towing DODGE CHARGER 2014 7.G Owner's Guide

If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the trans-
mission fluid and filter as specified for “police, taxi, fleet,
or frequent trailer towing(five-speed transmission
only). Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Electronic Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use in 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.
AutoStick® — If Equipped
• When using the AutoStick® shift control, select the
highest gear that allows for adequate performance and avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “4” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or
“2” if needed to maintain the desired speed.
• To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as neces-
sary 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 over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, shift the trans-
mission into NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 501

Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground,
or using a tow dolly) isNOT ALLOWED. The only
acceptable method for towing this vehicle (behind an-
other vehicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels
OFF the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission and/or transfer
case damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
502 STARTING AND OPERATING

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE ...........527
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) Models ...........529▫
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Models ..........529
▫ Without The Key Fob ...................530
504 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial wrecker service.
Towing Condition Wheels OFF theGroundRWD MODELS AWD MODELS
Flat Tow NONEIF Transmission is operable:
• Transmission in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph (48 km/h) max
speed
• 15 mi (24 km) maxdistance
(5-speed trans)
• 30 mi (48 km) maxdistance
(8-speed trans) NOT ALLOWED
Wheel Lift Front NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK
•Ignition in ON/RUN
position
• Transmission in NEU-
TRAL
Flatbed ALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 527

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains is
mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the vehicle’s battery is discharged, refer to “Manual
Park Release” or “Shift Lever Override” in this section for
instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK for
towing.CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Damage to the fascia will occur.
• When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do not
attach to the front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
• Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
• The ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN posi-
tion, not in the OFF or ACC position.
• If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON/RUN position,
not in the OFF or ACC position.
• The manufacturer does not recommend towing this
vehicle using a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may
occur.
528 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

All Wheel Drive (AWD) Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, vehicles
equipped with AWD can also be towed with the ignition
in the ON/RUN position, the transmission in NEUTRAL
(not in PARK!), and the rear wheels OFF the ground with
no limitation on speed or distance. Since the ignition
MUST be in the ON/RUN position to tow in this manner,
AWD vehicles must be towed with ALL FOUR wheels
OFF the ground (e.g. on a flatbed truck) if the Key Fob is
unavailable.
CAUTION!
•Towing this vehicle using any other method could
result in extensive damage to the transfer case
and/or transmission.
• Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, this vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 529

•The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 5-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km) for 5-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheels OFF the ground (on a flatbed, or with the rear
wheels raised using a wheel lift and the transmission in
NEUTRAL).
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe transmission damage. Dam-
age from improper towing is not covered under the
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Without The Key Fob
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. The only
approved method of towing without the Key Fob is with
a flatbed truck. Proper towing equipment is necessary to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
530 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.
CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
• If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 535

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
• When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or cycle the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at any time the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
• 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 is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
552 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Mileage or time passed (whichever 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
Inspect the transfer case fluid. Change the transfer
case fluid; if using your vehicle for any of the fol-
lowing: police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or frequent
trailer towing. (All Wheel Drive Only). XX
Additional Maintenance
Replace engine air filter. XX X XX
Replace cabin/air conditioning filter. X X X X X X X
Replace spark plugs (3.6L engine).** X
Replace spark plugs (5.7L engine).** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years
or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes
first. XX
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 595