2007 DODGE MAGNUM 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 233
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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.
234 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 297
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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 379
9

Hood............................... 95
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 261
LifeofTires ........................... 250
Liftgate ............................... 31
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer............ 201
Lights .............................. 61,96
Airbag....................... 46,49,61,142
Anti-Lock........................147,228
Automatic Headlights................... 96
Brake Assist Warning.................. 235
Brake Warning....................144,226
Bulb Replacement..................... 344
Courtesy/Reading.................100,109
Cruise ............................. 140
Daytime Running...................... 98
Dimmer Switch, Headlight............... 99
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Indicator ..........................233,235
Electronic Throttle Control Warning....... 141
Engine Temperature Warning............ 142
Fog ............................. 98,144
Hazard Warning Flasher................ 284
Headlight Switch...................... 96Headlights........................... 96
Headlights On With Wipers........... 97,103
High Beam........................ 99,143
High Beam Indicator................... 143
IlluminatedEntry ...................... 17
Instrument Cluster.................. 96,140
Interior ..........................100,109
License............................. 349
Lights On Reminder.................... 98
Low Fuel........................... 147
LowTire ............................ 145
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)...... 147
Oil Pressure......................... 143
Passing............................. 99
Reading............................ 109
Seat Belt Reminder.................... 143
Service..........................344,345
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . 147
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).......145,254
Traction Control...................... 235
Turn Signal........................ 99,142
Voltage ............................. 140
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 140
INDEX 389
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Jacking..........................286,289
LifeofTires ......................... 250
Load Capacity....................240,241
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)......... 254
Quality Grading...................... 378
Radial............................. 247
Replacement......................... 250
Rotation ............................ 253
Safety ...........................236,244
Self-Sealing .......................... 252
Sizes ............................... 237
Snow Tires.......................... 253
Spare Tire........................... 287
Spinning ............................ 248
TreadWearIndicators .................. 249
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 275
Torque Converter Clutch................. 217
Towing .............................. 270
Behind a Motor Home................. 282
Disabled Vehicle...................... 298
Guide .............................. 273
Recreational......................... 282
Weight ............................. 273Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home....... 282
Traction Control........................ 230
Traction Control Switch.................. 230
TrailerTowing ......................... 270
Cooling System Tips................... 281
Hitches............................. 273
Minimum Requirements................ 276
Trailer and Tongue Weight.............. 275
Wiring............................. 279
TrailerTowingGuide .................... 273
TrailerWeight ......................... 273
Transmission.......................... 330
Automatic .....................214,219,330
Fluid .............................. 352
Shifting............................. 211
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................ 21
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink).110
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless
Entry) ................................ 21
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)...... 17
Transporting Pets........................ 58
TreadWearIndicators ................... 249
INDEX 395
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