and you hear continuous chimes, turn the engine
off immediately and call for service.
306 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 SPEED
TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake before activating the Manual Park Re-
lease. In addition, you should be seated in the driver’s
seat with your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
activating the Manual Park Release. Activating the
Manual Park Release will allow your vehicle to roll
away if it is not secured by the parking brake, or by
proper connection to a tow vehicle. Activating the
Manual Park Release on an unsecured vehicle could
lead to serious injury or death for those in or around
the vehicle.
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the transmis-
sion will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead battery), a
Manual Park Release is available. Follow these steps to use the Manual Park Release:
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the console storage bin to access the Manual
Park Release lever.
3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, fish the tether strap up through the opening in the console base.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
Console Storage Bin
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 307

If the key fob is unavailable, or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to “Manual Park Release” in this section
for instructions on shifting the automatic transmission out
of PARK for towing.
Manual Transmission
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be flat towed (with all four
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
If the transmission is not operable, then the only acceptable
method of towing is with a flatbed truck.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System (EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record data that
will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed under certain crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).
312 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................315
▫ 6.2L Supercharged And 6.4L Engines .........315
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................320
▫ 6.2L Supercharged Engine ................320
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .321
▫ Checking Oil Level .....................322
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................322
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................322
 DEALER SERVICE ...................... .324
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .324
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .326
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................326
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............327
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............329▫
Body Lubrication ..................... .331
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................331
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .334
▫ Cooling System ....................... .336
▫ Brake System ........................ .340
▫ Clutch Hydraulic System — Manual Transmission
(If Equipped) ......................... .342
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........342
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......342
▫ Rear Axle ........................... .344
 RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................344
 TIRES ............................... .344
▫ T
ire Safety Information ..................344
▫ Tires — General Information ..............354
8

At Each Stop For Fuel
•Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in this chapter for further information.
• Check the windshield washer solvent and add if re-
quired.
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 (6.2L only), 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.
316 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT
6.2L Supercharged Engine
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir7 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover
2 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 8 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 9 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Intercooler Fluid Reservoir 10 — Power Steering Reservoir (If Equipped)
5 — Engine Oil Fill 11 — Engine Oil Dipstick
6 — Engine Coolant Pressure Cap 12 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post)
320 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

6.4L Engine
1 — Washer Fluid Reservoir6 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover
2 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post) 7 — Engine Coolant Reservoir
3 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 8 — Air Cleaner Filter
4 — Remote Jump Start (Negative Battery Post) 9 — Engine Coolant Pressure Cap
5 — Engine Oil Fill 10 — Engine Oil Dipstick
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 321

Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must be
maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as once a month. 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 in the “SAFE” range. Adding 1.0 quart (1 liter) of
oil when the reading is at the bottom of the “SAFE” range
will result in an oil level at the top of the “SAFE” range on
these engines.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling the crankcase will cause
aeration or loss of oil pressure. This could damage your
engine.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
front of the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid
level at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield
washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze) and operate the
system for a few seconds to flush out the residual water.When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply some
washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the wiper blades
clean. This will help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system in
cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This rating
information can be found on most washer fluid containers.
The fluid reservoir will hold nearly 1 gallon (4 liters) of
washer fluid when the message “Low Washer Fluid”
appears in the instrument cluster.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around the
washer solution.
Maintenance-Free Battery
Your vehicle is equipped with a maintenance-free battery.
You will never have to add water, nor is periodic mainte-
nance required.
322 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE