2008 DODGE CHALLENGER airbag

Children too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seatback should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
NOTE: For additional information, refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1–866–SEATCHECK.
WARNING!
•Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
•A rearward-facing child restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward-facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger airbag, which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
•Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 500 mi (800 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
However, wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can
be detrimental and should be avoided.The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle lubricant
installed at the factory is high-quality and energy-
conserving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant changes should be
consistent with anticipated climate and conditions under
which vehicle operations will occur. The recommended
viscosity and quality grades is shown in Section 7.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered as a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2
ProCarManuals.com

Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-
able.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
ProCarManuals.com

WARNING!
A hot engine cooling system is dangerous. You or
others could be badly burned by steam or boiling
coolant. You may want to call a service center if your
vehicle overheats. If you decide to look under the
hood yourself, refer to Section 7 and follow the
warnings under the Cooling System Pressure Cap
paragraph.
9. Turn Signal Indicator Light The arrow will flash with the exterior turn signal
when the turn signal lever is operated.
NOTE: A continuous chime will sound if the vehicle is
driven more than 1 mi (1.6 km) with either turn signal on.
NOTE: Check for an inoperative outside light bulb if
either indicator flashes at a rapid rate. 10. Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for six to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is either not on during
starting, or stays on, or turns on while driving,
have the system inspected at your authorized dealer as
soon as possible.
11. Engine Temperature Warning Light This light will turn on and a single chime will
sound to warn of an overheated engine condition.
When this light turns on, the engine temperature
is critically hot. The vehicle should be turned OFF
immediately and serviced as soon as possible.
152 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
ProCarManuals.com

About Your Brakes.................... 232,234
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ............235,238
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 316
Adding Fuel ........................... 274
Adding Washer Fluid .................. 124,312
Additives, Fuel ......................... 272
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 304
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 309
Air Conditioning ........................ 203
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 203
Air Conditioning Filter .................208,310
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 209
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............309,310
Air Conditioning System ................203,309
Air Pressure, Tires .................... 156,255
Airbag ................................ 46
Airbag Deployment ..................... 51,53
Airbag Light ..................... 52,55,70,152
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 55 Airbag, Side
.......................... 47,53
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ............. 47,53
Alarm, Panic ............................ 25
Alarm (Security Alarm) ................. 18,156
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Alignment and Balance ................... 261
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 196
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........315,316,341
Disposal ............................ 317
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............235,238
Anti-Lock Warning Light ...............158,236
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Anti-Theft System ....................... 156
Appearance Care ........................ 324
Arming Theft System (Security Alarm) ......... 18
Assistance Towing ........................ 91
Audio Systems (Radio) .................... 191
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 34
362 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com

Knee Bolster............................ 46
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 119
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 38
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether
forCHildren) ......................... 61,62
Latch Plate ............................. 39
Latches ................................ 70
Hood ............................... 114
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 270
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 70
LifeofTires ............................ 259
LightBulbs .......................... 70,336
Lights .............................. 70,116
Airbag ........................ 52,55,70,152
Anti-Lock ......................... 158,236
Automatic Headlights ................... 117
Brake Assist Warning ................... 244
Brake Warning ..................... 155,234Bulb Replacement
................... 336,337
Center Mounted Stop ................... 340
Courtesy/Reading ................... 120,129
Cruise .............................. 150
Daytime Running ...................... 118
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ............. 119,120
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 244
Electronic Throttle Control Warning ......... 151
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 152
Exterior .............................. 70
Fog ............................. 118,154
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 280
Headlight Switch ...................... 116
Headlights ........................ 116,337
Headlights On Reminder ................. 118
Headlights On With Wipers ............ 117,124
High Beam ........................ 120,153
High Beam Indicator .................... 153
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 120
INDEX 371
10
ProCarManuals.com

Seats................................. 109
Adjustment .......................... 109
Head Restraints ....................... 111
Heated .............................. 112
Height Adjustment ..................... 109
Lumbar Support ....................... 111
Power .............................. 109
Rear Folding ......................... 113
Seatback Release ....................... 113
Tilting .............................. 109
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............. 18,156
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........315,342
Selection of Oil ......................... 302
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 16
Service Assistance ....................... 353
Service Contract ......................... 355 Service Engine Soon Light (Malfunction
Indicator)
............................. 158
Service Manuals ........................ 357
Setting the Clock ..................... 178,193
Settings, Personal ........................ 172
Shifting ............................... 220 Automatic Transmission ...............220,223
Shoulder Belts ........................... 38
Side Airbag ........................... 47,53
Side Curtain (Window Airbag) ............... 47
Side Window Demisters (Defrosters) .......... 207
Signals, Turn ...................... 70,119,152
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On ............... 229
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 261
Snow Tires ............................ 262
Sound System Kicker .............................. 200
Sound Systems (Radio) .................... 191
INDEX 377
10
ProCarManuals.com

Spark Plugs......................... 304,342
Specifications Fuel (Gasoline) ........................ 342
Oil ................................ 342
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 126
Speedometer ........................... 150
Starting ............................. 27,214
Automatic Transmission ................. 215
Cold Weather ......................... 217
Emergency (Jump Starting) ............... 286
Engine Fails to Start .................... 218
Remote .............................. 27
Starting and Operating .................... 214
Starting Procedures ...................... 214
Steering Column Controls ...................... 119
Column Lock ......................... 125
Linkage ............................. 311
Power ........................... 237,310TiltColumn .......................... 125
Wheel, Tilt
........................... 125
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls .............................. 201
Storage ............................... 335
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 207,335
StoringYourVehicle ...................... 335
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 289
Sun Roof .............................. 136
Sunglasses Storage ....................... 130
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 139
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 46
System, Navigation ...................... 191
System, Remote Starting .................... 27
Tachometer ............................ 150
Telescoping Steering Column ............... 125
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......151,281
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 61
378 INDEX
ProCarManuals.com