2009 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT Owners Manual

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 the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between RE-
VERSE and DRIVE. Usually, the least 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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 289
6

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).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle’s wheels faster than 35
mph (55 km/h) when you are stuck, and don’t let
anyone near a spinning wheel, no matter what the
speed.
290 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. The only ap-
proved method of towing without the ignition key is
with a flat-bed truck. Proper towing equipment is neces-
sary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
Towing With All Four Wheels On The Ground)
Flat towing of vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission is only permitted within the following
limitations.
With The Ignition Key
Your vehicle may be towed under the following condi-
tions: The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL, the distance
to be traveled must not exceed 30 mi (48 km), and the
towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
Exceeding these towing limits may cause a transmission
geartrain failure. If the transmission is not operative or if
the vehicle is to be towed more than 30 mi (48 km), the
vehicle must be transported using a flat-bed truck.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 291
6

CAUTION!
•Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
•If the transmission is not operative or if the
vehicle is to be towed more than 30 mi (48 km),
then the only approved method of towing is with
a flat-bed truck. Damage to the transmission may
result.
•Do not tow the vehicle from the rear. Damage to
the rear sheet metal and fascia will occur.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON position,
not the ACC position. Make certain the transmission
remains in NEUTRAL.
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle With
A Tow Dolly
The manufacturerdoes not recommendthat you tow this
vehicle on a tow dolly. Vehicle damage may occur.
292 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Engine Compartment — 6.1L..............296

Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II........297
▫Loose Fuel Filler Cap..................297

Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................298

Replacement Parts......................299

Dealer Service.........................300

Maintenance Procedures..................300
▫Engine Oil..........................301▫Engine Oil Filter......................303
▫
Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension...303
▫Spark Plugs.........................304
▫Engine Air Cleaner Filter................304
▫Fuel Filter..........................304
▫Catalytic Converter....................305
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................307
▫Air Conditioner Maintenance.............309
▫A/C Air Filter — If Equipped............310
7

▫Power Steering — Fluid Check............310
▫Front And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......311
▫Steering Linkage......................311
▫Body Lubrication.....................311
▫Windshield Wiper Blades................312
▫Windshield Washers...................312
▫Exhaust System......................313
▫Cooling System.......................314
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......319
▫Fuel System.........................319
▫Brake System........................320
▫Automatic Transmission................322
▫Front And Rear Wheel Bearings...........324▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion...........................324
▫Cleaning The Center Console Cupholders....328

Fuses...............................329
▫Integrated Power Module (IPM)...........329
▫Rear Power Distribution Center...........331

Vehicle Storage........................335

Replacement Light Bulbs.................336

Bulb Replacement......................337
▫Low Beam Headlight, High Beam Headlight,
And Park/Turn Light — Models With High
Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights.......337
▫Front/Rear Side Marker Light............338
▫Tail/Turn/Stop Light..................338
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Center Tail/Backup Light...............340
▫Center High-Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) . . . 340
▫License Light........................340

Fluid Capacities........................341
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts........342
▫Engine.............................342
▫Chassis............................343
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295
7

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 6.1L
1 — Remote Jump-Start Positive Battery Post 6 — Power Steering Fluid
2 — Fuses (Integrated Power Module) 7 — Air Cleaner Filter
3 — Coolant Pressure Cap 8 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Coolant Bottle 10 — Windshield Washer Fluid Bottle
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE