DODGE CHARGER 2015 7.G Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................393
▫Automatic Transmission................393
▫Keyless Enter-N-Go™..................394
▫Normal Starting.......................394
▫Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or
−29°C).............................396
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................396
▫After Starting........................398
!ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . .398
!AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION............398
▫Key Ignition Park Interlock...............400
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .400
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission.......401
!AUTOSTICK..........................408
▫Operation...........................408
!SPORT MODE — WITHOUT PERFORMANCE
CONTROL............................411
!ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED . .411
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........412
▫Acceleration.........................412
▫Traction............................413
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!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............414
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................414
▫Shallow Standing Water.................414
!ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.............416
!FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED..................417
!PARKING BRAKE......................418
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................420
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .421
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)............421
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............423
▫Brake Assist System (BAS)...............424
▫Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..........425
▫Hill Start Assist (HSA).................428
▫Ready Alert Braking...................430
▫Rain Brake Support....................430
▫ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESC OFF Indicator Light................431
▫Synchronizing ESC....................432
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............432
▫Tire Markings........................432
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........436
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........437
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........439
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........444
▫Tire Pressure........................444
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................446
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .447
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Radial Ply Tires......................447
▫Tire Types...........................448
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............450
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............450
▫Tire Spinning........................453
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................453
▫Life Of Tire.........................454
▫Replacement Tires.....................454
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......456
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....457
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .458
▫Premium System......................460
▫General Information...................464
!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................464
▫3.6L Engine — If Equipped...............464
▫5.7L Engine — If Equipped...............465
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................466
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............466
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......467
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................467
▫Materials Added To Fuel................468
▫Fuel System Cautions...................468
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............469
!FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED...........................470
▫E-85 General Information...............470
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STARTING AND OPERATING 391

▫Ethanol Fuel (E-85)....................470
▫Fuel Requirements....................471
▫Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles.............472
▫Starting............................472
▫Cruising Range.......................472
▫Replacement Parts....................472
▫Maintenance........................473
!ADDING FUEL........................473
▫Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release.........476
!VEHICLE LOADING....................477
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............477
▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......478
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........478
▫Overloading.........................478
▫Loading............................479
!TRAILER TOWING.....................479
▫Common Towing Definitions.............480
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............482
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)............................484
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............484
▫Towing Requirements..................486
▫Towing Tips.........................491
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................492
▫Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive......492
392 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•When leaving the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF position, remove the Key Fob
from the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Leaving children in
a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the trans-
mission gear selector.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not leave the Key Fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition (of a vehicle equipped with
Keyless Enter-N-Go™) in the ACC or ON/RUN
mode. A child could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 393

CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle
has come to a complete stop and the engine is at
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Keyless Enter-N-Go™
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the Remote
Start/Keyless Enter-N-Go™ Key Fob
is in the passenger compartment.
Normal Starting
Using The ENGINE START/STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK or NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the
ENGINE START/STOP button once.
394 STARTING AND OPERATING

3. The system takes over and attempts to start the
vehicle. If the vehicle fails to start, the starter will
disengage automatically after 10 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to
the engine starting, push the button again.
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine
is obtained without pumping or pressing the accelerator
pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the shift lever/gear selector in PARK, then press
and release the ENGINE START/STOP button.
2. The ignition switch will return to the OFF position.
3. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK, the
ENGINE START/STOP button must be held for two
seconds or three short presses in a row with the
vehicle speed above 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine
will shut off. The ignition switch position will remain
in the ACC position until the shift lever/gear selector
is in PARK and the button is pressed twice to the OFF
position. If the shift lever/gear selector is not in PARK
and the ENGINE START/STOP button is pressed
once, the DID will display a “Vehicle Not In Park”
message and the engine will remain running. Never
leave a vehicle out of the PARK position, or it could
roll.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is left in the ACC or RUN
(engine not running) position and the transmission is in
PARK, the system will automatically time out after 30
minutes of inactivity and the ignition will switch to the
OFF position.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 395

ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With
Driver ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or
NEUTRAL Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three positions, OFF, ACC, RUN.
To change the ignition switch positions without starting
the vehicle and use the accessories follow these steps:
1. Starting with the ignition in the OFF position:
2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button once to
change the ignition to the ACC position.
3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time
to change the ignition to the RUN position.
4. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time
to return the ignition to the OFF position.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F Or−29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
(Continued)
396 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
•If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster
cables may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer
to “Jump Starting” in “What To Do In Emergen-
cies” for further information.
Clearing A Flooded Engine (Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button)
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather#proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Press the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it.
3. Push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button
once.
The starter motor will engage automatically, run for 10
seconds, and then disengage. Once this occurs, release
the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal, wait 10 to 15
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 397

After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater must be plugged in at least one
hour to have an adequate warming effect on the engine.
The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located near the air box.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the engine block heater
cord before driving. Damage to the 110-115 Volt
electrical cord could cause electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
(Continued)
398 STARTING AND OPERATING