2013 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT transmission

AUTOSTICK®
Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters Or
Console Mounted Shifter
AutoStick® is a driver-interactive transmission feature
providing manual shift control, giving you more control
of the vehicle. AutoStick® allows you to maximize en-
gine braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and down-
shifts, and improve overall vehicle performance.
This system can also provide you with more control
during passing, city driving, cold slippery conditions,
mountain driving, and many other situations.
1 — (–) Shift Paddle2— (+) Shift Paddle
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 315

Operation
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the five available gears. To engage AutoStick®, simply
tap the shift lever to the right or left (+/-) while in the
DRIVE position, or tap one of the steering wheel-
mounted shift paddles (+/-), if equipped. Tapping (-) to
enter AutoStick® mode will downshift the transmission
to the next lower gear, while using (+) to enter
AutoStick® mode will retain the current gear. When
AutoStick® is active, the current transmission gear is
displayed in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC) portion of the instrument cluster. In AutoStick®
mode, the transmission will shift up or down when (+/-)
is manually selected by the driver (using the shift lever,
or the shift paddles [if equipped]), unless an engine
lugging or overspeed condition would result. It will
remain in the selected gear until another upshift or
downshift is chosen, except as described below.•
If AutoStick® is engaged while in DRIVE mode, the
transmission will automatically shift up when maxi-
mum engine speed is reached.
• If AutoStick® is engaged while in SPORT mode, the
transmission will remain in the selected gear even
when maximum engine speed is reached. The trans-
mission will upshift only when commanded by the
driver. Engine overspeed protection will be provided
by fuel cut off at or near redline.
• The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
• The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop. After a stop, the driver
should manually upshift (+) the transmission as the
vehicle is accelerated.
316 STARTING AND OPERATING

•You can start out, from a stop, in first or second gear.
Tapping (+) (at a stop) will allow starting in second
gear. Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or
icy conditions.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
• Avoid using speed control when AutoStick® is en-
gaged.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick® is engaged. To disengage AutoStick® mode, hold the shift lever to the
right or press and hold the (+) shift paddle (if equipped)
until “D” is once again displayed in the instrument
cluster. You can shift in or out of the AutoStick® mode at
any time without taking your foot off the accelerator
pedal.
WARNING!
Do not downshift for additional engine braking on a
slippery surface. The drive wheels could lose their
grip and the vehicle could skid, causing a collision or
personal injury.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 317

SPORT MODE
This vehicle is equipped with an electronic controlled
damping system. This system reduces body roll and pitch
in many driving situations including cornering, accelera-
tion and braking. In addition, the driver has the ability to
select a more aggressive shifting pattern. On the center
console, there is a “SPORT” button that when pressed
will cycle through three different driving modes. This is
the description of each mode of operation:•Off – This is the initial position. This mode will give a
sporty, but comfortable ride. Within this mode, the
suspension will adapt to the vehicle inputs, including
vehicle speed, steering inputs, braking and accelera-
tion. The transmission will be optimized for smooth,
SPORT Button
318 STARTING AND OPERATING

less aggressive shifting. The system will return to OFF
when the ignition switch is cycled from RUN to OFF to
RUN, if this mode is selected.
• SPORT Mode – This mode is selected by the first press
of the “SPORT” button. A “SPORT” message will
display in the instrument cluster. The system will
return to SPORT mode when the ignition switch is
cycled from RUN to OFF to RUN, if this mode is
selected. This mode will set suspension for maximum
performance handling and is intended for spirited
driving.
• TRACK Mode – This includes SPORT mode and
affects automatic transmission shifting in either Auto
or Manual mode. Refer to “AutoStick” in “Starting
And Operating” for further information. In TRACK
mode, the transmission has a sportier, more aggressive
shift pattern. In Manual mode, the transmission will
hold gear at redline during manual shifting (console shifter or paddle shifters). A “TRACK” message will
display in the instrument cluster. The system will
return to SPORT mode when the ignition switch is
cycled from RUN to OFF to RUN, if this mode is
selected.
NOTE: For manual transmission vehicles, the available
driving modes are SPORT on or SPORT Off. TRACK is
not available.
LAUNCH MODE – IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with a Launch Control system
that is designed to allow the driver to achieve maximum
vehicle acceleration in a straight line. Launch Control is a
form of traction control that manages tire slip while
launching the vehicle. This feature is intended for use
during race events on a closed course where consistent
quarter mile and zero to sixty times are desired. The
system is not intended to compensate for lack of driver
experience or familiarity with the race track. Use of this
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 319

feature in low traction (cold, wet, gravel, etc) conditions
may results in excess wheel slip outside this systems
control resulting in an aborted launch.
Preconditions:
•Launch control should not be used on public roads.
Always check track conditions and the surrounding
area.
• Launch Control is not available for the first 500 miles
of vehicle life.
• Launch Control should only be used when the engine
and transmission are at operating temperature.
• Launch Control is intended to be used on dry, paved
road surfaces only. Use on slippery or loose surfaces
may cause damage to vehicle components. Automatic Transmission (If Equipped):
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Press the “ESC OFF” button to put the vehicle into
ESC Partial mode. The “ESC OFF” lamp will illumi-
nate in the cluster.
2. Press the “ESC OFF” button a second time to put the vehicle into Launch Control. The “ESC OFF” lamp will
remain lit, and the cluster display will read “Launch
Control Enabled”.
3. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
4. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
5. Hold the brake and make sure the vehicle is in “Drive”.
320 STARTING AND OPERATING

Manual Transmission (If Equipped):
Vehicles with a manual transmission have an adjustable
launch RPM controlled through the EVIC Performance
Features. Set the desired launch rpm before entering
launch control. Details of this feature can be found under
Performance Features – Launch RPM Set.
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Press the “ESC OFF” button to put the vehicle intoESC Partial mode. The “ESC OFF” lamp will illumi-
nate in the cluster.
2. Press the “ESC OFF” button a second time to put the vehicle into Launch Control. The “ESC OFF” lamp will
remain lit, and the cluster display will read “Launch
Control Enabled”.
3. Make sure the vehicle is not moving. 4. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
5. Fully depress the clutch pedal and make sure the
vehicle is in first gear.
6. While holding the clutch depressed, rapidly apply the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. The engine
speed will hold at the pre-selected launch rpm. The
default engine speed is 3500rpm.
• Messages will appear in the cluster EVIC display to
inform the driver if one or more of the above
conditions (3 through 6) have not been met.
7.
When conditions 3 through 6 have been met, the cluster
EVIC display will read “Launch Ready Release Clutch”.
Release the clutch quickly and continue to hold wide
open throttle to launch Execute shifts as described in the
section: Manual Transmission – Shifting.
8. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
322 STARTING AND OPERATING

Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62mph (100kph), at which point the ESC system contin-
ues in ESC Partial mode. Activating Launch Control
again from this state will require pressing the “ESC OFF”
button once. Repeat steps 3 through 8.
Launch control will abort before launch completion and
display “Launch Aborted” in the cluster under any the
following conditions:
•The brake is applied during launch. ESC system con-
tinues in ESC Partial.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line. ESC system continues in ESC
Partial.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pressed to change the ESC
system to another mode. One press puts the ESC
system into ESC Full-On. NOTE:
After launch control has been aborted, the vehicle
will resort back to ESC Full ON.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to shift when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have traction. Damage to the
transmission may occur.
Launch RPM Set (Manual Transmission Only)
When selected, this screen displays the vehicle’s current
Launch RPM used for Launch Control (see ESC Operat-
ing Modes – Launch Control).
• This feature will only function when the vehicle is
stationary.
• Pressing the SELECT button will bring up a list of
available rpm values to use with Launch Control.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 323