trailer DODGE CHARGER 2019 Owner's Manual

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The transmission
controls include a drive strategy to avoid frequent shifting
when towing. However, if frequent shifting does occur
while in DRIVE, you can use the AutoStick shift control to
manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on 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
• When using the AutoStick shift control, select the high-
est gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “5” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “4” or “3”
if needed to maintain the desired speed.
• To prevent excess heat generation, avoid continuous
driving at high RPM. Reduce vehicle speed as necessary
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 overheat-
ing, take the following actions:
City Driving
• In city traffic — while stopped, place the transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
• Reduce speed.
• Temporarily turn off air conditioning.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 301

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME,
ETC.)
Recreational towing (with all four wheels on the ground, or
using a tow dolly) isNOT ALLOWED. The only accept-
able method for towing this vehicle (behind another
vehicle) is on a vehicle trailer with all four wheels OFFthe
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.
DRIVING TIPS
Driving On Slippery Surfaces
Information in this section will aid in safe controlled
launches in adverse conditions.
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a difference in the surface traction under the front (driving)
wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the front
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have a collision. Accelerate slowly and care-
fully whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precautions
should be observed:
•
Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
• Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
• Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
302 STARTING AND OPERATING

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), 12 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 361

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:
police, 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.
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
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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.
364 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Miles:6,000
12,000
18,000
24,000
30,000
36,000
42,000
48,000
54,000
60,000
66,000
72,000
78,000
84,000
90,000
96,000
102,000
108,000 114,000
120,000
126,000
132,000
138,000
144,000
150,000
Or Months: 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48 54 60 66 72 78 84 90 96 102 108 114 120 126 132 138 144 150
Or Kilometers:
10,000
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
160,000
170,000
180,000
190,000
200,000
210,000
220,000
230,000
240,000
250,000
Inspect the manual transmission fluid
(If Equipped). XXXXXXXX
Inspect the rear axle fluid. X X X X X X X X
Change the manual transmission fluid
(if equipped). XX X
Change the rear axle fluid if using
your vehicle for any of the following:
police, taxi, fleet or frequent trailer
towing. XX X
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. X X X X X
Replace the air conditioning filter. X X X X X X X XXXXX
Inspect and replace the PCV Valve if
necessary. X
Replace the spark plugs.** X
Flush and replace the engine coolant
at 120 months if not done at
150,000 miles (240,000 km). XX
* For race track usage it is recommended that the axle fluid
be changed every 4 hours of on track time.** The spark plug change interval is mileage based only,
yearly intervals do not apply.
368 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
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 403

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. Consult
this 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 occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg).
404 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE

Run Flat Tires — If Equipped
Run Flat tires allow you the capability to drive 50 miles
(80 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h) after a rapid loss of inflation
pressure. This rapid loss of inflation is referred to as the
Run Flat mode. A Run Flat mode occurs when the tire
inflation pressure is of/or below 14 psi (96 kPa). Once a
Run Flat tire reaches the run flat mode it has limited
driving capabilities and needs to be replaced immediately.
A Run Flat tire is not repairable. When a run flat tire is
changed after driving with underinflated tire condition,
please replace the TPM sensor as it is not designed to be
reused when driven under run flat mode (14 psi (96 kPa))
condition.
NOTE:TPM Sensor must be replaced after driving the
vehicle on a flat tire condition.
It is not recommended driving a vehicle loaded at full
capacity or to tow a trailer while a tire is in the run flat
mode.
See the tire pressure monitoring section for more informa-
tion.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle’s wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stopping.
Refer to “Freeing A Stuck Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emer-
gency” for further information.
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces generated
by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire damage or
failure. A tire could explode and injure someone. Do
not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) for more than 30 seconds continuously when
you are stuck, and do not let anyone near a spinning
wheel, no matter what the speed.
8
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 409

HazardDriving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ......................... .303
Hazard Warning Flashers .....................307
Headlights Automatic ..............................69
Cleaning .............................. .421
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........67
Lights On Reminder .......................70
On With Wipers ..........................69
Passing ................................68
Switch .................................66
Time Delay ..............................69
Washers .............................. .374
Head Restraints ......................... .56, 57
Head Rests ............................ .56, 57
Heated Mirrors .............................65
Heater, Engine Block ....................... .233
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch ......67
Hill Start Assist ........................... .158
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .295
Holder, Coin ..............................112
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ...............105Hood Prop
.............................. .100
Hood Release ............................ .100
Ignition ..................................27
Switch .................................27
Information Center, Vehicle ...................126
Inside Rearview Mirror ....................62, 307
Instrument Cluster ..................... .122, 125
Descriptions ........................... .146
Display ........................... .126, 129
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ................423
Interior Appearance Care .....................422
Interior Lights ..............................71
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ...............76
Introduction ................................4
In Vehicle Help Vehicle User Guide ........................17
Jack Location ............................ .326
Jack Operation ........................... .397
Jump Starting ......................... .349, 351
Key

Fob
Arm The System ..........................35
Panic Alarm .............................22
546 INDEX

Telescoping Steering Column................59, 60
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ............92
Tilt Steering Column ..................... .59, 60
Time Delay Headlight ...............................69
Tire And Loading Information Placard ............402
Tire Markings ............................ .397
Tires ..................... .222, 406, 413, 414, 419
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .410
Air Pressure ........................... .406
Chains ............................... .417
Changing ...................... .325, 332, 397
Compact Spare ......................... .414
Flat Changing .......................... .332
General Information ................406, 413, 414
High Speed ............................ .408
Inflation Pressure ....................... .407
Jacking ........................... .327, 397
Life Of Tires ........................... .410
Load Capacity ...................... .402, 403
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ........142, 172
Quality Grading ........................ .419
Radial ............................... .408
Replacement ........................ .332, 411
Rotation .............................. .418Safety
............................ .397, 406
Sizes ................................ .398
Snow Tires ............................ .413
Spare Tires ...................326, 413, 414, 415
Spinning .............................. .409
Trailer Towing .......................... .298
Tread Wear Indicators .....................410
Wheel Mounting ........................ .332
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .428
Tire Safety Information ...................... .397
Tire Service Kit......333,
334, 335, 337, 341, 342, 343, 345, 347, 348
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................296
To Open Hood ........................... .100
Towing ................................. .292
Behind A Motorhome ..................... .302
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .356
Guide ................................ .295
Recreational ........................... .302
Weight ............................... .295
Towing Behind A Motorhome ..................302
Traction ................................ .302
Traction Control .......................... .161
Trailer Towing ............................ .292
Cooling System Tips ..................... .301
12
INDEX 553