2012 DODGE CHARGER steering wheel

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. The ESC
corrects for oversteering and understeering the vehicle
by applying the brake of the appropriate wheel. Engine
power may also be reduced to assist in counteracting the
condition of oversteer or understeer and help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
The ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the path
that the driver intends to steer the vehicle and compares
it to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, the ESC applies the
brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting
the condition of oversteer or understeer.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
•Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
WARNING!
The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent col-
lisions, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, driving on very slippery surfaces, or
hydroplaning. ESC also cannot prevent collisions
resulting from loss of vehicle control due to inappro-
priate driver input for the conditions. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent collisions.
The capabilities of an ESC equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user ’s safety or the safety
of others.
398 STARTING AND OPERATING

The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” (lo-
cated in the instrument cluster) starts to flash as soon as
the tires lose traction and the ESC system becomes active.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” also
flashes when TCS is active. If the “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” begins to flash during ac-
celeration, ease up on the accelerator and apply as little
throttle as possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and
driving to the prevailing road conditions.
NOTE:
•The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light”
and the “ESC OFF Indicator Light” come on momen-
tarily each time the ignition switch is turned ON.
•Each time the ignition is turned ON, the ESC system
will be ON even if it was turned off previously.
•The ESC system will make buzzing or clicking sounds
when it is active. This is normal; the sounds will stop
when ESC becomes inactive following the maneuver
that caused the ESC activation.The “ESC OFF Indicator Light” indicates the
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is off.
Synchronizing ESC
If the power supply is interrupted (battery
disconnected or discharged), the “ESC
Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” may
illuminate with the engine running. If this
should occur, turn the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right. The “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” should go out. However, if
the light remains on, have the ESC and BAS checked at
your authorized dealer as soon as possible.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 403

WARNING!
•Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating other than
that specified for your vehicle. Some combinations
of unapproved tires and wheels may change sus-
pension dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, handling, and
braking of your vehicle. This can cause unpredict-
able handling and stress to steering and suspen-
sion components. You could lose control and have
a collision resulting in serious injury or death. Use
only the tire and wheel sizes with load ratings
approved for your vehicle.
•Never use a tire with a smaller load index or
capacity, other than what was originally equipped
on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load
index could result in tire overloading and failure.
You could lose control and have a collision.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Failure to equip your vehicle with tires having
adequate speed capability can result in sudden tire
failure and loss of vehicle control.
CAUTION!
Replacing original tires with tires of a different size
may result in false speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
TIRE CHAINS
Use only compact chains or other traction aids that meet
SAE type “Class S” specifications. Chains must be the
proper size for the vehicle, as recommended by the chain
manufacturer. Install tire chains only on P215/65R17
using standard chains, on P225/60R18 and P235/55R18
using model 0143 (tirechaindealer.com) and on P235/
55R19 using model Z-575 (scc-chain.com).
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

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

CAUTION!
•When installing the integrated power module
cover, it is important to ensure the cover is prop-
erly positioned and fully latched. Failure to do so
may allow water to get into the integrated power
module and possibly result in an electrical system
failure.
•When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to
use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating.
The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system over-
load. If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, it
indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
Cavity CartridgeFuseMini-
Fuse Description
1 — — Fuse – Spare
2 40 Amp Green — Radiator Fan #1
3 50 Amp Red — Power Steering #1
4 30 Amp Pink — Starter
5 40 Amp Green — Anti-Lock Brakes
6 — — Fuse – Spare
7 — — Fuse – Spare
8 — — Fuse – Spare
9 — 20 Amp YellowAll-Wheel Drive
Module – If Equipped
10 — 10 Amp RedSecurity
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 525

Cavity CartridgeFuseMini-
Fuse Description
34 — 10 Amp RedSteering Column
Module/Clock
35 — 10 Amp RedBattery Sensor
36 — — Fuse — Spare
37 — 15 Amp BlueRadio
38 — 20 Amp YellowPower Outlet Inside
Arm Rest
40 — — Fuse — Spare
41 — — Fuse — Spare
42 30 Amp Pink — Rear Defrost
43 — 25 Amp NaturalRear Heated Seats/
Steering WheelCavity Cartridge
FuseMini-
Fuse Description
44 — 10 Amp RedPark Assist/Blind
Spot/Camera
45 — 15 Amp BlueCluster/Rearview
Mirror/Compass
46 — 10 Amp RedAdaptive Cruise
Control
47 — 10 Amp RedAdaptive Front
Lighting
48 — 20 Amp YellowActive Suspension
49 — — Fuse — Spare
50 — — Fuse — Spare
51 — 20 Amp YellowFront Heated Seats
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 531

Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 386
SmartBeams ........................... 200
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 422
Snow Tires ............................ 424
Sound System Kicker ............................ 342
Spare Tire ....................... 417,418,466
Spark Plugs ............................ 539
Specifications Fuel (Gasoline) ................... 436,539
Oil ............................... 539
Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...........218,222
Speedometer ........................... 294
Sport Mode ............................ 384
Starting ............................. 25,364
Automatic Transmission ................ 364
Cold Weather ....................... 367
Engine Fails to Start .................. 367
Remote ............................ 25 Starting and Operating
.................... 364
Starting Procedures ...................... 364
Steering Column Controls ..................... 204
Column Lock ....................... 213
Power ............................ 390
Tilt Column ...................... 213,214
Wheel, Heated ...................... 215
Wheel, Tilt ...................... 213,214
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 343
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 343
Storage ............................ 278,533
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 356,533
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 533
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 479
Sun Roof .............................. 267
Sunglasses Storage ....................... 257
Sunroof Maintenance ..................... 269
586 INDEX