Dodge Magnum (2008 year). Manual

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS

Your vehicle uses a keyless ignition system. This system
consists of a Fob with Integrated Key and a Wireless
Ignition Node (WIN) with integral ignition switch. You
can insert the double-sided integrated key into the igni-
tion switch with either side up.

Wireless Ignition Node (WIN)

The Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) operates similar to an
ignition switch. It has four operating positions, three of
which are detented and one spring-loaded. The detented
positions are LOCK, ACC, and ON. The START position
is a spring-loaded momentary contact position. When
released from the START position, the switch automati-
cally returns to the detented ON position.

Wireless Ignition Node (WIN)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Fob with Integrated Key

The Fob with Integrated Key operates the ignition switch.
It also contains the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter and a valet key, which stores in the rear of the Fob.

The valet key allows for entry into the vehicle should the
battery in the vehicle or the Fob go dead. The valet key is
also for locking the glove box. You can keep the valet key
with you when valet parking.

To remove the valet key from the Fob, slide the mechani-
cal latch at the top of the Fob sideways with your thumb
and then pull the key out of the Fob with your other
hand.

NOTE:

You can insert the double-sided valet key into

the lock cylinders with either side up.

Valet Key Removal

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tip Start Feature

Do not

press the accelerator. Use the Fob with Integrated

Key to briefly turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it as soon as the starter engages. The
starter motor will continue to run, and it will disengage
automatically when the engine is running.

Ignition Key Removal

Place the selector lever in “P” (Park). Turn the key to the
LOCK position and then remove the key.

NOTE:

• For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, power sunroof (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for 10 minutes after
the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position.
Opening either front door will cancel this feature.

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), the power window

switches, radio, power sunroof (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for up to 60 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either front door will cancel this feature.
The time for this feature is programmable. For details,
refer to “Delay Power Off to Accessories Until Exit,”
under “Personal Settings (Customer Programmable
Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual.

WARNING!

Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the key in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!

An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.

Key-In-Ignition Reminder

If you open the driver’s door and the key is in the
ignition, a chime will sound to remind you to remove the
key.

NOTE:

The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds

when the ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC
position.

SENTRY KEY

The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.

The system uses the factory-mated Fob with Integrated
Key and Wireless Ignition Node (WIN) to prevent unau-
thorized vehicle operation. Therefore, only Fobs that are
programmed to the vehicle can be used to start and
operate the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in
two (2) seconds if someone uses an invalid Fob to start
the engine.

After turning the ignition switch to the ON position, the
Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light will turn on for
three (3) seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on
after the bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem
with the electronics. In addition, if the light begins to

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

flash after the bulb check, it indicates that someone used
an invalid Fob to start the engine. Either of these condi-
tions will result in the engine being shut off after two (2)
seconds.

If the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator Light turns on
during normal vehicle operation (vehicle running for
longer than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in
the electronics. Should this occur, have the vehicle ser-
viced as soon as possible.

NOTE:

• The Sentry Key Immobilizer System is not compatible

with aftermarket remote starting systems. Use of these
systems may result in vehicle starting problems and
loss of security protection.

• Exxon/Mobil Speed Pass,™ additional Fobs, or any

other transponder-equipped components on the same
key chain will not cause a fault unless the additional
part is physically held against the Fob being used to

start the vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other RF
electronics will not cause interference with this system.

All of the Fobs provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.

Replacement Keys

NOTE:

Only Fobs that are programmed to the vehicle

electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Fob is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot be
programmed to any other vehicle.

CAUTION!

Always remove Sentry Keys from the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.

At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit PIN number. Keep the PIN in a secure

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

location. This number is required for dealer replacement
of Fobs. Duplication of Fobs may be performed at an
authorized dealer or by using the Customer Key Pro-
gramming procedure. This procedure consists of pro-
gramming a blank Fob to the vehicle electronics. A blank
Fob is one, which has never been programmed.

NOTE:

When having the Sentry Key Immobilizer

System serviced, bring all vehicle Fobs with you to the
dealer.

Customer Key (Fob) Programming

If you have two valid sentry keys, you can program new
sentry keys to the system by performing the following
procedure:

1. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch and
turn the ignition switch ON for at least 3 seconds but no
longer than 15 seconds. Turn the ignition switch OFF and
remove the first key.

2. Insert the second valid key and turn the ignition
switch ON within 15 seconds. After ten seconds, a chime
will sound and the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator
Light will begin to flash. Turn the ignition switch OFF
and remove the second key.

3. Insert a blank Sentry Key into the ignition switch and
turn the ignition switch ON within 60 seconds. After 10
seconds, a single chime will sound and the Vehicle
Security Alarm Indicator Light will stop flashing, turn on
again for 3 seconds, and then turn off.

The new Sentry Key is programmed. The Keyless Entry
Transmitter will also be programmed during this pro-
cedure.

Repeat this procedure to program up to 8 keys. If you do
not have a programmed sentry key, contact your dealer
for details.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

If a programmed key is lost, see your dealer to

have all remaining keys erased from the systems
memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting your
vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to the dealer at
the time of service to be reprogrammed.

General Information

The Sentry Key system complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference that may be

received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.

SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

The Vehicle Security Alarm system monitors the vehicle
doors for unauthorized entry and the ignition switch for
unauthorized operation. If something triggers the alarm,
the system will prevent the vehicle from starting and
provide the following audible and visual signals: the
horn will pulse; the headlights will flash; the park lights
will flash; and the Vehicle Security Alarm Indicator light
in the instrument cluster will flash.

Rearming of the System:

If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the system will turn off the horn after 3
minutes, turn off all of the visual signals after 15 minutes,
and then the system will rearm itself.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Arm the System:

Remove the key from the ignition switch and either press
a power door lock switch while the driver or passenger
door is open or press the LOCK button on the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter. After the last door is
closed, or if all doors are closed, the system will arm itself
in about 16 seconds. During that time, the Vehicle Secu-
rity Alarm Indicator light will flash. If it does not
illuminate, the system is not arming. In addition, if you
open a door during the arming period, the system will
cancel the arming process. If you wish to rearm the
system after closing the door, you must repeat one of the
previously described arming sequences.

To Disarm the System:

Either press the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter
or insert a valid ignition key into the ignition switch and
turn the key to the ON position.

If you open the liftgate after disarming the system, you
must use one of the previously described arming se-
quences if you wish to rearm the system after closing the
liftgate.

NOTE:

• The driver’s door key cylinder cannot arm or disarm

the system.

• When the system is armed, the interior power door

lock switches will not unlock the doors.

The Vehicle Security Alarm system is designed to protect
your vehicle; however, you can create conditions where
the system will give you a false alarm. If one of the
previously described arming sequences has occurred, the
system will arm regardless of whether you are in the
vehicle or not. If you remain in the vehicle and open a
door, the alarm will sound. If this occurs, disarm the
system.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the alarm system is armed and the battery becomes
disconnected the system will remain armed when the
battery is reconnected. The exterior lights will flash, the
horn will sound, and the ignition will not start the
vehicle. If this occurs, disarm the system.

Tamper Alert
If something has triggered the system in your absence,
the horn will sound three times when you disarm the
system. Check the vehicle for tampering.

ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM

The courtesy lights will turn on when you use the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or open the
doors or liftgate.

The lights will fade to off after about 30 seconds or they
will immediately fade to off once the ignition switch is
turned ON from the LOCK position.

NOTE:

• None of the courtesy lights will operate if the dimmer

control is in the “defeat” position (extreme downward
position), unless the overhead map/reading lights are
turned on manually.

REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY

This system allows you to lock or unlock the doors or
activate the panic alarm from distances up to about 35
feet (11 meters) using a hand held radio transmitter. The
transmitter need not be pointed at the vehicle to activate
the system.

NOTE:

Inserting the Fob with Integrated Key into the

ignition switch disables all buttons on that transmitter;
however, the buttons on the remaining transmitters will
continue to work. Driving at speeds 5 mph (8 km/h) and
above disables all transmitter buttons for all Fobs.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To unlock the doors:

Press and release the UNLOCK button on the transmitter
once to unlock the driver’s door, or twice within 5
seconds to unlock all doors. The turn signal lights will
flash to acknowledge the unlock signal. The illuminated
entry system will also turn on.

Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All Doors First
This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver’s door or all doors on the first press of the
UNLOCK button on the transmitter. To change the cur-
rent setting, proceed as follows:

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Remote Key
Unlock,” under “Personal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features),” under “Electronic Vehicle In-
formation Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this manual
for details.

• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the

following procedure:

1. Press and hold the LOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for at least 4 seconds, but no longer than 10
seconds. Then, press and hold the UNLOCK button
while still holding the LOCK button.

Keyless Entry Transmitter

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

2. Release both buttons at the same time.

3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter
with the ignition switch in the LOCK position, and the
key removed.

4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.

NOTE:

Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter

while you are inside the vehicle will activate the Security
Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.

Flash Lights with Remote Key Lock
This feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the transmitter.
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Flash Lights with
Remote Key Lock,” under

9Personal Settings (Cus-

tomer Programmable Features),” under “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this
manual for details.

• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the

following procedure:

1. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for at least 4 seconds, but no longer than 10
seconds. Then, press and hold the LOCK button while
still holding the UNLOCK button.

2. Release both buttons at the same time.

3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter
with the ignition switch in the LOCK position, and the
key removed.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.

NOTE:

Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter

while you are in the vehicle will activate the Security
Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.

Turn Headlights On with Remote Key Unlock
This feature activates the headlights for up to 90 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the transmitter. The
time for this feature is programmable on vehicles
equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC). For details, refer to “Turn Headlights On with
Remote Key Unlock,” under “Personal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features),” under “Electronic Ve-
hicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this
manual.

To lock the doors:

Press and release the LOCK button on the transmitter to
lock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash and the
horn will chirp to acknowledge the signal.

Sound Horn with Remote Key Lock
This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the transmitter. This feature can be
turned on or turned off. To change the current setting,
proceed as follows:

• For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle

Information Center (EVIC), refer to “Sound Horn with
Remote Key Lock,” under “Personal Settings (Cus-
tomer Programmable Features),” under “Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” in Section 4 of this
manual for details.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the

following steps:

1. Press the LOCK button on a programmed transmitter
for at least 4 seconds, but no longer than 10 seconds.
Then, press the PANIC button while still holding the
LOCK button.

2. Release both buttons at the same time.

3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter with the
ignition switch in the LOCK position, and the key
removed.

4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.

NOTE:

Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter

while you are in the vehicle will activate the Security

Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.

Using The Panic Alarm:

To turn the panic alarm feature ON or OFF, press and
hold the PANIC button on the transmitter for at least one
second and release. When the panic alarm is on, the
headlights and park lights will flash, the horn will pulse
on and off, and the interior lights will turn on.

The panic alarm will stay on for 3 minutes unless you
turn it off by either pressing the PANIC button a second
time or drive the vehicle at a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h)
or greater.

NOTE:

• The interior lights will turn off if you turn the ignition

switch to the ACC or ON position while the panic
alarm is activated. However, the exterior lights and
horn will remain on.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• You may need to be less than 35 feet (11 meters) from

the vehicle when using the transmitter to turn off the
panic alarm due to the radio frequency noises emitted
by the system.

Programming Additional Transmitters

Refer to SENTRY KEY “Customer Key (Fob) Program-
ming.”

(See page 17 for more information.)

If you do not have a programmed transmitter, contact
your dealer for details.

Transmitter Battery Service

The recommended replacement battery is one CR2032
battery.

NOTE:

• Perchlorate Material — special handling may apply.

See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate

• Do not touch the battery terminals that are on the back

housing or the printed circuit board.

1. Battery access is through a door located on the rear of
the Fob. Insert a small, flat blade screwdriver into the slot
and gently pry open the access door.

Battery Replacement

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

2. Remove and replace the batteries. Avoid touching the
new batteries with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.

3. Reposition the access door panel over the battery
opening and snap into place.

General Information

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and
RSS 210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the
following conditions:

• This device may not cause harmful interference.
• This device must accept any interference received,

including interference that may cause undesired op-
eration.

NOTE:

Changes or modifications not expressly ap-

proved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

If your Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter fails to
operate from a normal distance, check for these two
conditions.

1. A weak battery in the transmitter. The expected life of
the battery is a minimum of three years.

2. Closeness to a radio transmitter such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, and some mobile or CB radios.

REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM — IF EQUIPPED

This system uses the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) trans-
mitter to start the engine conveniently from outside the
vehicle while still maintaining security. The system has a
targeted range of 328 ft. (100 m).

NOTE:

The vehicle must be equipped with an auto-

matic transmission to be equipped with Remote Start.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How To Use Remote Start

All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:

• Gear selector lever in “P” (Park).
• Doors closed.
• Hood closed.
• Liftgate closed.
• Hazard switch off.
• Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed).
• Ignition key removed from ignition switch.
• Battery at an acceptable charge level.
• RKE Panic button not pressed.

To Enter Remote Start Mode

Press and release the Remote Start button on
the RKE transmitter twice within 5 seconds.
The parking lights will flash and horn will
honk twice (if programmed). Then, the engine

will start and the vehicle will remain in the Remote Start
mode for a 15-minute cycle.

NOTE:

• The park lamps will turn on and remain on during

Remote Start mode.

• For security, power window and power sunroof op-

eration (if so equipped) is disabled when the vehicle is
in the Remote Start mode.

• The engine can be started two consecutive times (two

15-minute cycles) with the RKE transmitter. However,
the ignition switch must be cycled to the ON position
before you can repeat the start sequence for a third
cycle.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Magnum (2008 year). Manual - part 1