Dodge Charger: STARTING AND OPERATING / ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS — 3.6L & 5.7L
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain (engine, transmission,
clutch, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles
(100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the limits of local traffic
laws contributes to a good break-in. However, wide-open throttle acceleration in
low gear can be detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle lubricant installed at the factory
is high-quality and energy-conserving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant changes should
be consistent with anticipated climate and conditions under which vehicle operations
will occur. For the recommended viscosity and quality grades.
CAUTION!
Never use Non-Detergent Oil or Straight Mineral Oil in the engine or damage
may result.
NOTE:
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few thousand miles (kilometers)
of opera- tion. This should be considered a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indica- tion of difficulty. Please check your oil level with the
engine oil indicator often during the break in period. Add oil as required.
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits quicker starts in cold
weather. Connect the cord to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord...
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...
Other information:
Head restraints are designed to reduce the risk of injury by restricting head
movement in the event of a rear impact. Head restraints should be adjusted so that
the top of the head restraint is located above the top of your ear.
WARNING!
All occupants, including the driver, should not operate a vehicle or sit
in a vehicle’s seat until the head restraints are placed in their proper positions
in order to minimize the risk of neck injury in the event of a crash...
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt comfortably, and whose
legs are long enough to bend over the front of the seat when their back is against
the seatback, should use the seat belt in a rear seat. Use this simple 5-step test
to decide whether the child can use the vehicle’s seat belt alone:
Can the child sit all the way back against the back of the vehicle seat?
Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the front of the vehicle seat
– while the child is still sitting all the way back?
Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s shoulder between the neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching the child’s thighs
and not the stomach?
Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If the answer to any of these questions was “no,” then the child still needs
to use a booster seat in this vehicle...