DODGE CHARGER 2018 Owners Manual

CAUTION!
•Towing this vehicle using any other method can
cause severe transmission and/or transfer case dam-
age.
• Damage from improper towing is not covered under
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 transmission
is operable, this vehicle may be flat towed (with all four
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
• The automatic transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
Refer to Manual Park Release in this section for instruc-
tions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL when
the engine is off.
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles
(48 km), 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 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.
7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 349

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).
350 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................353
▫ 3.6L And 5.7L Engines ...................353
▫ 6.4L Engine ..........................357
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................362
▫ 3.6L Engine ..........................362
▫ 5.7L Engine ..........................363
▫ 6.4L Engine ..........................364
▫ Checking Oil Level — 3.6L And 5.7L Engine . . .365
▫ Checking Oil Level — 6.4L Engine ...........365
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................366
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................366
 DEALER SERVICE .......................367
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .368
▫ Engine Oil Filter .......................371 ▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................371
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............371
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............374
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .375
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................376
▫ Exhaust System ........................379
▫ Cooling System ........................380
▫ Brake System ........................ .385
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................387
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped .......388
▫ Rear Axle ............................388
 RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................388
8

TIRES ............................... .389
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................389
▫ Tires — General Information ..............399
▫ Tire Types ............................405
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................406
▫ Wheel And Wheel Trim Care ..............409
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) .............410
▫ Tire Rotation Recommendations .............411
 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES ..........411
▫ Treadwear ............................412
▫ Traction Grades ........................412
▫ Temperature Grades .....................412 
VEHICLE STORAGE .....................413
 BODYWORK .......................... .413
▫ Protection From Atmospheric Agents ........413
▫ Body And Underbody Maintenance ..........414
▫ Preserving The Bodywork .................414
 INTERIORS ............................415
▫ Seats And Fabric Parts ...................415
▫ Plastic And Coated Parts ..................416
▫ Leather Parts ..........................417
▫ Glass Surfaces ........................ .417
352 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

SCHEDULED SERVICING
3.6L And 5.7L Engines
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions such as
frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or cold
ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will influence
when the “Change Oil” or “Oil Change Required” message
is displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (800 km).
The “Oil Change Required” message will be displayed in
the instrument cluster and a single chime will sound,
indicating that an oil change is necessary.Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting To
Know Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km), twelve months or 350
hours of engine run time, whichever comes first. The 350
hours of engine run or idle time is generally only a concern
for fleet customers.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350 hours of
engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a dusty and
off-road environment, or is operated predominantly at idle
or only very low engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 353

Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
• Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before your next scheduled service.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering (if equipped) and
fill as needed.
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights.Maintenance Plan — 3.6L And 5.7L
Required Maintenance Intervals:
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following page
for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter
• Rotate the tires
Rotate at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it
occurs before your next scheduled service
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses and
park brake
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and hoses
• Inspect exhaust system
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions
354 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

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
Additional Inspections
Inspect the CV joints. XX X XX
Inspect front suspension, tie rod ends, boot seals,
and replace if necessary. XXX X X X X
Inspect the rear axle fluid. Inspect the front axle fluid
(All Wheel Drive Only). XXX X X X X
Inspect the brake linings, replace as necessary. X X X X X X X
Adjust park brake on vehicles equipped with four
wheel disc brakes. XXX X X X X
Inspect transfer case fluid (All Wheel Drive Only). XX X 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. ** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant at 10 years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first. XX
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 355

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
Change the transfer case fluid; if using your vehicle
for any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or
frequent trailer towing. (All Wheel Drive Only). XX
Change the rear axle fluid and on models equipped
with All Wheel Drive (AWD) change the front axle
fluid if using your vehicle for any of the following: po-
lice, taxi, fleet, off-road, or frequent trailer towing. XX X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. X
** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.
356 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

WARNING!
•You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only service work for which you
have the knowledge and the right equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a
service job, take your vehicle to a competent me-
chanic.
• Failure to properly inspect and maintain your vehicle
could result in a component malfunction and effect
vehicle handling and performance. This could cause
an accident.
Heavy Duty Use Of The Vehicle
Change engine oil at 4,000 miles (6,500 km) or 350 hours of
engine run time if the vehicle is operated in a dusty and off
road environment or is operated predominately at idle or
only very low engine RPM’s. This type of vehicle use is
considered Severe Duty.
6.4L Engine
The scheduled maintenance services listed in this manual
must be done at the times or mileages specified to protect
your vehicle warranty and ensure the best vehicle perfor-
mance and reliability. More frequent maintenance may be
needed for vehicles in severe operating conditions, such as
dusty areas and very short trip driving. Inspection and
service should also be done anytime a malfunction is
suspected.
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
A “Oil Change Required” message will be displayed in the
instrument cluster and a single chime will sound, indicat-
ing that an oil change is necessary.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that service
is required for your vehicle. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (800 km).
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 357

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s oil
if it has been six months since your last oil change, even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illuminated.
• Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road/track usage for an extended period of
time.
• Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months, whichever
comes first.
An authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other than
an authorized dealer, the message can be reset by referring
to the steps described under “Instrument Cluster Display”
in “Getting To Know Your Instrument Panel” for further
information. 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 add as needed.
• Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
358 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE