2009 DODGE CHARGER traction control

WARNING!
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded by prevailing road conditions. The
BAS cannot prevent accidents, including those re-
sulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
that could jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESP
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Enginepower may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
The ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESP applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The ESP/TCS Indicator Light located in the
instrument cluster, starts to flash as soon as the
tires lose traction and the ESP system becomes
active. The ESP/TCS Indicator Light also
298 STARTING AND OPERATING

ESP is synchronized (refer to Synchronizing ESP), see
your authorized dealer as soon as possible to have the
problem diagnosed and corrected.
NOTE:
•The ESP/TCS Indicator Light and the ESP/BAS Mal-
function Indicator Light will turn on momentarily
each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition switch is turned ON, the ESP
system will be on even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESP control system will make buzzing or clicking
sounds when it is active. This is NORMAL; the sounds
will stop when ESP becomes inactive following the
maneuver that caused the ESP activation.
TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Stan-
dards Code (TIN)4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and Temperature Grades
STARTING AND OPERATING 301
5

the instrument cluster) remains on continuously after
starting the engine of the vehicle with the discharged
battery.
8. When removing the jumper cables, reverse the above
sequence exactly. Be careful of the moving belts and fan.
WARNING!
Any procedure other than above could result in:
•Personal injury caused by electrolyte squirting out
the battery vent
•Personal injury or property damage due to battery
explosion
•Damage to charging system of booster vehicle or
of immobilized vehicle
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)
— if equipped, or Traction Control System (TCS) — if
equipped before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Stability Program” or “Traction Control System” in Sec-
tion 5.
372 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 457
9

Deck Lid, Emergency Release................ 41
Deck Lid, Power Release ................... 39
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 163
Defroster, Windshield ................80,254,260
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 137
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 382
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................. 135
Dipsticks Oil (Engine) ....................... 385,386
Power Steering ........................ 291
Disabled Vehicle Towing ................... 374
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............... 400
Engine Oil ........................... 388
Door Locks ............................. 29
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 30
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 146
Driving On Slippery Surfaces ................... 287 Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water
........................ 288
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™) .... 248
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 163
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 88
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 155
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 296
Anti-Lock Brake System ................. 296
Brake Assist System .................... 297
Electronic Stability Program ............... 298
Traction Control System ................. 297
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) .... 411
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 141
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) ............ 298
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light ...... 173
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 183
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 41
464 INDEX

Engine Temperature Warning.............. 175
Exterior .............................. 80
Fog ............................. 133,176
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 356
Headlight Switch ...................... 131
Headlights ........................ 131,422
Headlights On Reminder ................. 133
Headlights On With Wipers ............132,138
High Beam ........................ 135,176
High Beam Indicator .................... 176
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 135
Instrument Cluster .................. 131,172
Intensity Control ...................... 136
Interior .......................... 135,145
License ............................. 426
Lights On Reminder .................... 133
Low Fuel ............................ 182
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 183
Map Reading ...................... 135,145Oil Pressure
.......................... 176
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ......... 136
Passing ............................. 135
Reading .......................... 135,145
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 176
Service ........................... 418,419
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 183
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........180,322
Traction Control ....................... 300
Turn Signal ...................... 80,134,174
Vanity Mirror .......................... 88
Voltage ............................. 173
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ..... 172
Load Leveling System .................... 164
Loading Vehicle ...................... 340,341
Capacities ........................... 341
Tires ............................... 306
Locks ................................. 29
Auto Unlock .......................... 31
470 INDEX

Trailer Towing........................ 350
Tread Wear Indicators ................... 316
To Open Hood .......................... 129
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 347
Torque Converter Clutch .................. 280
Towing ............................... 342
24-Hour Towing Assistance ............... 103
Behind a Motor Home .................. 354
Disabled Vehicle ....................... 374
Guide .............................. 346
Recreational .......................... 354
Weight .............................. 346
Towing Assistance ....................... 103
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motor Home ......... 354
Traction Control ......................... 297
Trailer Towing .......................... 342
Cooling System Tips .................... 354
Hitches ............................. 344
Minimum Requirements ................. 348 Tips ................................ 353
Trailer and Tongue Weight
............... 347
Wiring .............................. 351
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 346
Trailer Weight .......................... 346
Transfer Case ........................... 405
Fluid ............................ 405,430
Maintenance ......................... 406
Transmission ........................... 404
Automatic ................... 273,276,282,404
Fluid ............................... 430
Range Indicator .................... 277,282
Shifting ............................. 273
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 25
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) . . 146
Transmitter Programming
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ........ 20
478 INDEX