2017 DODGE CHALLENGER Default mode

•The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pressed to change the ESC
system to another mode if Launch Control is enabled.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to shift when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have traction. Damage to the
transmission may occur.
Drive Mode Set-Up
Pressing the “Drive Mode Set-Up” button on the touch-
screen within the Performance Control screen indicates the
real-time status of the various systems. Pressing the “Sport
Mode Set-Up” or “Default Mode Set-Up” buttons on the
touchscreen, the driver can configure their individual drive
modes and see how those configurations affect the perfor-
mance of the vehicle.
NOTE: Not all of the options listed in this manual are
available on every vehicle, below is a chart with all
available Drive Mode vehicle configurations.
Available Mode Configurations
Transmission Engine Engine/Trans Steering Paddle Shifters Traction Control
Auto N/AXXX X
Manual XN/A XN/A X
Refer to the Sport and Default modes for their detailed
operation. NOTE:
These settings will remain in effect when using the
Launch Control feature.
258 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Default Mode
The vehicle will always start in Default Mode. This mode is
for typical driving conditions. While in Default Mode, the
Engine, Transmission and Traction will operate in their
Normal settings and cannot be changed. The Steering assist
may be configured to Normal, Sport, or Comfort by
pressing the corresponding buttons on the touchscreen.The Paddle Shifters may be enabled or disabled while in
this mode.
Default ModeDefault Mode Set-Up
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 259

Sport Mode
Sport Mode is a configuration set-up for typical enthusiast
driving. The Transmission and Steering are both set to their
Sport settings. The steering wheel paddle switches are
enabled. The Traction Control defaults to Normal. Any of
these four settings may be changed to the driver ’s prefer-
ences by pressing the buttons on the touchscreen. Push theSport button on the instrument panel switch bank to put
the vehicle in Sport Mode and activate these settings. The
customized settings will only be active when the Sport
button is active.
Possible Drive Mode configurations are listed below with
accompanying descriptions. The information contained in
the list below can also be accessed from within the mode
Set-Up menus. To access the information, press the “Info”
Sport Mode
Sport Mode Set-Up
260 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:
•Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission reverse
inhibitor system. When vehicle speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h), the reverse inhibitor activates to help
prevent shifts into REVERSE. When at a complete stop,
you may notice lighter shift efforts into REVERSE with
the ignition switch in the ON position (RUN position for
Keyless Enter-N-Go), as compared to the ignition LOCK
position (OFF position for Keyless Enter-N-Go). This is
normal operation of the transmission reverse inhibitor
system.
• Due to the high performance nature of your drivetrain,
you may hear your transmission. This can be most
noticeable when the vehicle is idling in NEUTRAL with
the clutch engaged (clutch pedal released), but it may
also be heard when driving at low engine RPM. Also,
this may be more noticeable when the transmission is
warm. This is a normal condition and is not an indica-
tion of a problem with your clutch or transmission.
1–4 Skip Shift
In Default or Street Drive Modes, there are times when you
must shift the transmission directly from first gear to
fourth gear instead of from first gear to second gear. This is
to help you get the best possible fuel economy from your vehicle. This occurs when the engine coolant (antifreeze) is
higher than 106°F (41°C), vehicle speed is greater than
19 mph (30 km/h) but less than 21 mph (34 km/h), and the
transmission is in first gear, and the accelerator is at ¼
throttle or less.
NOTE:
The1-4Skip Shift feature is disabled when
selecting Sport Mode. Refer to “Performance Control — If
Equipped” in the “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
section for further descriptions of this mode.
After you shift the transmission to fourth gear, you can
press the clutch in and shift to another forward gear.
Downshifting
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, downshift
to maintain a safe speed when descending a steep grade.
WARNING!
Skipping more than one gear while downshifting,
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You
could have a collision.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 307

For vehicles equipped with Drive Modes or a “SUPER
TRACK PAK” button, refer to “Performance Control — If
Equipped” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) — IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with an active on-demand All-
Wheel Drive (AWD) system which makes available opti-
mum traction for a wide variety of road surface and
driving conditions. The system minimizes wheel slip by
automatically redirecting torque to the front and rear
wheels as necessary.
To maximize fuel economy, your AWD vehicle automati-
cally defaults to rear-wheel drive (RWD) when road and
environmental conditions are such that wheel slip is un-
likely to occur. When specific road and environmental
conditions require increased levels of road traction, the
vehicle automatically shifts into AWD mode. Automatic
AWD operation could be activated by outside temperature,
wheel slip, or other predetermined conditions (there may
be a slight delay for AWD engagement after a wheel slip
condition occurs). AWD can also be manually selected by
activating AutoStick mode (+/-), engaging Sport Mode or
activating the windshield wipers for an extended period of
time. Drive mode, RWD or AWD, can be found in theinstrument cluster display. Refer to “Instrument Cluster
Display” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information.
NOTE:
If the “SERVICE AWD SYSTEM” warning message
appears after engine start up, or during driving, it means
that the AWD system is not functioning properly and that
service is required. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display”
in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for further
information.
CAUTION!
All wheels must have the same size and type tires.
Unequal tire sizes must not be used. Unequal tire size
may cause failure of the front differential and/or the
transfer case.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slippery
surfaces may cause the driving wheels to pull erratically to
the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when there is a
difference in the surface traction under the rear (driving)
wheels.
318 STARTING AND OPERATING