automatic transmission DODGE MAGNUM SRT 2006 1.G Owners Manual

Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Auto Lock feature is enabled.
2. The transmission is in gear.
3. All doors are closed.
4. The throttle is pressed.
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h).
6. The doors were not previously locked using the power
door lock switch or remote keyless entry transmitter.
The Automatic Door Lock feature can be enabled or
disabled. Refer to “Personal Settings” (Customer Pro-
grammable Features) in the Electronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC) section of this manual for details.
Auto Unlock
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Auto Unlock feature is enabled.
2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).
3. The transmission is in NEUTRAL or PARK.
4. The driver door is opened.
5. The doors were not previously unlocked.
6. The vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
The Auto Unlock feature can be enabled or disabled.
Refer to “Personal Settings” (Customer Programmable
Features) in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) section of this manual.
NOTE:Use the Auto Door Locks and Auto Unlock
features in accordance with local laws.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
2

To decrease speed while speed control is set, push the
lever down and hold (“COAST”). Release the lever when
the desired speed is reached, and the new speed will be
set.
Pushing down and releasing the lever (“COAST”) once
will result in a 1 mph (2 km/h) speed decrease. Each time
the lever is pushed down and released, speed decreases.
To Accelerate For Passing:
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.Four speed automatic transmissions will experience a
downshift to 3rd gear while climbing uphill or descend-
ing downhill. This downshift to 3rd gear is necessary to
maintain vehicle set speed.
On steep hills a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

14. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The
light should turn on momentarily when the
engine is started. If the light turns on while driving,
stop the vehicle and shut off the engine as soon as
possible. A continuous chime will sound when this
light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked using the procedure
shown in section 7. (See page 267 for more information.)
15. High Beam Light
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the Multi-Function lever away from
the steering wheel to switch the headlights to high
beam.
16. Seat Belt Reminder Light
When the ignition switch is first turned ON, this
light will turn on for 5 to 8 seconds as a bulb
check. During the bulb check, if the driver’s or
front passenger’s seat belt is unbuckled, a chime will
sound. After the bulb check or when driving, if thedriver’s or front passenger’s seat belt remains unbuck-
led, the Seat Belt Warning Light will flash or remain on
continuously. (See page 33 for more information.)
17. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
18. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This light shows the front fog lights are ON.
(See page 95 for more information.)
19. Electronic Vehicle Information Center Display
When the appropriate conditions exist, this display
shows the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
messages. (See page 140 for more information.)
20. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking
brake application. If the brake light turns on,
it may indicate that the parking brake is
applied, there is a low brake fluid level or there is a
problem with the anti-lock brake system.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
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24. Low Fuel Indicator Light
The Low Fuel Light will turn on when there is
approximately 2 gallons (9 liters) of fuel remain-
ing in the tank. This light will remain on until
fuel is added.
25. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD that monitors engine and
automatic transmission control systems. The
light will illuminate when the key is in the ON
position before engine start. If the bulb does not come
on when turning the key from OFF to ON, have the
condition checked promptly. (See page 264 for more
information.)
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss ofpower or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs.
ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC)
The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located in the
instrument cluster below the speedometer. Vehicles
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
140 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
This allows the driver to set and recall features when the
transmission is in PARK.
Press and release the MENU button until Personal Set-
tings is displayed in the EVIC.
Use the SCROLL buttons to display one of the following
choices:
Language
When in this display you may select different languages
for all display nomenclature, including the trip functions
and navigation system. Pressing the FUNCTION SE-
LECT button while in this display selects English, Es-
panol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais depending on avail-
ability. As you continue the displayed information will be
shown in the selected language.
NOTE:UConnect™ language will not change using the
EVIC. Please refer to “Language Selection” in the
HANDS–FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnect™) — IF
EQUIPPED section of this manual for details.
Display English or Metric
The EVIC, odometer, and navigation system units can be
changed between English and Metric.
Press and release the FUNCTION SELECT button when
in this display until “US” or “METRIC” appears to make
your selection.
Lock Doors Automatically at 15 MPH (24 Km/h)
When ON is selected all doors lock automatically when
the speed of the vehicle reaches 15 mph (24 km/h). Press
and release the FUNCTION SELECT button when in this
display until “ON” or “OFF” appears to make your
selection.
Auto Unlock On Exit
When ON is selected all the vehicle’s doors will unlock
when the driver’s door is opened if the vehicle is stopped
and the transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position. Press and release the FUNCTION SELECT
button when in this display until “ON” or “OFF” appears
to make your selection.
148 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................190
▫Normal Starting......................190

Transmission Shifting...................192
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........192
▫Automatic Transmission —
General Information...................197

AutoStick............................199
▫AutoStick Operation...................199
▫AutoStick General Information............200

Parking Brake.........................201

Brake System.........................202
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................202

Power Steering........................205

Tire Safety Information..................206
▫Tire Markings........................206
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........210
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........211

Tires—General Information...............215
▫Tire Pressure.........................215
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................216
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................218
▫Tire Spinning........................218
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................219
5

WARNING!
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Un-
burned fuel could enter the catalytic converter and
once the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged 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. See section 6 of
this manual for the proper jump starting proce-
dures and follow them carefully.
•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.
If Engine Fails to Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“NORMAL STARTING” procedure, it may be flooded.Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the key once
the engine is running smoothly. Do not overspeed en-
gine.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “NORMAL STARTING” procedure
should be repeated.
STARTING AND OPERATING 191
5

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
5 Speed Automatic Transmission
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle you should shift
the transmission into Park, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the park brake. Once the key is
removed from the ignition the transmission shift
lever is locked in the Park position, securing the
vehicle against unwanted movement. Furthermore,
you should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle. The following indicators should be used to
ensure that you have engaged the transmission shift
lever into the “Park” position:
•When shifting into Park move the lever all the
way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console
to ensure it is in the “P” position.Gear Selector
192 STARTING AND OPERATING

Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage in
NEUTRAL position while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.
CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.
Drive
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and best fuel economy.The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoStick mode and select the “3” range.
AutoStickGear selection
The transmission gear can be selected by pressing the
selector lever to the right or the left with the selector lever
in the DRIVE position. The gear currently selected is
indicated in the instrument cluster display. Briefly press
selector lever in the “D -” direction. The transmission will
shift from the current gear to the next lower gear. Shifting
into another gear that allows for quicker acceleration or
to slow the vehicle down is possible. Downshifts can also
be performed.
Press and hold the selector lever in the “D-” direction.
The transmission will shift from the current gear directly
to the best gear for acceleration.
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

Automatic Transmission — General Information
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•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.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
The automatic transmission selects individual gears au-
tomatically, dependent upon:
•Altitude
•Vehicle Loading
•Driving Style
•Selector lever position
•Accelerator position
•Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, de-
pendent on the driving style, the driving situation and
the road characteristics.
NOTE:
•
After selecting any driving position, wait a moment to
allow the gear to fully engage before accelerating,
especially when the engine is cold.
•If there is a need to restart your engine be sure to cycle
the key to the LOCK position before restarting. Trans-
mission engagement may be delayed up to 10 seconds
after restart if the key is not cycled to the LOCK
position first.
•The electronically controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
STARTING AND OPERATING 197
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