2008 DODGE MAGNUM SRT Owners Manual

WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
Electric Rear Window Defroster
The Electric Rear Window Defroster control is
located on the climate control. Press this button to
turn ON the rear window defroster and the heated
outside rearview mirrors (if equipped). An LED in the
button will illuminate when the rear window defroster is
ON. The defroster automatically turns off after approxi-
mately 10 minutes. For five more minutes of operation,
press of the button again.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 271
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures.....................277
▫Automatic Transmission................278
▫Normal Starting (Tip Start)..............279
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below
20°F Or
29°C)................279
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................280
▫After Starting........................281

Engine Block Heater — If Equipped.........281

Automatic Transmission..................281▫Automatic Transmission — General
Information.........................282
▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . 284
▫5-Speed Automatic Transmission..........285

AutoStick...........................290
▫AutoStickOperation..................290
▫AutoStickGeneral Information...........291

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............292
▫Acceleration.........................292
5

▫Traction............................292

Driving Through Water..................293
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................293
▫Shallow Standing Water.................293

Parking Brake.........................295

Brake System..........................297
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................297

Power Steering........................299

Electronic Brake Control System............300
▫ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System)............301
▫TCS (Traction Control System)............302
▫BAS (Brake Assist System)...............302
▫ESP (Electronic Stability Program).........303▫Synchronizing ESP....................306
▫ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light................307

Tire Safety Information...................308
▫Tire Markings........................308
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........311
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........312

Tires — General Information...............316
▫Tire Pressure.........................316
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................317
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................319
▫Tire Spinning........................320
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................320
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫LifeOfTire .........................321
▫Replacement Tires.....................322
▫Alignment And Balance.................323

Tire Chains...........................323

Snow Tires...........................324

Tire Rotation Recommendations............325
▫Tire Rotation — Standard Tires............325
▫Tire Rotation — All Season Tires..........326

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) —
If Equipped...........................327
▫Base System — If Equipped..............329
▫Premium System — If Equipped..........332
▫General Information...................337
Fuel Requirements......................337
▫6.1L Engine.........................337
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................338
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............338
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................339
▫Materials Added To Fuel................339
▫Fuel System Cautions..................339
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............340

Adding Fuel..........................341
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)...............341
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message............343

Vehicle Loading........................344
▫Vehicle Certification Label...............344
STARTING AND OPERATING 275
5

▫Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).......344
▫Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).........344
▫Overloading.........................345
▫Loading............................345

TrailerTowing .........................347
▫Common Towing Definitions.............347
▫Trailer Hitch Classification...............351
▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)......................352▫Trailer And Tongue Weight..............353
▫Towing Requirements..................354
▫TowingTips .........................359

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.) . . 361
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)............................361

Ground Clearance......................361
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

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!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle 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.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked ve-
hicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may cause
serious injury or death.
•Be 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 shift 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 277
5

Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting into any driving gear.CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
278 STARTING AND OPERATING