2012 DODGE CHARGER engine

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 DRIVE
and REVERSE. Using minimal accelerator pedal pressure
to maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the shift lever in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.NOTE:
Turn off the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
— if equipped, or Traction Control System (TCS) — if
equipped before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic
Brake Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further
information.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by moving be-
tween DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the
wheels faster than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain
damage may result.
•Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no
transmission shifting occurring).6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 479

WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE — 5 SPEED
TRANSMISSION
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the rubber tray from the storage bin located to
the right of the shift lever. The override access port is near
the bottom of the bin to the right of the shift lever gate.
4. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
480 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

5. Using a screwdriver or similar tool, press and hold the
override tab through the access port on the center con-
sole.
6. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
7. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
8. Reinstall the rubber tray into the storage bin.MANUAL PARK RELEASE — 8 SPEED
TRANSMISSION (3.6L Engine)
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying the
parking brake, before activating the Manual Park
Release. Activating the Manual Park Release will
allow your vehicle to roll away if it is not secured by
the parking brake or by proper connection to a tow
vehicle. Activating the Manual Park Release on an
unsecured vehicle could lead to serious injury or
death for those in or around the vehicle.
In order to push or tow the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead
battery), a Manual Park Release is available.
Shift Lever Override
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 481

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 3.6L ............. 489
 Engine Compartment — 5.7L ............. 490
 Onboard Diagnostic System — OBD II ...... 491
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 491
 Replacement Parts ..................... 493
 Dealer Service ........................ 493
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 494
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 495 ▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... 498
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 498
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 499
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 501
▫ A/C Air Filter ...................... 502
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 504
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 504
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 505
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 506
7

▫Cooling System ..................... 508
▫ Brake System ....................... 514
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 516
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) – If Equipped ..... 518
▫ Rear Axle .......................... 518
▫ Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... 519
 Fuses .............................. 524
▫ Integrated Power Module .............. 524
▫ Rear Power Distribution Center .......... 528
 Vehicle Storage ....................... 533
 Replacement Bulbs .................... 533 
Bulb Replacement ..................... 534
▫ Front Low Beam Headlamp, High Beam
Headlamp, Park/Turn Lamp, And Side
Marker Lamp — Models With Halogen
Headlamps ......................... 534
▫ Front Low Beam Headlamp And Park/Turn
Lamp — Models With High Intensity
Discharge Headlamps (HID) ............ 535
▫ Backup Lamps ...................... 536
▫ License Lamp ....................... 537
 Fluid Capacities ...................... 538
 Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts ....... 539
▫ Engine ............................ 539
▫ Chassis ........................... 540
488 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Engine Oil Dipstick 6 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 7 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post)
4 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 489

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 5.7L
1 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses)5 — Engine Oil Fill
2 — Brake Fluid Reservoir Access Cover 6 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Engine Coolant Reservoir 7 — Remote Jump Start (Positive Battery Post)
4 — Air Cleaner Filter 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
490 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II
Your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated onboard
diagnostic system called OBD II. This system monitors
the performance of the emissions, engine, and automatic
transmission control systems. When these systems are
operating properly, your vehicle will provide excellent
performance and fuel economy, as well as engine emis-
sions well within current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” It
will also store diagnostic codes and other information to
assist your service technician in making repairs. Al-
though your vehicle will usually be drivable and not
need towing, see your authorized dealer for service as
soon as possible.CAUTION!
•Prolonged driving with the MIL on could cause
further damage to the emissions control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability.
The vehicle must be serviced before any emissions
tests can be performed.
•If the MIL is flashing while the engine is running,
severe catalytic converter damage and power loss
will soon occur. Immediate service is required.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 491