Refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety” for
further information.
— Transmission Temperature Warning Light — If
Equipped
This warning light will illuminate to warn of a high
transmission fluid temperature. This may occur with
strenuous usage such as trailer towing. If this light turns
on, stop the vehicle and run the engine at idle or slightly
faster, with the transmission in PARK or NEUTRAL, until
the light turns off. Once the light turns off, you may
continue to drive normally.
WARNING!
If you continue operating the vehicle when the Trans-
mission Temperature Warning Light is illuminated you
could cause the fluid to boil over, come in contact with
hot engine or exhaust components and cause a fire.
CAUTION!
Continuous driving with the Transmission Tempera-
ture Warning Light illuminated will eventually cause
severe transmission damage or transmission failure.
— Trunk Open Warning Light
This indicator will illuminate when the trunk is open and
not fully closed.
NOTE: If the vehicle is moving, there will also be a single
chime.
— Vehicle Security Warning Light — If Equipped
This light will flash at a fast rate for approximately 15
seconds when the vehicle security alarm is arming, and
then will flash slowly until the vehicle is disarmed.
Yellow Warning Lights
— Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Warning
Light (MIL)
The Engine Check/Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) is a
part of an Onboard Diagnostic System called OBD II that
monitors engine and automatic transmission control sys-
tems. This warning light will illuminate when the ignition
is in the ON/RUN position before engine start. If the bulb
does not come on when turning the ignition switch from
OFF to ON/RUN, have the condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions, such as a loose or missing gas cap, poor
quality fuel, etc., may illuminate the light after engine start.
The vehicle should be serviced if the light stays on through
126 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING THE ENGINE ..................212
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................212
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .213
▫ Keyless Enter-N-Go — Ignition .............216
▫ Cold Weather Operation (Below –22°F
Or 30°C) ........................... .216
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ..................216
▫ After Starting ......................... .217
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED . . . .217
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS . . . .217
PARKING BRAKE ...................... .218
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ..............220
▫ Ignition Park Interlock ...................222
▫ Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System . . . .222 ▫
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission .........222
DRIVE MODES ........................ .230
▫ Launch Control — If Equipped .............230
▫ Guidelines For Track Use .................232
HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING — IF
EQUIPPED ............................ .234
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ...............235
SPEED CONTROL — IF EQUIPPED ..........236
▫ To Activate .......................... .236
▫ To Set A Desired Speed ..................237
▫ To Vary The Speed Setting ................237
▫ To Accelerate For Passing .................238
▫ To Resume Speed ..................... .238
▫ To Deactivate ........................ .238
6
Launch control will be active until the vehicle reaches
62 mph (100 km/h), at which point the ESC system will
return to its current ESC mode.
Launch control will abort before launch completion, dis-
play “Launch Aborted” in the cluster under any of the
following conditions:
•The accelerator pedal is released during launch. ESC
system continues in ESC Full ON.
• The ESC system detects that the vehicle is no longer
moving in a straight line.
• The “ESC OFF” button is pushed to change the system
to another mode.
NOTE: After launch control has been aborted, ESC will
return to its current ESC mode.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to shift when the drive wheels are
spinning and do not have traction. Damage to the
transmission may occur.
Guidelines For Track Use
NOTE: Because of the extreme conditions encountered
during track use, any damage or wear associated with
track use may not be covered by warranty.
• If your SRT vehicle is equipped with Drive Modes, they
will alter the vehicle’s performance in various driving
situations. It is recommended that your vehicle operates
in SPORT or TRACK modes during the track event.
• Prior to each track event/day, verify all fluids are at the
correct levels. Refer to “Fluid Capacities” in “Technical
Specifications” for further information.
• Prior to each track event, verify the front and rear brake
pads have more than ½ pad thickness remaining. If the
brake pads require changing, please burnish prior to
track outing at full pace.
NOTE: Use of DOT 4 brake fluid is suggested for extended
track usage due to increased thermal capacity.
• At the conclusion of each track event, it is recommended
that a brake bleed procedure is performed to maintain
the pedal feel and stopping capability of your Brembo
High Performance brake system.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING
•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
3. Place the Tire Service Kit flat on the ground next to thedeflated tire.
4. Remove the cap from the valve stem and then screw the fitting at the end of the Sealant Hose (6) onto the valve
stem.
5. Uncoil the Power Plug (8) and insert the plug into the vehicle’s 12 Volt power outlet.
NOTE: Do not remove foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) from the tire.
(C) Injecting Tire Service Kit Sealant Into The
Deflated Tire:
• Always start the engine before turning ON the Tire
Service Kit.
NOTE: Manual transmission vehicles must have the park-
ing brake engaged and the gear selector in NEUTRAL.
• After pushing the Power Button (4), the sealant (white
fluid) will flow from the Sealant Bottle (1) through the
Sealant Hose (6) and into the tire.
NOTE: Sealant may leak out through the puncture in the
tire. If the sealant (white fluid) does not flow within0–10
seconds through the Sealant Hose (6):
1. Push the Power Button (4) to turn Off the Tire Service
Kit. Disconnect the Sealant Hose (6) from the valve stem.
Make sure the valve stem is free of debris. Reconnect the
Sealant Hose (6) to the valve stem. Check that the Mode
Select Knob (5) is in the Sealant Mode position and not
Air Mode. Push the Power Button (4) to turn On the Tire
Service Kit.
2. Connect the Power Plug (8) to a different 12 Volt power outlet in your vehicle or another vehicle, if available.
Make sure the engine is running before turning ON the
Tire Service Kit.
3. The Sealant Bottle (1) may be empty due to previous use. Call for assistance.
NOTE: If the Mode Select Knob (5) is on Air Mode and the
pump is operating, air will dispense from the Air Pump
Hose (7) only, not the Sealant Hose (6).
306 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
3. Place the Tire Service Kit flat on the ground next to thedeflated tire.
4. Remove the cap from the valve stem and then screw the fitting at the end of the Sealant Hose (3) onto the valve
stem.
5. Uncoil the Power Plug (7) and insert the plug into the vehicle’s 12 Volt power outlet.
NOTE: Do not remove foreign objects (e.g., screws or
nails) from the tire.
(C) Injecting Tire Service Kit Sealant Into The
Deflated Tire:
• Always start the engine before turning ON the Tire
Service Kit.
NOTE: Manual transmission vehicles must have the park-
ing brake engaged and the gear selector in NEUTRAL.
• After pushing the Power Button (1), the sealant (white
fluid) will flow from the Sealant Bottle (4) through the
Sealant Hose (3) and into the tire.
NOTE: Sealant may leak out through the puncture in the
tire. If the sealant (white fluid) does not flow within0–10
seconds through the Sealant Hose (3):
1. Push the Power Button (1) to turn Off the Tire Service
Kit. Disconnect the Sealant Hose (3) from the valve stem.
Make sure the valve stem is free of debris. Reconnect the
Sealant Hose (3) to the valve stem. Check that the Mode
Select Knob (2) is in the Sealant Mode position and not
Air Mode. Push the Power Button (1) to turn On the Tire
Service Kit.
2. Connect the Power Plug (7) to a different 12 Volt power outlet in your vehicle or another vehicle, if available.
Make sure the engine is running before turning ON the
Tire Service Kit.
3. The Sealant Bottle (4) may be empty due to previous use. Call for assistance.
NOTE: If the Mode Select Knob (2) is on Air Mode and the
pump is operating, air will dispense from the Air Pump
Hose (5) only, not the Sealant Hose (3).
314 IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
CONTENTS
SCHEDULED SERVICING .................329
▫ 6.2L Supercharged Engine .................329
ENGINE COMPARTMENT .................333
▫ 6.2L Supercharged Engine ................333
▫ Checking Oil Level .....................334
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ...................334
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery .................335
DEALER SERVICE ...................... .336
▫ Engine Oil .......................... .336
▫ Engine Oil Filter ...................... .338
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter .................338
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ..............339
▫ Accessory Drive Belt Inspection ............342
▫ Body Lubrication ..................... .343▫
Windshield Wiper Blades .................343
▫ Exhaust System ....................... .346
▫ Cooling System ....................... .348
▫ Brake System ........................ .352
▫ Automatic Transmission ..................354
▫ Rear Axle ........................... .355
RAISING THE VEHICLE ..................356
TIRES ............................... .356
▫ Tire Safety Information ..................356
▫ Tires — General Information ..............365
▫ Tire Types ........................... .371
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ................372
▫ Wheel
And Wheel Trim Care ..............375
▫ Tire Chains (Traction Devices) .............376
8
WARNING!(Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or mois-
ture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that has been
in a tightly closed container. Keep the master cylin-
der reservoir cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in
a open container absorbs moisture from the air
resulting in a lower boiling point. This may cause it
to boil unexpectedly during hard or prolonged brak-
ing, resulting in sudden brake failure. This could
result in a collision.
• Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing the
brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also damage
painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be taken to
avoid its contact with these surfaces.
• Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid. Brake seal components could be
damaged, causing partial or complete brake failure.
This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
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.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufactur-
er ’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration in
transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder. Refer to “Fluids And Lubricants” in “Techni-
cal Specifications” for fluid specifications.
354 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE