2007 DODGE CHARGER towing

CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to see if any apply to you.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and Go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.
•Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service).
•Off-Road or desert operation.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow schedule “B” in the
Maintenance Schedulesin this manual.
If none of these applies to you, then change your engine
oil at every interval shown on scheduleAin the
Maintenance Schedulesin this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months,
whichever comes first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacture only
recommends engine oils that are API certified and meet
the requirements of DaimlerChrysler Material Standard
MS-6395.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297
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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

Fluid and Filter Changes
Automatic transmission fluid and filter should be
changed as follows:
Normal Usage — No change necessary
Severe Usage (fluid and filter) — Refer to Maintenance
Schedule “B”
Severe Usage is defined as:
•Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle is drivenregularlyfor
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
If the transmission is disassembled for any reason, the
fluid and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped
The all wheel drive system consists of a Transfer Case
and Front Differential. The exterior surface of these
components should be inspected for evidence of fluid
leaks. Confirmed leaks should be repaired as soon as
possible.
The transfer case fluid inspection plug is located in the
middle of the rear housing. To inspect the transfer case
fluid level, remove the inspection plug. The fluid level
should be even with the bottom of the hole. The transfer
case fill plug is located on the rear housing near the
output shaft.
The front differential fill plug is located on the outer
cover near the halfshaft attachment. To inspect the differ-
ential fluid level, remove the fill plug. The fluid level
should be even with or slightly below the bottom of the
hole.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 317
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Fluid Changes
The fluid should be changed as follows:
Normal Usage
Front Differential No Service Required
Transfer Case Refer to Maintenance
Schedule “A”
Severe Usage
Front Differential No Service Required
Transfer Case Refer to Maintenance
Schedule “B”
Severe Usage is defined as:
1. More than 50% of vehicle operation in stop and go
traffic where vehicle is driven regularly for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, such as in heavy city or
in construction zone traffic.
2. Police, taxi, limousine, commercial type operation, or
trailer towing where the vehicle driven regularly for
more than 45 minutes of continuous operation.
Front And Rear Wheel Bearings
Front and rear wheel bearings are permanently sealed.
No regular maintenance is required for these compo-
nents.
Appearance Care and Protection from Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and chemicals that are sprayed
on trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are
highly corrosive to the metal in your vehicle. Outside
parking, which exposes your vehicle to airborne contami-
nants, road surfaces on which the vehicle is operated,
extreme hot or cold weather and other extreme condi-
tions will have an adverse effect on paint, metal trim, and
underbody protection.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
318 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.

•Taxi, police, or delivery service (commercial ser-
vice).

•Off-road or desert operation.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow the maintenance rec-
ommendations in Schedule “B” in this section.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow the
maintenance recommendations in Schedule “B” in this
section.
NOTE:Most vehicles are operated under the conditions
listed for ScheduleB.
Second is Schedule“A.”It is for vehicles that are not
operated under any of the conditions listed under Sched-
uleB.
Use the schedule that best describes your driving condi-
tions. Where time and mileage are listed, follow the
interval that occurs first.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change
intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months
whichever comes first.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 343
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SCHEDULE “B”
Follow Schedule “B” if you usually operate your vehicle
under one or more of the following conditions.
Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter every
60,000 miles (100 000 km) if the vehicle is usually
operated under one or more of the conditions marked
with an
.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).
•Trailer towing.

•Taxi, police or delivery service (commercial ser-
vices).

•Off-road or desert operation.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first, and follow the maintenance rec-
ommendations in Schedule “B” in this section.
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, then flush and
replace the engine coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000
km) or 60 months, whichever comes first, and follow the
maintenance recommendations in Schedule “B” in this
section.
SCHEDULE “B” 345
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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
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Requirements.....................250,337
Tank Capacity........................ 337
Fuel System Caution.................... 255
Fueling.............................. 254
Fuses................................ 323
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) .......... 109
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap)..............254,293
Gasoline, Clean Air..................... 251
Gasoline (Fuel)........................ 250
Gasoline, Reformulated.................. 251
Gauges
Coolant Temperature.................. 130
Fuel............................... 129
Speedometer......................... 129
Tachometer.......................... 129
Gear Ranges.......................... 201
General Information.................15,22,249
Glass Cleaning......................... 321
Gross Axle Weight Rating..............257,259
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating............257,259
GVWR ............................... 257Hands-Free Phone (UConnect™)............ 69
Hazard Warning Flasher.................. 272
Head Restraints......................... 91
Headlights
Cleaning............................ 321
High Beam........................... 98
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch....... 98
Lights On Reminder.................... 97
On With Wipers....................96,102
Passing............................. 98
Switch.............................. 95
Time Delay........................... 96
Heated Seats........................... 91
Heater............................... 180
Heater, Engine Block.................... 197
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch.... 98
Hitches
Trailer Towing....................... 262
Holder, Cup........................... 119
HomeLink(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter.... 109
Hood Release.......................... 94
Hoses............................312,313
INDEX 375
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