2008 DODGE CHALLENGER ABS

The Vehicle Security Alarm System is designed to protect
your vehicle; however, you can create conditions where
the system will give you a false alarm. If one of the
previously-described arming sequences has occurred, the
system will arm regardless of whether you are in the
vehicle or not. If you remain in the vehicle and open a
door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the
system.
If the alarm system is armed and the battery becomes
disconnected, the system will remain armed when the
battery is reconnected. The exterior lights will flash, the
horn will sound, and the ignition will not start the
vehicle. If this occurs, disarm the system.
Tamper Alert
If something has triggered the system in your absence,
the horn will sound three times when you disarm the
system. Check the vehicle for tampering.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM
The courtesy lights will turn on when you press the
UNLOCK button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter or open any door.
The lights will fade to off after about 30 seconds or they
will immediately fade to off once the ignition switch is
turned ON from the LOCK position.
NOTE:
•None of the courtesy lights will operate if the dimmer
control is in the “defeat” position (extreme downward
position), unless the overhead map/reading lights are
turned on manually.
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20. Brake Warning LightThis light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity to a portion of the hydraulic system in the event of a
failure. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder drops
below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which could change fluid level
conditions. The vehicle should have service performed,
and the brake fluid level checked. Immediate repair is necessary if brake failure is indicated.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with ABS are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Both the Brake
Warning Light and the ABS Light will turn on in the
event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair of the ABS is
required in the event of an EBD failure.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the LOCK position to
the ON position. The light should turn on for approxi-
mately two seconds and then turn off. The light will
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23. Anti-Lock Brake Warning LightThis light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). The light will turn on when the ignition
switch is turned to the ON position and may stay on for
as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving,
then the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system is not
functioning and service is required. However, the con-
ventional brake system will continue to operate normally
if the BRAKE warning light is not on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefits of Anti-Lock
Brakes. If the ABS light does not turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer.
24. Low Fuel Warning Light This light will turn on and a single chime will
sound when the fuel level drops to 1/8 tank. 25. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD. The OBD system monitors engine
and automatic transmission control systems. The
MIL will turn on when the key is in the ON position
before engine start. If the MIL does not come on when
turning the key from LOCK to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the MIL
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
The MIL flashes to alert you to serious conditions that
could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
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▫Traction ............................230

Driving Through Water ..................230
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................230

Parking Brake .........................232

Brake System ..........................234
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............235

Power Steering ........................237

Electronic Brake Control System ............238
▫ ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ............238
▫ TCS (Traction Control System) ............239
▫ BAS (Brake Assist System) ...............239
▫ ESP (Electronic Stability Program) .........240
▫ Synchronizing ESP ....................244 ▫
ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light ................244

Tire Safety Information ...................245
▫ Tire Markings ........................245
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........250

Tires — General Information ...............254
▫ Tire Pressure .........................254
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................255
▫ Radial Ply Tires ......................257
▫ Tire Spinning ........................258
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................258
▫ LifeOfTire .........................259
▫ Replacement Tires .....................260
▫ Alignment And Balance .................261
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Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system automatically “pumps”
the brakes during severe braking conditions to prevent
wheel lock-up.
The Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) prevents
the rear wheels from over-braking and provides greater
control of available braking forces applied to the rear
axle.
When the vehicle is driven over 7 mph (11 km/h), you
may also hear a slight clicking sound as well as some
related motor noises. These noises are the system per-
forming its self check cycle to ensure that the ABS system
is working properly. This self check occurs each time the
vehicle is started and accelerated past 7 mph (11 km/h).ABS is activated during braking under certain road or
stopping conditions. ABS-inducing conditions can in-
clude ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose
debris, or panic stops.
You also may experience the following when the brake
system goes into Anti-Lock:
•The ABS motor running (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop),
•The clicking sound of solenoid valves,
•Brake pedal pulsations, and
•A slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the end
of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
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WARNING!
•The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) contains sophisticated elec-
tronic equipment that may be susceptible to interference caused by
improperly installed or high output radio transmitting equipment.
This interference can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be performed by
qualified professionals.
•Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their effectiveness
and may lead to an accident. Pumping makes the stopping distance
longer. Just press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
•The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent the natural
laws of physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded by the condi-
tion of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
•The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive speed in turns, following
another vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive,
and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
•The capabilities of an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner,
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
Anti-Lock Brake Light
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Light monitors
the Anti-Lock Brake System. The light will come
on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position
and may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS Light remains on or comes on while driving, it
indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required. However,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally if the Brake Warning Light is not on.
If the ABS Light is on, the brake system should be
serviced as soon as possible to restore the benefits of
Anti-Lock brakes. If the ABS Light does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position,
have the bulb repaired as soon as possible.
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If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the ABS and EBD systems are not functioning.
Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system. Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of
the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid
temperature and it should be avoided when possible.
Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
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ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system commonly referred to as ESP. This
system includes the ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System), the
TCS (Traction Control System), the BAS (Brake Assist
System), and the ESP (Electronic Stability Program).
These systems work together to enhance both vehicle
stability and control in various driving conditions.
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions by controlling hydrau-
lic brake pressure. This prevents wheel lock-up to help
avoid skidding on slippery surfaces during braking. For
more information about ABS, refer to “Anti-Lock Brake
System” in Section 5.
WARNING!
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting 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 ABS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
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