2005 DODGE MAGNUM parking brake

WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of“P”or
“N”if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Gear Ranges
P (Park)
Supplements the parking brake by locking the trans-
mission. The engine can be started in this range. Never
use P (Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the
parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
Always apply the parking brake first, and then place
the selector in P (Park) position.
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 always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, 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 P
(Park) position:
•When shifting into P (Park) move the lever all the way
forward until it stops, and is fully seated.
•Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument
panel to ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

Park Position
The PARK position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped. The PARK
position is not intended to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the driver should always use
the parking brake in addition to placing the selector lever
in PARK to secure the vehicle.
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion.
NOTE:
•
If the key is in the ACC or ON position, you must press
the brake pedal to shift out of the PARK position.
•The key can be removed from the ignition switch only
with the selector lever in the PARK position. With the
key removed, the selector lever is locked in the PARK
position.
For electrical system malfunctions there is an override for
the interlock system. In order to override this system the
key must be in the ignition with the switch in the ACC orON positions. Remove the rubber storage tray from the
bin located to the right of the shifter lever. The override
can be activated by pressing the pink-colored tab, which
can be accessed through a hole inside the bin. While the
override is pressed, the shifter can be moved out of the
park position without pressing the brake. After operation
return rubber storage tray to its original position.
Reverse
Shift into REVERSE gear only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
Brake Interlock Override
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
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•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
self-calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt or soft until after the
break-in period. This is a normal condition, and pre-
cision shifts will develop within a few shift cycles.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of PARK
or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in
reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
The selector lever is automatically locked while in the
PARK position. To move the selector lever out of the
PARK position, the brake pedal must be firmly depressed
before the shift lock will release.
Shift the selector lever to the desired position only when
the engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise accelerate quickly when the selec-
tor lever is in DRIVE or REVERSE position.
Stopping
For brief stops, leave the transmission in gear and hold
the vehicle with the brake pedal. For longer stops with
the engine idling, shift into the NEUTRAL or PARK
position and hold the vehicle with the parking brake.
When stopping the vehicle uphill, do not hold it with the
accelerator; use the brake. This avoids unnecessary trans-
mission heat build-up.
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

You can shift in or out of the autostick mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you
choose the Overdrive mode, the transmission will oper-
ate automatically; shifting between the five available
gears. When you wish to engage autostick, simply move
the shift lever to the Right or Left (D+/D-) position while
in DRIVE. The transmission will remain in the current
gear until an upshift or downshift is chosen.
PARKING BRAKE
When the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switch on, the brake light in the instrument cluster will
turn on.
NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
Park position.
Parking Brake
214 STARTING AND OPERATING

To release the parking brake, pull out on the parking
brake release located on the left side of the instrument
panel.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set 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 selector out of park. As an
added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb
on a downhill grade and away from the curb on a uphill
grade.The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
•Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is dan-
gerous for a number of reasons. A child or others
could be injured. Children should be warned not
to touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the
gear selector lever. Don’t leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
Parking Brake Release
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5

WARNING!
Getting under a jacked-up vehicle is dangerous. The
vehicle could slip off the jack and fall on you. You
could be crushed. Never get any part of your body
under a vehicle that is on a jack. Never start or run
the engine while the vehicle is on a jack. If you need
to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a service
center where it can be raised on a lift.
Preparations For Jacking
•
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas,set the parking brakeand place the
gear selector in PARK. Turn OFF the ignition.
•Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher.
•Passengers should not remain in the vehicle when the
vehicle is being jacked.
•Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonally
opposite the jacking position. For example, if changing
the right front tire, block the left rear wheel.
258 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•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
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous
if done improperly, so follow this procedure care-
fully.
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or clothing.
Don’t lean over battery when attaching clamps or
allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes
in eyes or on skin, flush contaminated area immedi-
ately with large quantities of water.
•A battery generates hydrogen gas which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away from
the vent holes. Do not use a booster battery or any
other booster source with an output that exceeds 12
volts.
•The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that
should not be disconnected and should only be
replaced with a battery of the same type (vented).
NOTE:The battery is stored under an access cover
under the rear cargo floor. Remote battery terminals are
located in the engine compartment for jump starting.
1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watch bands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boost is provided by a battery in another
vehicle, park that vehicle within booster cable reach and
without letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake,
place the automatic transmission in PARK and turn the
ignition switch to the OFF (or LOCK) position for both
vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. Connect one end of the jumper cable to the remote
jump start positive battery post (A) in the engine com-
partment. Connect the other end of the same cable to the
positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump starting connections.
5. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery andthen to the engine ground (B)
268 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Battery............................... 289
Jump Starting........................ 267
Keyless Transmitter Replacement.......... 23
Location.........................268,289
Bearings.............................. 303
Belts, Drive........................... 286
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 293
B-Pillar Location....................... 224
Brake Assist System..................... 100
Brake, Parking......................... 214
Brake System.......................216,299
Anti-Lock........................... 216
Fluid Check......................300,321
Hoses.............................. 299
Warning Light....................... 138
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 213
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 56
Bulb Replacement...................... 314
Bulbs, Light........................... 313
Calibration, Compass.................... 144
Capacities, Fluid....................... 319Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 247
Radiator............................ 296
Car Washes........................... 304
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 246
Cargo Compartment
Luggage Carrier...................... 125
Cargo Management System............... 119
Cargo Organizer...................... 123
Rollaway Tonneau Cover............... 121
Tri-Fold Load Floor.................... 119
Waterproof Liner..................... 122
Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 123
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 183
Catalytic Converter..................... 287
CD Player......................150,155,166
Cellular Phone.......................... 65
Chains, Tire........................... 240
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 257
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 221
Child Restraint...................48,50,52,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 52
Child Safety Locks....................... 19
INDEX 351
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