Dodge Magnum (2008 year). Manual

Automatic Transmission

The gear selector must be in the “N” (Neutral) or “P”
(Park) position before you can start the engine. Apply the
brakes before shifting into any driving gear.

CAUTION!

Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
• Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to

a complete stop.

• Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the

vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.

• Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL

into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.

• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot

is firmly on the brake pedal.

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Normal Starting (Tip Start)

NOTE:

Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm

engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.

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. If the engine
fails to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10
seconds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the
normal starting procedure.

Extremely Cold Weather (below

20°F or

29°C)

To insure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of an
externally powered electric engine block heater (available
from your dealer) is recommended.

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269

If Engine Fails To Start

WARNING!

• Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into

the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt
to start the vehicle. This could result in a flash
fire causing serious personal injury.

• Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get

it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Un-
burned fuel could enter the catalytic converter
and once the engine has started, ignite and dam-
age the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a
discharged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be
dangerous if done improperly. Refer to Section 6
of this manual for proper jump starting proce-
dures and follow them carefully.

If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the normal starting procedure.

CAUTION!

To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15
seconds before trying again.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

After Starting

The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED

The engine block heater warms engine coolant 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.

The engine block heater cord is routed under the hood on
the driver side of the vehicle. It has a removable cap that
is located on the driver side of the Integrated Power
Module.

WARNING!

Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CAUTION!

Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
• Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to

a complete stop.

• Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the

vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.

• Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL

into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.

• Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot

is firmly on the brake pedal.

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271

WARNING!

It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle
could accelerate 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 when your right foot is firmly on
the brake pedal.

Automatic Transmission — General Information

The automatic transmission selects individual gears au-
tomatically, dependent upon:

• Altitude
• Vehicle Loading
• Driving Style

• Selector lever position
• Accelerator position
• Vehicle speed

The gear shifting process is continuously adapted, de-
pendent on the driving style, the driving situation, and
the road characteristics.

NOTE:

• After selecting any driving position, wait a moment to

allow the gear to engage fully before accelerating,
especially when the engine is cold.

• If there is a need to restart the engine, be sure to cycle

the key to the LOCK position before restarting. Trans-
mission engagement may be delayed up to 10 seconds
after restart if the key is not cycled to the LOCK
position first.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

• The electronically controlled transmission provides a

precise shift schedule. The transmission electronics are
self-calibrating. Therefore, the first few shifts on a new
vehicle may be somewhat abrupt or soft until after the
break-in period. This is a normal condition, and pre-
cision shifts will develop within a few shift cycles.

The selector lever is automatically locked while in the
“P” (Park) position. To move the selector lever out of the
“P” (Park) position, the brake pedal must be firmly
depressed before the shift lock will release.

Shift the selector lever to the desired position only when
the engine is idling normally and the brake pedal is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive. The
vehicle may otherwise accelerate quickly when the selec-
tor lever is in “D” (Drive) or “R” (Reverse) position.

WARNING!

Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into “P” (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
selector lever is locked in the “P” (Park) position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave children unat-
tended inside a vehicle.

Over Temperature Mode
The transmission electronics constantly monitor the
transmission oil temperature. If the transmission exceeds
normal operating temperature, the transmission will

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273

change the way it shifts to help control the condition.
This may result in a slightly different feeling or response
during normal operation in “D” (Drive) position. After
the transmission cools down, it will return to normal
operation.

Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock System

This vehicle is equipped with a brake transmission shift
interlock system (BTSI) that holds the selector lever in the
“P” (Park) position when the ignition switch is in the
LOCK position. To move the selector lever out of the “P”
(Park) position, the ignition switch must be turned to the
ON position, and the brake pedal must be depressed.

For electrical system malfunctions, there is an override
for the interlock system. In order to override this system
the key must be in the ignition with the switch in the
ACC or ON position. Remove the rubber storage tray
from the bin located to the right of the selector lever. The
override can be activated by pressing the pink-colored

Brake Interlock Override

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tab, which can be accessed through a hole inside the bin.
While the override is pressed, the shifter can be moved
out of the “P” (Park) position without pressing the brake.
After operation, return the rubber storage tray to its
original position.

4 Speed Automatic Transmission

Shifting from “D” (Drive) to “P” (Park) or “R” (Reverse)
(or from P or R to D) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.

Gear Ranges

“P” (Park)
“P” (Park) supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.

Selector Lever

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275

Never use “P” (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.

When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the “P” (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.

When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector in “P” (Park),
otherwise the load on the transmission locking mecha-
nism may make it difficult to move the selector out of
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.

WARNING!

Never use “P” (Park) position on an automatic trans-
mission as a substitute for the parking brake. Always
apply parking brake fully when parked to guard
against vehicle movement and possible injury or
damage.

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector lever into the “P” (Park)
position:

• When shifting into “P’ (Park) move the lever all the

way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.

• Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument

panel to ensure it is in the “P” (Park) position.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!

Damage to the shifter could result if the selector lever
is moved out of “P” (Park) before the ignition is
turned from the LOCK to ON position.

“R” (Reverse)
For moving the vehicle rearward. Always stop before
moving the lever to “R” (Reverse), except when rocking
the vehicle.

“N” (Neutral)
Engine may be started in this range.

CAUTION!

Coasting the vehicle or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.

WARNING!

Do not coast in “N” (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 an accident.

“D” (Overdrive)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest up shifts and down

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shifts, and the best fuel economy. Select the “3” range
when frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers.

NOTE:

• If the vehicle is started in cold temperatures, shifts into

Overdrive may be delayed. Normal Overdrive and
shifting operation will resume when the temperature
of the transmission reaches the appropriate tempera-
ture. Refer to the “Note” under “Torque Converter
Clutch” later in this section.

• If the transmission temperature gets too hot, the

transmission may downshift out of Overdrive or en-
gage overdrive at higher vehicle speeds until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, Overdrive
will resume normal operation.

“3” (Third)
This range eliminates shifts into Overdrive. The transmis-
sion will operate normally in First, Second and Third
while in this range. The “3” position should also be used
when descending steep grades to prevent brake system
distress.

NOTE:

Using the “3” range while operating the vehicle

under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up.

“L” (Low)
This range should be used for engine braking when
descending very steep grades. In this range, upshifts will
occur only to prevent engine overspeed while downshifts
occur earlier than other gear range selections.

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CAUTION!

Never race the engine with the brakes on and the
vehicle in gear, and never hold the vehicle on an
incline without applying the brakes. These practices
can

cause

overheating

and

damage

the

transmission.

Torque Converter Clutch
A feature designed to improve fuel economy has been
added to the automatic transmission of this vehicle. A
clutch within the torque converter engages automatically
at calibrated speeds. This may result in a slightly differ-
ent feeling or response during normal operation in high
gear. When the vehicle speed drops, or during accelera-
tion, the clutch automatically and smoothly disengages.

NOTE:

• The torque converter clutch will not engage until the

transmission fluid and engine coolant is warm (usu-
ally after 1–3 miles [1.6–4.8 km] of driving). Because
engine speed is higher when the torque converter
clutch is not engaged, it may seem as if the transmis-
sion is not shifting into “Overdrive” when cold. This is
considered a normal condition. Pulling the selector
lever into the “3” position will show that the transmis-
sion is able to shift into and out of “Overdrive.”

• If the vehicle has not been driven for several days, the

first few seconds of operation after shifting the trans-
mission into gear may seem sluggish. This is due to the
transmission fluid partially draining from the torque
converter into the transmission. This is considered a
normal condition and it will not cause damage to the
transmission. The torque converter will refill within 5
seconds of shifting from “P” (Park) into any other gear
position.

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279

Transmission Limp Home Mode
The transmission is monitored for abnormal conditions.
If a condition is detected that could cause damage, the
transmission automatically shifts into second gear. The
transmission remains in second gear despite the forward
gear selected. “P” (Park), “R” (Reverse), and “N” (Neu-
tral) will continue to operate. This Reset feature allows
the vehicle to be driven to a dealer for service without
damaging the transmission.

If the problem has been momentary, the transmission can
be reset to regain all forward gears.

• Stop the vehicle and shift into “P” (Park).
• Turn the key to LOCK then start the engine.
• Shift into “D” (Drive) and resume driving.

NOTE:

Even if the transmission can be reset, we recom-

mend that you visit a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could recur.

If the transmission cannot be reset, dealer service is
required.

5 Speed Automatic Transmission

Shifting from “D” (Drive) to “P” (Park) or “R” (Reverse)
(or from “P” or “R” to “D”) should be done only after the
accelerator pedal is released and the vehicle is stopped.
Be sure to keep your foot on the brake when moving the
selector lever between these gears.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Ranges

“P” (Park)
“P” (Park) supplements the parking brake by locking the
transmission. The engine can be started in this range.

Never use “P” (Park) while the vehicle is in motion.
Apply the parking brake when leaving the vehicle in this
range.

When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector in
the “P” (Park) position first, and then apply the parking
brake.

Selector Lever

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281

WARNING!

The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the selector lever into the “P” (Park)
position:

• When shifting into “P” (Park) move the lever all the

way forward until it stops, and is fully seated.

• Look at the shift indicator display on the instrument

panel to ensure it is in the “P” (Park) position.

CAUTION!

Damage to the shifter could result if the selector lever
is moved out of “P” (Park) before the ignition is
turned from the LOCK to ON position.

“R” (Reverse)
Shift into “R” (Reverse) gear only when the vehicle is
completely stopped.

“N” (Neutral)
No power is transmitted from the engine to the drive
axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be
moved freely (pushed or towed). Do not engage “N”
(Neutral) position while driving except to coast when the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g., on icy roads).

The engine may be started in this range. Use this range
for starting your vehicle if it is moving or being towed.

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CAUTION!

Coasting the vehicle or driving for any other reason
with selector lever in NEUTRAL can result in trans-
mission damage.

WARNING!

“D” (Drive)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and down-
shifts and the best fuel economy.

The transmission automatically upshifts through fifth
gear. The “D” (Drive) position provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating conditions.

When frequent transmission shifting occurs when using
the Overdrive range, such as when operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions (in hilly terrain, travel-
ing into strong head winds, or while towing heavy
trailers, use the AutoStick

t mode and select the “3”

range.

AutoStick

t Gear selection

The AutoStick

t feature can be selected by pressing the

selector lever to the right or the left with the lever in the
“D” (Drive) position. The gear currently selected is
indicated in the instrument cluster display. Briefly, press

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Dodge Magnum (2008 year). Manual - part 17