Dodge Charger: STARTING AND OPERATING / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Dodge Charger 2011-2025 Owner's Manual / STARTING AND OPERATING / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

You must press and hold the brake pedal while shifting out of PARK.

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 trans- mission 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 transmis- sion 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!

Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is above idle speed.

Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.

PARKING BRAKE

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...

Ignition Park Interlock

This vehicle is equipped with an Ignition Park Interlock which requires the transmission to be in PARK before the ignition can be turned to the OFF mode...

Other information:

Dodge Charger 2011-2025 Owner's Manual: Important Safety Precautions

Please pay close attention to the information in this section. It tells you how to use your restraint system properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as possible. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying air bag: Children 12 years old and under should always ride buckled up in the rear seat of a vehicle with a rear seat...

Dodge Charger 2011-2025 Owner's Manual: Children Too Large For Booster Seats

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...