2012 DODGE CHALLENGER Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 252
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 252
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 253
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped ........ 254
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 255
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below –20°F Or 29°C)............... 258
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 258
▫ After Starting ....................... 260 
Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 260
 Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........ 260
▫ Six-Speed Manual Transmission .......... 260
 Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ...... 265
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 266
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . 266
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ....... 266
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 267
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AutoStick .......................... 273
▫ Operation ......................... 273
 Sport Mode — If Equipped .............. 275
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 277
▫ Acceleration ........................ 277
▫ Traction ........................... 277
 Driving Through Water ................. 278
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 278
 Power Steering ....................... 280
 Parking Brake ........................ 281
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ....... 282
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ..... 283
Brake System ........................ 284
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) — If
Equipped .......................... 285
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 287
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) –
If Equipped ........................ 288
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) –
If Equipped ........................ 288
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) – If Equipped . . . 289
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ................... 289
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – If
Equipped .......................... 291
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC Off Indicator Light ............ 294
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▫Synchronizing ESC ................... 295
 Tire Safety Information ................. 296
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 296
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 300
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 301
 Tires — General Information ............. 305
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 305
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 306
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 308
▫ Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel – If Equipped .............. 308
▫ Compact Spare Tire – If Equipped ........ 309
▫ Full Size Spare – If Equipped ............ 310▫
Limited-Use Spare – If Equipped ......... 310
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 311
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 312
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ 312
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 313
 Tire Chains .......................... 314
 Snow Tires .......................... 316
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 316
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 317
▫ Base System ........................ 320
▫ Premium System – If Equipped .......... 322
▫ General Information .................. 326
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STARTING AND OPERATING 249

Fuel Requirements ..................... 327
▫ 3.6L And 5.7L Engine
(With Automatic Transmission) ........... 327
▫ 5.7L Engine (With Manual Transmission) .... 328
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 328
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 328
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 329
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 329
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ............... 330
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 330
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 331
Adding Fuel ......................... 332
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 332
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ........... 334
 Vehicle Loading ...................... 334
▫ Vehicle Certification Label .............. 334
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ...... 335
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ........ 335
▫ Overloading ........................ 335
▫ Loading ........................... 336
 Trailer Towing ........................ 336
▫ Common Towing Definitions ............ 337
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification .............. 339
250 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) ........ 340
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ............. 340
▫ Towing Requirements ................. 341
▫ Towing Tips ........................ 346 
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 348
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped .... 348
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ...... 349
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STARTING AND OPERATING 251

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!
•When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
•Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children
to be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake
pedal or the shift lever.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle, and
do not leave a vehicle equipped with Keyless
Enter-N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. 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
252 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 253

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.
Do not press the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated
Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in
10 seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
“Normal Starting” procedure.
Keyless Enter-N-Go – If Equipped
This feature allows the driver to oper-
ate the ignition switch with the push
of a button, as long as the ENGINE
START/STOP button is installed and
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter is in the passenger compart-
ment.
Installing And Removing The ENGINE
START/STOP Button
Installing The Button
1. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.
2. Insert the ENGINE START/STOP button into the
ignition switch with the lettering facing up and readable.
3. Press firmly on the center of the button to secure it into
position.
254 STARTING AND OPERATING