2016 DODGE DART power steering

Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are suspected. The cause
should be located and corrected immediately.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 113

Electric Power Steering Fail Warning — If Equipped
Red TelltaleLight What It Means
Electric Power Steering Fail Warning
This light is used to manage the electrical warning of the EPS (Power Steering System). Re-
fer to “Power Steering” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
Door Open Warning Light
Red Telltale
Light What It Means
Door Open Warning Light
This indicator will illuminate when a door is ajar/open and not fully closed.
NOTE:
If the vehicle is moving there will also be a single chime.
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 315

•Key Fob Damaged
• Key In Ignition
• Left Turn Signal Out
• Right Turn Signal Out
• Turn Signal On
• Lights On
• Low Beam Headlight Out
• High Beam Headlight Out
• License Plate Light Out
• Backup Light Out
• Brake Light Out
• Parking Light Out
• Service Air Bag System •
Service Air Bag Warning Light
• Washer Fluid Low
• Parking Brake Engaged
• Brake Fluid Low
• Service Electronic Braking System
• Engine Temperature Hot
• Battery Voltage Low
• Oil Pressure Low
• Fuel Low
• Service Antilock Brake System
• Service Electronic Throttle Control
• Transmission Too Hot
• Service Power Steering
332 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

DID Messages
•Front Seatbelts Unbuckled
• Driver Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Passenger Seatbelt Unbuckled
• Service Airbag System
• Traction Control Off
• Washer Fluid Low
• Oil Pressure Low
• Oil Change Due
• Fuel Low
• Service Antilock Brake System
• Service Electronic Throttle Control
• Service Power Steering •
Cruise Off
• Cruise Ready
• Cruise Set To XXX MPH
• Tire Pressure Screen With Low Tire(s) “Inflate Tire to
XX”
• Service Tire Pressure System
• Parking Brake Engaged
• Brake Fluid Low
• Service Electronic Braking System
• Engine Temperature Hot
• Service Electronic Throttle Control
• Lights On
• Right Turn Signal Light Out
344 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

▫Six-Speed Automatic Transmission (1.4L Turbo
Engine Only — DDCT) .................428
▫ Six-Speed Automatic Transmission (2.0L And
2.4L Engine Only — 6F24) ...............439
 AUTOSTICK ......................... .446
▫ Operation .......................... .446
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........448
▫ Acceleration ........................ .448
▫ Traction ........................... .448
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............449
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................449
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................449
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .451
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .454
POWER STEERING .....................455
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .456
▫ Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . .456
▫ Brake System Warning Light ..............456
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............456
▫ Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light ............458
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............459
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) .................459
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............462
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..........463
▫ Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) ...........467
▫ Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ...............467
▫ Ready Alert Braking (RAB) ...............468
412 STARTING AND OPERATING

POWER STEERING
The electric power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will vary its assist to provide
light efforts while parking and good feel while driving. If
the electric steering system experiences a fault that
reduces assist or prevents the vehicle from providing
assist, you will still have the ability to steer the vehicle
manually.
WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced assist could pose
a safety risk to yourself and others. Service should be
obtained as soon as possible.If the “SERVICE POWER STEERING
OR
POWER STEERING ASSIST OFF - SERVICE
SYSTEM” message and a steering wheel icon
are displayed on the EVIC/DID screen, it indi-
cates that the vehicle needs to be taken to the dealer for
service. It is likely the vehicle has lost power steering
assistance. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
(EVIC) or Driver Information Display (DID)” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.
NOTE:
• Even if the power steering assistance is no longer
operational, it is still possible to steer the vehicle.
Under these conditions there will be a substantial
increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds and
during parking maneuvers.
• If the condition persists, see your authorized dealer for
service.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 455

For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC/DID, perform
the following steps:
1. Center the steering wheel (front wheels pointingstraight forward).
2. Shift the transmission into PARK.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Start the engine.
5. Rotate the steering wheel slightly more than one-half turn to the left.
6. Push the “ESC Off” button located in the lower switch bank below the climate control four times within
twenty seconds. The “ESC Off Indicator Light” should
turn on and turn off two times.
7. Rotate the steering wheel back to center and then an additional slighty more than one-half turn to the right. 8. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and then
back to the ON position. If the sequence was com-
pleted properly, the “ESC Off Indicator Light” will
blink several times to confirm HSA is disabled.
9. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to its previous setting.
Traction Control System (TCS)
This system monitors the amount of wheel spin of each of
the driven wheels. If wheel spin is detected, the TCS may
apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel(s) and/or
reduce engine power to provide enhanced acceleration
and stability. A feature of the TCS, Brake Limited Differ-
ential (BLD), functions similar to a limited slip differen-
tial and controls the wheel spin across a driven axle. If
one wheel on a driven axle is spinning faster than the
other, the system will apply the brake of the spinning
wheel. This will allow more engine torque to be applied
462 STARTING AND OPERATING

to the wheel that is not spinning. BLD may remain
enabled even if TCS and ESC are in a reduced mode.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESC cor-
rects for oversteering or understeering of the vehicle by
applying the brake of the appropriate wheel(s) to assist in
counteracting the oversteer or understeer condition. En-
gine power may also be reduced to help the vehicle
maintain the desired path.
ESC uses sensors in the vehicle to determine the vehicle
path intended by the driver and compares it to the actual
path of the vehicle. When the actual path does not match
the intended path, ESC applies the brake of the appro-
priate wheel to assist in counteracting the oversteer or
understeer condition.
•Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position. •
Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
The “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator Light” lo-
cated in the instrument cluster will start to flash as soon
as the ESC system becomes active. The “ESC Activation/
Malfunction Indicator Light” also flashes when the TCS
is active. If the “ESC Activation/Malfunction Indicator
Light” begins to flash during acceleration, ease up on the
accelerator and apply as little throttle as possible. Be sure
to adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
WARNING!
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions. ESC cannot prevent
(Continued)
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STARTING AND OPERATING 463