2008 DODGE MAGNUM heating

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.WARNING!
²Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
²Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever. Accidents can also
be caused by pressing the accelerator pedal. This
may cause excessive heat in the exhaust system,
resulting in overheating and vehicle fire, which may
cause serious or fatal injuries.
STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

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.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

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.
þExtended driving at high RPM should be avoided to
prevent excess heat generation. A reduction in vehicle
speed may be required to avoid extended driving at
high RPM. Return to a higher gear range or vehicle
speed when road conditions and RPM level allows.
Towing Tips Ð Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
þCity Driving
When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission
in neutral and increase engine idle speed.
þHighway Driving
Reduce speed.
356 STARTING AND OPERATING

IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways Ð Slow down.
²In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transmission in
ªNº (Neutral), but do not increase engine idle speed.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to HI. This allows the heater core to act as
a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
CAUTION!
Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªH,º pull
over and stop the vehicle. Idle the vehicle with the air
conditioner turned off until the pointer drops back
into the normal range. If the pointer remains on the
ªH,º turn the engine off immediately, and call for
service.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 361
6

CAUTION!
²When ªrockingº a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween ªFirstº and R (Reverse), do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
²Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 35
mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and don't let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flat bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 377
6

WARNING!
A hot exhaust system can start a fire if you park over
materials that can burn. Such materials might be
grass or leaves coming into contact with your exhaust
system. Do not park or operate your vehicle in areas
where your exhaust system can contact anything that
can burn.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may indicate severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this should occur,
safely bring the vehicle to a complete stop, shut the
engine off, and allow the vehicle to cool. Thereafter,
obtain service, including a tune-up to manufacturer's
specifications immediately.To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:²Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
²Do not try to start engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
²Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Maintenance-Free Battery
The top of the MAINTENANCE-FREE battery is perma-
nently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water.............................. 288
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System)...... 240
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 87
Electrical Power Outlets................... 150
Electronic Brake Control System
Brake Assist System.................... 298
Electronic Stability Program............... 299
Traction Control System................. 296
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses).... 421
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 136
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 299
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 175
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 185
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 376
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 360
Jacking............................. 362Jump Starting......................... 373
Overheating.......................... 361
Towing............................. 377
Emission Control System Maintenance......388,442
Engine........................75,384,385,386
Air Cleaner.......................... 396
Block Heater......................... 271
Break-In Recommendations................ 75
Checking Oil Level..................391,392
Compartment...................384,385,386
Coolant (Antifreeze).................406,438
Cooling............................. 405
Exhaust Gas Caution................40,77,335
Fails to Start.......................... 270
Flooded, Starting...................... 270
Fuel Requirements..................... 332
Jump Starting......................... 373
Multi-Displacement..................... 296
Oil ...........................391,436,438
INDEX 465
10

Oil Change Interval...............179,188,393
Oil Filler Cap......................393,394
Oil Filter............................ 395
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 395
Oil Selection.......................393,436
Oil Synthetic......................... 394
Operation............................ 75
Overheating.......................... 361
Starting............................. 267
Temperature Gauge..................... 175
Engine Oil Viscosity...................393,394
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 20
Ethanol............................... 333
Event Data Recorder...................... 64
Exhaust Gas Caution..............40,77,335,405
Exhaust System.......................77,404
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 87
Exterior Lighting........................ 124Exterior Lights.......................... 79
Filler Location Fuel...................... 336
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 396
Air Conditioning....................258,401
Engine Fuel.......................... 396
Engine Oil........................395,438
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 395
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................... 360
Turn Signal......................79,128,176
Flash-To-Pass........................... 128
Flat Tire Changing....................... 362
Flooded Engine Starting................... 270
Floor Console.......................... 154
Fluid, Brake........................... 440
Fluid Capacities......................... 436
Fluid Leaks............................. 79
466 INDEX