2012 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT check engine

humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant 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 the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, the contents of the coolant recovery bottle must
also be protected against freezing.
•If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
•Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine, which contains
aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic Transmission – If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only manufacturer ’s recommended transmis-
sion fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further informa-
tion. It is important that the transmission fluid be main-
tained at the prescribed level using the recommended
fluid. No chemical flushes should be used in any trans-
mission; only the approved lubricant may be used.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to thispolicy is the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid
leaks. In addition, avoid using transmission sealers as
they may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks are not
required. For this reason, the dipstick is omitted.
If you notice fluid loss or gear shift malfunction, have
your authorized dealer check the transmission fluid level.
392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
At Each Stop for Fuel•Check the engine oil level. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures/Engine Oil” in “Maintaining Your Vehi-
cle” for further information.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
8
M
A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 419

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 the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and power steering, and add as
needed.
•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.
8
M
A I
N T
E
N A
N CE
S
C
H E
D
U L
E
S420 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 145
Bulb Replacement ..................... 407,408
Bulbs, Light .......................... 84,407
Calibration, Compass ..................... 200
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 413
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 334
Oil (Engine) ........................ 372
Power Steering ...................... 284
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 386
Car Washes ............................ 394
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............81,333
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 335
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,241
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 412
Certification Label ....................... 336
Chains, Tire ............................ 317
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 302 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)
............... 368
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 80
Checks, Safety ........................... 80
Child Restraint .................... 70,72,75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............74,75
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 329
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 396
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 379
Clock ............................. 208,217
Cold Weather Operation ................... 261
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 241
Compass .............................. 200
Compass Calibration ..................... 200
Compass Variance ....................... 201
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 193
450 INDEX

Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 360
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ............. 387
Engine Oil ......................... 373
Door Locks ............................. 31
Door Locks, Automatic .................... 33
Door Opener, Garage ..................... 154
Driving On Slippery Surfaces .................. 279
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 281
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 91
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 165
Electronic Brake Control System ............. 291
Electronic Power Distribution Center (Fuses) .... 402
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 150
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 295
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light ...... 179Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
.... 188
Emergency Deck Lid Release ................ 42
Emergency Trunk Release ................... 42
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ............. 357
Hazard Warning Flasher ............... 342
Jump Starting ....................... 353
Overheating ........................ 342
Towing ............................ 360
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 368
Engine ............................... 366
Air Cleaner ......................... 373
Block Heater ........................ 263
Break-In Recommendations .............. 79
Checking Oil Level ................... 371
Compartment ....................... 366
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 384,414
Cooling ........................... 383
Exhaust Gas Caution ................81,333
452 INDEX

Fluid Level ChecksAutomatic Transmission ................ 392
Brake ............................. 389
Cooling System ...................... 384
Engine Oil ......................... 371
Power Steering ...................... 284
Fluid, Brake ........................... 415
Fluids ................................ 414
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 414
Fog Lights .......................... 142,182
Folding Rear Seat ........................ 137
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 357
Fuel ................................. 329
Adding ........................... 334
Additives .......................... 331
Clean Air .......................... 329
Ethanol ........................... 330
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .................. 334
Gasoline ........................... 329 Gauge
............................ 178
Materials Added ..................... 331
Methanol .......................... 330
Octane Rating .................... 329,414
Requirements ....................... 329
Specifications ....................... 414
Tank Capacity ....................... 413
Fuel System Caution ..................... 334
Fueling ............................... 334
Fuses ................................ 399
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 154
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...............334,367
Gasoline (Fuel) ......................... 329
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 329
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 329
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 179
Fuel .............................. 178
454 INDEX

Low Fuel.......................... 187
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 187
Map Reading ..................... 144,153
Oil Pressure ........................ 181
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ........ 145
Passing ............................ 144
Reading ........................ 144,153
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 182
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............ 185
Service ......................... 407,408
Service Engine Soon
(Malfunction Indicator) ................ 187
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 185
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......185,321
Traction Control ..................... 299
Turn Signal ................. 84,142,143,180
Vanity Mirror ........................ 92
Voltage ............................ 178
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 178 Loading Vehicle
...................... 335,337
Capacities .......................... 337
Tires .............................. 306
Locks ................................. 31
Auto Unlock ......................... 33
Automatic Door ...................... 33
Door .............................. 31
Power Door ......................... 32
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 321
Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren (LATCH) ..................... 74,75
Lubrication, Body ....................... 379
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 374
Maintenance Procedures ................... 370
Maintenance Schedule .................... 418
Maintenance, General ..................... 370
Maintenance, Sunroof ..................... 165
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 187,368
458 INDEX