2007 DODGE CHARGER heating

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for
a number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys
in the ignition. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up
may cause serious injury or death.
•Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the gear selection lever or
by pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause
excessive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in
overheating and vehicle fire, which may cause
serious or fatal injuries.
194 STARTING AND OPERATING

vehicle under heavy loading conditions (in hilly ter-
rain, traveling into strong head winds, or while tow-
ing heavy trailers.
NOTE:
•
If the vehicle is started in cold temperatures, shifts into
Overdrive may be delayed. Normal Overdrive and
shifting operation will resume when the temperature
of the transmission reaches the appropriate tempera-
ture. Refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” later in this section.
•If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive or en-
gage overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive
will resume normal operation.
3 (Third)
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The trans-
mission will operate normally in First, Second and
Third while in this range. The “3” position should also
be used when descending steep grades to prevent
brake system distress.NOTE:
Using the “3” range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.
L (Low)
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts
will occur only to prevent engine overspeed while
downshifts occur earlier than other gear range selec-
tions.
CAUTION!
Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can cause overheating and damage to the transmis-
sion.
STARTING AND OPERATING 203
5

high RPM. Return to a higher gear range or vehicle
speed when road conditions and RPM level allows.
Towing Tips — Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, put transmission in
neutral and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
Refer to “Cooling System” under “Maintenance Pro-
cedures” in Section 7 of this manual for more informa-
tion.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all
four wheels are off the ground.
270 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The hazard flasher switch is located in the center of the
instrument panel below the center air outlets.
To engage the Hazard Warning Flashers, depress the
switch on the instrument panel. When the Hazard Warn-
ing Switch is activated, all directional turn signals will
flash on and off to warn oncoming traffic of an emer-
gency. Push the switch a second time to turn off the
flashers.This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.
When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning Flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is OFF.
NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning Flash-
ers may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — Slow down.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put transmission in
neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
Hazard Flasher Switch
272 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “First” and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure
someone. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster
than 35 mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and don’t
let anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE (Flat towing with all four wheels on the
ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission, is only permitted within the following
limitations:
With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The gear selector must be in NEUTRAL, the
distance to be traveled must not exceed 30 miles (48 km),
and the towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 285
6

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your ex-
haust system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in
areas where your exhaust system can contact any-
thing that can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this should occur,
safely bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the
engine off, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter,
obtain service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s
specifications immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
302 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Delay (Intermittent) Wipers............... 101
Diagnostic System, Onboard............... 292
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 98
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............. 311
Door Locks............................ 23
Door Locks, Automatic................... 24
Door Opener, Garage.................... 109
Drive Belts............................ 300
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................. 212
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System).... 172
Electric Remote Mirrors................... 68
Electrical Power Outlets.................. 117
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)..... 105
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).......... 221
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light..... 130
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)..... 137
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............. 284
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 272
Jacking............................. 274Jump Starting........................ 282
Overheating......................... 272
Towing............................. 285
Emission Control System Maintenance....293,342
Engine.........................289,290,291
Air Cleaner.......................... 300
Block Heater......................... 197
Break-In Recommendations............... 59
Checking Oil Level.................295,296
Compartment..................289,290,291
Coolant (Antifreeze)................308,338
Cooling............................ 308
Exhaust Gas Caution................60,253
Fails to Start......................... 195
Flooded, Starting..................... 195
Fuel Requirements.................250,337
Oil ..........................295,337,338
Oil Change Interval................... 297
Oil Filler Cap........................ 298
Oil Selection......................297,337
Oil Synthetic......................... 299
Overheating......................... 272
Temperature Gauge................... 130
INDEX 373
10

Materials Added to.................... 299
Recommendation..................297,337
Synthetic........................... 299
Viscosity.........................298,337
Onboard Diagnostic System............292,293
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ......... 109
Operating Precautions................... 292
Outside Rearview Mirrors................. 67
Overdrive............................ 202
Overhead Console...................... 108
Overheating, Engine..................130,272
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual)......... 365
Panic Alarm........................... 20
Parking Brake......................... 213
Parking On Hill........................ 213
Passing Light........................... 98
Pedals, Adjustable...................... 104
Personal Settings....................... 146
Pets.................................. 58
Phone, Cellular......................... 69
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnect™)............ 69
Placard, Tire and Loading Information....... 228Power
Brakes............................. 214
Distribution Center (Fuses).............. 323
Door Locks.......................... 24
Mirrors............................. 68
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet)........ 117
Seats............................... 89
Steering.........................217,305
Steering, Checking.................... 305
Sunroof............................ 114
Windows............................ 28
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts............. 41
Preparation for Jacking................... 274
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................ 39
Programmable Electronic Features..... 110,113,146
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry)..............21,110,113
Radial Ply Tires........................ 235
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap)........ 310
Radio Broadcast Signals.................. 149
Radio, Navigation...................... 168
INDEX 379
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