2006 DODGE CHARGER instrument panel

upper right side of the instrument panel separate and
fold out of the way as the bags inflate to their full size.
The bags fully inflate in about 50 - 70 milliseconds.
This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes.
The bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain
the driver and front passenger. The driver’s front
airbag gas is vented through vent holes in the sides of
the airbag. The passenger’s front airbag gas is vented
through vent holes in the sides of the airbag. In this
way the airbags do not interfere with your control of
the vehicle.
•TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated beneath the front passenger seat. The OCM
classifies the occupant into categories based on the
measurements made by the seat weight sensors. The
OCM communicates with the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC). The ORC uses the occupant category to
determine whether the front passenger airbag should
be turned off. It also determines the rate of airbag
inflation during a collision.
•Your vehicle has fourWeight Sensorslocated between
the seat and the floor pan. The weight sensors measure
applied weight and transfers that information to the
OCM.
•TheSide Impact SRS Side Curtain Airbagare de-
signed to activate only in certain side collisions. When
the ORC (with side impact option) detects a collision
requiring the side curtain airbag to inflate, it signals
the inflators on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity
of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate the side curtain
airbag. The inflating side curtain airbag pushes the
outside edge of the headliner out of the way and
covers the window. The airbag inflates in about 30
milliseconds (about one quarter of the time it takes to
blink your eyes) with enough force to injure you if you
are not belted and seated properly, or if items are
positioned in the area where the side curtain airbag
inflates. This especially applies to children. The side
curtain airbag is only about 3-1/2 inches (9 cm) thick
when it is inflated.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Enhanced Accident Response Feature
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will illuminate to aid visibility.
NOTE:The interior lights can only be deactivated if the
key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system could
cause it to fail when you need it. You could be
injured because the airbags are not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to
the steering wheel hub trim cover or the upper right
side of the instrument panel. Do not modify the front
bumper, vehicle body structure, or frame.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a colli-
sion. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket equip-
ment on or behind the knee impact bolster.
•Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video
players on the right front passenger seat back. The
additional weight may cause the Occupant Classifi-
cation System to be unable to correctly classify the
right front occupant. This could allow the passenger
frontal airbag to inflate when it is not desired.
•It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the airbag
system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who works on
your vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

WARNING!
If you are required to drive with the trunk open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is firstturned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Lumbar Support.......................92
▫Heated Seats—If Equipped..............92
▫Head Restraints.......................94
▫Folding Rear Seat......................94

Adjustable Pedals—If Equipped...........95

To Open And Close The Hood.............96

Lights...............................98
▫Overhead Console Map/Reading Lights......98
▫Interior Lights........................98
▫Headlight Switch......................99
▫Multi-Function Lever...................100
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights.............................100
▫Automatic Headlights—If Equipped.......101
▫Headlights On With Wipers
(Available With Auto Headlights Only)......102▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only).....102
▫Lights-On Reminder...................102
▫Headlight Time Delay..................102
▫Fog Lights—If Equipped...............103
▫Turn Signals.........................103
▫Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch.........103
▫Flash To Pass........................103

Windshield Wipers And Washers..........104
▫Windshield Washers...................104
▫Mist Feature.........................105
▫Windshield Wiper Operation.............105
▫Intermittent Wiper System...............105
▫Adding Washer Fluid..................105

Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column..........106

Traction Control System (TCS)—
If Equipped
..........................107
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Barge In - Overriding Prompts
The’Voice Recognition’button can be used when you
wish to skip part of a prompt and issue your voice
recognition command immediately. For example, if a
prompt is playingWould you like to pair a phone, clear
a,you could press the’Voice Recognition’button and
sayPair a Phoneto select that option without having to
listen to the rest of the voice prompt.
Turning Confirmation Prompts On/Off
Turning confirmation prompts off will stop the system
from confirming your choices (e.g. the UConnect™sys-
tem will not repeat a phone number before you dial it).
•Press the’Phone’button to begin.
•After theReadyprompt and the following beep, say
Setup Confirmations.The UConnect™system will
play the current confirmation prompt status and you
will be given the choice to change it.
Phone and Network Status Indicators
If available on the radio and/or on a premium display
such as the instrument panel cluster, and supported by
your cell phone, the UConnect™system will providenotification to inform you of your phone and network
status when you are attempting to make a phone call
using UConnect™. The status is given for roaming net-
work signal strength, phone battery strength, etc.
Dialing Using the Cellular Phone Keypad
You can dial a phone number with your cellular phone
keypad and still use the UConnect™system (while
dialing via the cell phone keypad, the user must exercise
caution and take precautionary safety measures). By
dialing a number with your paired Bluetooth™cellular
phone, the audio will be played through your vehicle’s
audio system. The UConnect™system will work the
same as if you dial the number using voice recognition.
NOTE:Certain brands of mobile phones do not send
the dial ring to the UConnect™system to play it on the
vehicle audio system, so you will not hear it. Under this
situation, after successfully dialing a number, the user
may feel that the call did not go through even though the
call is in progress. Once your call is answered, you will
hear the audio.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Lumbar Support
This feature allows you to increase or decrease the
amount of lumbar support. Turn the control lever for-
ward to increase and rearward to decrease the desired
amount of lumbar support.
Heated Seats—If Equipped
Heated seats, which are available only with leather
upholstery, provide comfort and warmth on cold days
and can help soothe sore muscles and backs. The heaters
provide the same heat level for both cushion and back.The front driver’s and passenger seats are heated. The
controls for each heater are located near the bottom
center of the instrument panel. After turning on the
ignition, you can choose from High, Off, or Low heat
settings. Amber LEDs in the top portion of each switch
indicate the level of heat in use. Two LEDs are illumi-
nated for high, one for low, and none for off. Pressing the
switch once will select high-level heating.
Lumbar Support Control Lever
Heated Seat Switch
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become
limited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in
the adjustable pedal’s path.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
Two latches must be released to open the hood. First, pull
the hood release lever located under the left side of the
instrument panel.
Next, move to the outside of the vehicle and push the
safety catch to the left. The safety catch is located under
the center front edge of the hood.
Hood Release Lever
96 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

LIGHTS
Overhead Console Map/Reading Lights
These lights are mounted between the sun visors on the
overhead console. Each light is turned ON by pressing
the lens. Press the lens a second time to turn the light
OFF. The lights also turn on when a door is opened or the
dimmer control is turned fully upward, past the second
detent.
Interior Lights
The interior lights come on when a door is opened.
To protect the battery, the interior lights will turn off
automatically 10 minutes after the ignition switch is
moved to the LOCK position. This will occur if the
interior lights were switched on manually or are on
because a door is open. This includes the glove box, but
not the trunk light. To restore interior light operation,
either turn the ignition switch ON or cycle the light
switch.
Dimmer Control
The dimmer control is part of the
headlight switch, and is located on the
left side of the instrument panel. With
the parking lights or headlights on,
rotating the dimmer control upward
will increase the brightness of the in-
strument panel lights.
Overhead Console
98 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE