- Member ID
- #1113
- Messages
- 144
- Reactions
- 393
- Likes
- 37
- City
- Midland
- State
- MI
- Country
- United States
- Vehicle
- 2016 Hellcat
I thought I would post some helpful tips and tricks that I've figured out along the way. Some of these are likely already known but I wanted to put them out there anyway. Feel free to add to the list and I will update the first post. Perhaps this can become a sticky thread, who knows.
- From the factory, your car will not honk the horn when you lock the doors. Go in to Settings, Doors & Locks, and make sure that 'Sound Horn With Lock' is selected.
- Different themes for your 8" touchscreen can be set. There are multiple themes for red and blue colors. I prefer theme #6 (blue). To access, go into Settings, Display, Set Theme.
- Accessing the Drive Modes screen is as simple as pressing the SRT button. Quickly pressing the SRT button twice will not only bring up the Drive Modes screen but also put it in your Custom mode.
- Track and Sport drive modes only allow you to configure the HP level (500/700+). However, if you want to drive in one of those modes temporarily but still want full traction control (I recommend keeping the traction control on Street most of the time) you can achieve this by selecting the Drive Mode you want and then pressing the T/C button and cycle through until you are back in Street mode. This WILL be reflected on the Drive Modes screen. This saves you from re-configuring your Custom Drive Mode.
- For A8 owners: When driving in ECO mode, paddle shifters are disabled, however if you wish to manually shift you CAN shift with the shifter by moving the shifter over to 'M'. This is useful if you wish to engine brake to slow down to reduce brake dust being put on the rims. I haven't confirmed yet if this is available in Valet mode. I know the paddle shifters are disabled, but not sure if you can shift with 'M' or not. Edit: Confirmed that it works the same in Valet mode.
- Based on a recent post I want to put this out there.. If you're going to put your car on a dyno, make sure the ABS Fuse (#36 in the Front Distribution Center) is pulled before making a pull. Otherwise, your ABS will want to intervene since the front wheels are stationary and your rear wheels are moving at a high rate of speed. This ends up cooking your rear brakes and therefore will not put down as much power. Your T/C, ESC and 'BRAKE' lights will be illuminated in the dash -- don't worry as this is normal since the ABS is pulled. You will not need to turn off T/C as it will already be done from pulling the fuse. Remember to re-install the fuse when you're done!
- If you're frustrated with the load times for the SRT Performance Pages and just want to quickly read some info, nearly all of the same functionality is available through the DID (Driver Information Display). You can access gauges, current and past performance data much quicker this way. There also seems to be less lag (at least to me) on these gauges rather than the Performance Pages gauges.
- Hood height adjustment - if your hood's height is slightly off it can be adjusted by the opening the hood adjusting the posts near the front of the engine compartment. Pretty self-explanatory. Adjust down to lower, adjust up to raise.
- Exhaust tip adjustment - if your exhaust tips are crooked or otherwise misaligned they can be adjusted. There is a single bolt (I believe 13mm if I remember right, somebody correct me if I'm wrong) holding each tip on. After loosening you can adjust the position and re-tighten.
- Oil cooler location - if you plan on changing your own oil or if your dealer is not familiar with where the oil cooler is, you'll want to know this as you must drain the oil cooler during oil changes. First remove the primary belly pan's 4 bolts in order to get to the main drain plug. To access the oil cooler, there is a second panel that must be removed. There are multiple plastic pins holding it in place, be careful when removing as they can break easily. Once the panel has been removed, the oil cooler is on the passenger side and the drain plug is located immediately after an elbow. The drain plug will be facing down and to the passenger side. See attached picture.
- Engineering mode: You can access an Engineering mode within UConnect that allows you to view numerous items. Disclaimer: I do not take responsibility if you break anything while in these screens! In order to access, hold both driver-side temperature buttons at the same time for 5-7 seconds and the menu should open.
- Dealer mode: You can access Dealer mode within UConnect. This is typically used by service technicians. For non-navigation units you can activate Navigation IF you have the 15-digit code that is generated elsewhere. Sorry, no free Navigation upgrades. Disclaimer: I do not take responsibility if you break anything while in these screens! In order to access, hold both driver-side temperature and front defrost button at the same time for 5-7 seconds and the menu should open.
- UConnect Screenshots: You can take screenshots of any screen, including back-up camera image as long as a USB thumb drive is plugged in. Once the drive is plugged in, hold both driver-side temperature and rear defrost button at the same time for 5-7 seconds. Make sure that your USB thumb drive does NOT have the swdl.iso file from a radio firmware upgrade on it!
- Driving in snow: I know a lot of owners will never let their Hellcat see snow or ice. For those owners (like myself) who choose to drive in these conditions anyway, or for those that may find themselves caught unexpectedly in snow/ice here are some tips. First off, if you have summer/3-season tires on your car, if at all possible do NOT drive in snow/ice! You may be able to 'get around' but it will be far from safe -- even if you get going, stopping and turning will be an issue and you will have to plan for things very much ahead of time and emergency maneuvers are pretty much out of the picture. More often than not, if it's a decent amount of snow you'll just be spinning and going nowhere. Now, if you have all-season (or even better, winter/snow tires) it's a different story and the Hellcat is perfectly capable of driving in snow/ice, just be careful of ground clearance as the front splitter can also serve a dual purpose as a snow plow. That said, I'd recommend driving in 500 HP mode as you really don't need the full power in these types of crappy conditions. If you have an A8 transmission, ECO Mode + 500 HP mode is even better as ECO Mode reduces throttle response and is therefore less prone to tire spin. When the tires do lose grip and if the rear end starts getting loose, remember to counter steer and NOT slam on the brakes! The TC and ESC systems do a good job of keeping things in check -- you probably only need to disable to get going then put it back to Street mode. If you have it all off, it's all on you and try to keep it between the ditches.
- Driver Information Display Bug: I've discovered a bug of sorts within the DID when resetting your fuel economy info. If your page #3 has 'Peak G-Force' selected and you at some point go to page #4 and reset your fuel economy all 4 values for 'Peak G-Force' get reset to 0.00. If I have the page to the right of 'Peak G-Force' (I believe it is lap timers) and then reset the fuel economy on page #4 the values remain. Took me a bit to realize this and was disappointed the first time it happened since I lost my previous high values.
- Forgotten (or unknown) PIN for Valet Mode: So, you've either forgot your one-time PIN for Valet mode or someone played an evil prank on you and enabled Valet Mode and won't tell you the PIN. There is a way around this. Disconnect both positive and negative terminals from the battery and leave disconnected for at least one minute then re-connect. Cycle your ignition to RUN position without touching the brake pedal. Hit the ignition button once more to get into OFF position. Start the car up and Valet mode has been cleared.
- Satin Hood Finish Care & Protection: If you have the satin hood option, or get your hood painted to mimic the satin hood option you should know that the satin finish requires difference maintenance than the rest of the car. Technically this also includes the spoiler and fuel filler door. Rather than go into details, see the attached PDF which is a Service Bulletin on the satin finish.
Oil Cooler Drain:
SUBJECT:
Satin Finish Care And Protection
OVERVIEW:
Satin paint is a unique exterior treatment that gives your Challenger SRT Hellcat a
distinctive appearance. Satin finishes are different from other automotive paints and need
special care to maintain their appearance. Typical gloss paints use a high gloss clear-coat
finish that reflects light and gives a shiny appearance. A satin finish uses a different
coating that diffuses light, providing a unique “flat” finish. Unlike a typical high gloss
clear-coat, damage to the satin coating (such as scratches or wear from aggressive
cleaning) cannot be polished or buffed out. Once an area is damaged or becomes shiny,
the “flat” appearance cannot be restored.
MODELS:
2015 (LA) Challenger SRT Hellcat
PARTS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
1 (AR) NPN Swissvax Brand Opaque Products And/Or Dr.
Beasley’s Brand Matte Series And/Or
Equivalent
2 (AR) NPN Wash Buckets With Grit Guard Inserts
1 (AR) 04318014AB Glass Cleaner
1 (AR) 04318020AD Total Clean
1 (AR) 04318068AB Windshield Washer Solvent
1 (AR) 04886330AC Super Kleen Bug, Tar & Spot Remover
1 (AR) NPN Meguiars M34 Mirror Glaze Final Inspection
1 (AR) NPN Car Wash Soap Designed Specifically For
Matte Paint
1 (AR) NPN Soft Car Wash Mitt, Wash Pad Or Microfiber
Sponge
1 (AR) NPN Hose And Sprayer With Shut-off Nozzle
(Optional: Pressure Washer With 45 Degree
Or Larger Tip And Pressure Less Than 1200
NUMBER: 23-031-14
GROUP: Body
DATE: October 16, 2014
Qty. Part No. Description
PSI Held At Least 12 Inches From The Paint)
1 (AR) NPN Microfiber Cloth
SATIN FINISH PROTECTION:
Treating your satin finish paint regularly with paint protection will protect the finish, make it
easier to keep clean, and prevent water spots from forming. Use products made
specifically for satin paint such as Swissvax Opaque Matte Paint Wax and Dr. Beasley’s
Matte Paint and Sealant.
•Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always test the product in a
hidden area before using in a visible area.
•Apply the product evenly with a minimum amount of wiping to prevent burnishing the satin
finish.
NOTE: Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion; avoid circular
motions, which can leave swirls in the finish.
AREAS THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL CARE:
• Areas such as fuel door, spoiler and hood that are touched regularly are more prone to
texture changes. These areas will develop a shiny, smooth appearance due to polishing
from repetitive contact. It is preferable to use clean gloves; otherwise, ensure hands are
clean and free of oils or lotions.
• Gasoline will degrade the top coat of the matte finish. Spills and drips around the fuel
door will result in shiny areas in the pattern of the contamination. Always use clean towels
to protect the painted surface around the fuel door from inadvertent fuel drips or splashes.
•Water spots may form on the fuel door, hood and spoiler and will permanently change
surface texture if allowed to repeatedly dry and leave mineral deposits. The deposits and
efforts to clean the area will polish the surface and result in shiny lines.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE TIPS:
To maintain your vehicle’s Satin paint appearance for many years to come, please refer to
the following care and maintenance tips:
DO NOT:
• Do not use commercial car wash facilities or their shine enhancement products. Most car
wash brushes, large mechanized towels and shine enhancement products can damage
satin paint.
•Do not use wax, detail spray, Armor All® or any products made for high gloss paint. Only
use products specifically developed for satin finish paint.
•Do not use products that are even mildly abrasive, such as polishes, glazes or rubbing
compounds.
•Do not use mechanical cleaners or polishers.
•Do not use terry cloth, cloth or paper towels.
•Do not rub the finish vigorously. This will burnish the paint finish, causing a permanent
shiny spot. Shiny spots cannot be removed.
•Do not wipe the vehicle in a circular motion; lightly wipe the surface in a forward and
backward motion.
•Do not use any products that are not listed under the Parts/Equipment required area of
this service bulletin.
DO:
• Remove foreign substances such as insect remains, tar and road debris using a soft
applicator and a mild solvent; saturate and soak area before cleaning — rub lightly.
• Hand-wash with a soft wash mitt and mild cleaning products safe for satin paint (see
Satin Finish Care Resources).
• Use microfiber cleaning cloths with alcohol-based and ammonia-free window cleaner for
basic surface clean-up.
SPOT CLEANING:
The preferred method for removing dirt and debris is pressure washing (see Washing Your
Car), but for those times when you need to do a quick spot cleaning to remove tree sap or
road debris before it causes damage to the finish, follow these recommendations:
GENERAL SPOT CLEANING PROCEDURE:
• Apply window cleaner or satin paint cleaner to a cloth and surface to be cleaned; do not
wipe a dry towel on paint finish — a dry towel will damage the finish.
• Soak the spot and allow it to soften.
• Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion; avoid circular motions, which
can leave swirls in the finish.
• Rinse with water so cleaning product does not remain on finish.
• Repeat if necessary.
REMOVING NATURAL STAINS AND ROAD DEBRIS:
• Spray the stained area with water to remove any loose debris.
• Spray the area with an alcohol-based window cleaner, satin paint cleanser, or a solution
of 50% alcohol / 50% deionized water.
• Apply cleaning product on a damp microfiber sponge or microfiber towel.
• Wipe car finish lightly to remove debris.
• Dry with a clean, damp microfiber soft cloth.
• Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion; avoid circular motions, which
can leave swirls in the finish.
REMOVING TAR OR TREE SAP:
• Spray the stained area with water to remove any loose debris.
• Dampen remaining debris with tar remover and allow it to soak.
• In a controlled indoor environment apply tar remover to damp microfiber soft cloth and
follow manufactures recommendations.
• Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion to remove debris; avoid
circular motions, which can leave swirls in the finish. Minimize rubbing and let the solvent
do the work.
• Once debris is removed, wash with satin paint finish soap, using a damp microfiber soft
cloth, then rinse well with water.
• Dry with a clean, damp microfiber soft cloth.
23-031-14 -4-
NOTE: Saturate a microfiber soft cloth with tar remover and place it on the debris to
soak for five minutes before washing.
PRE-WASHING/WASHING:
Inspect the entire vehicle for areas with heavy soiling or spots, and if necessary, treat
these areas first.
NOTE: Always test cleaning products in a hidden area before using in a visible area.
HAND WASH FOR BEST RESULTS:
For hand washing, park the vehicle in a cool shaded area out of direct sunlight. Read the
following procedures thoroughly and prepare your equipment and supplies before soaping
up the car.
PRESSURE WASHING:
• Pressure washing (with pressure no greater than 1200 psi) is the best way to remove
heavy soiling before washing your vehicle. Use a 45 degree or larger fan tip and hold it at
least 12 inches from the paint.
WHEELS:
• If you plan to clean the wheels, do this before washing the car. Use a Mopar Tire and
Wheel Cleaner developed for cleaning coated alloy wheels. Do not drive the vehicle until
the product has set to prevent it from contacting the satin finish. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• Due to the high performance nature of the brake system, the wheels will get coated with
brake dust. It is recommended that Mopar® Wheel Cleaner be used on your wheels to
avoid any possible damage to the finish, except if equipped with Dark Vapor or Black Satin
Chrome wheels, then you must only use mild soap and water and a soft cloth. Please see
your Owner’s Manual for further information.
WASH PROCEDURE:
• Pre-rinse the vehicle with a hose or pressure washer to cool it and to remove large
pieces of dirt that can scratch the paint.
NOTE: Keep the hose nearby for frequent rinsing.
• Prepare one bucket (with dirt separator grid at the bottom) with satin paint car wash
solution and water, according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Fill a second bucket with clean water for rinsing the wash mitt. When washing the vehicle,
always rinse the wash mitt to ensure it is clean before placing it into the wash solution.
• Soak the soft car wash mitt, wash pad or microfiber sponge in the wash solution.
• Wash the vehicle lightly, working in small sections from the top to the bottom.
• Wash a section of the vehicle then rinse completely before moving to another section.
• Continue the wash and rinse steps for each section until the car is clean.
DRYING:
• For best appearance, use a clean damp chamois, sponge cloth or microfiber towel to dry
-5- 23-031-14
your vehicle before it air dries. If the paint surface is starting to air dry, dampen the areas
that you are not drying. Water blades are not recommended for drying the satin finish.
NOTE: Keep the clean sections wet as you finish the next section. This thoroughly
rinses any remaining soap residue and prevents water spots from forming.
POLICY:
Information Only.
Fig. 1 Areas That Require Additional Care
- From the factory, your car will not honk the horn when you lock the doors. Go in to Settings, Doors & Locks, and make sure that 'Sound Horn With Lock' is selected.
- Different themes for your 8" touchscreen can be set. There are multiple themes for red and blue colors. I prefer theme #6 (blue). To access, go into Settings, Display, Set Theme.
- Accessing the Drive Modes screen is as simple as pressing the SRT button. Quickly pressing the SRT button twice will not only bring up the Drive Modes screen but also put it in your Custom mode.
- Track and Sport drive modes only allow you to configure the HP level (500/700+). However, if you want to drive in one of those modes temporarily but still want full traction control (I recommend keeping the traction control on Street most of the time) you can achieve this by selecting the Drive Mode you want and then pressing the T/C button and cycle through until you are back in Street mode. This WILL be reflected on the Drive Modes screen. This saves you from re-configuring your Custom Drive Mode.
- For A8 owners: When driving in ECO mode, paddle shifters are disabled, however if you wish to manually shift you CAN shift with the shifter by moving the shifter over to 'M'. This is useful if you wish to engine brake to slow down to reduce brake dust being put on the rims. I haven't confirmed yet if this is available in Valet mode. I know the paddle shifters are disabled, but not sure if you can shift with 'M' or not. Edit: Confirmed that it works the same in Valet mode.
- Based on a recent post I want to put this out there.. If you're going to put your car on a dyno, make sure the ABS Fuse (#36 in the Front Distribution Center) is pulled before making a pull. Otherwise, your ABS will want to intervene since the front wheels are stationary and your rear wheels are moving at a high rate of speed. This ends up cooking your rear brakes and therefore will not put down as much power. Your T/C, ESC and 'BRAKE' lights will be illuminated in the dash -- don't worry as this is normal since the ABS is pulled. You will not need to turn off T/C as it will already be done from pulling the fuse. Remember to re-install the fuse when you're done!
- If you're frustrated with the load times for the SRT Performance Pages and just want to quickly read some info, nearly all of the same functionality is available through the DID (Driver Information Display). You can access gauges, current and past performance data much quicker this way. There also seems to be less lag (at least to me) on these gauges rather than the Performance Pages gauges.
- Hood height adjustment - if your hood's height is slightly off it can be adjusted by the opening the hood adjusting the posts near the front of the engine compartment. Pretty self-explanatory. Adjust down to lower, adjust up to raise.
- Exhaust tip adjustment - if your exhaust tips are crooked or otherwise misaligned they can be adjusted. There is a single bolt (I believe 13mm if I remember right, somebody correct me if I'm wrong) holding each tip on. After loosening you can adjust the position and re-tighten.
- Oil cooler location - if you plan on changing your own oil or if your dealer is not familiar with where the oil cooler is, you'll want to know this as you must drain the oil cooler during oil changes. First remove the primary belly pan's 4 bolts in order to get to the main drain plug. To access the oil cooler, there is a second panel that must be removed. There are multiple plastic pins holding it in place, be careful when removing as they can break easily. Once the panel has been removed, the oil cooler is on the passenger side and the drain plug is located immediately after an elbow. The drain plug will be facing down and to the passenger side. See attached picture.
- Engineering mode: You can access an Engineering mode within UConnect that allows you to view numerous items. Disclaimer: I do not take responsibility if you break anything while in these screens! In order to access, hold both driver-side temperature buttons at the same time for 5-7 seconds and the menu should open.
- Dealer mode: You can access Dealer mode within UConnect. This is typically used by service technicians. For non-navigation units you can activate Navigation IF you have the 15-digit code that is generated elsewhere. Sorry, no free Navigation upgrades. Disclaimer: I do not take responsibility if you break anything while in these screens! In order to access, hold both driver-side temperature and front defrost button at the same time for 5-7 seconds and the menu should open.
- UConnect Screenshots: You can take screenshots of any screen, including back-up camera image as long as a USB thumb drive is plugged in. Once the drive is plugged in, hold both driver-side temperature and rear defrost button at the same time for 5-7 seconds. Make sure that your USB thumb drive does NOT have the swdl.iso file from a radio firmware upgrade on it!
- Driving in snow: I know a lot of owners will never let their Hellcat see snow or ice. For those owners (like myself) who choose to drive in these conditions anyway, or for those that may find themselves caught unexpectedly in snow/ice here are some tips. First off, if you have summer/3-season tires on your car, if at all possible do NOT drive in snow/ice! You may be able to 'get around' but it will be far from safe -- even if you get going, stopping and turning will be an issue and you will have to plan for things very much ahead of time and emergency maneuvers are pretty much out of the picture. More often than not, if it's a decent amount of snow you'll just be spinning and going nowhere. Now, if you have all-season (or even better, winter/snow tires) it's a different story and the Hellcat is perfectly capable of driving in snow/ice, just be careful of ground clearance as the front splitter can also serve a dual purpose as a snow plow. That said, I'd recommend driving in 500 HP mode as you really don't need the full power in these types of crappy conditions. If you have an A8 transmission, ECO Mode + 500 HP mode is even better as ECO Mode reduces throttle response and is therefore less prone to tire spin. When the tires do lose grip and if the rear end starts getting loose, remember to counter steer and NOT slam on the brakes! The TC and ESC systems do a good job of keeping things in check -- you probably only need to disable to get going then put it back to Street mode. If you have it all off, it's all on you and try to keep it between the ditches.
- Driver Information Display Bug: I've discovered a bug of sorts within the DID when resetting your fuel economy info. If your page #3 has 'Peak G-Force' selected and you at some point go to page #4 and reset your fuel economy all 4 values for 'Peak G-Force' get reset to 0.00. If I have the page to the right of 'Peak G-Force' (I believe it is lap timers) and then reset the fuel economy on page #4 the values remain. Took me a bit to realize this and was disappointed the first time it happened since I lost my previous high values.- Forgotten (or unknown) PIN for Valet Mode: So, you've either forgot your one-time PIN for Valet mode or someone played an evil prank on you and enabled Valet Mode and won't tell you the PIN. There is a way around this. Disconnect both positive and negative terminals from the battery and leave disconnected for at least one minute then re-connect. Cycle your ignition to RUN position without touching the brake pedal. Hit the ignition button once more to get into OFF position. Start the car up and Valet mode has been cleared.
- Satin Hood Finish Care & Protection: If you have the satin hood option, or get your hood painted to mimic the satin hood option you should know that the satin finish requires difference maintenance than the rest of the car. Technically this also includes the spoiler and fuel filler door. Rather than go into details, see the attached PDF which is a Service Bulletin on the satin finish.
Oil Cooler Drain:
SUBJECT:
Satin Finish Care And Protection
OVERVIEW:
Satin paint is a unique exterior treatment that gives your Challenger SRT Hellcat a
distinctive appearance. Satin finishes are different from other automotive paints and need
special care to maintain their appearance. Typical gloss paints use a high gloss clear-coat
finish that reflects light and gives a shiny appearance. A satin finish uses a different
coating that diffuses light, providing a unique “flat” finish. Unlike a typical high gloss
clear-coat, damage to the satin coating (such as scratches or wear from aggressive
cleaning) cannot be polished or buffed out. Once an area is damaged or becomes shiny,
the “flat” appearance cannot be restored.
MODELS:
2015 (LA) Challenger SRT Hellcat
PARTS/EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
1 (AR) NPN Swissvax Brand Opaque Products And/Or Dr.
Beasley’s Brand Matte Series And/Or
Equivalent
2 (AR) NPN Wash Buckets With Grit Guard Inserts
1 (AR) 04318014AB Glass Cleaner
1 (AR) 04318020AD Total Clean
1 (AR) 04318068AB Windshield Washer Solvent
1 (AR) 04886330AC Super Kleen Bug, Tar & Spot Remover
1 (AR) NPN Meguiars M34 Mirror Glaze Final Inspection
1 (AR) NPN Car Wash Soap Designed Specifically For
Matte Paint
1 (AR) NPN Soft Car Wash Mitt, Wash Pad Or Microfiber
Sponge
1 (AR) NPN Hose And Sprayer With Shut-off Nozzle
(Optional: Pressure Washer With 45 Degree
Or Larger Tip And Pressure Less Than 1200
NUMBER: 23-031-14
GROUP: Body
DATE: October 16, 2014
Qty. Part No. Description
PSI Held At Least 12 Inches From The Paint)
1 (AR) NPN Microfiber Cloth
SATIN FINISH PROTECTION:
Treating your satin finish paint regularly with paint protection will protect the finish, make it
easier to keep clean, and prevent water spots from forming. Use products made
specifically for satin paint such as Swissvax Opaque Matte Paint Wax and Dr. Beasley’s
Matte Paint and Sealant.
•Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always test the product in a
hidden area before using in a visible area.
•Apply the product evenly with a minimum amount of wiping to prevent burnishing the satin
finish.
NOTE: Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion; avoid circular
motions, which can leave swirls in the finish.
AREAS THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL CARE:
• Areas such as fuel door, spoiler and hood that are touched regularly are more prone to
texture changes. These areas will develop a shiny, smooth appearance due to polishing
from repetitive contact. It is preferable to use clean gloves; otherwise, ensure hands are
clean and free of oils or lotions.
• Gasoline will degrade the top coat of the matte finish. Spills and drips around the fuel
door will result in shiny areas in the pattern of the contamination. Always use clean towels
to protect the painted surface around the fuel door from inadvertent fuel drips or splashes.
•Water spots may form on the fuel door, hood and spoiler and will permanently change
surface texture if allowed to repeatedly dry and leave mineral deposits. The deposits and
efforts to clean the area will polish the surface and result in shiny lines.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE TIPS:
To maintain your vehicle’s Satin paint appearance for many years to come, please refer to
the following care and maintenance tips:
DO NOT:
• Do not use commercial car wash facilities or their shine enhancement products. Most car
wash brushes, large mechanized towels and shine enhancement products can damage
satin paint.
•Do not use wax, detail spray, Armor All® or any products made for high gloss paint. Only
use products specifically developed for satin finish paint.
•Do not use products that are even mildly abrasive, such as polishes, glazes or rubbing
compounds.
•Do not use mechanical cleaners or polishers.
•Do not use terry cloth, cloth or paper towels.
•Do not rub the finish vigorously. This will burnish the paint finish, causing a permanent
shiny spot. Shiny spots cannot be removed.
•Do not wipe the vehicle in a circular motion; lightly wipe the surface in a forward and
backward motion.
•Do not use any products that are not listed under the Parts/Equipment required area of
this service bulletin.
DO:
• Remove foreign substances such as insect remains, tar and road debris using a soft
applicator and a mild solvent; saturate and soak area before cleaning — rub lightly.
• Hand-wash with a soft wash mitt and mild cleaning products safe for satin paint (see
Satin Finish Care Resources).
• Use microfiber cleaning cloths with alcohol-based and ammonia-free window cleaner for
basic surface clean-up.
SPOT CLEANING:
The preferred method for removing dirt and debris is pressure washing (see Washing Your
Car), but for those times when you need to do a quick spot cleaning to remove tree sap or
road debris before it causes damage to the finish, follow these recommendations:
GENERAL SPOT CLEANING PROCEDURE:
• Apply window cleaner or satin paint cleaner to a cloth and surface to be cleaned; do not
wipe a dry towel on paint finish — a dry towel will damage the finish.
• Soak the spot and allow it to soften.
• Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion; avoid circular motions, which
can leave swirls in the finish.
• Rinse with water so cleaning product does not remain on finish.
• Repeat if necessary.
REMOVING NATURAL STAINS AND ROAD DEBRIS:
• Spray the stained area with water to remove any loose debris.
• Spray the area with an alcohol-based window cleaner, satin paint cleanser, or a solution
of 50% alcohol / 50% deionized water.
• Apply cleaning product on a damp microfiber sponge or microfiber towel.
• Wipe car finish lightly to remove debris.
• Dry with a clean, damp microfiber soft cloth.
• Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion; avoid circular motions, which
can leave swirls in the finish.
REMOVING TAR OR TREE SAP:
• Spray the stained area with water to remove any loose debris.
• Dampen remaining debris with tar remover and allow it to soak.
• In a controlled indoor environment apply tar remover to damp microfiber soft cloth and
follow manufactures recommendations.
• Lightly wipe the surface in a forward and backward motion to remove debris; avoid
circular motions, which can leave swirls in the finish. Minimize rubbing and let the solvent
do the work.
• Once debris is removed, wash with satin paint finish soap, using a damp microfiber soft
cloth, then rinse well with water.
• Dry with a clean, damp microfiber soft cloth.
23-031-14 -4-
NOTE: Saturate a microfiber soft cloth with tar remover and place it on the debris to
soak for five minutes before washing.
PRE-WASHING/WASHING:
Inspect the entire vehicle for areas with heavy soiling or spots, and if necessary, treat
these areas first.
NOTE: Always test cleaning products in a hidden area before using in a visible area.
HAND WASH FOR BEST RESULTS:
For hand washing, park the vehicle in a cool shaded area out of direct sunlight. Read the
following procedures thoroughly and prepare your equipment and supplies before soaping
up the car.
PRESSURE WASHING:
• Pressure washing (with pressure no greater than 1200 psi) is the best way to remove
heavy soiling before washing your vehicle. Use a 45 degree or larger fan tip and hold it at
least 12 inches from the paint.
WHEELS:
• If you plan to clean the wheels, do this before washing the car. Use a Mopar Tire and
Wheel Cleaner developed for cleaning coated alloy wheels. Do not drive the vehicle until
the product has set to prevent it from contacting the satin finish. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• Due to the high performance nature of the brake system, the wheels will get coated with
brake dust. It is recommended that Mopar® Wheel Cleaner be used on your wheels to
avoid any possible damage to the finish, except if equipped with Dark Vapor or Black Satin
Chrome wheels, then you must only use mild soap and water and a soft cloth. Please see
your Owner’s Manual for further information.
WASH PROCEDURE:
• Pre-rinse the vehicle with a hose or pressure washer to cool it and to remove large
pieces of dirt that can scratch the paint.
NOTE: Keep the hose nearby for frequent rinsing.
• Prepare one bucket (with dirt separator grid at the bottom) with satin paint car wash
solution and water, according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Fill a second bucket with clean water for rinsing the wash mitt. When washing the vehicle,
always rinse the wash mitt to ensure it is clean before placing it into the wash solution.
• Soak the soft car wash mitt, wash pad or microfiber sponge in the wash solution.
• Wash the vehicle lightly, working in small sections from the top to the bottom.
• Wash a section of the vehicle then rinse completely before moving to another section.
• Continue the wash and rinse steps for each section until the car is clean.
DRYING:
• For best appearance, use a clean damp chamois, sponge cloth or microfiber towel to dry
-5- 23-031-14
your vehicle before it air dries. If the paint surface is starting to air dry, dampen the areas
that you are not drying. Water blades are not recommended for drying the satin finish.
NOTE: Keep the clean sections wet as you finish the next section. This thoroughly
rinses any remaining soap residue and prevents water spots from forming.
POLICY:
Information Only.
Fig. 1 Areas That Require Additional Care
-
3
-
3
- Show All
