2009 DODGE CHARGER check engine

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a
child, contact a physician immediately. Clean up any
ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing cool-
ant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as the
engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month.When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401
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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.Use only manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.
WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that may have a lower initial
boiling point, or is unidentified as to specification,
may result in sudden brake failure during hard
prolonged braking. You could have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
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NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicle’s
oil if it has been six months since your last oil change,
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Oil Change
Required” under “Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 or under “Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” under “Instrument Cluster Descriptions” in Sec-
tion 4.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Engine Oil” under
“Maintenance Procedures” in Section 7.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and transmission,
and add as needed.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 433
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•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
434 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 294
Fluid Check ....................... 403,430
Master Cylinder ....................... 403
Parking ............................. 292
Warning Light ........................ 179
Brakes ............................... 402
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 275
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 77
Brightness, Interior Lights .................. 136
Bulb Replacement ..................... 418,419
Bulbs, Light .......................... 80,418
Calibration, Compass ..................... 191
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 427
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 337
Oil (Engine) .......................... 387
Power Steering ........................ 291
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 400Car Washes
............................ 407
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............78,336
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 340
Cellular Phone ........................ 89,252
Certification Label ....................... 340
Chains, Tire ............................ 319
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 357
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 303
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 383
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 78
Checks, Safety ........................... 78
Child Restraint .................... 67,69,72,74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............71,72
Child Safety Locks ........................ 33
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 333
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 408
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 393
462 INDEX

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
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Exterior Lighting........................ 131
Exterior Lights .......................... 80
Filler Location Fuel ...................... 337
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... 389
Air Conditioning .................... 262,392
Engine Oil ........................ 388,429
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 388
Flashers Hazard Warning ....................... 356
Turn Signal ...................... 80,134,174
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 135
Flat Tire Changing ....................... 357
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 271
Floor Console .......................... 159
Fluid, Brake ........................... 430
Fluid Capacities ......................... 427
Fluid Leaks ............................. 80 Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission ................. 404
Brake .............................. 403
Cooling System ....................... 397
Engine Oil ........................ 385,386
Power Steering ........................ 291
Transfer Case ......................... 405
Fluids ................................ 429
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 429
Fog Lights .......................... 133,176
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 128
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 372
Fuel ................................. 332
Adding ............................. 337
Additives ............................ 335
Clean Air ............................ 333
Ethanol ............................. 333
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................... 337
Gasoline ............................ 332
466 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