2008 DODGE MAGNUM spare tire

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer.
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 tread and sidewall for cuts
and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the
tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Activate:
Push and release the (ªON/OFFº) button lo-
cated on the end of the speed control lever. The
indicator light in the instrument cluster will
illuminate to show that the speed control sys-
tem is ON. To turn the system OFF, push and release the
(ªON/OFFº) button again. The system and the indicator
light will turn off.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you aren't using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, push the
lever down and release (ªSET DECELº). Remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal and the vehicle will
operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:
²Speed control will only function in third, fourth, or
fifth gear when in the AutosticktMode (if equipped).
²The speed control may not engage if a different size
tire is installed on one wheel, such as the compact
spare tire.
To Deactivate:
The system will disable Electronic Speed Control without
erasing the memory if you:
²Softly tap the brake pedal.
²Depress the brake pedal.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 137
3

The bi-level cargo floor includes a removable, tri-fold
load-bearing upper level. Two folds in the panel allow it
to be partially or fully folded for storage flexibility.
Shallow items can be stored underneath the upper load
floor.
The lower load floor is hinged to provide access to the
spare tire (if equipped), battery, and rear electrical power
distribution center.
The 60/40 split-folding rear seat provides cargo-carrying
versatility. The seatbacks fold down easily by pulling
nylon tabs between the seatbacks and the bolsters. When
the seats are folded down, they provide a continuous,
nearly flat extension of the removable tri-fold load floor.Tri-Fold Upper Load Floor
The removable tri-fold upper load floor has two different
surfaces for increased utility. One side is carpeted for a
plush appearance and the other side is covered with
vinyl for easy cleaning. The panel, sandwiched between
the carpet and the washable-vinyl, is constructed from a
strong lightweight material that gives the floor its load-
bearing strength.
You can place the load floor in a partially folded position,
a fully folded position, or a flat position. You can also
remove it from the vehicle. Folding and/or removing the
load floor will add four inches to the height of the cargo
area for increased utility. Use the handle to adjust the
position of the load floor. The load floor positions are
shown in the following illustrations.
156 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

21. Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) Indicator Light Ð If
Equipped
The VSA indicator Light flashes rapidly when the VSA is
arming, and slowly when the VSA is armed. (See page 18
for more information.)
22. Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light Ð If
Equipped
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires are significantly under-inflated. Ac-
cordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates,
you should stop and check your tires as soon as possible,
and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NAcceleration.........................287
NTraction............................288
mDriving Through Water..................288
NFlowing/Rising Water..................288
NShallow Standing Water.................289
mParking Brake.........................290
mBrake System..........................292
NAnti-Lock Brake System Ð If Equipped.....293
mPower Steering........................295
mMulti Displacement System (MDS) Ð 5.7L Engine
Only................................296
mTraction Control System (TCS) Ð If Equipped . . 296
mBrake Assist System (BAS) Ð If Equipped.....298mElectronic Stability Program (ESP) Ð
If Equipped...........................299
NSynchronizing ESP....................301
NESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator And ESP/TCS
Indicator Lights......................301
mTire Safety Information...................302
NTire Markings........................302
NTire Identification Number (TIN)..........306
NTire Loading And Tire Pressure...........307
mTires Ð General Information...............311
NTire Pressure.........................311
NTire Inflation Pressures.................312
NRadial-Ply Tires......................314
NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........315
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

NLimited Use Spare Ð If Equipped.........315
NTire Spinning........................316
NTread Wear Indicators..................317
NLife Of Tire.........................317
NReplacement Tires.....................318
NAlignment And Balance.................319
mSelf-Sealing Tires Ð If Equipped............320
mTire Chains...........................320
mSnow Tires...........................321
mTire Rotation Recommendations............321
mTire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Ð
If Equipped...........................322
NBase System Ð If Equipped..............325NPremium System Ð If Equipped..........327
NGeneral Information...................331
mFuel Requirements......................332
N2.7L Engine.........................332
N3.5L And 5.7L Engines..................332
NReformulated Gasoline.................333
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............333
NMMT In Gasoline.....................334
NMaterials Added To Fuel................334
NFuel System Cautions..................334
NCarbon Monoxide Warnings..............335
mAdding Fuel..........................336
NFuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............336
STARTING AND OPERATING 265
5

²European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter9P9is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
²LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
²Temporary Spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
²High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5

Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Size Designation:
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards
(....blank....(= Passenger car tire based on European design standards
LT= Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T= Temporary Spare tire
31= Overall Diameter in Inches (in)
215= Section Width in Millimeters (mm)
65= Aspect Ratio in Percent (%)
ÐRatio of section height to section width of tire.
10.5= Section Width in Inches (in)
R= Construction Code
Ð9R9means Radial Construction.
Ð9D9means Diagonal or Bias Construction.
15= Rim Diameter in Inches (in)
304 STARTING AND OPERATING