2009 DODGE CHARGER heating

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
WARNING!
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
•Do not leave animals or children inside parked
vehicles in hot weather; interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Be sure to turn OFF the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by
inadvertently moving the shift lever. Accidents
can also be caused by pressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause excessive heat in the ex-
haust system, resulting in overheating and vehicle
fire, which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 269
5

CAUTION!
Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can cause overheating and damage to the transmis-
sion.
Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission in this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.NOTE:
•The torque converter clutch will not engage until the
transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1–3 miles [1.6–4.8 km] of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into Overdrive when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pulling the shift lever
into the “3” position will show that the transmission is
able to shift into and out of Overdrive.
•If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the
first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and it will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within
five seconds of shifting from PARK into any other gear
position.
280 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
Towing Tips — 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.)
Two-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The Hazard Warning flasher switch is located in the
switch bank near the top center of the instrument panel.Press the switch to turn on the Hazard Warning
flashers. When the Hazard Warning flasher 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 flashers.
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 flashers will continue to operate even
though the ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
NOTE: With extended use, the Hazard Warning flashers
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, place the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase the engine idle
speed.
NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the temperature
control to maximum heat, the mode control to floor, and
the fan control to high. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
356 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

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.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 373
6

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.
•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.
396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Emergency, In Case ofFreeing Vehicle When Stuck ............... 372
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 356
Jacking ............................. 357
Jump Starting ......................... 369
Overheating .......................... 356
Towing ............................. 374
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 41
Emission Control System Maintenance ......383,432
Engine .......................... 379,380,381
Air Cleaner .......................... 389
Block Heater ......................... 272
Break-In Recommendations ................ 77
Checking Oil Level .................. 385,386
Compartment ................... 379,380,381
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................. 397,429
Cooling ............................. 397
Exhaust Gas Caution .................. 78,336
Fails to Start .......................... 271 Flooded, Starting
...................... 271
Fuel Requirements ..................... 332
Jump Starting ......................... 369
Oil ........................... 385,427,429
Oil Change Interval ...............177,186,386
Oil Filler Cap ......................... 387
Oil Filter ............................ 388
Oil Filter Disposal ..................... 388
Oil Selection ....................... 387,427
Oil Synthetic ......................... 388
Overheating .......................... 356
Temperature Gauge .................... 173
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 387
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 63
Ethanol ............................... 333
Event Data Recorder ...................... 65
Exhaust Gas Caution ................78,336,395
Exhaust System ....................... 78,394
Exterior Folding Mirrors ................... 87
INDEX 465
10

Occupant Restraints....................... 41
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ............332,429
Odometer .......................... 172,177
Trip ............................. 172,177
Oil Change Indicator .................. 177,186
Oil Change Indicator, Reset ..............177,186
Oil, Engine ......................... 385,429
Capacity ............................ 427
Change Interval .................. 177,186,386
Checking ......................... 385,386
Dipstick .......................... 385,386
Disposal ............................ 388
Filter ............................ 388,429
Filter Disposal ........................ 388
Identification Logo ..................... 387
Materials Added to ..................... 388
Recommendation ................... 387,427
Synthetic ............................ 388
Viscosity ......................... 387,427Oil Filter, Change
........................ 388
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 388
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............382,383
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink) ........... 146
Operating Precautions .................... 382
Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual) ............ 4
Outside Rearview Mirrors .................. 86
Overdrive ............................. 278
Overhead Console ....................... 145
Overheating, Engine ................... 174,356
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,455
Paint Care ............................. 406
Panic Alarm ............................ 24
Parking Brake .......................... 292
Passing Light ........................... 135
Pedals, Adjustable ....................... 140
Personal Settings ........................ 193
Pets .................................. 77
472 INDEX