CAUTION!(Continued)
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “What To Do In Emergencies”
for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts, and the best fuel economy. The transmission
automatically upshifts through all forward gears. The
DRIVE position provides optimum driving characteris-
tics under all normal operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, in hilly terrain or traveling into strong head winds),
use the AutoStick shift control (refer to AutoStickin this
section for further information) to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing
excessive shifting and heat buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or
below), transmission operation may be modified depend-
ing on engine and transmission temperature as well as
vehicle speed. Normal operation will resume once the
transmission temperature has risen to a suitable level.
MANUAL (M)
The MANUAL (M, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE
position) enables full manual control of transmission
shifting (also known as AutoStick mode; refer to
“AutoStick” in this section for further information). Tog-
gling the shift lever forward (-) or rearward (+) while in
the MANUAL (AutoStick) position will manually select
the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in
the instrument cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc.
360 STARTING AND OPERATING
Operation
When the shift lever is in the DRIVE (D) position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the eight available gears. To activate AutoStick, move the
shift lever into the MANUAL (M) position (beside the
DRIVE position). The current transmission gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster, along with a high-
lightedM(Manual) indication. When the shift lever is
in the MANUAL (M) position, tap the shift lever forward
(-) (or tap the (-) shift paddle on the steering wheel) to
downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, (or tap
the lever rearward (+) or tap the (+) shift paddle), to
command an upshift. NOTE:
Tapping one of the steering wheel-mounted shift
paddles (+/-), while the shift lever is in DRIVE, will
activate a temporary AutoStick mode. 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. The current gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster, but the Mwill not
be highlighted. The transmission will revert back to
normal operation (if the shift lever remains in DRIVE)
after a period of time, depending on accelerator pedal
activity.
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), 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 363
•In temporary AutoStick mode (shift lever in DRIVE),
the transmission will automatically shift up when
maximum engine speed is reached. Lack of accelerator
pedal activity will cause the transmission to revert to
automatic operation.
• If normal AutoStick mode is engaged (shift lever in
MANUAL position), manual gear selection will be
maintained until the shift lever is returned to DRIVE,
or as described below. The transmission will not
upshift automatically at redline in this mode, nor will
downshifts be obtained if the accelerator pedal is
pressed to the floor.
• 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.
• 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 can be helpful in
snowy or icy conditions.
• If a requested downshift would cause the engine to
over-speed, that shift will not occur.
• The system will ignore attempts to upshift at too low
of a vehicle speed.
• Holding the (-) paddle depressed, or holding the shift
lever in the (-) position, will downshift the transmis-
sion to the lowest gear possible at the current speed.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
364 STARTING AND OPERATING
(active dampening system) stiffness may be config-
ured to either the STREET, SPORT or TRACK settings
within this mode. Steering wheel mounted paddle
shifters may be enabled or disabled while in this mode
as well.
NOTE: The vehicle will restart with DEFAULT active if
DEFAULT was active when the vehicle was last shut
down.
• VALET — To enter Valet Mode the operator must
select it from the Drive Modes interface and enter a
four digit PIN code. The PIN code is not predeter-
mined, so the operator is free to select any four digit
numeric combination that will be easy to remember.
While in Valet Mode the following vehicle configura-
tions are set and locked to prevent unauthorized
modification:
• Engine limited to a lowest power output state. •
Transmission locks out access to first gear and shifts
earlier than normal.
• Traction, Steering and Suspension are forced to
STREET settings.
• Steering wheel mounted paddle shifters are disabled.
• The SRT Drive Modes are not available. Pressing the
SRT button will display the unlock keypad.
• The ESC Off button is disabled.
• The Launch Control button is disabled.
NOTE:
• To exit VALET Mode the operator must enter the same
four digit PIN that was used to enter the mode. The
unlock keypad can be accessed by either pressing the
SRT button or selecting to disable Valet on the
Uconnect® touchscreen.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 369
•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 and is not
recommended.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Push the LAUNCH button on the center stack switch bank.
NOTE: Pushing the SRT button on the center stack or
pressing the “SRT & Apps” button on the touchscreen are
two other options to access launch control features.
Please refer to “Uconnect® Settings” within your Own-
er ’s Manual on the DVD for further information.
2. Press the “Launch RPM Set-Up” button on the touch- screen. This screen will allow you to adjust your
launch RPM’s for optimum launch/traction. 3. Press the “Activate Launch Mode” button on the
touchscreen.
4. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
5. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
6. Hold the brake and make sure the vehicle is in “Drive”.
7. While holding the brake, rapidly apply the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. The engine speed will
hold at the RPM that was set in the “Launch RPM
Set-up” screen.
NOTE: Messages will appear in the Driver Information
Display (DID) to inform the driver if one or more of the
above conditions have not been met.
8. When conditions 5 through 8 have been met, the Driver Information Display (DID) will read “Launch
Ready Release Brake”.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 371
9. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62 mph (100 km/h), at which point the ESC system will
return to its current ESC mode.
Launch control will abort before launch completion,
display “Launch Aborted” in the cluster under any the
following conditions:
•The accelerator pedal is released during launch.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pressed to change the system
to another mode.
NOTE: After launch control has been aborted, ESC will
return to its current ESC mode. Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Vehicles with a manual transmission have an adjustable
launch RPM controlled through the Uconnect® system.
Launch Control is only available when the following
procedure is followed:
1. Pressing the “LAUNCH” button on the center stack
switch bank.
NOTE: Pushing the SRT button on the center stack or
pressing the “SRT & Apps” button on the touchscreen are
two other options to access launch control features.
Please refer to “Uconnect® Settings” within your Own-
er ’s Manual on the DVD for further information.
2. Press the “Launch RPM Set-Up” button on the touch- screen. This screen will allow you to adjust your
launch RPM’s for optimum launch/traction.
3. Press the “Activate Launch Mode” button on the touchscreen.
372 STARTING AND OPERATING
4. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
5. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
6. Fully depress the clutch pedal and make sure thevehicle is in first gear.
7. 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
engine speed will hold at the RPM that was set in the
“Launch RPM Set-up” screen.
NOTE: Messages will appear in the Driver Information
Display (DID) to inform the driver if one or more of the
above conditions have not been met.
8. When conditions 5 through 8 have been met, the Driver Information Display (DID) will read “Launch
Ready Release Clutch”. Release the clutch quickly and continue to hold wide open throttle to launch execute
shifts. Refer to “Manual Transmission – Shifting” in
this section for further information.
Release the brake and continue to hold wide open
throttle to launch.
9. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62 mph (100 km/h), at which point the ESC system will
return to its current ESC mode.
Launch control will abort before launch completion,
display “Launch Aborted” in the cluster and return to
ESC Full ON under any the following conditions:
• The brake is applied during launch.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 373
•If equipped with a removable lower front fascia grille,
it is recommended to remove it for track use during
warm/hot weather to improve cooling airflow to
critical powertrain and cooling system components.
• All SRT vehicles are track tested for 24 hours of
endurance, however, it is recommended that suspen-
sion system, brake system, prop shaft, and ½ shaft
boots should be checked for wear or damage after
every track event.
• Track usage results in increased operating tempera-
tures of the engine, transmission, clutch – if equipped,
driveline and brake system. This may affect noise
(NVH) countermeasures designed into your vehicle.
New components may need to be installed to return
the system to the original NVH performance.
• Tire pressure:
• 40psi hot, recommend 32psi front, 30psi rear cold NOTE:
It is recommended that you target 40psi Hot Tire
Pressure at the conclusion of each track session. Starting
at 32psi Front & 30psi Rear Cold and adjusting based on
ambient & track conditions is recommended. Tire pres-
sure can be monitored via the Driver Information Display
(DID) and can assist with adjustments.
Track burnishing your brakes:
To avoid “green lining fade” during track use, the brake
pads and rotors must have a thermal burnish for factory
installed components or when new brake friction com-
ponents are installed:
1. Use one track session to burnish brakes by driving at 75% speed. Brake at approximately 0.60-0.80g max
without ABS intervention.
2. Lap the track in this manner until you start smelling the brakes. Continue for another ½ lap at speed, then
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 375