2018 DODGE CHALLENGER automatic transmission

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping, and
backing up the trailer in an area located away from heavy
traffic.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Select the DRIVE range when towing. The transmission
controls include a drive strategy to avoid frequent shifting
when towing. However, if frequent shifting does occur
while in DRIVE, you can use the AutoStick shift control to
manually select a lower gear.
NOTE:Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions will improve performance
and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting
and heat buildup. This action will also provide better
engine braking.
Speed Control — If Equipped
• Do not use on hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed
drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until
you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to
maximize fuel efficiency.
Seven-Pin Connector
1 — Battery 5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
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STARTING AND OPERATING 261

5. Rotate the fastener securing the jack counterclockwise toremove it.
6. Remove the jack and lug wrench assembly from under the spare tire. Turn the jack screw to the left to loosen the
lug wrench, and remove the wrench from the jack
assembly.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in the
places provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired
or replaced immediately.
Preparations For Jacking
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible. Avoid icy or slippery
areas.
WARNING!
Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic, pull far enough off the
road to avoid being hit when operating the jack or
changing the wheel.
2. Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
3. Apply the parking brake.
4. Place the gear selector into PARK (automatic transmis- sion) or FIRST GEAR (manual transmission).
5. Turn the ignition OFF.
Jack Fastener
292 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

6. Block both the front and rear of the wheel diagonallyopposite the jacking position. For example, if the right
front wheel is being changed, block the left rear wheel.
NOTE:Passengers should not remain in the
vehicle when the vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking And Changing A Tire
WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to help
prevent personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
• Always park on a firm, level surface as far from the
edge of the roadway as possible before raising the
vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Turn on the Hazard Warning flasher.
• Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to be
raised.
• Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in PARK; a manual transmission in
REVERSE or FIRST GEAR.
• Never start or run the engine with the vehicle on a
jack.
• Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack.
• Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a jack. If
you need to get under a raised vehicle, take it to a
service center where it can be raised on a lift.
• Only use the jack in the positions indicated and for
lifting this vehicle during a tire change.
• If working on or near a roadway, be extremely
careful of motor traffic.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 293

Preparations For Jump Start
The battery is stored under an access cover in the trunk.
Remote battery posts are located on the right side of the
engine compartment for jump starting.
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever
the hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition
switch is ON. You can be injured by moving fan
blades.
• Remove any metal jewelry such as rings, watch
bands and bracelets that could make an inadvertent
electrical contact. You could be seriously injured.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that can burn your
skin or eyes and generate hydrogen gas which is
flammable and explosive. Keep open flames or
sparks away from the battery.
1. Apply the parking brake, shift into PARK (automatic transmission) or FIRST GEAR (manual transmission)
and cycle the ignition to OFF.
2. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electrical accessories.
Jump Starting Locations
(+) — Remote Positive Post
(-) — Remote Negative Post 306 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

To Reset The Manual Park Release:
1. Push the latch (at the base of the lever, on the rear side)rearward (away from the lever) to unlatch the lever.
2. Rotate the Manual Park Release lever forward and down, to its original position, until the locking tab snaps
into place to secure the lever.
3. Pull up gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever is locked in its stowed position.
4. Tuck the tether strap into the base of the console. Reinstall the console storage bin.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it can
often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the steering
wheel right and left to clear the area around the front
wheels. For vehicles with automatic transmission, push
and hold the lock button on the gear selector. Then shift
back and forth between DRIVE and REVERSE (with auto-
matic transmission) or FIRST GEAR and REVERSE (with
manual transmission), while gently pressing the accelera-
tor. Use the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that
will maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels or racing the engine.
NOTE: For vehicles with automatic transmission: Shifts
between DRIVE and REVERSE can only be achieved at
wheel speeds of 5 mph (8 km/h) or less. Whenever the
transmission remains in NEUTRAL for more than two
seconds, you must press the brake pedal to engage DRIVE
or REVERSE.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
(Continued)
Tether Strap
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 311

Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission
is operable, the vehicle may be flat towed (with all four
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•The transmission must be in NEUTRAL. Refer to
Manual Park Release in this section for instructions on
shifting the automatic transmission to NEUTRAL when
the engine is off.
• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).
• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30
miles (48 km), then the only acceptable method of towing
is with a flatbed truck.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered
under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
ENHANCED ACCIDENT RESPONSE SYSTEM
(EARS)
This vehicle is equipped with an Enhanced Accident
Response System.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Enhanced Accident Re-
sponse System (EARS) function.
EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record data that
will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-
formed under certain crash or near crash-like situations,
such as an air bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle.
Please refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety”
for further information on the Event Data Recorder (EDR).7
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 315

SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................319
▫ 3.6L And 5.7L Engines ...................319
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .324
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................329
▫ 3.6L Engine ......................... .329
▫ 5.7L Engine ......................... .330
▫ 6.4L Engine ......................... .331
▫ Checking Oil Level — 3.6L And 5.7L Engine . . .332
▫ Checking Oil Level — 6.4L Engine ...........332
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................333
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................333
 DEALER SERVICE ...................... .334
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .335
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .339▫
Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................339
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............340
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............342
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .344
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades .................344
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .347
▫ Cooling System ....................... .349
▫ Brake System ........................ .353
▫ Clutch Hydraulic System — Manual Transmission
(If Equipped) ......................... .355
▫ Manual Transmission — If Equipped ........355
▫ Automatic Transmission — If Equipped ......355
▫ All Wheel Drive (AWD) — If Equipped .......357
▫ Rear

Axle ........................... .357
8

Clutch Hydraulic System — Manual Transmission
(If Equipped)
The clutch hydraulic system is fed by a segregated volume
of fluid within the brake system master cylinder reservoir.
In the event of leakage or wear, use only the manufactur-
er’s recommended brake fluid. Refer to “Fluids And Lu-
bricants” in “Technical Specifications” for further informa-
tion.
Manual Transmission — If Equipped
Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug on the left
side of the transmission. The fluid level should be 1/4 inch
(6.4mm) below the bottom of the fill hole. Add fluid, if
necessary, to maintain the proper level. Refer to “Fluids
And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications” for further
information.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufactur-
er’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration in
(Continued)
CAUTION!(Continued)
transmission shift quality and/or damage to the trans-
mission. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Techni-
cal Specifications” for fluid specifications.
Change Transmission Fluid
If contaminated with water, change the fluid immediately.
See your authorized dealer for service.
Refer to the “Maintenance Plan” in this section for the
proper maintenance intervals.
Automatic Transmission — If Equipped
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important to use the proper transmission fluid to
ensure optimum transmission performance and life. Use
only the manufacturer’s specified transmission fluid. Refer
to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Technical Specifications”
for fluid specifications. It is important to maintain the
transmission fluid at the correct level using the recom-
mended fluid.
NOTE:No chemical flushes should be used in any trans-
mission; only the approved lubricant should be used.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 355