2008 DODGE CHARGER manual transmission

If you press the power door lock switch while the key is
in the ignition, and any front door is open, the power
locks will not operate. This prevents you from acciden-
tally locking the key in the vehicle. Removing the key or
closing the door will allow the locks to operate. If a door
is open, the key is in the ignition, and the ignition is in the
LOCK or ACC position, a chime will sound as a reminder
to remove the key.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Automatic Door Locks feature is enabled.
2. The transmission is in gear.
3. All doors are closed.
4. The throttle is pressed.
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h).6. The doors were not previously locked using the power
door lock switch or Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter.
Automatic Door Locks Programming
The Automatic Door Locks feature can be enabled or
disabled as follows:
²For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªPersonal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)º under ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4
of this manual for details.
²For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, performing
the following procedure:
1. Close all doors and place the key in the ignition
switch.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

2. Cycle the ignition switch between LOCK and ON and
then back to LOCK 4 times ending up in the LOCK
position.
3. Depress the power door lock switch to lock the doors.
4. A single chime will indicate the completion of the
programming.
5. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE:Use the Automatic Door Locks feature in accor-
dance with local laws.
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature is en-
abled.2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h).
3. The transmission is in ªNº (Neutral) or ªPº (Park).
4. The driver door is opened.
5. The doors were not previously unlocked.
6. The vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit Programming
The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature can be
enabled or disabled as follows:
²For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªPersonal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)º under ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4
of this manual for details.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31
2

display is active, the SCROLL button can be used to scroll
through the list, the FUNCTION SELECT button can be
used to select an item, and the AUDIO MODE button can
be used to return to the previous menu. When the Map
display is active, pressing the FUNCTION SELECT but-
ton will change the Navigation Unit Display to the Menu.
Turn By Turn Directions
The EVIC displays turn-by-turn directions to a pro-
grammed destination when Turn by Turn Navigation is
enabled through Personal Settings. When enabled, the
EVIC displays the name of the approaching road at the
top of the screen, followed by an arrow to indicate the
direction to turn the vehicle, and a count down to
indicate the distance to the turn.
NOTE:Refer to your ªNavigation User's Manualº for
detailed operating instructions.
Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK.
Press and release the MENU button until Personal Set-
tings displays in the EVIC.
Use the SCROLL button to display one of the following
choices:
ªLanguageº
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
functions and the navigation system (if equipped). Press
the FUNCTION SELECT button while in this display to
select English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais.
Then, as you continue, the information will display in the
selected language.
186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:The EVIC will not change the UConnectŸ
language selection. Please refer to ªLanguage Selectionº
in the HANDS±FREE COMMUNICATION (UConnectŸ)
section of this manual for details.
ªLock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 Km/h)º
When ON is selected, all doors will lock automatically
when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h).
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until ªONº or ªOFFº appears.
ªUnlock Doors Automatically on Exitº
When ON is selected, all doors will unlock when the
vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in the ªPº
(Park) or ªNº (Neutral) position and the driver's door is
opened. To make your selection, press and release the
FUNCTION SELECT button until ªONº or ªOFFº ap-
pears.
ªRemote Key Unlockº
WhenDriver Door 1st Pressis selected, only the driver's
door will unlock on the first press of the remote keyless
entry unlock button. When Driver Door 1st Press is
selected, you must press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button twice to unlock the passenger's doors.
WhenAll Doors 1st Pressis selected, all of the doors will
unlock on the first press of the remote keyless entry
unlock button. To make your selection, press and release
the FUNCTION SELECT button until ªDriver Door 1st
Pressº or ªAll Doors 1st Pressº appears.
ªSound Horn with Remote Key Lockº
When ON is selected, a short horn sound will occur when
the remote keyless entry ªLockº button is pressed. This
feature may be selected with or without the flash lights
on lock/unlock feature. To make your selection, press
and release the FUNCTION SELECT button until ªONº
or ªOFFº appears.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
4

If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
²Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt
to start the vehicle. This could result in a flash
fire causing serious personal injury.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Un-
burned fuel could enter the catalytic converter
and once the engine has started, ignite and
damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle
has a discharged battery, booster cables may be
used to obtain a start from a booster battery or
the battery in another vehicle. This type of start
can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer to
Section 6 of this manual for proper jump starting
procedures and follow them carefully.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNormal Startingº or ªExtreme Cold Weatherº proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.
STARTING AND OPERATING 257
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5. Restart the engine.
6. Move the selector 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 a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your 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 ªTem-
porary Transmission Limp Home Modeº in this section.In Permanent Limp Home Mode, ªPº (Park), ªRº (Re-
verse), and ªNº (Neutral) will continue to operate. Sec-
ond gear will operate in the ªDº (Drive) shifter position.
The malfunction indicator light may illuminate.
AUTOSTICKTÐ IF EQUIPPED
AutostickTÐ 3.5L Engine
Autosticktis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting to provide you with more control of
the vehicle. Autosticktallows 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.
AutosticktOperation
By placing the selector lever in the D (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
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

selector 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 indica-
tor.
You can shift in or out of the Autosticktmode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. If you
choose the Overdrive mode, the transmission will oper-
ate automatically, shifting between the five available
gears. When you wish to engage Autostick,tsimply
move the selector lever to the Right or Left (D+/D-) while
in the D (Drive) position. The transmission will remain in
the current gear until an upshift or downshift is chosen.
AutostickTÐ 5.7L Engine
Autosticktis a driver-interactive transmission that offers
manual gear shifting to provide you with more control of
the vehicle. Autosticktallows you to maximize engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance. This systemcan also provide you with more control during passing,
city driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutosticktOperation
By placing the selector lever in the D (Drive) position, it
can be moved from side to side. This allows the driver to
select a specific gear. Moving the selector 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 Autosticktmode, the transmission will only
shift up or down when the driver moves the selector
lever to the Right (D+) or Left (D-).
You can shift in or out of the Autosticktmode at any time
without taking your foot off the accelerator pedal. When
you wish to engage Autostickt, simply move the selector
lever to the Left or Right (D-/D+) while in the D (Drive)
position. To disengage Autostickt, hold the selector lever
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º range
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the auto-
matic transamission fluid and filter according to the
interval specified for ªpolice, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer
towingº in the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in this manual.
Towing Tips Ð Electronic Speed Control (If
Equipped)
þ
Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
þWhen using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
þUse speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Towing Tips Ð Autostickt(If Equipped)
þ
For vehicles equipped with Autostick.tBy using the
Autosticktmodes, and selecting a specific gear range,
frequent shifting can be avoided. The highest gear
range should be selected that allows for adequate
performance. For example, choose ª4º if the desired
speed can be maintained. Choose ª3º or ª2º if needed
to maintain the desired speed.
STARTING AND OPERATING 341
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