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 returned 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.
The transmission gear selector provides PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, DRIVE, and MANUAL (Autostick) shift posi-
tions. Manual shifts can be made using the Autostick shift
control. Toggling the gear selector forward (-) or rearward
(+) while in the MANUAL (AutoStick) position (beside the
DRIVE position) will manually select the transmission
gear, and will display the current gear in the instrument
cluster as M1, M2, M3, etc, Refer to AutoStickin this
section for further information.
NOTE: If the gear selector cannot be moved to the PARK,
REVERSE, or NEUTRAL position (when pushed forward)
it is probably in the MANUAL (AutoStick, +/-) position
(beside the DRIVE position). In MANUAL (AutoStick)
mode, the transmission gear is displayed in the instrument
cluster (as M1, M2, M3, etc.). Move the gear selector to the
right (into the DRIVE [D] position) for access to PARK,
REVERSE, and NEUTRAL.
Gear Ranges
Do not depress the accelerator pedal when shifting from
PARK or NEUTRAL into another gear range.
Automatic Transmission Gear Selector
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 223
WARNING!(Continued)
engine is idling normally and your foot is firmly
pressing the brake pedal.
• Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in or near the vehicle. As with all vehicles, you
should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, always come to a
complete stop, then apply the parking brake, shift
the transmission into PARK, and turn the ignition
OFF. When the ignition is in the OFF mode, the
transmission is locked in PARK, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement.
• When exiting the vehicle, always make sure the
ignition is in the OFF mode, remove the key fob from
the vehicle, and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Allowing children to
be in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a number
of reasons. A child or others could be seriously or
fatally injured. Children should be warned not to
touch the parking brake, brake pedal or the trans-
mission gear selector.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a
location accessible to children), and do not leave the
ignition in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Before moving the transmission gear selector out of
PARK, you must start the engine, and also press the
brake pedal. Otherwise, damage to the gear selector
could result.
• DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL into another gear range, as this can
damage the drivetrain.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that you
have properly engaged the transmission into the PARK posi-
tion:
• Look at the transmission gear position display and
verify that it indicates the PARK position (P), and is not
blinking.
• With the brake pedal released, verify that the gear
selector will not move out of PARK.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 225
speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmis-
sion temperature has risen to a suitable level.
MANUAL (M)
The MANUAL (M, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE posi-
tion) enables full manual control of transmission shifting
(also known as AutoStick mode; refer to “AutoStick” in this
section for further information). Toggling 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 ab-
normal 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:
NOTE:
In cases where the instrument cluster message
indicates the transmission may not re-engage after engine
shutdown, perform this procedure only in a desired loca-
tion (preferably, at an 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.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 227
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.
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 driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain
driving, and many other situations. Operation
When the gear selector is in the DRIVE (D) position, the
transmission will operate automatically, shifting between
the eight available gears. To activate AutoStick, move the
gear selector into the MANUAL (M) position (beside the
DRIVE position). The current transmission gear will be
displayed in the instrument cluster, along with a high-
lighted
M(Manual) indication. When the gear selector is
Paddle Shifters
1 — (–) Shift Paddle 2 — (+) Shift Paddle
228 STARTING AND OPERATING
in the MANUAL (M) position, tap the gear selector for-
ward (-) (or tap the (-) shift paddle on the steering wheel)
to downshift the transmission to the next lower gear, or tap
the lever rearward (+) (or tap the (+) shift paddle), to
command an upshift.
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.
• 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 lug-
ging 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 maxi-
mum engine speed is reached. Lack of accelerator pedal
activity will cause the transmission to revert to auto-
matic operation.
• If normal AutoStick mode is engaged (gear selector in
MANUAL position), manual gear selection will be main-
tained until the gear selector is returned to DRIVE, or as
described below. The transmission will not upshift au-
tomatically 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.
• 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.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 229
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.
• 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.
NOTE: Pushing the SRT button on the center stack or
pressing Race Options within Drive Modes, then selecting
the Launch Control tab, followed by the soft, Launch
Control button are two other options to access launch
control features. Please refer to “SRT Drive Modes” in
“Multimedia” for further information. 2. Push the “Launch RPM Set-Up” button on the touch-
screen. This screen will allow you to adjust your launch
RPM’s for optimum launch/traction.
3. Push the “Activate Launch Control” button on the touchscreen.
4. Make sure the vehicle is not moving.
5. Make sure the steering wheel is pointing straight.
6. Hold the brake and make sure the vehicle is in “DRIVE” or “AutoStick” position.
7. While holding the brake, rapidly apply and hold the accelerator pedal to wide open throttle. The engine
speed will hold at the RPM that was set in the “Launch
RPM Set-up” screen.
NOTE: Messages will appear in the instrument cluster to
inform the driver if one or more of the above conditions
have not been met.
8. When conditions 4 through 7 have been met, the instru- ment cluster display will read “Launch Ready Release
Brake”.
9. Keep the vehicle pointed straight.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 231
•It is recommended that each track outing should end
with a minimum of one cool down lap using minimal
braking.
• If equipped with a removable lower front fascia grille, it
is recommended to remove it for track use during
warm/hot weather to improve cooling airflow to critical
powertrain and cooling system components.
• All SRT vehicles are track tested for 24 hours of endur-
ance. However, it is recommended that suspension
system, brake system, prop shaft, and ½ shaft boots
should be checked for wear or damage after every track
event.
• Track usage results in increased operating temperatures
of the engine, transmission, clutch – if equipped, drive-
line and brake system. This may affect noise (NVH)
countermeasures designed into your vehicle. New com-
ponents may need to be installed to return the system to
the original NVH performance.
• For race track usage it is recommended that the axle
fluid be changed every 4 hours of on track time.
• Tire pressure:
• 40psi (276kpa) hot, recommended 32psi (221kpa) front,
30psi (207 kpa) rear cold NOTE:It is recommended that you target 40psi (276kpa) Hot
Tire Pressure at the conclusion of each track session. Starting at
32psi (221kpa) Front and 30psi (207 kpa) Rear Cold and
adjusting based on ambient & track conditions is recom-
mended. Tire pressure can be monitored via the instrument
cluster display and can assist with adjustments.
Track burnishing your brakes:
To avoid “green lining fade” during track use, the brake
pads and rotors must have a thermal burnish for factory
installed components or when new brake friction compo-
nents are installed:
1. Use one track session to burnish brakes by driving at 75% speed. Brake at approximately 0.60-0.80g max with-
out ABS intervention.
2. Lap the track in this manner until you start smelling the brakes. Continue for another half lap at speed, then do
a two lap cool down with minimal brake applies. Make
sure the brakes are not smoking. If they are, do another
cool down lap.
3. Do not continue for more than one full burnishing lap after you start smelling the brakes. Do not get them
smoking heavily. This will get them too hot and affect
their life negatively in future track use.
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 233
SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED
The Speed Control buttons are located on the right side of
the steering wheel.NOTE:
In order to ensure proper operation, the Speed
Control System has been designed to shut down if multiple
Speed Control functions are operated at the same time. If
this occurs, the Speed Control System can be reactivated by
pushing the Speed Control on/off button and resetting the
desired vehicle set speed.
To Activate
Push the on/off button to activate the Speed Control.
“CRUISE CONTROL READY” will appear in the instru-
ment cluster display to indicate the Speed Control is on. To
turn the system off, push the on/off button a second time.
“CRUISE CONTROL OFF” will appear in the instrument
cluster display to indicate the Speed Control is off. The
system should be turned off when not in use.
WARNING!
Leaving the Speed Control system on when not in use
is dangerous. You could accidentally set the system or
cause it to go faster than you want. You could lose
control and have an accident. Always leave the system
OFF when you are not using it.
Speed Control Buttons
1 — On/Off 4 — SET (-)/Decel
2 — SET (+)/Accel 5 — CANC/Cancel
3 — RES/Resume 236 STARTING AND OPERATING