2013 DODGE CHALLENGER Owners Manual

windshield and provide sufficient heating. If side win-
dow fogging becomes a problem, increase blower speed.
Vehicle windows tend to fog on the inside in mild but
rainy or humid weather.
NOTE:Recirculate without A/C should not be used for
long periods as fogging may occur.
Side Window Demisters
A side window demister outlet is located at each end of
the instrument panel. These non-adjustable outlets direct
air toward the side windows when the system is in the
FLOOR, MIX, or DEFROST mode. The air is directed at
the area of the windows through which you view the
outside mirrors.
Outside Air Intake
Make sure the air intake, located directly in front of the
windshield, is free of obstructions such as leaves. Leaves
collected in the air intake may reduce airflow, and if they
enter the plenum, they could plug the water drains. In
winter months, make sure the air intake is clear of ice,
slush, and snow.
A/C Air Filter
The A/C Filter prevents most dust and pollen from
entering the cabin. The filter acts on air coming from
outside the vehicle and recirculated air within the pas-
senger compartment. Refer to “Maintenance Procedures”
in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for A/C Air Filter service
information or see your authorized dealer for service.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedules” for filter service inter-
vals.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 287

Control Setting Suggestions for Various Weather Conditions while in Manual Override
288 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................294
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........294
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ......295
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go™ – If Equipped ........296
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .297
▫ Extreme Cold Weather (Below –20°F
Or 29°C) ......................... .300
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................301
▫ After Starting ....................... .303
 ENGINE BLOCK HEATER – IF EQUIPPED . . . .303 
MANUAL TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .304
▫ Six-Speed Manual Transmission ...........304
▫ Shifting ............................ .305
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............306
▫ 1–4 Skip Shift ....................... .307
▫ Downshifting ....................... .308
 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .308
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ...............310
5

▫Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . .310
▫ Five-Speed Automatic Transmission ........310
▫ Gear Ranges .........................311
 AUTOSTICK® ........................ .318
▫ Operation .......................... .318
 SPORT MODE — IF EQUIPPED ............319
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........321
▫ Acceleration ........................ .321
▫ Traction ........................... .322
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............322
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................322
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................323 
POWER STEERING .....................324
 FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY 5.7L ENGINE
ONLY – IF EQUIPPED ...................326
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .326
▫ Manual Transmission – If Equipped ........327
▫ Automatic Transmission – If Equipped ......327
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .329
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............330
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .332
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............333
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............333
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............334
290 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Hill Start Assist (HSA) – Manual
Transmission Only ....................335
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........337
▫ ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light
And ESC OFF Indicator Light ............341
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............342
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .342
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........346
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........348
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........349
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........354
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... .354
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................356
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .357 ▫
Radial Ply Tires ..................... .358
▫ Tire Types .......................... .358
▫ Run Flat Tires – If Equipped ..............360
▫ Spare Tires – If Equipped ................360
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .363
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................363
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .364
▫ Replacement Tires .....................364
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......366
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....367
 TIRE
PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . . .368
▫Base System ........................ .371
▫ Premium System – If Equipped ............373
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 291

▫General Information ...................378
 FUEL REQUIREMENTS ..................378
▫ 3.6L Engine – If Equipped ...............378
▫ 5.7L Engine (with Automatic Transmission) . . .379
▫ 5.7L Engine (with Manual Transmission) .....380
▫ Reformulated Gasoline .................380
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ..............380
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .......381
▫ MMT In Gasoline .....................381
▫ Materials Added To Fuel ................382
▫ Fuel System Cautions ...................382
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............383
ADDING FUEL ....................... .383
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............383
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............385
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................386
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............386
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......386
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........387
▫ Overloading ........................ .387
▫ Loading ........................... .388
 TRAILER TOWING .....................388
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............389
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............392
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings) ..................... .393
▫ Trailer And Tongue Weight ..............393
▫ Towing Requirements ..................395
▫ Towing Tips ........................ .400
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ...................402
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another
Vehicle ............................ .402
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 293

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 (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition of 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.
294 STARTING AND OPERATING