Page 516 of 620

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain therequiredmaintenance
services determined by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides those maintenance items specified in the fixed
“Maintenance Schedule”, there are other components
which may require servicing or replacement in the future.
CAUTION!
• Failure to properly maintain your vehicle or per-
form repairs and service when necessary could
result in more costly repairs, damage to other
components or negatively impact vehicle perfor-
mance. Immediately have potential malfunctions
examined by an authorized dealer or qualified
repair center.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, or air conditioning. Such damage is
not covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
If a flush is needed because of component malfunc-
tion, use only the specified fluid for the flushing
procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level — 3.6L Engine
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
514 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 530 of 620

In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately.
To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
• Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
• Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.Cooling System
WARNING!
• When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or cycle the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at any time the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
• You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had
time to cool. Never try to open a cooling system
pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
528 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 538 of 620

WARNING!(Continued)
original factory installed hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.
• To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has
been in a tightly closed container. Keep the master
cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake
fluid in a open container absorbs moisture from the
air resulting in a lower boiling point. This may
cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard or pro-
longed braking, resulting in sudden brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture.
Automatic Transmission
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer ’s specified transmission fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in this
section for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain
the transmission fluid at the correct level using the
536 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 539 of 620

recommended fluid. No chemical flushes should be used
in any transmission; only the approved lubricant should
be used.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer ’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine
Parts” in this section for fluid specifications.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission. Automatic
Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered product and
its performance may be impaired by supplemental addi-
tives. Therefore, do not add any fluid additives to thetransmission. Avoid using transmission sealers as they
may adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid level is preset at the factory and does not
require adjustment under normal operating conditions.
Routine fluid level checks are not required, therefore the
transmission has no dipstick. Your authorized dealer can
check your transmission fluid level using special service
tools.
If you notice fluid leakage or transmission malfunction,
visit your authorized dealer immediately to have the7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 537
Page 540 of 620

transmission fluid level checked. Operating the vehicle
with an improper fluid level can cause severe transmis-
sion damage.
CAUTION!
If a transmission fluid leak occurs, visit your autho-
rized dealer immediately. Severe transmission dam-
age may occur. Your authorized dealer has the proper
tools to adjust the fluid level accurately.
Fluid And Filter Changes
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will provide satisfactory lubrication for the
life of the vehicle.
Routine fluid and filter changes are not required. How-
ever, change the fluid and filter if the fluid becomes
contaminated (with water, etc.), or if the transmission is
disassembled for any reason.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped
The all wheel drive system consists of a transfer case and
front differential. The exterior surface of these compo-
nents should be inspected for evidence of fluid leaks.
Confirmed leaks should be repaired as soon as possible.
The transfer case fluid fill/inspection plug is located in
the middle of the rear housing. To inspect the transfer
case fluid level, remove the fill/inspection plug. The
fluid level should be even with the bottom of the hole.
Use this plug to add fluid as required.
The front differential fill plug is located on the outer
cover near the halfshaft attachment. To inspect the differ-
ential fluid level, remove the fill plug. The fluid level
should be even with or slightly below the bottom of the
hole.
538 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 552 of 620
CavityCartridge Fuse Mini-Fuse Description
28 – – Fuse – Spare
29 –15 Amp Blue Transmission Control Module (Challenger/
Charger Police) / Electronic Shift Module(Challenger)
30 – – Fuse – Spare
31 –25 Amp Clear Engine Module
32 – – Fuse – Spare
33 – – Fuse – Spare
34 –25 Amp Clear Powertrain #1
35 –20 Amp Yellow Powertrain #2
36 –10 Amp Red Anti-Lock Brake Module
37 –10 Amp Red Engine Controller / Rad Fan Relays
(Charger/300) / Electric Power Steering
Module (Charger/300) / Fuel Pump Relay (Charger/300) / 5–Speed
550 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 557 of 620
CavityCartridge Fuse Mini-FuseDescription
15 40 Amp Green –HVAC Blower
16 20 Amp Blue –Left Spot Lamp – Police
17 – –Fuse – Spare
18 30 Amp Pink –Mod Network Interface – Po-
lice
19 – –Fuse – Spare
20 – –Fuse – Spare
21 30 Amp Pink –Fuel Pump
22 –20 Amp Yellow – Police Right Spot Lamp – Police
23 – 10 Amp RedFuel Door/Diagnostic Port
24 – 10 Amp RedIntegrated Center Stack
25 – 10 Amp RedTire Pressure Monitor
26 – 15 Amp BlueCygnus Transmission Module
(Charger/300)/Electronic
Shift Module (Charger/300)
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 555
Page 573 of 620
Chassis
ComponentFluid, Lubricant, Or Genuine Part
Automatic Transmission — 8-Speed Transmission Use only MOPAR ZF 8&9 Speed ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid, or equivalent. Failure to use the
correct fluid may affect the function or performance of
your transmission.
Brake Master Cylinder We recommend you use MOPAR DOT 3 and SAE
J1703. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not available, then DOT
4 is acceptable.
Front Axle We recommend you use MOPAR Synthetic Gear Lu-
bricant SAE 75W90 (API GL-5).
Rear Axle We recommend you use MOPAR OD Synthetic Gear
Lubricant SAE 75W85 (API GL-5).
Transfer Case We recommend you use MOPAR Transfer Case Lubri-
cant for BorgWarner 44–40.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 571