2009 DODGE CHARGER maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE...............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE...............................81
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL................................... 165
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................. 265
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES...............................................355
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE............................................... 377
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................. 431
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE..........................................449
10INDEX....................................................................459
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet
and various customer-oriented documents. You are
urged to read these publications carefully. Following the
instructions and recommendations in this manual will
help assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient referencing and remain
with the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will
be aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Moparparts, and is interested
in your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index at the back of this Owner’s Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown under “Engine Oil”, under “Maintenance Proce-
dures” in section 7 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77
2

▫Troubleshooting Tips .................. 151
▫ General Information .................. 152
 Power Sunroof — If Equipped ............ 152
▫ Opening Sunroof — Express ............ 153
▫ Closing Sunroof — Express ............. 153
▫ Pinch Protect Feature ................. 153
▫ Pinch Protect Override ................ 154
▫ Venting Sunroof — Express ............. 154
▫ Sunshade Operation .................. 154
▫ Wind Buffeting ...................... 154
▫ Sunroof Maintenance ................. 155
▫ Ignition Off Operation ................. 155 ▫
Sunroof Fully Closed .................. 155
 Electrical Power Outlets ................. 155
 Cupholders .......................... 158
▫ Front Seat Cupholders ................. 158
▫ Rear Seat Cupholders ................. 159
 Storage ............................. 159
▫ Console Features .................... 159
▫ Cargo Area — Vehicles Equipped With 60/40
Split-Folding Rear Seat ................ 161
 Rear Window Features .................. 163
▫ Rear Window Defroster ................ 163
 Load Leveling System — If Equipped ....... 164
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sunroof Maintenance
Use only a nonabrasive cleaner and a soft cloth to clean
the glass panel.
Ignition Off Operation
For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power sunroof switch
will remain active for 10 minutes after the ignition switch
is turned OFF. Opening either front door will cancel this
feature.
For vehicles equipped with the EVIC, the power sunroof
switch will remain active for up to 60 minutes after the
ignition switch is turned OFF. Opening either front door
will cancel this feature. The time is programmable. Refer
to “Delay Power Off to Accessories Until Exit,” under
“Personal Settings (Customer-Programmable Features)”
under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in
Section 4.
Sunroof Fully Closed
Press the switch forward and release to ensure that the
sunroof is fully closed.
ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS
There are two 12-Volt electrical outlets on this vehicle.
Both of the outlets are protected by a fuse.
The 12-Volt power outlet next to the ash receiver tray (if
equipped with an optional Smoker’s Package) has power
available only when the ignition is ON. This outlet will
also operate a conventional cigar lighter unit.
WARNING!
Do not place ashes inside the cubby bin located on
the center console on vehicles not equipped with the
ash receiver tray. A fire leading to bodily injury could
result.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 155
3

Video Entertainment System (VES)™ —
If Equipped .......................... 248
 Remote Sound System Controls ........... 250
 CD/DVD Maintenance ................. 252
 Radio Operation And Cellular Phones ....... 252
 Climate Controls ...................... 253 ▫
Manual Air Conditioning And Heating
System ............................ 253
▫ Automatic Temperature Control — If
Equipped .......................... 256
▫ Operating Tips ...................... 261
168 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON position. To
turn off the message temporarily, press and release the
TRIP ODOMETER button on the instrument cluster. To
reset the oil change indicator system (after performing
the scheduled maintenance) perform the following pro-
cedure:1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. (Do not
start the engine).
2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three
times within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary, repeat this procedure. On vehicles equipped with a Premium Instrument Clus-
ter, this display shows the Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC) messages when the appropriate conditions
exist.
Lo tirE
When the appropriate condition exists the odometer
display will toggle between Lo and tirE for three cycles.
Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message
If the vehicle diagnostic system determines that the fuel
filler cap is loose, improperly installed, or damaged, a
“Check Gascap” message will display in the EVIC.
Tighten the fuel filler cap properly and press the TRIP
ODOMETER button to turn off the message. If the
problem continues, the message will appear the next time
the vehicle is started.
A loose, improperly installed, or damaged fuel filler cap
may also turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is notoperating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle, to ensure that the
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4