2008 DODGE CHARGER brake fluid

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 objects
lodged 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.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

next scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ªONº position.
To turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
Trip Odometer button on the instrument cluster. To reset
the oil change indicator system (after performing the
scheduled maintenance) perform the following proce-
dure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.NOTE:If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure.
20. Brake System Warning Light
This 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 (if equipped).
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.
170 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which change fluid level condi-
tions. 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 Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
Both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light willturn on in the event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair
of the ABS system 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 OFF position to
the ON position. The light should turn on for approxi-
mately two seconds and then turn off. The light will
remain on if the parking brake is applied or if a brake
fault is detected. If the parking brake is not applied and
the light remains on, or if the light does not turn on, have
the light inspected by an authorized dealer.
NOTE:The light will turn on when the ignition switch
in the ON position and the parking brake is applied. This
light shows only that the parking brake is applied. It does
not show the degree of brake application. (See page 280
for more information.)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 171
4

CAUTION!
²Always check the depth of the standing water before driving
through it. Never drive through standing water that is deeper
than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
²Determine the condition of the road or the path that is under
water and if there are any obstacles in the way before driving
through the standing water.
²Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
²Driving through standing water may cause damage to your
vehicle's drivetrain components. Always inspect your vehi-
cle's fluids (i.e. engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for signs
of contamination (i.e. fluid that is milky or foamy in appear-
ance) after driving through standing water. Do not continue
to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears contaminated, as
this may result in further damage. Such damage is not
covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can cause it to
lockup and stall out and cause serious internal damage to the
engine. Such damage is not covered by the new vehicle
limited warranty.
WARNING!
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lockup and stall out and leave you
stranded.
²Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
5

NMaintenance-Free Battery................381
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............383
NA/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped............384
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............384
NFront & Rear Suspension Ball Joints........385
NSteering Linkage......................385
NBody Lubrication.....................385
NWindshield Wiper Blades................386
NWindshield Washers...................386
NExhaust System......................387
NCooling System.......................388
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......393
NFuel System.........................393NBrake System........................394
NAutomatic Transmission................396
NAll Wheel Drive (AWD) Ð If Equipped.....398
NFront And Rear Wheel Bearings...........398
NAppearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................398
NCleaning The Center Console Cup Holders . . . 403
mFuses (Power Distribution Centers)..........404
NFuses (Front Power Distribution Center).....404
NFuses (Rear Power Distribution Center)......406
mVehicle Storage........................411
mReplacement Light Bulbs.................412
mBulb Replacement......................413
364 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

2.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 Ð Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center) 6 Ð Air Cleaner Filter
2 Ð Engine Oil Dipstick 7 Ð Coolant Pressure Cap
3 Ð Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 Ð Engine Oil Fill
4 Ð Coolant Bottle 9 Ð Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
5 Ð Power Steering Fluid 10 Ð Washer Fluid Bottle 366 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

3.5L ENGINE COMPARTMENT
1 Ð Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center) 6 Ð Coolant Bottle
2 Ð Air Cleaner Filter 7 Ð Engine Oil Fill
3 Ð Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 Ð Engine Oil Dipstick
4 Ð Coolant Pressure Cap 9 Ð Washer Fluid Bottle
5 Ð Power Steering Fluid 10 Ð Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery PostMAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 367
7

5.7L ENGINE COMPARTMENT Ð EXCEPT DAYTONA & R/T
1 Ð Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center) 6 Ð Air Cleaner Filter
2 Ð Coolant Pressure Cap 7 Ð Engine Oil Fill
3 Ð Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 8 Ð Engine Oil Dipstick
4 Ð Coolant Bottle 9 Ð Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post
5 Ð Power Steering Fluid 10 Ð Washer Fluid Bottle 368 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE