2008 DODGE CHARGER SRT power steering

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 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.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls, and
6-disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped) will remain active
for up to 60 minutes after the ignition switch is turnedOFF. Opening either front door will cancel this feature.
The time is programmable. Refer to “Delay Power Off to
Accessories Until Exit,” under “Personal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features),” under “Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4.
SALES CODE REN — MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
NOTE:The sales code is located on the lower right side
of the unit’s faceplate.
The REN Multimedia system contains a radio, CD/DVD
player, USB port, a 20-gigabyte hard drive (HDD), and a
“JukeBox” (virtual CD changer). Sirius Satellite Radio is
optional. The 6.5-in (16.5 cm) touch screen allows for easy
menu selection.
A 20-gigabyte HDD allows uploads of music and photos
from CDs or through the USB port. The Gracenote
database finds the artist, track, and title for the music.
194 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Traction............................276

Driving Through Water..................277
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................277
▫Shallow Standing Water.................277

Parking Brake.........................279

Brake System..........................281
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................281

Power Steering........................283

Electronic Brake Control System............284
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............285
▫TCS (Traction Control System)............286
▫BAS (Brake Assist System)...............286
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program).........287▫Synchronizing ESP....................290
▫ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light................291

Tire Safety Information...................292
▫Tire Markings........................292
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........295
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........296

Tires — General Information...............300
▫Tire Pressure.........................300
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................301
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................303
▫Tire Spinning........................304
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................304
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 ABS light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem. 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.If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the Anti-Lock brakes (ABS) and Electronic
Brake Force Distribution (EBD) systems are not function-
ing. 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 283
5

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.
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.
284 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
TheESP/TCS Indicator Light,located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. TheESP/TCS Indicator Lightalso
flashes when TCS is active. If theESP/TCS Indicator
Lightbegins 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 287
5

NOTE:When the ESP is switched off 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 allow more engine torque to be applied to the wheel
that is not spinning. To improve the vehicle’s traction
when driving with tire chains, or when starting-off in
deep snow, sand, or gravel, it may be desirable to switch
to the “Partial Off” mode by momentarily depressing the
“ESP OFF” button.WARNING!
With the ESP switched off, the enhanced vehicle
stability offered by ESP is unavailable. In an emer-
gency evasive maneuver, the ESP system will not
engage to assist in maintaining stability. The “Full
Off” ESP mode is intended for off-highway or off-
road only.
Synchronizing ESP
The Malfunction Indicator Light for the ESP is
combined with BAS indicator. If the power
supply is interrupted (battery disconnected or
discharged), the ESP/BAS Malfunction Indica-
tor Light may illuminate with the engine running. If this
should occur, turn the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right. The ESP/BAS Malfunction
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............362
▫Front And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......362
▫Steering Linkage......................363
▫Body Lubrication.....................363
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................363
▫Windshield Washers...................364
▫Exhaust System......................364
▫Cooling System.......................365
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......370
▫Fuel System.........................371
▫Brake System........................371
▫Automatic Transmission................374
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........375▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................375
▫Cleaning The Center Console Cupholders....380

Fuses (Power Distribution Centers)..........380
▫Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center).....380
▫Fuses (Rear Power Distribution Center)......383

Vehicle Storage........................387

Replacement Light Bulbs.................388

Bulb Replacement......................389
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
Park/Turn Light, And Front Side Marker
Light ..............................389
▫Backup Light, Side Marker Light, Tail/Turn
Light, And Tail/Stop Light...............391
346 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE