2009 DODGE CHALLENGER heating

WARNING!
Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure:
Safety
WARNING!
•Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can
cause accidents.
•Under-inflation increases tire flexing and can re-
sult in over-heating and tire failure.
•Over-inflation reduces a tire’s ability to cushion
shock. Objects on the road and chuckholes can
cause damage that result in tire failure.
•Unequal tire pressures can cause steering prob-
lems. You could lose control of your vehicle.
•Over-inflated or under-inflated tires can affect
vehicle handling and can fail suddenly, resulting
in loss of vehicle control.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 297

performance. For example, choose “4” if the desired
speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or “2” if needed
to maintain the desired speed.
Extended 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.
Cooling System
To reduce potential for engine and transmission over-
heating, take the following actions:
City Driving
When stopped for short periods, put transmission in
NEUTRAL and increase engine idle speed.
Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Recreational towing is allowed ONLY if the driveshaft
is removed.Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
while the driveshaft is connected can result in severe
transmission damage.
336 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
switch bank near the bottom center of the instrument
panel.
Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flasher. When the switch is activated, all directional
turn signals will flash on and off to warn oncoming
traffic of an emergency. Press the switch a second time to
turn off the Hazard Warning flasher.
This is an emergency warning system and it should not
be used when the vehicle is in motion. Use it when your
vehicle is disabled and it is creating a safety hazard for
other motorists.When you must leave the vehicle to seek assistance, the
Hazard Warning flasher will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
NOTE:With extended use, the Hazard Warning flasher
may wear down your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
•On the highways — slow down.
•In city traffic — while stopped, put transmission in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
338 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

24. Connect the air pump hose valve to the tire valve and
flip the hose valve closed.
25. Check the pressure in the tire by reading the pressure
gauge 4. If the pressure is 19 psi (1.3 bar) or greater,
proceed to the following step.NOTE:If the pressure is
less than 19 psi (1.3 bar), the tire is too badly damaged.
Do not attempt to drive the vehicle further. Call for
assistance.
26. Leave the parking brake set and the shift lever in
PARK (automatic transmission) or gear (manual trans-
mission) and start the engine.
27. Inflate the tire to the pressure indicated on the tire
pressure label on the driver-side latch pillar by pressing
the switch 3 on the air pump to I (ON) and watching the
pressure gauge. When the tire pressure is set to the
pressure indicated on the tire pressure label, press the
AIR PUMP switch 3 to 0 (OFF) and turn off the engine.28. Disconnect the TIREFIT system from the tire and
reinstall the valve cap.
29. Place the sealant kit back in the trunk of the vehicle.
Replace the sealant bottle at your nearest authorized
MOPARparts dealership.
30. Have the tire inspected at the earliest opportunity at
an authorized dealer or tire service center.
NOTE:
•If a pressure of at least 19 psi (1.3 bar) cannot be
maintained in the tire, the tire is too badly damaged.
Do not attempt to drive the vehicle further. Call for
assistance.
•Do not operate the electric air pump for more than
eight minutes to avoid overheating. The air pump may
be used again once it has cooled down.
•Replace the TIREFIT sealant bottle 5 once every four
years to assure optimum operation of the system.
344 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low the freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought above the
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around thefront wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and DRIVE. Using minimal accelerator pedal
pressure to maintain the rocking motion, without spin-
ning the wheels, is most effective.
NOTE:Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Stability
Program,” or “Traction Control” in Section 5.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween “1st” and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels
faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage
may result.
•Racing 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).
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
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:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle (automatic transmission only).
•Do 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383

Defroster, Rear Window................... 147
Defroster, Windshield................ 69,232,233
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 125
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 368
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 123
Dipsticks
Oil (Engine).......................... 372
Power Steering........................ 273
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 360
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 387
Engine Oil........................... 375
Door Locks............................. 28
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 30
Door Opener, Garage..................... 133
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces................... 269
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 270Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy.... 172
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 76
Electrical Power Outlets................... 142
Electronic Brake Control System............. 280
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses).... 403
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 128
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 284
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 157
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 168
Emergency Deck Lid Release................ 35
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 359
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 338
Jacking............................. 345
Jump Starting......................... 356
Overheating.......................... 338
Towing ............................. 360
Emergency Trunk Release................... 35
448 INDEX

Emission Control System Maintenance......369,418
Engine............................366,367
Air Cleaner.......................... 376
Block Heater......................... 250
Break-In Recommendations................ 66
Checking Oil Level..................... 372
Compartment......................366,367
Coolant (Antifreeze).................384,415
Cooling ............................. 384
Exhaust Gas Caution.................. 67,320
Fails to Start.......................... 249
Flooded, Starting...................... 249
Fuel Requirements..................... 316
Jump Starting......................... 356
Multi-Displacement.................... 280
Oil ...........................372,414,415
Oil Change Interval..................162,373
Oil Filler Cap......................... 374
OilFilter ............................ 375Oil Filter Disposal..................... 375
OilSelection .......................373,414
Oil Synthetic......................... 375
Overheating.......................... 338
Starting............................. 243
Temperature Gauge.................... 157
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 374
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 53
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 19
Ethanol............................... 317
Event Data Recorder...................... 55
Exhaust Gas Caution................ 67,320,382
Exhaust System....................... 67,381
Exterior Folding Mirrors................... 76
Exterior Lighting........................ 119
Exterior Lights.......................... 69
Filler Location Fuel...................... 321
10
INDEX 449