2007 DODGE CHARGER fuel

This feature allows you to monitor when the MDS
switches off the fuel on four of the eight cylinders and it
can be used to modify driving habits in order to increase
the time in which the fuel saver mode is active.
•Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneousand average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. DTE cannot be reset through the FUNCTION
SELECT button.
NOTE:Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE displayed value.
•When the DTE value is less than 30 miles (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will
change to a text display ofLOW FUEL.This display
will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding
a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off
theLOW FUELtext and a new DTE value will
display.
•Trip A
Shows the total distance traveled for trip A since the last
reset.
•Trip B
Shows the total distance traveled for trip B since the last
reset.
8 Cylinder Operation - MDS Off
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 141
4

Temperature Control
The rotary knob in the center controls
air temperature. Rotate the control to
the left for cooler air temperature and
to the right for warmer air tempera-
ture. Rotating the control to the ex-
treme left provides the coldest setting.
Rotating the control to the extreme
right provides the warmest setting.
Mode Control
The rotary knob on the right controls
airflow distribution. Dots between
each of the mode selections identify
intermediate modes that allow the op-
erator to fine-tune airflow distribu-
tion. The mode settings are as follows:
•Defrost
Air is directed to the windshield through the
outlets at the base of the windshield. Air is
also directed to the front door windows through the
side window demister grilles.NOTE:
To improve fuel economy, leave in defrost only
when necessary.
•Defrost/Floor
Air flows through the front and rear floor
outlets and the outlets at the base of the
windshield. Air is also directed to the front
door windows through the side window demister
grilles.
•
Floor
Air flows through the floor outlets located
under the instrument panel and into the rear
seating area through vents under the front seats.
•
Bi-Level
Air flows through the outlets located in the
instrument panel and through the outlets lo-
cated on the floor. Air flows through the registers in
the back of the center console to the rear seat
passengers. These registers can be closed to par-
tially block airflow.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4

▫Premium System — If Equipped..........246
▫General Information...................249
Fuel Requirements.....................250
▫2.7L Engine.........................250
▫3.5L And 5.7L Engines..................250
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................251
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............251
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................252
▫Materials Added To Fuel................252
▫Fuel System Cautions..................252
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............253
Adding Fuel..........................254
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............254
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............256
Vehicle Loading.......................256
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............256▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......257
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........257
▫Overloading.........................257
▫Loading............................258
Trailer Towing........................259
▫Common Towing Definitions.............259
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............262
▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........263
▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............264
▫Towing Requirements..................265
▫Towing Tips.........................269
Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 270
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On
The Ground)........................270
STARTING AND OPERATING 193
5

Automatic Transmission
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the “START” position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 3 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the “LOCK” position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extremely Cold Weather (below20°F or29°C)
To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 195
5

WARNING!
•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.
•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.
If the engine is 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 the
engine.
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.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
196 STARTING AND OPERATING

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector 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.
CAUTION!
Damage to the shifter could result if the selector
lever is moved out of P (Park) before the ignition is
turned from the LOCK to ON position.
R (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to R (Reverse), except when rocking
the vehicle.
N (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this range.
CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.
WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
D (Overdrive)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest up shifts and down
shifts, and the best fuel economy. Select the “3” range
when frequent transmission shifting occurs when us-
ing the Overdrive range, such as when operating the
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops, or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
•
The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1–3 miles (1.6–4.8 km) of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into “Overdrive” when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pulling the selector
lever into the “3” position will show that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into and out of “Overdrive.”
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torqueconverter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and it will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from P (Park) into any other gear
position.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
The transmission is monitored for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could cause damage, the
transmission automatically shifts into second gear. The
transmission remains in second gear despite the forward
gear selected. P (Park), R (Reverse), and N (Neutral) will
continue to operate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle
to be driven to a dealer for service without damaging the
transmission.
If the problem has been momentary, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears.
•Stop the vehicle and shift into P (Park).
•Turn the key to LOCK then start the engine.
•Shift into D (Drive) and resume driving.
204 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
WARNING!
Do not coast in N (Neutral) and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
D (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 D (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 AutoStickmode and select the “3”
range.
AutoStickGear selection
The AutoStickfeature can be selected by pressing the
selector lever to the right or the left with the lever in the
D (Drive) position. The gear currently selected is indi-
cated in the instrument cluster display. Briefly, press the
selector lever in the “D -” direction and the transmission
will shift from the current gear to the next lower gear.
Press and hold the selector lever in the “D-” direction and
the transmission will shift from the current gear directly
to the next lowest gear for best acceleration.
STARTING AND OPERATING 207
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