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Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission — If
Equipped
The transmission gear range (PRNDM) is displayed both
on the gear selector and in the Driver Information
Display (DID).
To select a gear range, press the lock button on the gear
selector and move the lever rearward or forward. You
must also press the brake pedal to shift the transmission
out of PARK, or to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or
REVERSE when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low
speeds (refer to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock Sys-
tem” in this section). Select the DRIVE range for normal
driving.The electronically-controlled transmission provides a
precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal
condition, and precision shifts will develop within a few
hundred miles (kilometers).
Automatic Transmission Shifter
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Only shift from DRIVE to PARK or REVERSE when the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake pedal when
shifting between these gears.
The transmission gear selector has PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and MANUAL (Autostick) shift po-
sitions. Manual shifts can be made using the Autostick
shift control (refer to “AutoStick” in this section for
further information). Toggling the gear selector forward
(-) or rearward (+) while in the MANUAL (AutoStick)
position (beside the DRIVE position) will manually select
the transmission gear, and will display the current gear in
the instrument cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc.NOTE:
If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed for-
ward) it is probably in the MANUAL (AutoStick, +/-)
position (beside the DRIVE position). In MANUAL
(AutoStick) mode, the transmission gear is displayed in
the instrument cluster (as M1, M2, M3, etc.). Move the
gear selector to the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for
access to PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
Gear Ranges
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL into another gear range.
NOTE: After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to
allow the selected gear to engage before accelerating.
This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.
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Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when leaving the
vehicle in this range.
When parking on a level surface, you may shift the trans-
mission into PARK first, and then apply the parking brake.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before
shifting the transmission to PARK. As an added precau-
tion, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
WARNING!
•Never use the PARK position of an automatic
transmission as a substitute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake fully when parked
to guard against vehicle movement and possible
injury or damage.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Your vehicle could move and injure you and others
if it is not in PARK (automatic transmission).
Check by trying to move the transmission gear
selector out of PARK with the brake pedal released.
Make sure the automatic transmission is in PARK
before leaving the vehicle.
• It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL
if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and your foot is
firmly pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always shift an
automatic transmission into PARK, or a manual
transmission into FIRST gear or REVERSE, turn
the engine OFF, apply the parking brake, and
remove the ignition key. Always make sure the
keyless ignition node is in “OFF” mode. When the
ignition is in the OFF mode, an automatic transmis-
sion is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
• When leaving the vehicle, always remove the key
fob 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
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
seriously or fatally injured. Children should be
warned not to touch the parking brake, brake pedal
or the transmission gear selector.
• Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or
in a location accessible to children), and do not
leave the ignition. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
• Before moving the gear selector out of PARK, you
must start the engine and also press the brake
pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector could
result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this
can damage the drivetrain.
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The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
•When shifting into PARK, push the lock button on the
gear selector and firmly move the lever all the way
forward until it stops and is fully seated.
• Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position (P).
• With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop. NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Apply the parking
brake and shift the transmission into PARK if you must
leave the vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
(Continued)
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Preconditions:
•Launch control should not be used on public roads.
Always check track conditions and the surrounding
area.
• Launch mode is not available within the first 500 miles
of engine break-in.
• 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 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 “Apps” button on the touchscreen are two
other options to access launch control features. Please
refer to “Drive Modes” in “Understanding Your Instru-
ment Panel” 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”.
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7. While holding the brake, rapidly apply the acceleratorpedal 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 4 through 7 have been met, the Driver Information Display (DID) will read “Launch
Ready Release Brake”.
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 pushed 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. Pushing the “LAUNCH” button on the center stack switch bank.
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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.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pushed to change the ESC
system to another mode.
NOTE: After launch control has been aborted, ESC will
return to its current ESC mode.CAUTION!
Do not attempt to shift when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have traction. Damage to the
transmission may occur.
Guidelines For Track Use
NOTE: Because of the extreme conditions encountered
during track use, any damage or wear associated with
track use is not covered by warranty.
• If your SRT vehicle is equipped with Drive Modes,
they will alter the vehicle’s performance in various
driving situations. It is recommended that your vehicle
operates in SPORT or TRACK modes during the track
event.
• Prior to each track event/day, verify all fluids are at
the correct levels. Refer to “Fluid Capacities” in “Main-
taining Your Vehicle” for further information.5
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