automatic transmission DODGE CHARGER 2008 6.G User Guide

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of ªPº or
ªNº if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.
Automatic Transmission Ð General Information
The automatic transmission selects individual gears au-
tomatically, dependent upon:
²Altitude
²Vehicle Loading
²Driving Style
²Selector lever position
²Accelerator position
²Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, de-
pendent on the driving style, the driving situation, and
the road characteristics.
NOTE:
²After selecting any driving position, wait a moment to
allow the gear to engage fully before accelerating,
especially when the engine is cold.
²If there is a need to restart the engine, be sure to cycle
the key to the LOCK position before restarting. Trans-
mission engagement may be delayed up to 10 seconds
after restart if the key is not cycled to the LOCK
position first.
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²The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt or soft until after the
break-in period. This is a normal condition, and pre-
cision shifts will develop within a few shift cycles.
The selector lever is automatically locked while in the
ªPº (Park) position. To move the selector lever out of the
ªPº (Park) position, the brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.
Shift the selector lever to the desired position only when
the engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise accelerate quickly when the selec-
tor lever is in ªDº (Drive) or ªRº (Reverse) position.WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into ªPº (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
selector lever is locked in the ªPº (Park) position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave children unat-
tended inside a vehicle.
Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission exceeds
normal operating temperature, the transmission will
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tab, which can be accessed through a hole inside the bin.
While the override is pressed, the shifter can be moved
out of the ªPº (Park) position without pressing the brake.
After operation, return the rubber storage tray to its
original position.
4 Speed Automatic Transmission
Shifting from ªDº (Drive) to ªPº (Park) or ªRº (Reverse)
(or from P or R to D) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.
Gear Ranges
ªPº (Park)
ªPº (Park) supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Selector Lever
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Never use ªPº (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the ªPº (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in ªPº (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
park. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.WARNING!
Never use ªPº (Park) position on an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector lever into the ªPº (Park)
position:
²When shifting into ªP' (Park) move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
²Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument
panel to ensure it is in the ªPº (Park) position.
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Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops, or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
²The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1±3 miles [1.6±4.8 km] of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into ªOverdriveº when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pulling the selector
lever into the ª3º position will show that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into and out of ªOverdrive.º
²If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and it will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from ªPº (Park) into any other gear
position.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
The transmission is monitored for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could cause damage, the
transmission automatically shifts into second gear. The
transmission remains in second gear despite the forward
gear selected. ªPº (Park), ªRº (Reverse), and ªNº (Neu-
tral) will continue to operate. This Reset feature allows
the vehicle to be driven to a dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
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If the problem has been momentary, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears.
²Stop the vehicle and shift into ªPº (Park).
²Turn the key to LOCK then start the engine.
²Shift into ªDº (Drive) and resume driving.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, dealer service is
required.
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
Shifting from ªDº (Drive) to ªPº (Park) or ªRº (Reverse)
(or from ªPº or ªRº to ªDº) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.
Selector Lever
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Gear Ranges
ªPº (Park)
ªPº (Park) supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use ªPº (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the ªPº (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in ªPº (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
park. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels
toward the curb on a downhill grade and away from the
curb on an uphill grade.
WARNING!
Never use ªPº (Park) position on an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector lever into the ªPº (Park)
position:
²When shifting into ªPº (Park) move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
²Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument
panel to ensure it is in the ªPº (Park) position.
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ªDº (Drive)
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 fifth
gear. The ªDº (Drive) position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoSticktmode and select the ª3º
range.
AutoSticktGear selection
The AutoSticktfeature can be selected by pressing the
selector lever to the right or the left with the lever in the
ªDº (Drive) position. The gear currently selected is
indicated in the instrument cluster display. Briefly, pressthe selector lever in the ªD -º direction and the transmis-
sion will shift from the current gear to the next lower
gear.
Press and hold the selector lever in the ªD-º direction and
the transmission will shift from the current gear directly
to the next lowest gear for best acceleration.
NOTE:To avoid overrevving the engine when the
selector lever is moved in ªD -º direction, the transmis-
sion will not shift to a lower gear if the engine's revolu-
tions per minute (RPM) limit would be exceeded.
Briefly, press the selector lever in the ªD +º direction and
the transmission will shift from the current gear to the
next higher gear.
Press and hold the selector lever in the ªD +º direction
and the transmission will shift from the current gear
directly to gear ªD.º
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selector lever to the Left (-) triggers a downshift and to
the Right (+) an upshift. The gear position will display in
the instrument cluster on the transmission range indica-
tor.
You can shift in or out of the Autosticktmode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you
choose the Overdrive mode, the transmission will oper-
ate automatically, shifting between the five available
gears. When you wish to engage Autostick,tsimply
move the selector lever to the Right or Left (D+/D-) while
in the D (Drive) position. The transmission will remain in
the current gear until an upshift or downshift is chosen.
AutostickTÐ 5.7L Engine
Autosticktis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting to provide you with more control of
the vehicle. Autosticktallows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This systemcan also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutosticktOperation
By placing the selector lever in the D (Drive) position, it
can be moved from side to side. This allows the driver to
select a specific gear. Moving the selector lever to the Left
(-) triggers a downshift and to the Right (+) an upshift.
The gear position will display in the instrument cluster
on the transmission range indicator.
NOTE:In Autosticktmode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when the driver moves the selector
lever to the Right (D+) or Left (D-).
You can shift in or out of the Autosticktmode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. When
you wish to engage Autostickt, simply move the selector
lever to the Left or Right (D-/D+) while in the D (Drive)
position. To disengage Autostickt, hold the selector lever
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to the right for at least one second. The transmission will
now operate automatically, shifting between the five
available gears.
²You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autosticktis en-
gaged.
²The transmission will automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autosticktis
engaged.
²Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autosticktis engaged.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control.
The front wheels provide 38% of the torque, and the rear
wheels provide 62% of the torque. The system is auto-
matic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills
required.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
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