2008 DODGE MAGNUM SRT automatic transmission

Power Door Locks
A power door LOCK switch is on each front door trim
panel. Use this switch to lock or unlock the doors.
If you press the power door LOCK switch while the key
is in the ignition, and any front door is open, the powerlocks will not operate. This prevents you from acciden-
tally locking the key in the vehicle. Removing the key or
closing the door will allow the locks to operate. If a door
is open, the key is in the ignition, and the ignition is in the
LOCK or ACC position, a chime will sound as a reminder
to remove the key.
Automatic Door Locks
The doors will lock automatically on vehicles with power
door locks if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The Automatic Door Locks feature is enabled
2. The transmission is in gear
3. All doors are closed
4. The throttle is pressed
5. The vehicle speed is above 15 mph (24 km/h), and
Power Door LOCK Switch
28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

6. The doors were not previously locked using the power
door LOCK switch or Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter.
Automatic Door Locks Programming
The Automatic Door Locks feature can be enabled or
disabled. Refer to “Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph
(24 km/h),” under “Personal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)” in Section 4.
NOTE:Use the Automatic Door Locks feature in accor-
dance with local laws.
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit
The doors will unlock automatically on vehicles with
power door locks if:
1. The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature is en-
abled2. The transmission was in gear and the vehicle speed
returned to 0 mph (0 km/h)
3. The transmission is in NEUTRAL or PARK
4. The driver door is opened
5. The doors were not previously unlocked, and
6. The vehicle speed is 0 mph (0 km/h).
Automatic Unlock Doors on Exit Programming
The Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature can be
enabled or disabled. Refer to “Unlock Doors Automati-
cally on Exit,” under “Personal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)” in Section 4.
NOTE:Use the Automatic Unlock Doors On Exit feature
in accordance with local laws.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
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Tapping the lever to RESUME ACCEL once will result in
a 1 mph (1.6 km/h) speed increase. Each time the lever is
tapped speed increases, so tapping the lever three times
will increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is set, push
downward and hold the lever in SET DECEL. Release the
lever when the desired speed is reached, and a new set
speed will be established.
Tapping the lever to SET DECEL once will result in a 1
mph (1.6 km/h) speed decrease. Each time the lever is
tapped, speed decreases.
To Accelerate For Passing
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
Using Speed Control on Hills
NOTE:The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
The automatic transmission will downshift while climb-
ing uphill or descending downhill. This downshift is
necessary to maintain vehicle set speed.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur, so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
WARNING!
Speed control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
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speeds greater than 30 mph (48 km/h), see your autho-
rized dealer as soon as possible to have the problem
diagnosed and corrected. (See page 300 for more infor-
mation.)
14. Oil Pressure Warning Light
This light shows low engine oil pressure. The light
should turn on momentarily when the engine is
started. If the light turns on while driving, stop the
vehicle, and shut OFF the engine as soon as possible. A
single chime will sound when this light turns on.
Do not operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This light does not show how much oil is in the engine.
The engine oil level must be checked using the procedure
shown in Section 7. (See page 385 for more information.)
15. High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are ON. Push the multifunction leveraway from the steering wheel to switch the headlights to
high beam. (See page 129 for more information.)
16. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This light will turn on for five to eight seconds as
a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. A chime will sound if the driver’s seat
belt is unbuckled during the bulb check. The Seat Belt
Warning Light will flash or remain on continuously if the
driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled after the bulb check
or when driving. (See page 46 for more information.)
17. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transmission
gear selection.
18. Front Fog Light Indicator — If Equipped
This light will turn on when the front fog lights are
ON. (See page 129 for more information.)
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
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23. Anti-Lock Brake Light
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS). 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.
If the ABS light remains on or turns on while driving,
then the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system is not
functioning and service is required. However, the con-
ventional 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 turn on when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position, have the
light inspected by an authorized dealer. (See page 297 for
more information.)24. Low Fuel Indicator Light
This light will turn on and a single chime will
sound when the fuel level drops to 1/8 tank. (See
page 341 for more information.)
25. Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD. The OBD system monitors engine
and automatic transmission control systems. The
MIL will turn on when the key is in the ON position
before engine start. If the MIL does not come on when
turning the key from OFF to ON, have the condition
checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the MIL after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the MIL
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations, the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features)
Personal Settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the transmission is in PARK.
Press and release the MENU button until Personal Set-
tings displays in the EVIC.
Use the SCROLL button to display one of the following
choices.
“Language”
When in this display you may select one of five lan-
guages for all display nomenclature, including the trip
functions and the navigation system (if equipped). Press
the FUNCTION SELECT button while in this display to
select English, Espanol, Deutsch, Italiano, or Francais.
Then, as you continue, the information will display in the
selected language.NOTE:The EVIC will not change the UConnectlan-
guage selection. Refer to “Language Selection” under
“Hands-Free Communication (UConnect)” in Section 3.
“Lock Doors Automatically at 15 mph (24 km/h)”
When ON is selected, all doors will lock automatically
when the vehicle reaches a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h).
To make your selection, press and release the FUNC-
TION SELECT button until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
“Unlock Doors Automatically on Exit”
When ON is selected, all doors will unlock when the
vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in the PARK or
NEUTRAL position and the driver’s door is opened. To
make your selection, press and release the FUNCTION
SELECT button until “ON” or “OFF” appears.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 201
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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

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