2009 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT brake fluid

Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see your
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 objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

20. Brake Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS).
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity to a portion of the hydraulic system in the event of a
failure. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light, which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder drops
below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers, which could change fluid level
conditions. The vehicle should have service performed,
and the brake fluid level checked.Immediate repair is necessary if brake failure is indicated.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with ABS are also equipped with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD). Both the Brake
Warning Light and the ABS Light will turn on in the
event of an EBD failure. Immediate repair of the ABS is
required in the event of an EBD failure.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the LOCK position to
the ON position. The light should turn on for approxi-
mately two seconds and then turn off. The light will
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If both the Brake Warning Light and the ABS Light
remain on, the ABS and EBD systems are not functioning.
Immediate repair to the ABS system is required.
POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end of
the steering wheel travel will increase the steering fluid
temperature and it should be avoided when possible.
Damage to the power steering pump may occur.
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9. Press the switch 3 on the air pump to I (ON). The air
pump should start to inflate the tire and the tire sealant
(white fluid) will flow from the sealant bottle 5 through
the TIREFIT sealant hose 6 and into the tire.
10. Allow the air pump to run for five minutes and then
read the pressure gauge 4. If the tire inflates to 26 psi (1.8
bar) or greater, proceed to Step 19 of this procedure. If
not, proceed to the following step.
11. Press the AIR PUMP switch 3 to 0 (OFF). Then,
disconnect the TIREFIT system from the tire and place it
back in the vehicle.
12. Release the parking brake and drive the vehicle back
and forth approximately 30 ft (9.1 m) to distribute the
sealant more evenly within the tire.
13. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
14. Move the shift lever to the PARK position, turn OFF
the engine, and set the parking brake.15. Disconnect the air pump hose 1 from the underside
of the sealant bottle 5 by flipping the hose valve open.
16. Connect the air pump hose valve to the tire valve and
flip the hose valve closed.
17. Leave the parking brake set and the shift lever in
PARK and start the engine.
18. Press the switch 3 on the air pump to I (ON). The air
pump should inflate the tire to at least 26 psi (1.8 bar)
within five minutes. If the tire inflates to this level,
proceed to the following step.NOTE:If a tire pressure of
26 psi (1.8 bar) is not obtained within five minutes, the
tire is too badly damaged. Do not attempt to drive the
vehicle further. Call for assistance.
19. With a tire pressure of no less than 26 psi (1.8 bar)
press the AIR PUMP switch 3 to 0 (OFF) and turn off the
engine. Then, disconnect the TIREFIT system from the
tire and place it back in the vehicle.
284 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

▫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

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

Care should be taken with installing quick connect
fittings to ensure they are properly installed and fully
connected. See your authorized dealer for service.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in the Mainte-
nance Schedule in Section 8.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake and Power Steering Hoses
When the vehicle is serviced for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts, abrasion, and excessive swelling
indicate deterioration of the rubber. Particular attention
should be made to examining those hose surfaces nearest
to high heat sources, such as the exhaust manifold.
Ensure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
Inspect all hose connections such as clamps and cou-
plings to make sure they are secure and no leaks are
present.
NOTE:
•Often, fluid such as oil, power steering fluid, and
brake fluid are used during assembly plant operations
to facilitate the assembly of hoses to couplings. There-
fore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not
320 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

necessarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping
of hot fluid when systems are under pressure (during
vehicle operation), should be noted before a hose is
replaced based on leakage.
•Inspect the brake hoses whenever the brake system is
serviced and at every engine oil change. Inspect hy-
draulic brake hoses for surface cracking, scuffing, or
worn spots. If there is any evidence of cracking,
scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be replaced
immediately. Eventual deterioration of the hose can
take place resulting in a possibility of a burst failure.
WARNING!
Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Master Cylinder - Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. Add fluid to bring the level up to the top of the
“FULL” mark on the side of the master cylinder reservoir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Add enough fluid to bring the level up to the require-
ments described on the brake fluid reservoir. With disc
brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake
pads wear. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.
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