DODGE CHARGER 2018 Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING THE ENGINE ..................222
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................222
▫ Normal Starting .......................223
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition .............224
▫ Cold Weather Operation
(Below –22°F Or 30°C) ..................225
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................225
▫ After Starting ..........................225
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .225
 ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .226
 PARKING BRAKE .......................227 
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............230
▫ Ignition Park Interlock ...................231
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .231
▫ Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission .........232
 SPORT MODE — WITHOUT PERFORMANCE
CONTROL ............................241
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L AND 6.4L
ONLY — IF EQUIPPED ....................242
 POWER STEERING ..................... .242
 SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED ..........243
▫ To Activate .......................... .244
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ..................244
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▫To Vary The Speed Setting ................244
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................245
▫ To Resume Speed ..................... .246
▫ To Deactivate ........................ .246
 ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (ACC) — IF
EQUIPPED ............................246
▫ Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation .....248
▫ Activating Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) .....249
▫ To Activate/Deactivate ...................249
▫ To Set A Desired ACC Speed ...............250
▫ To Cancel ............................251
▫ ToTurnOff.......................... .251
▫ To Resume .......................... .251
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ................252
▫ Setting The Following Distance In ACC .......254
▫ Overtake Aid ..........................256
▫ ACC Operation At Stop ..................257 ▫
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Menu ........257
▫ Display Warnings And Maintenance .........258
▫ Precautions While Driving With ACC .........260
▫ General Information .....................264
▫ Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control Mode . . . .264
 PARKSENSE REAR PARK ASSIST — IF
EQUIPPED ............................267
▫ ParkSense Sensors ..................... .267
▫ ParkSense Warning Display ................267
▫ ParkSense Display ..................... .268
▫ Enabling And Disabling ParkSense ..........272
▫ Service The

ParkSense Rear Park Assist System. .272
▫ Cleaning The ParkSense System .............273
▫ ParkSense System Usage Precautions .........273
 LANESENSE — IF EQUIPPED ..............274
▫ LaneSense Operation ....................274
▫ Turning LaneSense On Or Off ..............275
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫LaneSense Warning Message ...............275
▫ Changing LaneSense Status ................278
 PARKVIEW REAR BACK UP CAMERA ........279
 REFUELING THE VEHICLE ................281
▫ Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release ..........283
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................283
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ................284
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ........284
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ..........284
▫ Overloading ..........................284
▫ Loading ............................ .285
TRAILER TOWING ..................... .285
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............286
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ................288
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) .......................289
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............289
▫ Towing Requirements ...................290
▫ Towing Tips ..........................294
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................295
 DRIVING TIPS ..........................295
▫ Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............295
▫ Driving Through Water ..................296
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STARTING AND OPERATING 221

STARTING THE ENGINE
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 exiting the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in “OFF” mode, 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.
• 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.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the PARK position before you
can start the engine. Apply the brakes before shifting into
any driving gear.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
• Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL,
or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.
• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

Normal Starting
To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE START/
STOP Button
1. The transmission must be in PARK.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing theENGINE START/STOP button once.
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 gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/STOP button. 2. The ignition will return to the OFF mode.
3. If the gear selector is not in PARK, the ENGINE START/
STOP button must be held for two seconds or three short
pushes in a row with the vehicle speed above 5 mph
(8 km/h) before the engine will shut off. The ignition
will remain in the ACC mode until the gear selector is in
PARK and the button is pushed twice to the OFF mode.
If the gear selector is not in PARK and the ENGINE
START/STOP button is pushed once, the instrument
cluster 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 gear selector is in NEUTRAL, push and
release the ENGINE START/STOP button with the vehicle
speed below 5 mph (8 km/h) before the engine will shut
off, and the ignition will remain in the ACC position. The
system will automatically time out and the ignition will
cycle to the OFF mode after 30 minutes of inactivity if the
ignition is left in the ACC or RUN (engine not running)
mode and the transmission is in PARK.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 223

ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With Driv-
er ’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 modes: OFF, ACC, and RUN.
To change the ignition modes without starting the vehicle
and use the accessories, follow these directions:
1. Start with the ignition in the OFF mode.
2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to placethe ignition to the ACC mode.
3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time to place the ignition to the RUN mode.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF mode.Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition
This feature allows the driver to operate 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.
Keyless Push Button Ignition
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
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.
• 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 Procedure” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 225

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
For vehicles equipped with the 3.6L or 5.7L use the
following engine break-in recommendations:
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, clutch, and rear axle) in your new
vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After
the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
However, wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can
be detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle lubricant
installed at the factory is high-quality and energy-
conserving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant changes should be
consistent with anticipated climate and conditions under
which vehicle operations will occur. For the recommended
viscosity and quality grades, refer to “Fluids And Lubri-
cants” in “Technical Specifications”.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty. Please check your
oil level with the engine oil indicator often during the
break in period. Add oil as required.
For vehicles equipped with the 6.4L use the following
engine break-in recommendations:
Despite modern technology and World Class manufactur-
ing methods, the moving parts of the vehicle must still
wear in with each other. This wearing in occurs mainly
during the first 500 miles (805 km) and continues through
the first oil change interval.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING

It is recommended for the operator to observe the follow-
ing driving behaviors during the new vehicle break-in
period:
0 to 100 miles (0 to 161 km):
•Do not allow the engine to operate at idle for an
extended period of time.
• Press the accelerator pedal slowly and not more than
halfway to avoid rapid acceleration.
• Avoid aggressive braking.
• Drive with the engine speed less than 3,500 RPM.
• Maintain vehicle speed below 55 mph (88 km/h) and
observe local speed limits.
100 to 300 miles (161 to 483 km):
• Press the accelerator pedal slowly and not more than
halfway to avoid rapid acceleration in lower gears (1st to
3rd gears).
• Avoid aggressive braking.
• Drive with the engine speed less than 5,000 RPM.
• Maintain vehicle speed below 70 mph (112 km/h) and
observe local speed limits. 300 to 500 miles (483 to 805 km):
•
Exercise the full engine rpm range, shifting manually
(paddles or gear shift) at higher rpms when possible.
• Do not perform sustained operation with the accelerator
pedal at wide open throttle.
• Maintain vehicle speed below 85 mph (136 km/h) and
observe local speed limits.
For the first 1500 miles (2414 km):
• Do not participate in track events, sport driving schools,
or similar activities during the first 1500 miles (2414 km).
NOTE: Check engine oil with every refueling and add if
necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may be higher
through the first oil change interval.
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
PARK position.
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
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STARTING AND OPERATING 227

parking brake, press the park brake pedal a second time
and let your foot up as you feel the brake disengage.
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the ON/RUN position, the Brake Warning Light in the
instrument cluster will illuminate.NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the transmission
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 applied.
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. 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.
Parking Brake
228 STARTING AND OPERATING