2008 DODGE CHALLENGER traction control

this message. The “ESP OFF” message may appear in the
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC). Refer to
“Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Sec-
tion 4. To turn ESP ON again, momentarily depress the
ESP OFF switch.
NOTE:TheESP OFF message will display and the
audible chime will sound when the shift lever is moved
into the PARK position from any position other than
PARK and then moved out of the PARK position. This
will occur when the message was previously cleared.
WARNING!
In the ESP “Full Off” mode, the engine torque
reduction and stability features are cancelled. There-
fore, the enhanced vehicle stability offered by ESP is
unavailable. NOTE:
When the ESP is switched OFF, a feature 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. To improve the vehicle’s traction
when driving with tire chains, or when starting off in
deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch
to the “Partial Off” mode by momentarily depressing the
ESP OFF switch.
STARTING AND OPERATING 243
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NOTE:
•The ESP/TCS Indicator Light and the ESP/BAS Mal-
function Indicator Light will turn on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESP System
will be ON even if it was turned OFF previously.
•The ESP Control System will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is normal; the sounds
will stop when the ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan- dards Code (TIN) 4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
STARTING AND OPERATING 245
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WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
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 RE-
VERSE and DRIVE. Usually, the least accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion without spin-
ning the wheels is most effective.
NOTE: Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program,” or “Traction Control” in Section 5.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 289
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Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
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 charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These 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
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 359
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Illuminated Entry....................... 20
Instrument Cluster .................. 116,150
Intensity Control ....................... 121
Interior .......................... 121,129
License ............................. 340
Lights On Reminder .................... 118
Low Fuel ............................ 158
LowTire ............................ 156
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 158
Map Reading ...................... 120,129
Oil Pressure .......................... 153
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) .......... 121
Passing ............................. 120
Reading .......................... 120,129
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 154
Service ........................... 336,337
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 158
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........156,264 Traction Control
....................... 244
Turn Signal ...................... 70,119,152
VanityMirror .......................... 77
Voltage ............................. 150
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 150
Loading Vehicle ...................... 276,277
Capacities ........................... 277
Tires ............................... 250
Locks ................................. 29
AutoUnlock .......................... 31
Automatic Door ........................ 31
Door ................................ 29
Power Door ........................... 30
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 264
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) ............................ 61,62
Lubrication, Body ....................... 311
Lumbar Support ........................ 111
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Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 125
Time Delay, Headlight .................... 117
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 250
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 249
Tire Markings .......................... 245
Tire Safety Information .................... 245
TIREFIT .............................. 281
Tires ............................ 70, 254,358
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 259
Air Pressure .......................... 254
Alignment ........................... 261
Chains .............................. 261
General Information .................... 254
High Speed .......................... 257
Inflation Pressures ..................... 255
LifeofTires .......................... 259
Load Capacity ..................... 250,251Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
........... 264
Quality Grading ....................... 358
Radial .............................. 257
Replacement ......................... 260
Rotation ............................. 262
Safety ........................... 245,254
Sizes ............................... 247
Snow Tires ........................... 262
Spinning ............................ 258
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 258
To Open Hood .......................... 114
Towing ............................... 278 24-Hour Towing Assistance ................ 91
Behind a Motor Home .................. 278
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 291
Recreational .......................... 278
Towing Assistance ........................ 91
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home ......... 278
Traction Control ......................... 239
INDEX 379
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