Dodge Charger: Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission / Gear Ranges
Do not press the accelerator pedal when shifting out of PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
NOTE:
After selecting any gear range, wait a moment to allow the selected gear to engage
before accelerating. This is especially important when the engine is cold.
PARK (P)
This range supplements the parking brake by locking the transmission. The engine
can be started in this range. Never attempt to use PARK while the vehicle is in
motion. Apply the parking brake when exiting the vehicle in this range.
When parking on a hill, apply the parking brake before shifting the transmission
to PARK. As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill
grade and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
When exiting the vehicle, always:
- Apply the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission into PARK.
- Turn the ignition OFF.
- Remove the key fob from the vehicle.
WARNING!
- Never use the PARK position as a substi- tute for the parking brake.
Always apply the parking brake fully when exiting the vehicle to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.
- Your vehicle could move and injure you and others if it is not in
PARK. Check by trying to move the transmission gear selector out of PARK with
the brake pedal released. Make sure the transmission is in PARK before exiting
the vehicle.
- The transmission may not engage PARK if the vehicle is moving. Always
bring the vehicle to a complete stop before shifting to PARK, and verify that
the transmission gear position indicator solidly indicates PARK (P) without
blinking. Ensure that the vehicle is completely stopped, and the PARK position
is properly indicated, before exiting the vehicle.
- It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed
is higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly pressing the brake pedal,
the vehicle could accel- erate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the 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 igni- tion
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 unat- tended 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
transmission gear selector.
- Do not leave the key fob in or near the vehicle (or in a location
accessible to chil- dren), 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 position:
- When shifting into PARK, push the lock button on the gear selector and firmly
move the selector all the way forward until it stops and is fully seated.
- Look at the transmission gear position display and verify that it indicates
the PARK (P) position, and is not blinking.
- With the brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector will not move
out of PARK.
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
exit 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.
For “Recreational Towing”.
For “Towing A Disabled Vehicle”.
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.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions, in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds,
or while towing a heavy trailer), use the AutoStick shift control (if equipped)
to select a lower gear. Under these conditions, using a lower gear will improve
performance and extend transmission life by reducing excessive shifting and heat
buildup.
During extremely cold temperatures (-22°F [-30°C] or below), transmission operation
may be modified depending on engine and transmission temperature as well as vehicle
speed. Normal operation will resume once the transmission temperature has risen
to a suitable level.
MANUAL (M)
The MANUAL (M, +/-) position (beside the DRIVE position) enables full manual
control of transmission shifting (also known as AutoStick mode) Ú page 102. 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.
The transmission gear range is displayed both on the gear selector and in the
instrument cluster. To select a gear range, push the lock button on the gear selector
and move the selector rearward or forward...
Transmission function is monitored electronically for abnormal conditions. If
a condition is detected that could result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp
Home Mode is activated...
Other information:
MMT is a manganese-containing metallic additive that is blended into some gasoline
to increase octane. Gasoline blended with MMT provides no performance advantage
beyond gasoline of the same octane number without MMT. Gasoline blended with MMT
reduces spark plug life and reduces emissions system performance in some vehicles...
The minimum set speed for the ACC system is 20 mph (32 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the ready state, the instrument cluster displays
“ACC Ready.”
When the system is off, the instrument cluster display will read “Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) Off...