2010 DODGE CHALLENGER Owners Manual

Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 239

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 245
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 245
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 246
▫ Keyless Go™ – If Equipped ............. 247
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 248
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below 20°F Or
29°C) ............................ 250
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 251
▫ After Starting ....................... 252 
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 252
 Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 253
▫ Six-Speed Manual Transmission .......... 253
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 257
▫ General Information .................. 258
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 260
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 260
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock Manual
Override .......................... 260
5

▫Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 262
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 262
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 266
▫ AutoStick — 3.5L Engine .............. 266
▫ AutoStick — 5.7L Engine .............. 266
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 268
▫ Acceleration ........................ 268
▫ Traction ........................... 268
 Driving Through Water ................. 269
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 269
 Power Steering ....................... 271
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 272
 Parking Brake ........................ 273 ▫
Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 274
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 274
 Brake System ........................ 276
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped .......................... 276
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 279
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) –
If Equipped ........................ 279
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) –
If Equipped ........................ 280
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . 280
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ................... 281
▫ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) – If
Equipped .......................... 283
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Synchronizing ESP ................... 285
▫ ESP/BAS Malfunction Indicator Light And
ESP/TCS Indicator Light ............... 286
 Tire Safety Information ................. 287
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 287
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 291
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 292
 Tires — General Information ............. 296
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 296
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 297
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 299
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 299
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 300 ▫
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 301
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 302
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 302
 Snow Tires .......................... 304
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 304
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 305
▫ Base System ........................ 308
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 310
▫ General Information .................. 314
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 314
▫ 3.5L And 5.7L Engine (With Automatic
Transmission) ....................... 314
▫ 5.7L Engine (With Manual Transmission) .... 315
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 243

▫Reformulated Gasoline ................ 315
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 315
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 316
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 317
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 317
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 317
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 318
 Adding Fuel ......................... 319
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 319
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 321
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 322
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 322
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 322▫
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 322
▫ Overloading ........................ 323
▫ Loading ........................... 323
 Trailer Towing ........................ 324
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 324
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 326
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... 328
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 328
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 329
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 334
 Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 336
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the key fob in
the ignition switch. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
Manual Transmission – If Equipped
Apply the parking brake, place the shift lever in NEU-
TRAL and press the clutch pedal before starting vehicle.
This vehicle is equipped with a clutch interlocking igni-
tion system. It will not start unless the clutch pedal is
pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting with Integrated Key – Manual
Transmission
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
Press the clutch pedal fully to the floor, and turn the
ignition switch to the START position and release when
the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
15 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 245

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic con-
verter and once the engine has started, ignite and
damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has
a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of start
can be dangerous if done improperly, so follow the
procedure carefully. Refer to “Jump Starting” in
“What To Do In Emergencies” for further informa-
tion.
Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
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.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
Using Fob With Integrated Key (Tip Start)
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING