2008 DODGE MAGNUM tire pressure

²Traction/stability control status
²Tire pressure monitoring system status (if equipped)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require that small
children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law,
and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile inside the vehicle. The force
required to hold even an infant on your lap could
become so great that you could not hold the child, no
matter how strong you are. The child and others
could be badly injured. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner's Manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child:
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

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

system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly. (See page 322 for more
information.)CAUTION!
The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
23. Anti-Lock Brake Light Ð If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System.
The light will turn on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position and may stay on for as long as
four seconds.
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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
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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
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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 andallow 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.
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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.
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