Dodge 2008 Charger User manual

Charger/Magnum
OWNER’S MANUAL POLICE SUPPLEMENT
2008
2008 Charger/Magnum Police Supplement
81-226-0804 First Edition Printed in U.S.A.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................3
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE ...............................5
3
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE ................................7
4
STARTING AND OPERATING ..................................................33
5
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE ................................................39
6
INDEX .....................................................................43
1
2
3
4
5
6

INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
mIntroduction ...........................4
1

INTRODUCTION
This booklet is a supplement to both the Charger and
Magnum Owner’s Manuals prepared with the assistance
of service and engineering specialists and is intended to
aid the operators of police or fleet vehicles (used in severe
duty, high mileage operations) in understanding the
operation and required maintenance procedures for such
vehicles. It covers maintenance procedures for vehicles
equipped with heavy-duty packages. However, other
vehicles operated under the conditions listed below are
also considered “severe service” vehicles and should be
serviced and maintained as prescribed in this booklet.
This supplement applies to rear wheel drive passenger
cars only. You are urged to read this publication and the
Owner’s Manual carefully.
Refer to the Police Upfitter’s Guide provided with your
vehicle prior to the addition of any aftermarket equip-
ment.
Following the instructions and recommendations pro-
vided herein will help assure safe and reliable operation
of your vehicle. After you have read the booklet, it should
be stored in the vehicle for convenient reference and
remain with the vehicle when sold.
4 INTRODUCTION

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mBrake System Maintenance .................6
2

BRAKE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
WARNING!
Perform this procedure in a controlled environment,
as high speeds and moderate rates of deceleration are
necessary in order to complete this procedure. Failure
to follow this warning can result in an accident with
serious or fatal injuries.
WARNING!
In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buckled
up. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or other
passengers, or you can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Always be sure you and others in your vehicle are
buckled up properly.
All new brake systems have a burnishing (break-in)
period. This burnishing (break-in) period will vary ac-
cording to individual driving habits and driving condi-
tions (e.g. rush hour, city, highway, etc). Smoke and odor
associated with brake burnishing is normal. Therefore,
we recommend using the following burnish procedure to
burnish the heavy-duty brake system on your vehicle:
In a controlled environment, accelerate the vehicle to a
speed of 60 mph (97 km/h), maintain this speed for a few
seconds, and then apply the brakes for a moderate
deceleration, slowing the vehicle to a speed of 10 to 5
mph (16 to 8 km/h). Repeat this sequence 40 times.
However, allow 30 seconds between braking maneuvers
to cool the brakes. After completing this procedure, allow
the brakes to cool completely before driving the vehicle
again.
6 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mSentry Key Immobilizer — If Equipped ........9
mElectronic Speed Control ...................9
▫Electronic Speed Control Operation .........9
▫To Activate ...........................10
▫To Set At A Desired Speed ................10
▫To Deactivate .........................10
▫To Resume Speed ......................11
▫To Vary The Speed Setting ................11
▫To Accelerate For Passing ................12
mTilt Steering Column .....................13
mStealth Mode ...........................13
mEquipment Mounting Bracket — If Equipped ....14
mPolice Dome Light — If Equipped ............14
mSpotlights — If Equipped ..................15
mModified Rear Door – Locks, Levers, & Window
Switches — If Equipped ...................15
mAirbags ...............................16
mAirbag Deployment Zones .................17
3

mElectrical Power Sources ...................24
▫Front Power Outlet .....................24
▫Additional Power Leads .................25
▫Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off ........26
mPower Distribution Centers .................26
▫Fuses (Front Power Distribution Center) ......27
▫Fuses (Auxiliary Power Distribution Center) . . .28
▫Fuses (Rear Power Distribution Center) .......28
mElectronic Brake Control System .............30
mFull Size Spare Tire — If Equipped ...........30
mBattery Access — Vehicles Equipped With Full
Size Spare Tire ..........................31
mHour Meter ............................31
8 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Sentry Key Immobilizer — If Equipped
Do not hold transponders against the ignition key
being used when starting vehicles equipped with the
Sentry Key Immobilizer system (gray key). This may
cause interference with Sentry Key, which can disable the
engine.
ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL
When engaged, this device takes over the accelerator
operation at speeds greater than 25 mph (40 km/h).
Electronic Speed Control Operation
The speed control lever (located on the left side of the
steering column) operates the system.
1 — RESUME/ACCEL
2 — SET/DECEL
3 — CANCEL
4 — ON/OFF
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 9
3

To Activate:
Push the speed control lever inward (toward
the steering column) and release (“ON/OFF”).
The indicator light in the lever (and in the
instrument cluster on some models) will illu-
minate to show that the speed control system is ON. To
turn the system OFF, push the lever inward (toward the
steering column) again and release. At this time, the
system and the indicator light will turn off.
WARNING!
Leaving the Electronic 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 aren’t using it.
To Set At A Desired Speed:
When the vehicle reaches the speed desired, push the
lever down and release (“SET/DECEL”). Remove your
foot from the accelerator pedal and the vehicle will
operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:
• Speed control will only function in third, fourth, or
fifth gear when in the AutosticktMode (if equipped).
• The speed control may not engage if a different size
tire is installed on one wheel, such as the compact
spare tire.
To Deactivate:
The system will disable Electronic Speed Control without
erasing the memory if you:
• Softly tap the brake pedal.
• Depress the brake pedal.
10 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

• Push the speed control lever away from you (“CAN-
CEL”).
Pushing and releasing the lever (“ON/OFF”) or turning
off the ignition erases the set speed from memory.
To Resume Speed:
If you deactivated the speed control without erasing the
set speed from memory and your vehicle speed is above
20 mph (32 km/h) you can resume the previous set
speed. To do so, push the lever up and release (RES/
ACCEL), and then remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
To Vary the Speed Setting:
When the speed control is set, you can increase speed by
pushing the lever up and holding (“RES/ACCEL”).
When the lever is released, a new set speed will be
established.
Pushing the lever up and releasing (“RES/ACCEL”) once
will result in a 1 mph (1.6 km/h) speed increase. Each
time the lever is pushed up and released, speed increases
so that pushing the lever up and releasing three times
will increase speed by 3 mph (4.8 km/h), etc.
To decrease speed while speed control is set, push the
lever down and hold (“SET/DECEL”). Release the lever
when the desired speed is reached, and a new set speed
will be established.
Pushing down and releasing the lever (“SET/DECEL”)
once will result in a 1 mph (1.6 km/h) speed decrease.
Each time the lever is pushed down and released, speed
decreases.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 11
3

To Accelerate For Passing:
Depress the accelerator as you would normally. When the
pedal is released, the vehicle will return to the set speed.
NOTE: The speed control system maintains speed up
and down hills. A slight speed change on moderate hills
is normal.
The automatic transmission will downshift while climb-
ing uphill or descending downhill. This downshift is
necessary to maintain vehicle set speed.
On steep hills, a greater speed loss or gain may occur so
it may be preferable to drive without speed control.
WARNING!
Speed Control can be dangerous where the system
can’t maintain a constant speed. Your vehicle could
go too fast for the conditions, and you could lose
control. An accident could be the result. Don’t use
Speed Control in heavy traffic or on roads that are
winding, icy, snow-covered, or slippery.
12 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TILT STEERING COLUMN
The steering column equipped on this vehicle only tilts.
Unlock the steering column by pulling out the handle
located directly below the column. To tilt the column
move the steering wheel up or down as desired. Lock the
steering column in position by pushing the handle in
until it fully engages.
WARNING!
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. The
tilt adjustment must be locked while driving. Adjust-
ing the steering wheel while driving or driving
without the tilt adjustment locked could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
STEALTH MODE
This vehicle is designed for periods of
surveillance. The dimmer control is
part of the headlight switch, and is
located on the left side of the instru-
ment panel. By rotating the dimmer
control to the extreme bottom “OFF”
position to “stealth mode,” all interior
illumination except for PRNDL,
odometer, and vehicle critical warning indicators will be
cancelled. The PRNDL and odometer will go to the
lowest legal limit.
Tilt Steering Column Control
Dimmer Control
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 13
3

Equipment Mounting Bracket — If Equipped
The equipment mounting bracket is located between the
driver’s and front passenger’s seat. Refer to the Police
Upfitter’s Guide for details.
Police Dome Light — If Equipped
The police dome light switch has three positions. Position
I is used for white light, and position II is used for red
LED light. Always remember to return the dome light
switch to the OFF (center) position when finished using
to prevent discharging the vehicle battery.
Equipment Mounting Bracket
Dome Light
14 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

SPOTLIGHTS — IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle may be equipped with up to two spotlights.
Each spotlight is attached to the A-Pillar. The spotlight
switch is located on the chrome section of the handle. Use
this switch to turn on and turn off the spotlight. Rotate and
twist the handle to adjust the position of the spotlight.
MODIFIED REAR DOOR – LOCKS, LEVERS, &
WINDOW SWITCHES — IF EQUIPPED
The emergency rear door lock knob is located in the front
portion of each rear door panel, visible when the front
door is opened. Pull out the knob to unlock the door. In
this same way, the rear doors can be locked from the
outside of the vehicle by pushing the knob in.
Spotlight Control
Emergency Door Lock Knob
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 15
3

Both rear passenger doors are inoperable from the rear
seat position inside the vehicle. There are three ways to
operate the rear door locks:
• The emergency rear door lock knob from the front
door entrance (see graphic).
• Either front door lock switch.
• The remote keyless entry transmitter.
The rear windows are inoperable from the rear door
switches. Rear windows are only operable by the Driver
Door Master Switch.
AIRBAGS
Driver/passenger airbags affect the way police equip-
ment can be safely mounted in police vehicles.
Any surfaces that could come into contact with an airbag,
once it has deployed, must not damage the airbag or alter
its deployment path.
The addition of any supplemental equipment (such as
radios, weapons, mounting brackets, cage, etc.), must be
installed such that it will not interfere or come in contact
with a deploying airbag. Airbag deployment zones are
described below. Sharp edges, corners, or protrusions on
supplemental equipment could damage the nylon airbag
material and reduce the effectiveness of the airbag during
a deployment.
16 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Vehicle equipped with left and right side curtain airbags
must use police cages, which have been approved by the
equipment manufacturer for use in the vehicle.
•The area where the side curtain airbag is located should
remain free from any obstructions.
•If your vehicle is equipped with left and right side
curtain airbags, care must be taken when installing any
type of roof equipment. Drilling and installation of
fasteners or other equipment that may interfere with the
side curtain airbags and airbag wiring harness is not
permitted. Furthermore, make sure that no equipment or
fasteners are located in the airbag deployment zone.
•Do not place objects or mount equipment in front of the
airbag module cover or in front of the seat areas that
may come in contact with a deploying airbag.
•Dash, tunnel or console-mounted equipment should not
be placed outside of the specified zone.
•Failure to follow these instructions could result in
personal injury.
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ZONES
There are three zones to be aware of:
1. Driver Airbag Deployment Zone (Fig. 1), (Fig. 2) and
Driver Airbag/Steering Wheel Specifications
2. Passenger Airbag Deployment Zone (Fig. 3) and (Fig.
4)
3. Side Airbag Deployment Zone (Fig. 5)
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 17
3

Figure 1– Driver Airbag Deployment Zone depicts the
following:
1. Vertical Plane Passing Through Center of Steering
Wheel
2. 18.7 inches
3. Vertical Plane Passing Through Maximum Rearward
Point That The Driver Airbag Cushion Reaches
4. Steering Wheel
5. Driver Airbag Retainer/Housing
6. Driver Airbag Cushion
Figure 1
18 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

DRIVER AIRBAG/STEERING COLUMN SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION POSITION
DAB DIAMETER WHEN
FULL 26.5 INCHES
DAB DEPTH WHEN FULL 15 INCHES
MAXIMUM REARWARD
DISPLACEMENT DURING
FILL 18.7 INCHES
STEERING COLUMN TILT POSITION RANGE
+/– 2.7 DEGREES FROM STEERING COLUMN TILT
PIVOT POINT
21.0 DEGREES FROM VERTICAL IS THE NOMINAL
POSITION
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 19
3