2007 DODGE CHARGER traction control

ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP) — IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
The ESP (Electronic Stability Program) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, 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.
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Enginepower may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
•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.
The ESP/TCS Indicator Light, located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The indicator light also flashes when the
TCS is active. If the indicator 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 prevailing road conditions.
STARTING AND OPERATING 221
5

The ESP OFF button is located in the center of the
instrument panel. To turn OFF the ESP, momentarily
press the ESP OFF button and the ESP/TCS Indicator
Light will illuminate. To turn the system ON again,
momentarily press the ESP OFF button and the indicator
light will turn OFF.
NOTE:To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving
with snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand, or
gravel, switch off the ESP by pressing the ESP OFF
button.When ESP is switched off, the engine torque reduction
feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. However, a fea-
ture of the system remains active. This feature controls
wheel spin across an axle quite similarly to a limited slip
differential. If one wheel on an axle is spinning faster
than the other, the system will apply the brake of the
spinning wheel and allow more engine torque to be
applied to the wheel that is not spinning. This wheel slip
control is active at vehicle speeds between approximately
24 mph (40 km/h) and 50 mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION!
When the ESP/TCS Indicator Light is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Avoid spin-
ning one drive wheel. This may cause serious dam-
age to the drive train.
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
1. Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting
out the battery vent;
2. Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion;
3. Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and Drive. Usually the least accelerator pedal pressure to
maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
— if equipped, or Traction Control System (TCS) — if
equipped before rocking the vehicle. For details, refer to
“Electronic Stability Program,” or “Traction Control Sys-
tem” in this manual.
284 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1
1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to variations
in driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat
and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 367
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Bulb Replacement..................... 330
Courtesy/Reading..................99,108
Cruise............................. 129
Daytime Running...................... 97
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 98
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) Indicator....................221,223
Electronic Throttle Control Warning....... 130
Engine Temperature Warning............ 131
Fog .............................97,133
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 272
Headlight Switch...................... 95
Headlights........................... 95
Headlights On With Wipers...........96,102
High Beam........................98,132
High Beam Indicator................... 132
Illuminated Entry...................... 17
Instrument Cluster..................95,129
Interior...........................99,108
License............................. 336
Lights On Reminder.................... 97
Low Fuel........................... 136
LowTire ............................ 135Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)...... 136
Oil Pressure......................... 132
Passing............................. 98
Reading............................ 108
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 133
Service..........................330,331
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator)... 136
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).......135,242
Traction Control...................... 223
Turn Signal........................98,131
Voltage............................. 129
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 129
Load Leveling System................... 122
Loading Vehicle.....................256,258
Capacities........................... 258
Tires ............................... 228
Locks................................ 23
Auto Unlock......................... 25
Child Protection....................... 26
Door............................... 23
Power Door.......................... 24
Low Tire Pressure System................ 242
INDEX 377
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Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 264
Torque Converter Clutch................. 204
Towing.............................. 259
Behind a Motor Home................. 270
Disabled Vehicle...................... 285
Guide.............................. 263
Recreational......................... 270
Weight............................. 263
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home....... 270
Traction Control........................ 218
Traction Control Switch.................. 218
Trailer Towing......................... 259
Cooling System Tips................... 270
Hitches............................. 262
Minimum Requirements................ 265
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 264
Wiring............................. 268
Trailer Towing Guide.................... 263
Trailer Weight......................... 263
Transmission.......................... 316
Automatic.....................200,205,316
Fluid.............................. 339
Shifting............................ 197Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry)................... 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink).... 109
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry)................... 21
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)...... 17
Transporting Pets........................ 58
Tread Wear Indicators................... 237
Trip Odometer......................... 129
Trunk Release, Emergency................. 33
Trunk Release Remote Control.............. 32
Turn Signals........................98,131
UConnect™ (Hands-Free Phone)............ 69
Uniform Tire Quality Grades.............. 366
Universal Transmitter.................... 109
Unleaded Gasoline...................... 250
Untwisting Procedure, Seat Belt............. 39
Vanity Mirrors.......................... 68
Variance, Compass...................... 143
Vehicle Certification Label................ 256
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).......... 6
INDEX 383
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