4. If the gear selector is not in PARK and the ENGINESTART/STOP button is pushed once with the vehicle
speed above 5 MPH (8 km/h), the instrument cluster
will display a “ Vehicle Not In Park” message and the
engine will remain running. Never leave a vehicle out of
the PARK position, or it could roll.
NOTE: If the gear selector is not in PARK, and the ENGINE
START/STOP button is pushed once with the vehicle
speed below 5 MPH (8 km/h), the engine will shut off and
the ignition will remain in the ACC position. If vehicle
speed drops below 1.2 MPH (1.9 km/h), the vehicle will
AutoPark. See AutoPark section for further details.
ENGINE START/STOP Button Functions — With Driv-
er ’s Foot OFF The Brake Pedal (In PARK Or NEUTRAL
Position)
The ENGINE START/STOP button operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has three modes: OFF, ACC, and RUN.
To change the ignition modes without starting the vehicle
and use the accessories, follow these directions:
1. Start with the ignition in the OFF mode.
2. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button once to place the ignition to the ACC mode. 3. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a second time
to place the ignition to the RUN mode.
4. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button a third time to return the ignition to the OFF mode.
AutoPark
AutoPark is a supplemental feature to assist in placing the
vehicle in PARK should the situations on the following
pages occur. It is a back up system and should not be relied
upon as the primary method by which the driver shifts the
vehicle into PARK.
The conditions under which AutoPark will engage are
outlined on the following pages.
WARNING!
•Driver inattention could lead to failure to place the
vehicle in PARK. ALWAYS DO A VISUAL CHECK that
your vehicle is in PARK by verifying that a solid (not
blinking) “P” is indicated in the instrument cluster
display and on the gear selector. If the Pindicator is
blinking, your vehicle is not in PARK. As an added
precaution, always apply the parking brake when exit-
ing the vehicle.
(Continued)
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not continuously
crank the engine for more than 25 seconds at a time.
Wait 60 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic trans-
mission cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel
could enter the catalytic converter and once the
engine has started, ignite and damage the converter
and vehicle.
• If the vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from a booster battery
or the battery in another vehicle. This type of start
can be dangerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump
Starting Procedure” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F Or 30°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically, and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The following tips will be helpful in obtaining optimum
performance and maximum durability for your new SRT
Vehicle.
Despite modern technology and World Class manufactur-
ing methods, the moving parts of the vehicle must still
wear in with each other. This wearing in occurs mainly
during the first 500 miles (805 km) and continues through
the first oil change interval.
262 STARTING AND OPERATING
PARKING BRAKE
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that the parking
brake is fully applied and place the gear selector in the
PARK position.
The foot operated parking brake is located below the lower
left corner of the instrument panel. To apply the park
brake, firmly push the park brake pedal fully. To release the
parking brake, press the park brake pedal a second time
and let your foot up as you feel the brake disengage.When the parking brake is applied with the ignition switch
in the ON mode, the Brake Warning Light in the instru-
ment cluster will illuminate.
NOTE:
•
When the parking brake is applied and the transmission
is placed in gear, the Brake Warning Light will flash. If
vehicle speed is detected, a chime will sound to alert the
driver. Fully release the parking brake before attempting
to move the vehicle.
• This light only shows that the parking brake is applied.
It does not show the degree of brake application.
When parking on a hill, it is important to turn the front
wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade and away
from the curb on an uphill grade. Apply the parking brake
before placing the gear selector in PARK, otherwise the
load on the transmission locking mechanism may make it
difficult to move the gear selector out of PARK. The
parking brake should always be applied whenever the
driver is not in the vehicle.
Parking Brake
264 STARTING AND OPERATING
Fuel Economy (ECO) Mode
The Fuel Economy (ECO) mode can improve the vehicle’s
overall fuel economy during normal driving conditions.
ECO mode can be enabled or disabled through your
Uconnect system.
When the Fuel Economy (ECO) Mode is enabled, the
vehicle control systems will change the following:
•The transmission will upshift sooner and downshift
later.
• In SRT models, the transmission will launch (from a
stop) in 2nd gear.
• The overall driving performance will be more conserva-
tive.
• Some ECO mode functions may be temporarily inhib-
ited based on temperature and other factors.
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission
The transmission gear range (PRNDM) is displayed both
on the gear selector and in the instrument cluster. To select
a gear range, press the lock button on the gear selector and
move the selector rearward or forward. To shift the trans-
mission out of PARK, the engine must be running and the brake pedal must be pressed. You must also press the brake
pedal to shift from NEUTRAL into DRIVE or REVERSE
when the vehicle is stopped or moving at low speeds (refer
to “Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System” in this
section). Select the DRIVE range for normal driving.
NOTE:
In the event of a mismatch between the gear
selector position and the actual transmission gear (for
example, driver selects PARK while driving), the position
indicator will blink continuously until the selector is re-
turned to the proper position, or the requested shift can be
completed.
The electronically-controlled transmission adapts its shift
schedule based on driver inputs, along with environmental
and road conditions. 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).
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.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING
•Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position (P), and is not
blinking.
• With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector
will not move out of PARK.
NOTE: If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK
position (when pushed forward), it is probably in the
AutoStick (+/-) position (beside the DRIVE position). In
AutoStick mode, the transmission gear (1, 2, 3, etc.) is
displayed in the instrument cluster. Move the gear selector
to the right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for access to
PARK, REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
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
severe transmission damage.
Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Op-
erating” and “Towing A Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case
Of Emergency” for further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift the transmission into PARK, if possible. If not, shiftthe 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 an authorized dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. An authorized dealer has diagnostic
equipment to assess the condition of your transmission.
If the transmission cannot be reset, authorized dealer
service is required.When To Use TOW Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
select TOW mode, using the rotary switch on the center
console. Selecting TOW mode will improve performance
and reduce the potential for transmission overheating or
failure due to excessive shifting. Refer to “All-Wheel Drive
Operation” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation.
AutoStick
AutoStick is a driver-interactive transmission feature pro-
viding manual shift control, giving you more control of the
vehicle. AutoStick allows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and im-
prove overall vehicle performance. This system can also
provide you with more control during passing, city driv-
ing, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving, trailer
towing, and many other situations.
274 STARTING AND OPERATING
Operation
To activate AutoStick mode, move the gear selector into the
MANUAL (M) position (beside the DRIVE position), or tap
one of the shift paddles on the steering wheel. Tapping the
(-) shift paddle to enter AutoStick mode will downshift the
transmission to the next lower gear, while tapping (+) to
enter AutoStick mode will retain the current gear. The
current transmission gear will be displayed in the instru-
ment cluster. In AutoStick mode, you can use the gear
selector (in the MANUAL position), or the shift paddles, to
manually shift the transmission. Tapping the gear selector
forward (-) while in the MANUAL (M) position, or tapping
the (-) shift paddle on the steering wheel, will downshift
the transmission to the next lower gear. Tapping the
selector rearward (+) (or tapping the (+) shift paddle) will
command an upshift.
NOTE:The shift paddles may be disabled (or re-enabled,
as desired) using the SRT Drive Modes.
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. •
The transmission will automatically downshift as the
vehicle slows (to prevent engine lugging) and will
display the current gear.
• 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 (or
third gear, in SNOW mode). Tapping (+) (at a stop) will
allow starting in second gear. Starting out in second or
third 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 transmis-
sion to the lowest gear possible at the current speed.
• Transmission shifting will be more noticeable when
AutoStick is enabled.
• The system may revert to automatic shift mode if a fault
or overheat condition is detected.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 275
To disengage AutoStick, 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 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.
DRIVE MODES
Your SRT vehicle is equipped with a SRT Drive Mode
feature. This feature gives the driver control over the
systems in the vehicle which affect its performance, en-
abling the driver to tune it for desired driving scenarios.
NOTE:Refer to “SRT Drive Modes” in “Multimedia” for
further descriptions of these modes.
Launch Control — If Equipped
This vehicle is equipped with a Launch Mode system that
is designed to allow the driver to consistently achieve
maximum acceleration in a straight line. Launch Mode is a
form of traction control that manages tire slip while
aggressively launching the vehicle. Launch mode is in-
tended for use during race events on a closed course where
consistent acceleration is desired. The system is not in-
tended to compensate for lack of driver experience or
familiarity with the race track. The use of this feature in
low traction (cold, wet, gravel, etc) conditions may result in
excessive wheel slip outside of the system’s control, result-
ing in an aborted launch. Launch Mode is calibrated to
provide the most benefit on an unprepared surface and will
degrade performance on prepared surfaces (such as a drag
strip).
NOTE: Launch control 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.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING