2008 DODGE CHALLENGER Owners Manual

To activate the override, first insert the key into the
ignition switch and turn it to the ACC or ON position.
Then, press the pink-colored tab through the access port
with a small flat-bladed screwdriver or alike. While
pressing the override tab, move the shift lever out of the
PARK position. When complete, return the override
cover to its original position.
5-Speed Automatic Transmission
Shifting from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE should be
done only after the accelerator pedal is released and the
vehicle is stopped. Be sure to keep your foot on the brake
pedal when moving the shift lever between these gears.
Brake Interlock Override
Shift Lever
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
5
ProCarManuals.com

Gear Ranges
PARK
PARK supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
Never use PARK while the vehicle is in motion. Apply
the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this range.
When parking on a flat surface, place the shift lever in the
PARK position first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the shift lever in PARK, otherwise
the load on the transmission locking mechanism may
make it difficult to move the shift lever out of PARK. As
an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
WARNING!
Never use PARK position on an automatic transmis-
sion as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply the parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the shift lever in the PARK position:
•When shifting into PARK, move the shift lever all the
way forward and to the left until it stops and is fully
seated.
•Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument
panel to ensure it is in the P position.
224 STARTING AND OPERATING
ProCarManuals.com

CAUTION!
Damage to the shifter could result if the shift lever is
moved out of PARK before the ignition is turned
from the LOCK to ON position.
REVERSE
Shift into REVERSE gear only when the vehicle is com-
pletely stopped.
NEUTRAL
In NEUTRAL, no power is transmitted from the engine to
the drive axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle
can be moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage
NEUTRAL position while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).
The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.
CAUTION!
Coasting the vehicle or driving for any other reason
with the shift lever in NEUTRAL can result in
transmission damage.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
5
ProCarManuals.com

DRIVE
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and the best fuel economy.
The transmission automatically upshifts through 5th
gear. The DRIVE position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoStickmode and select the “3”
range.
Delayed Shifts in Cold Temperatures
During cold temperature operation, you may notice
delayed upshifts depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle speed. This feature im-
proves warm up time of the engine and transmission to
achieve maximum efficiency.
Temporary Transmission Limp Home Mode
The transmission is monitored for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could result in transmission
damage, the transmission will engage Limp Home Mode.
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating in
the Limp Home Mode. In this mode, the transmission
will remain in the current gear until the vehicle is
brought to a stop. After the vehicle has stopped, PARK,
REVERSE, and NEUTRAL will continue to operate. Sec-
ond gear will operate in the DRIVE position. The Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated.
226 STARTING AND OPERATING
ProCarManuals.com

A reset feature is available to allow the vehicle to be
driven to an authorized dealer for service. To reset the
transmission, use the following procedure:
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Move the shift lever to the PARK position.
3. Turn OFF the engine.
4. Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Move the shift lever to the desired range. If the
problem is no longer detected, the transmission will
return to normal operation.
NOTE:Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur. Have the transmission checked at your authorized dealer
as soon as possible.
If the problem has been momentary, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears.
Permanent Transmission Limp Home Mode
Permanent Limp Home Mode will be activated if the
transmission enters temporary Limp Home Mode three
times. Follow the reset procedure described under “Tem-
porary Transmission Limp Home Mode” in this section.
In Permanent Limp Home Mode, PARK, REVERSE, and
NEUTRAL will continue to operate. Second gear will
operate in the DRIVE position. The Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) may illuminate.
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5
ProCarManuals.com

AUTOSTICK
Autostickis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting to provide you with more control of
the vehicle. Autostick allows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This system
can also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
Autostick Operation
By placing the shift lever in the DRIVE position, it can be
moved from side to side. This allows the driver to select
a higher or lower range of gears. Moving the shift lever to
the left (-) triggers a downshift and to the right (+) an
upshift. The gear position will display in the instrument
cluster on the transmission range indicator. NOTE:
•In Autostick
mode, the transmission will only shift
up and down when the driver manually moves the
shift lever right (D+) or left (D-).
•An UPSHIFT message will appear in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) portion of the in-
strument cluster when using Autostick . This message
appears in order to alert the driver to upshift to the
next gear. The UPSHIFT message will display while
operating the vehicle at higher engine revolutions per
minute (RPM).
You can shift in or out of the Autostick mode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. When
you wish to engage Autostick , simply move the shift lever
to the right (D+) or left (D-) while in the DRIVE position.
The transmission will remain in the current gear until an
upshift or downshift is chosen. When you wish to disen-
gage Autostick , hold the shift lever to the right for at least
228 STARTING AND OPERATING
ProCarManuals.com

one second. The transmission will now operate automati-
cally, shifting between the five available gears.
AutostickGeneral Information
•
You can start out in 1st or 2nd gear. The system will
ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle speed.
•The transmission will automatically downshift to 1st
gear when coming to a stop.
•Starting out in 2nd gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
•Avoid using speed control when Autostick is en-
gaged.
•The transmission will not automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autostick is
engaged.
•Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autostick is engaged.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the rear wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the rear
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the rear
wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle and
possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet mud, loose sand, etc.).
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5
ProCarManuals.com

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is known as hydroplaning and may cause
partial or complete loss of vehicle control and stopping
ability. To reduce this possibility, the following precau-
tions should be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when the roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain sufficient distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on, or cross, a road or a path where
water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off).
Flowing water can wear away the road or path’s
surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper
water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
230 STARTING AND OPERATING
ProCarManuals.com