Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) countermeasures de-
signed into your vehicle. New components may need to
be installed to return the system to the original NVH
performance.
Recommended tire pressure for track use:
•Challenger/Charger: 40 psi hot, 32 psi front, 30 psi rear
cold
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. Utilize 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
do a two lap cool down with minimal brake applica-
tion. Make sure the brakes are not smoking. If they are,
do another cool down lap.
3. Do not continue for more than one full burnishing lap after you start smelling the brakes. Do not get them
smoking heavily. This will get them too hot and will
negatively affect their life in future track use.
4. Allow the vehicle to sit and cool in the paddock for at least 30 minutes. If an infrared thermal gun is avail-
able, allow the rotors to cool to 200° F (93.3° C) before
going back out.
5. There should be a thin, ashy layer when inspecting the pads installed in the caliper. If the ash layer is more
than ½ the thickness of the brake pad material, this is
an indication of too aggressive of a burnish.
298 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
▫Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped .......................... .390
AUTOSTICK ......................... .397
▫ Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters Or
Console Mounted Shifter ................397
DRIVE MODES ....................... .400
▫ Launch Mode — If Equipped .............405
▫ Guidelines For Track Use ................409
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........412
▫ Acceleration ........................ .412
▫ Traction ........................... .413
DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............413
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................414
POWER STEERING — 6.4L ENGINE .........415
POWER STEERING — 6.2L SUPERCHARGED
ENGINE ............................ .416
FUEL SAVER TECHNOLOGY — IF EQUIPPED .417
PARKING BRAKE ..................... .418
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........418
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......419
BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .421
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .421
▫ Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . .422
▫ Brake System Warning Light ..............422
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............422
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light ............424
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............424
372 STARTING AND OPERATING
•TRACK MODE — This mode is a predefined configu-
ration optimized for typical track driving. The ABS,
Transmission, Steering, and Suspension systems are all
set to their TRACK settings. Steering wheel mounted
paddle shifters are enabled. •
SPORT MODE — This mode is a predefined configu-
ration optimized for typical enthusiast driving. The
ABS, Transmission, Steering, and Suspension systems
are all set to their SPORT settings. Steering wheel
mounted paddle shifters are enabled.
• CUSTOM MODE — This mode allows the driver to
create a custom vehicle configuration that is saved for
quick selection of favorite settings. The system will
return to Default mode when the ignition switch is
cycled from RUN to OFF to RUN, if this mode is
selected. While in Custom Mode the Traction, Trans-
mission, Steering, Suspension and Paddle shifter set-
tings may be configured through the custom mode
set-up in any combination.
Drive Modes
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 401
NOTE:
•This selection is available with the RED or BLACK
RKE Key Fob “500 HP”.
• When selecting 500 HP, the vehicle will lock into
“Street” mode. Eco and Valet mode are still selectable.
• DEFAULT MODE — This mode will be activated
automatically when restarting the vehicle unless Valet
mode or ECO mode (if equipped) is active. This mode
is for typical driving conditions where the ABS and
Transmission will be operating in their STREET set-
tings, which cannot be changed while in this mode.
The Steering (electric power steering — if equipped)
assist and Suspension (active dampening system) stiff-
ness may be configured 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. •
VALET MODE — To enter this 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. Pushing the
SRT button will display the unlock keypad.
404 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE:It is recommended that you target 40psi (276kpa)
Hot Tire Pressure at the conclusion of each track session.
Starting at 32psi (221kpa) Front & 30psi (207 kpa) Rear
Cold and adjusting based on ambient & track conditions
is recommended. Tire pressure 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 do a two lap cool down with minimal brake applies.
Make sure the brakes are not smoking. If they are, do
another cool down lap.
3. Do not continue for more than 1 full burnishing lap after you start smelling the brakes. Do not get them
smoking heavily. This will get them too hot and affect
their life negatively in future track use.
4. Allow vehicle to sit and cool in the paddock for at least 30 min. If an infrared thermal gun is available, allow
rotors to cool to 200°F (93.3°C) before going back out.
5. There should be a thin, ash layer when inspecting the pads installed in the caliper. Having the ash layer go
more than half the thickness of the pad material
indicates too aggressive of a burnish.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 411
CAUTION!
If the “Brake Warning Light” remains on with the
parking brake released, a brake system malfunction
is indicated. Have the brake system serviced by an
authorized dealer immediately.
BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic brake
systems. If either of the two hydraulic systems loses
normal capability, the remaining system will still func-
tion. There will be some loss of overall braking effective-
ness. This may be evident by increased pedal travel
during application, greater pedal force required to slow
or stop, and potential activation of the “Brake Warning
Light”.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (for
example, repeated brake applications with the engineOFF), the brakes will still function. The effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
NOTE:
Your vehicle is equipped with a high perfor-
mance braking system. The brake pads are a semi-
metallic compound, which offer superior fade resistance
for consistent operation. A compromise to using this type
of brake pad is that the brakes may produce more brake
dust and may squeal slightly under certain weather and
operating conditions (i.e., during light brake applica-
tions) this is considered normal conditions.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Electronic
Brake Control system (EBC). This system includes Elec-
tronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill Start
Assist (HSA), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), and Electronic Roll Mitigation
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 421
(ERM). These systems work together to enhance both
vehicle stability and control in various driving condi-
tions.
Your vehicle may also be equipped with Ready Alert
Braking (RAB), and Rain Brake Support (RBS).
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
This function manages the distribution of the braking
torque between the front and rear axles by limiting
braking pressure to the rear axle. This is done to prevent
overslip of the rear wheels to avoid vehicle instability,
and to prevent the rear axle from entering ABS before the
front axle.
Brake System Warning Light
The red “Brake System Warning Light” will turn on when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position and may
stay on for as long as four seconds.If the “Brake System Warning Light” remains on or
comes on while driving, it indicates that the brake system
is not functioning properly and that immediate service is
required. If the “Brake System Warning Light” does not
come on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, have the light repaired as soon as possible.
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) provides increased
vehicle stability and brake performance under most
braking conditions. The system automatically prevents
wheel lock, and enhances vehicle control during braking.
The ABS performs a self-check cycle to ensure that the
ABS is working properly each time the vehicle is started
and driven. During this self-check, you may hear a slight
clicking sound as well as some related motor noises.
ABS is activated during braking when the system detects
one or more wheels begins to lock. Road conditions such
422 STARTING AND OPERATING
as ice, snow, gravel, bumps, railroad tracks, loose debris,
or panic stops may increase the likelihood of ABS activa-
tion(s).
You also may experience the following when ABS acti-
vates:
•The ABS motor noise (it may continue to run for a
short time after the stop).
• The clicking sound of solenoid valves.
• Brake pedal pulsations.
• A slight drop of the brake pedal at the end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.WARNING!
• The ABS contains sophisticated electronic equip-
ment that may be susceptible to interference
caused by improperly installed or high output
radio transmitting equipment. This interference
can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking capa-
bility. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals.
• Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
• The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of phys-
ics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded
by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or
the traction afforded.
(Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 423