towing DODGE CHARGER 2018 Owner's Guide

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic converter
will not require maintenance. However, it is important to
keep the engine properly tuned to assure proper catalyst
operation and prevent possible catalyst damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control sys-
tems can result in civil penalties being assessed against
you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe and
abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop the
vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool. Service,
including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifications,
should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter damage:
• 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. NOTE:
Your vehicle’s exhaust system may be equipped
with an Electronic Exhaust Valve (EEV) system, if the
exhaust system is replaced with aftermarket products a
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate.
Cooling System
WARNING!
• 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 open a cooling system pressure cap
when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
• Keep hands, tools, clothing, and jewelry away from
the radiator cooling fan when the hood is raised. The
fan starts automatically and may start at any time,
whether the engine is running or not.
• When working near the radiator cooling fan, discon-
nect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition to the
OFF mode. The fan is temperature controlled and can
start at any time the ignition is in the ON mode.
380 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Tire And Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and sparetires.Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operat-
ing” section of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross
axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles
must not be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and
trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting
And Operating” section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer
tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Tire And Loading Information Placard
396 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750
(5x150) = 650 lbs.)
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consultthis manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg and there will
be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 295 kg (635-
340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.
NOTE:
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The following
table shows examples on how to calculate total load,
cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle
with varying seating configurations and number and
size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes
only and may not be accurate for the seating and load
carry capacity of your vehicle.
• For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 397

About Your Brakes........................ .422
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise Control) . . . .246
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .............382
Adding Fuel ............................. .281
Adding Washing Fluid .......................366
Additives, Fuel ............................425
Adjust Forward ................................45
Rearward ...............................45
AirBag ................................ .186
Advance Front Air Bag ....................186
Air Bag Operation ........................188
Air Bag Warning Light .....................184
Driver Knee Air Bag ..................... .189
Enhanced Accident Response .............194, 349
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .................350
FrontAirBag .......................... .186
If Deployment Occurs .....................193
Knee Impact Bolsters ..................... .188
Maintaining Your Air Bag System .............196
Maintenance ............................196
Redundant Air Bag Warning Light ............185
Side Air Bags .......................... .189
Transporting Pets ........................213
Air Bag Light .......................131, 184, 215 Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter)
......371
Air Conditioner Maintenance ..................371
Air Conditioner Refrigerant ................371, 372
Air Conditioner System ..................... .371
Air Conditioning ........................ .76, 82
Air Conditioning Filter ....................90, 373
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ................89
Air Filter ............................... .371
Air Pressure Tires................................. .400
Alarm Arm The System .......................33, 35
Panic ..................................20
Rearm The System ........................35
Security Alar

m....................... .33, 135
Alarm System Security Alarm ...........................33
All Wheel Drive Towing ............................... .348
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ..................... .388
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ................5
Android Auto ............................ .522
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................381, 431
Disposal ...............................384
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .................146
534 INDEX

Anti-Lock Warning Light.....................139
Apple CarPlay ............................524
Arming System Security Alarm ...........................33
Assist, Hill Start .......................... .153
Audio Systems (Radio) .......................437
Auto Down Power Windows ...................92
Automatic Door Locks ........................41
Automatic Headlights ........................67
Automatic High Beams .......................66
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........82, 88
Automatic Transmission ..................232, 388
Adding Fluid .....................388, 432, 434
Fluid And Filter Change ...................388
Fluid Change .......................... .388
Fluid Level Check ........................387
Fluid Type .......................387, 432, 434
Special Additives ........................ .387
Automatic Transmission Limp Home Mode .....41, 238
Autostick Operation ............................. .238
Auto Up Power Windows .....................92
AuxCord............................... .505
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet) .........112AW D
Towing ............................... .348
Axle Fluid ............................432, 434
Axle Lubrication ........................432, 434
Back-Up .................................279
Battery ...............................133, 366
Charging System Light ....................133
Keyless Key Fob Replacement ................21
Location ...............................366
Belts, Seat ............................... .215
Body Mechanism Lubrication ..................375
B-Pillar Location .......................... .395
Brake Assist System ........................ .147
Brake Control System ........................147
Brake Fluid ....................... .385, 432, 434
Brake System ..........................385,

422
Fluid Check ..................... .385, 432, 434
Master Cylinder ........................ .385
Parking ...............................227
Warning Light .......................132, 422
Brake/Transmission Interlock ..................231
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ..........226
Brightness, Interior Lights .....................72
12
INDEX 535

Disposal Of Used Coolant..................384
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................381
Inspection ............................. .384
Points To Remember ..................... .384
Pressure Cap ............................383
Radiator Cap .......................... .383
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......381, 431, 432
Corrosion Protection ........................413
Cruise Control (Speed Control) ..............243, 246
Cruise Light .......................... .140, 141
Cupholders ...............................111
Customer Assistance ........................528
Cybersecurity ............................ .438
Daytime Running Lights ......................65
Dealer Service ............................ .367
Deck Lid Power Release ...........................98
Defroster, Windshield ........................215
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ....................74
Diagnostic System, Onboard ...................142
Dimmer Switch Headlight ...............................66
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ............................365 Disable Vehicle Towing
..................... .346
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................384
Disturb ................................. .522
Door Ajar ............................... .133
Door Ajar Light ............................133
Door Locks Automatic ..............................41
Child-Protection Door Lock — Rear Doors .......41
Doors ....................................35
Drag And Drop Menu .......................437
Drive Modes ............................. .495
Driver ’s Seat Back Tilt ........................43
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow Standing
Water .................................296
E-85 Fuel ............................... .428
Electric Brake Control System ..................147
Anti-Lock Brake

System ....................146
Electronic Roll Mitigation ...............148, 155
Electric Remote Mirrors .......................62
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) .......312
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .........244
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ...............149
12
INDEX 537

Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light.........133
Emergency, In Case Of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck .................345
Hazard Warning Flasher ...................301
Jacking ............................323, 388
Jump Starting ........................338, 340
Towing ............................... .346
Emission Control System Maintenance ............143
Engine .......................... .362, 363, 364
Air Cleaner ............................ .371
Block Heater ............................225
Break-In Recommendations .................226
Checking Oil Level .......................365
Compartment ....................362, 363, 364
Compartment Identification .................362
Coolant (Antifreeze) ...................381, 432
Cooling ...............................380
Exhaust Gas Caution ...................214, 428
Fails To Start ............................225
Flooded, Starting ........................ .225
Fuel Requirements ....................424, 431
Jump Starting ........................338, 340
Oil ............................368, 431, 432
Oil Filler Cap .....................362, 369, 370
Oil Filter ...............................371 Oil Selection
........................ .368, 431
Oil Synthetic ............................370
Overheating ............................342
Starting ............................222, 223
Engine Oil Viscosity .....................369, 370
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ....................369
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .........194, 349
Ethanol ............................. .426, 428
Exhaust Gas Cautions ....................214, 428
Exhaust System ........................214, 379
Exterior Lighting............................

64
Exterior Lights ..........................64, 217
Filters Air Cleaner ............................ .371
Air Conditioning ..................... .90, 373
Engine Oil ..........................371, 432
Engine Oil Disposal .......................370
Flashers .................................301
Hazard Warning ........................ .301
Turn Signals ..................... .69, 141, 217
Flash-To-Pass ..............................67
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ..........................430
Engine Oil ............................ .429
538 INDEX

HeadlightsAutomatic ..............................67
Cleaning ...............................414
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........66
Lights On Reminder .......................68
On With Wipers ..........................67
Passing ................................67
Switch .................................64
Time Delay ..............................68
Washers ...............................366
Head Restraints .......................54, 55, 56
Head Rests .......................... .54, 55, 56
Heated Mirrors .............................63
Heater, Engine Block ........................225
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch ......66
Hill Start Assist ............................153
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .288
Holder, Coin ............................. .109
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ...............102
Hood Prop ................................97
Hood Release ..............................97 Ignition
..................................25
Switch .................................25
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ......................31
Information Center, Vehicle ...................122
Inside Rearview Mirror .................60, 61, 301
Instrument Cluster ......................118,121
Descriptions ............................141
Display ............................122, 125
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ................416
Interior Appearance Care .....................415
Interior Lights ..............................69
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ...............74
Introduction ................................4
Jack Location ............................ .324
Jack Operation ............................388
Jump Starting ..........................338, 340
Key Fob Arm The System ..........................33
Panic Alarm .............................20
Programming Additional Key Fobs ..........24, 32
Unlatch The Trunk ........................20
540 INDEX

Recline.................................46
Power Steering Fluid ........................432
Pregnant Women And Seat Belts ................181
Preparation For Jacking ..................... .325
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................. .181
Radial Ply Tires ............................401
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .............383
Radio Frequency General Information ................25, 31, 33, 41
Radio Operation .......................... .506
Rain Sensitive Wiper System ...................74
Rear Axle (Differential) ..................... .388
Rear Camera ............................. .279
Rear Cross Path ............................161
Rear ParkSense System ..................... .267
Rear Seats, Folding ..........................53
Rear Wheel Drive Towing ............................... .349
Recreational Towing ........................ .295
Reformulated Gasoline .......................425
Refrigerant ...............................372
Release, Hood ..............................97
Reminder, Lights On .........................68 Reminder, Seat Belt
........................ .174
Remote Keyless Entry Arm The Alarm ..........................33
Panic Alarm .............................20
Programming Additional Key Fobs ..........24, 32
Unlatch The Trunk ........................20
Remote Starting Exit Remote Start Mode .....................30
Uconnect Customer Programmable Features ......31
Uconnect Settings .........................31
Remote Trunk Release ........................98
Replacement Bulbs ........................ .307
Replacement Keys ........................24, 32
Replacement Tires ..........................404
Reporting Safety Defects .....................531
Restraints, Child .......................... .197
Restraints, Head .......................54, 55, 56
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ...................345
Rotation, T

ires.............................411
RWD Towing ............................... .349
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ...................215
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle .................217
Safety Defects, Reporting .....................531
544 INDEX

Tilt Steering Column..................... .57, 58
Time Delay Headlight ...............................68
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............395
Tire Markings ............................ .389
Tires..........................217, 399, 406, 411 Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .403
Air Pressure ............................399
Chains ............................... .410
Changing .......................323, 330, 388
Compact Spare ..........................407
Flat Changing .......................... .330
General Information ...................399, 406
High Speed ............................ .401
Inflation Pressure ........................400
Jacking ............................325, 388
Life Of Tires ............................403
Load Capacity .......................395, 396
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........137, 166
Quality Grading .........................411
Radial ............................... .401
Replacement ........................ .330, 404
Rotation ...............................411
Safety ............................ .389, 399
Sizes .................................391 Snow Tires
............................ .406
Spare Tires ..................... .324, 406, 408
Spinning ...............................402
Trailer Towing .......................... .291
Tread Wear Indicators .....................402
Wheel Mounting ........................ .330
Wheel Nut Torque ........................422
Tire Safety Information .......................389
Tire Service Kit ............330, 331, 332, 334, 337, 338
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................289
To Open Hood .............................97
Towing ................................. .285
Behind A

Motorhome..................... .295
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .346
Guide .................................289
Recreational ............................295
Weight ............................... .289
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................295
Traction ............................. .295, 296
Traction Control .......................... .155
Trailer Towing ............................ .285
Cooling System Tips ..................... .295
Hitches ............................... .288
Minimum Requirements ....................290
Tips ................................. .294
12
INDEX 547