2008 DODGE CHARGER torque

NOTE:
²If the vehicle is started in cold temperatures, shifts into
Overdrive may be delayed. Normal Overdrive and
shifting operation will resume when the temperature
of the transmission reaches the appropriate tempera-
ture. Refer to the ªNoteº under ªTorque Converter
Clutchº later in this section.
²If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive or en-
gage overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive
will resume normal operation.
ª3º (Third)
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transmis-
sion will operate normally in First, Second and Third
while in this range. The ª3º position should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.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.
ªLº (Low)
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.
CAUTION!
Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can cause overheating and damage to the
transmission.
STARTING AND OPERATING 265
5

Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops, or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.
NOTE:
²The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1±3 miles [1.6±4.8 km] of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into ªOverdriveº when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pulling the selector
lever into the ª3º position will show that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into and out of ªOverdrive.º
²If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and it will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from ªPº (Park) into any other gear
position.
Transmission Limp Home Mode
The transmission is monitored for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could cause damage, the
transmission automatically shifts into second gear. The
transmission remains in second gear despite the forward
gear selected. ªPº (Park), ªRº (Reverse), and ªNº (Neu-
tral) will continue to operate. This Reset feature allows
the vehicle to be driven to a dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING

to the right for at least one second. The transmission will
now operate automatically, shifting between the five
available gears.
²You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
²The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
²Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
²Avoid using speed control when Autosticktis en-
gaged.
²The transmission will automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached while Autosticktis
engaged.
²Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
Autosticktis engaged.
ALL WHEEL DRIVE Ð IF EQUIPPED
This feature provides full time All Wheel Drive (AWD)
with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)/Traction Control.
The front wheels provide 38% of the torque, and the rear
wheels provide 62% of the torque. The system is auto-
matic with no driver inputs or additional driving skills
required.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire
size may cause failure of the front differential and/or
the transfer case.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) Ð IF
EQUIPPED
WARNING!
The Traction Control System (TCS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the ve-
hicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded. The
TCS cannot prevent accidents, including those result-
ing from excessive speed in turns, or hydroplaning.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents. The capabilities of a TCS-equipped ve-
hicle must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner, which could jeopardize the user's
safety or the safety of others.
The Traction Control System (TCS) is standard on ve-
hicles equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP).The TCS monitors the amount of wheel spin of each
driven wheel. If wheel spin is detected, brake pressure is
applied to the slipping wheel(s) and engine power is
reduced to provide enhanced acceleration and stability.
The ESP/TCS indicator light, located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The indicator light also flashes when the
TCS is active. If the indicator light begins to flash during
acceleration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.
When the TCS is switched off, the torque reduction
feature is cancelled. However, a feature of the system
remains active. This feature controls wheel spin across an
axle quite similarly to a limited slip differential. If one
wheel on an axle is spinning faster than the other, the
system will apply the brake of the spinning wheel and
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel that
is not spinning. This wheel slip control is active up to 50
mph (80 km/h).
CAUTION!
When the ESP/TCS indicator light is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Avoid spin-
ning one drive wheel. This may cause serious dam-
age to the drive train.
NOTE:
²The Traction Control System comes on each time the
ignition switch is turned ON. This will occur even if
you used the ESP OFF button to turn OFF the system.
²The Traction Control System will make buzzing or
clicking sounds when in operation.Refer to ªElectronic Stability Program (ESP)º in this
section for additional system information and operating
instructions.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM (BAS) Ð IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
The BAS (Brake Assist System) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase the traction afforded by prevailing
road conditions. The BAS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents. The capabilities of a BAS-
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner, which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
STARTING AND OPERATING 285
5

6. Raise the vehicle just enough to remove the flat tire
and install the spare tire.
WARNING!
Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
7. Remove the lug nuts, wheel cover (if equipped), and
tire. Remove the cover by hand. Do not pry it off.
8. Mount the spare tire.
NOTE:For vehicles so equipped, do not attempt to
install a center cap or wheel cover on the compact spare.
However, when reinstalling the road tire, follow the
procedure under ªWheel Cover or Center Cap Installa-
tionº in place of the remaining steps in this procedure.9. Install the lug nuts with the cone shaped end of the
nut toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the lug nuts. To
avoid the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not
tighten the lug nuts fully until the vehicle is lowered to
the ground.
10. Lower the vehicle to the ground by turning the jack
handle counter-clockwise.
11. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on the
wrench while tightening for increased leverage. Alternate
lug nuts until each nut has been tightened twice. The
correct tightness of each lug nut is 100 ft/lb. (135 N. m).
If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them
checked with a torque wrench by your dealer or at a
service station.
12. Stow the jack, tools, and flat tire. Make sure the base
of the jack faces the rear of the vehicle before tightening
down the fastener.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 353
6

correct tightness of each lug nut is 100 ft/lb. (135 N. m).
If in doubt about the correct tightness, have them
checked with a torque wrench by your dealer or at a
service station.
7. For vehicles equipped with center caps, install the
center cap by hand. Do not use a hammer or excessive
force to install the center cap.
8. Stow the jack, tools, and spare tire. Make sure the base
of the jack faces the rear of the vehicle before tightening
down the fastener.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
²Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the hood is raised.
It can start anytime the ignition switch is on. You can be hurt by the fan.
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it started. Vehicles
equipped with an automatic transmission cannot be started this way.
Unburned 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 another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous if done
improperly, so follow this procedure carefully.
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not allow battery fluid to
contact eyes, skin, or clothing. Don't lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If acid splashes in eyes
or on skin, flush contaminated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flammable and explosive.
Keep flame or spark away from the vent holes.
²Do not use a booster battery or any other booster source with an output
that exceeds 12 volts.
²The battery in this vehicle has a vent hose that should not be discon-
nected and should only be replaced with a battery of the same type
(vented).
356 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
²Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer's recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufacturer
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Partsº for the correct fluid type.
²The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating condi-
tions. If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your
authorized dealer immediately. Severe damage to
the transmission may occur. Your authorized
dealer has the proper tools to adjust the fluid level
accurately.
Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this
manual for the recommended transmission fluid and
filter change intervals.
If the transmission is disassembled for any reason, the
fluid and filter should be changed.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
7