2012 DODGE CHARGER maintenance

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE............................. 87
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL.................................. 285
5STARTING AND OPERATING................................................359
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES............................................. 463
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE..............................................487
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES.................................................541
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE........................................ 559
10INDEX...................................................................569
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on selecting your new Chrysler Group
LLC vehicle. Be assured that it represents precision
workmanship, distinctive styling, and high quality - all
essentials that are traditional to our vehicles.
This Owner’s Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by Warranty Information, and various
customer-oriented documents. Please take the time to
read these publications carefully. Following the instruc-
tions and recommendations in this manual will help
assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After reviewing the owner information, it
should be stored in the vehicle for convenient referenc-
ing and remain with the vehicle when sold.When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has factory-trained tech-
nicians and genuine MOPAR
parts, and cares about
your satisfaction.
HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the Table of Contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
Since the specification of your vehicle depends on the
items of equipment ordered, certain descriptions and
illustrations may differ from your vehicle’s equipment.
The detailed index at the back of this Owner’s Manual
contains a complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this Owner’s Manual:
4 INTRODUCTION

Air Bag Warning Light
You will want to have the air bags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Air Bag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with air bag system electrical components. While the air
bag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any of
the following occurs, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately.
•The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on for
approximately four to eight seconds when the ignition
is first cycled to ON/RUN.
•The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the
approximate four to eight-second interval.
•The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving. NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The air bags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to the label
located on the inside of the fuse block cover for the
proper air bag fuses. See your authorized dealer if the
fuse is good.
Event Data Recorder (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air
bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will
assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle
is designed to record such data as:
•How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

Transporting Pets
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in
a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the
limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil
in the engine or damage may result.
NOTE: A new engine may consume some oil during its
first few thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This
should be considered a normal part of the break-in and
not interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81

▫To Activate ......................... 225
▫ To Set A Desired ACC Speed ............ 226
▫ To Cancel .......................... 228
▫ ToTurnOff ........................ 228
▫ To Resume Speed .................... 229
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting .............. 229
▫ Setting The Following Distance In ACC .... 230
▫ Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Menu ..... 234
▫ Display Warnings And Maintenance ....... 235
▫ Precautions While Driving With ACC ...... 237
▫ General Information .................. 241
▫ Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise
Control Mode ....................... 241 ▫
Forward Collision Warning — If Equipped . . 243
 Parksense Rear Park Assist — If Equipped . . . 246
▫ Parksense Sensors................... 246
▫ Parksense Warning Display ............ 246
▫ Parksense Display................... 247
▫ Enabling And Disabling Parksense ....... 250
▫ Service The Parksense Rear Park Assist
System ............................ 250
▫ Cleaning The Parksense System......... 251
▫ Parksense System Usage Precautions ...... 251
 Parkview Rear Back Up Camera — If
Equipped ............................ 254
▫ Turning Parkview On Or Off — With Touch
Screen Radio ....................... 256
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 91

Overhead Console ..................... 256
▫ Front Map/Reading Lights ............. 256
▫ Sunglass Bin Door ................... 257
 Garage Door Opener — If Equipped ........ 258
▫ Before You Begin Programming
HomeLink ........................ 259
▫ Programming A Rolling Code ........... 260
▫ Programming A Non-Rolling Code ........ 262
▫ Canadian/Gate Operator Programming .... 263
▫ Using HomeLink ................... 264
▫ Security ........................... 265
▫ Troubleshooting Tips .................. 265
▫ General Information .................. 266 
Power Sunroof — If Equipped ............ 267
▫ Opening Sunroof — Express ............ 268
▫ Opening Sunroof — Manual Mode ........ 268
▫ Closing Sunroof — Express ............. 268
▫ Closing Sunroof — Manual Mode ........ 268
▫ Pinch Protect Feature ................. 268
▫ Venting Sunroof — Express ............. 269
▫ Sunshade Operation .................. 269
▫ Wind Buffeting ...................... 269
▫ Sunroof Maintenance ................. 269
▫ Ignition Off Operation ................. 269
▫ Sunroof Fully Closed .................. 270
 Electrical Power Outlets ................. 270
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

The set speed will continue to display in place of the
odometer reading when changing the EVIC display
while ACC is set.
The ACC screen will display once again if any ACC
activity occurs, which may include any of the following:
•Set Speed Change
•Distance Setting Change
•System Cancel
•Driver Override
•System Off
•ACC Proximity Warning
•ACC Unavailable Warning
The EVIC will return to the last display selected
after five seconds of no ACC display activity.
Display Warnings And Maintenance
“Clean Radar Sensor In Front Of Vehicle” Warning
The ACC “Clean Radar Sensor In Front Of Vehicle”
warning will display when conditions temporarily limit
system performance. This most often occurs at times of
poor visibility, such as in snow or heavy rain. The ACC
system may also become temporarily blinded due to
obstructions, such as mud, dirt or ice. In these cases, the
EVIC will display “Clean Radar Sensor In Front Of
Vehicle” and the system will deactivate.
The “Clean Radar Sensor In Front Of Vehicle” message
can sometimes be displayed while driving in highly
reflective areas (i.e. tunnels with reflective tiles, or ice and
snow). The ACC system will recover after the vehicle has
left these areas. Under rare conditions, when the radar is
not tracking any vehicles or objects in its path this
warning may temporarily occur.
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 235

NOTE:If the ACC “Clean Radar Sensor In Front Of
Vehicle” warning is active Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise
Control is still available. For additional information refer
to “Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control Mode” in this
section.
If weather conditions are not a factor, the driver should
examine the sensor. It may require cleaning or removal of
an obstruction. The sensor is located in the center of the
vehicle behind the lower grille.
To keep the ACC System operating properly, it is impor-
tant to note the following maintenance items:
•Always keep the sensor clean. Carefully wipe the
sensor lens with a soft cloth. Be cautious not to
damage the sensor lens.
•Do not remove any screws from the sensor. Doing so
could cause an ACC system malfunction or failure and
require a sensor realignment.
•If the sensor is damaged due to a collision, see your
authorized dealer for service.
•Do not attach or install any accessories near the sensor,
including transparent material or aftermarket grilles.
Doing so could cause an ACC system failure or
malfunction.
When the condition that deactivated the system is no
longer present, the system will return to the “Adaptive
Cruise Control Off” state and will resume function by
simply reactivating it.
NOTE: Installing a vehicle front-end protector or an
aftermarket grille or modifying the grille is not recom-
mended. Doing so may block the sensor and inhibit ACC
operation.
ACC Unavailable Warning
If the system turns off, and the EVIC displays “Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC) Unavailable”, there may be a
236 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE