2006 DODGE MAGNUM tires

turned 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.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)—IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
TCS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
afforded. The TCS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabilities of a
TCS-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 traction control system (TCS) warning
light is located in the instrument cluster. The
TCS light will flash as soon as the tires lose
traction and the wheels begin to spin. This
indicates that the TCS system is active. If the TCS
warning light begins 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 prevailingroad conditions. When the TCS warning light is illumi-
nated continuously, the TCS is switched off. To return to
the enhanced vehicle stability offered by TCS, press the
traction control switch (the TCS warning light in the
instrument cluster goes out). Avoid spinning one drive
wheel. This may cause serious damage to the drive train.
The traction control switch is located on the center of the
instrument panel. To turn the traction control system OFF
press the traction control switch until the traction control
Indicator in the instrument cluster lights up.
To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off the TCS system by pressing the traction control
switch.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 105
3

WARNING!
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase braking
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of
the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
The malfunction indicator light for the ESP is
combined with BAS. The yellow ESP/BAS
malfunction indicator light and the yellow ESP
warning 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. Ifthe ESP/BAS malfunction indicator light comes on con-
tinuously with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in either the ESP or the BAS system. If this
light stays illuminated, have the ESP and BAS checked at
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)—IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics from
acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the traction
afforded. The ESP cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in turns, 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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
21. Vehicle Theft Alarm (VTA) Indicator Light
The VTA indicator Light flashes rapidly when the VTA is
arming, and slowly when the VTA is armed. (See page 24
for more information.)
22. Tire Pressure Monitor Warning Light—If
Equipped
This light will turn on continuously when
there is a Low tire pressure condition. The
light will also turn on if a problem exist with
any tire sensor. When a system fault isdetected, the indicator light will flash repetitively for
ten seconds. The flash cycle will repeat every ten
minutes or until the fault condition is removed and
reset. The light will remain on or flashing until the tire
pressure is properly set or the problem with the sensor
is corrected.
This light will turn on momentarily as a bulb check when
the engine is started.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning light
is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly underin-
flated. You should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure as
indicated on the Tire and Loading Information Placard.
Driving on a significantly underinflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinfla-
tion also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Each tire, including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recommended inflation
pressure as specified in the tire and loading information
placard.
146 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................202
▫Normal Starting......................202

Engine Block Heater—If Equipped........204

Transmission Shifting...................204
▫4 Speed Automatic Transmission..........204
▫5 Speed Automatic Transmission..........209
▫Automatic Transmission—General
Information.........................214

AutoStick—If Equipped................216
▫AutoStick Operation...................216

Parking Brake.........................217

Brake System.........................219▫Anti-Lock Brake System................219

Power Steering........................222

Multi Displacement System (MDS) - 5.7L
Engine Only
..........................223

Tire Safety Information..................223
▫Tire Markings........................223
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........226
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........227

Ti re s—General Information...............231
▫Tire Pressure.........................231
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................232
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................234
5

▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........234
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........235
▫Tire Spinning........................235
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................236
▫Life Of Tire.........................237
▫Replacement Tires.....................237
▫Alignment And Balance.................238

All Wheel Drive—If Equipped...........239

Self–Sealing Tires—If Equipped..........239

Tire Pressure Monitor System—
If Equipped
..........................239
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring—Base System.....239
▫Tire Pressure Monitoring—Premium
System.............................241
▫General Information...................243

Tire Chains...........................244

Snow Tires...........................245

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........245

Fuel Requirements.....................246
▫2.7L Engines.........................246
▫3.5L And 5.7L Engines..................246
▫Spark Knock.........................247
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................247
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............247
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................248
▫Materials Added To Fuel................248
▫Fuel System Cautions..................248
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............249

Adding Fuel..........................250
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............250

Vehicle Loading.......................252
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............252
200 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natu-
ral laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor
can it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
The ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. The light will come on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.If the ABS light remains on or comes on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
brakes. If the ABS light does not come on when the
Ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
bulb repaired as soon as possible.
If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not function-
ing. Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self check cycle to ensure that the ABS system
is working properly. This self check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).
220 STARTING AND OPERATING

ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-lock:
•The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop),
•the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
•brake pedal pulsations,
•and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!
The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
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