
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)
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 “AutoStick” in
this section for further information) to select a lower gear.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 411
![DODGE CHARGER SRT 2016 7.G Owners Manual 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 DODGE CHARGER SRT 2016 7.G Owners Manual 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](/manual-img/12/5584/w960_5584-413.png)
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 gear selector 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.Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission
may not re-engage if the engine is turned off and
restarted. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be
illuminated. A message in the instrument cluster will
inform the driver of the more serious conditions, and
indicate what actions may be necessary.
In the event of a momentary problem, the transmission
can be reset to regain all forward gears by performing the
following steps.
412 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:In cases where the instrument cluster message
indicates the transmission may not re-engage after en-
gine shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired
location (preferably, at your authorized dealer).
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shift the transmission to NEUTRAL.
3. Push and hold the ignition switch until the engine turns OFF.
4. Wait approximately 30 seconds.
5. Restart the engine.
6. Shift into the desired gear range. If the problem is no longer detected, the transmission will return to normal
operation. NOTE:
Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-
mend that you visit your authorized dealer at your
earliest possible convenience. Your authorized dealer has
diagnostic equipment to determine if the problem could
recur.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.
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 engine
braking, eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts,
and improve overall vehicle performance.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 413

NOTE:Tapping one of the steering wheel-mounted shift
paddles (+/-), while the gear selector 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 gear selector 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 gear selector, 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. •
In temporary AutoStick mode (gear selector 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 (gear selector in
MANUAL position), manual gear selection will be
maintained until the gear selector 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.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 415

•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 gear
selector in the (-) position, will downshift the trans-
mission to the lowest gear possible at the current
speed. •
Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is engaged.
• The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a
fault or overheat condition is detected.
To disengage AutoStick mode, return the gear selector to
the DRIVE position, or press and hold the (+) shift paddle
(if the gear selector is already in DRIVE) until “D” is once
again indicated 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.
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

Steering — 6.4L Engine Only
•Track — provides the greatest amount of steering
feedback, requiring the highest amount of steering
effort.
• Sport — provides greater steering feedback, requiring
greater steering effort.
• Street — provides a balance of steering feedback and
steering effort.
Engine Power — 6.2L Supercharged Engine Only
• 700+ HP — Provides engine output power to 700+
horsepower.
NOTE: This selection is only available with the RED RKE
Key Fob “700+ HP”.
• 500 HP — Provides engine output power to 500
horsepower. 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.
420 STARTING AND OPERATING

•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 predetermined, 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 configurations 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.
• 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 pushing the
SRT button or selecting to disable Valet on the
Uconnect touchscreen.
• The vehicle will restart with VALET active if VALET
was active when the vehicle was last shut down.
• Eco (Automatic Transmission only) — Eco modifies
the vehicle’s engine and transmission settings to pro-
vide improved fuel economy at a trade-off with accel-
eration performance. Increased engine exhaust noise
and/or vibration may be noticed while Eco is active,
this is normal and will not damage the vehicle.
NOTE: Changing the Drive Mode will deactivate Eco.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 421

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 (400m) and 0 to 60 (100km/h) times are
desired. The system is not intended to compensate for
lack of driver experience or familiarity with the race
track. Use of this feature in low traction (cold, wet,
gravel, etc.) conditions may results in excess wheel slip
outside this systems control resulting in an aborted
launch.
NOTE:Launch mode is not available within the first 500
miles (804 km) of engine break-in. 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
(804 km) of the vehicle’s 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 and is not
recommended.
Launch Control is available when the following proce-
dure is followed:
1. Push the LAUNCH button on the center stack switch bank.
422 STARTING AND OPERATING