2006 DODGE CHARGER SRT ESP

ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes ABS (Anti-Lock Brake
System), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake
Assist System and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). All
four systems work together to enhance vehicle stability
and control in various driving conditions, and are com-
monly referred to as ESP.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and
help avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking.
Refer to “Anti-Lock Brake System” in Section 5 of this
manual for more information about ABS.
TCS (Traction Control System)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, brake
pressure is applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine
power is reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and
stability.
BAS (Brake Assist System)
The BAS is designed to optimize the vehicle’s braking
capability during emergency braking maneuvers. The
system detects an emergency braking situation by sens-
ing the rate and amount of brake application and then
applies optimum pressure to the brakes. This can help
reduce braking distances. The BAS complements the
anti-lock brake system (ABS). Applying the brakes very
quickly results in the best BAS assistance. To receive the
benefit of the system, you must apply continuous brak-
ing pressure during the stopping sequence. Do not
reduce brake pedal pressure unless braking is no longer
desired. Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is
deactivated.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
3

WARNING!
BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. BAS cannot prevent accidents, in-
cluding those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a BAS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path.ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESP applies the brake of the appropri-
ate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightlocated in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. TheESP/TCS Indicator
Lightalso flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS
Indicator Lightbegins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions.
104 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESP cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of an
ESP-equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a
reckless or dangerous manner which could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
The ESP system has 3 available operating modes:
ESP On
This is the normal operating mode for ESP. Whenever
the vehicle is started, the ESP system will be in this
mode. This mode should be used for most all driving
situations. ESP should only be turned off for specific
reasons as noted in the following paragraphs.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
3

Partial Off
This mode is entered by momentarily depressing the
ESP Control Switch. When inPartial Offmode the
TCS portion of ESP as been disabled and theESP/
TCS Indicator Lightwill be illuminated. All other
stability features of ESP function normally. This mode
is intended to be used if the vehicle is in deep snow,
sand, or gravel conditions and more wheel spin than
ESP would normally allow is required to gain traction.
To turn ESP on again, momentarily depress theESP
Control Switch. This will restore the normal “ESP
On” mode of operation.
NOTE:
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, it may be desirable to switch to the “Partial Off”
mode by pressing the ESP switch. Once the situation
requiring ESP to be switched to the “Partial Off” mode is
overcome, turn ESP back on by momentarily depressing
the “ESP Control Switch”. This may be done while the
vehicle is in motion.
ESP Control Switch
106 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Full Off
This mode is intended for off-highway or off-road use
only and should not be used on any public roadways.
This mode is entered by depressing and holding the
“ESP Control Switch” for 5 seconds when the vehicle
is stopped and the engine is running. In this mode, all
ESP and TCS stability features are turned off. After 5
seconds, a chime will sound, theESP/TCS Indicator
Lightwill illuminate, and theESP OFFmessage will
appear in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information Cen-
ter (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual. To turn ESP on
again, momentarily depress theESP Control Switch.
This will restore the normal “ESP On” mode of
operation.
NOTE:
TheESPOFF, or “ESP System Deactivated”
message — if equipped will display and the audible
chime will resound when the gear selector is placed into
the PARK position from any position other than PARK,
and then moved out of the PARK position. This will
occur even if the message was previously cleared.
WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emer-
gency evasive maneuver, the ESP system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. The “Full
Off” ESP mode is intended for off-highway or off-
road use only.
ESP/BAS Warning Lamp and ESP/TCS Indicator
Light
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is
combined with the BAS indicator. The yellow
“ESP/BAS Warning Lamp” and the yellow
“ESP/TCS Indicator Light” in the instrument
cluster both come on when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position. They should go out with the engine
running.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

If the “ESP/BAS Warning Lamp” comes on
continuously with the engine running, a mal-
function has been detected in either the ESP or
the BAS system, or both. If this light remains on
after several ignition cycles, and the vehicle has been
driven several miles at speeds greater than 30 mph (48
km/h), see your authorized dealer as soon as possible to
have the problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•
TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightand theESP/BAS
Warning Lampcome on momentarily each time the
ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h). The
speed control switch consists of a stalk mounted lever
located on the steering column.
Speed Control Lever
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

This device complies with part 15 of FCC rules and with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
NOTE:Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
HomeLinkis a trademark owned by Johnson Controls,
Inc.
POWER SUNROOF — IF EQUIPPED
The power sunroof switch is located between the sun
visors on the overhead console.
Power Sunroof Controls
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9. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
If the vehicle electronics sense that the vehicle has
traveled about one mile with the turn signals on, a chime
will sound to alert you to turn the signals off. If either
indicator flashes at a rapid rate, check for a defective
outside light bulb. (See page 99 for more information.)
10. Airbag Light
This light turns on and remains on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the light is not
on during starting, stays on, or turns on
while driving, have the system inspected by an autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible. (See page 48 for more
information.)11. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light illuminates, and will be accompanied
by a single chime to warn of an overheated
engine condition. The engine temperature is
critically hot, and the vehicle should be turned off
immediately. The vehicle should be serviced as soon
as possible.
12. Electronic Stability Program (ESP)/Traction
Control System (TCS) Indicator Light
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, apply as little throttle as possible. While
driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt
your speed and driving to the prevailing
road conditions, and do not switch off the ESP. (See
page 103 for more information.)
134 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL