🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Dodge

Model:

Charger

Year:

2008

Generation Code:

LX (2006-2010)

Vin Model Year Code:

8

👋 Introduction

Positioning:

Full-size sedan positioned as a blend of sporty performance, comfortable cruising, and American muscle car heritage. Competed with vehicles like the Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, and Toyota Avalon.

Key Competitors:

Chevrolet Impala, Ford Five Hundred/Taurus, Toyota Avalon, Buick LaCrosse.

Design:

Aggressive styling, rear-wheel-drive platform (available AWD), spacious interior, powerful engine options.

Performance:

V6 and V8 engine options offering strong acceleration and highway cruising capability.

Practicality:

Comfortable seating for five, usable trunk space, suitable for daily driving and long trips.

📋 Manual Details

Features And Controls:

True

Maintenance Schedules:

True

Do It Yourself Activities:

True

Towing Considerations:

True

Safety Considerations:

True

Estimated Page Count:

Approx. 300-400 pages (typical for this era's full owner's manuals)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital (PDF)

📖 Manual Coverage

Powertrain:

Engine operation, cooling, lubrication, fuel, exhaust systems.

Drivetrain:

Transmission operation (automatic), driveshaft, differential.

Chassis:

Suspension, steering, brakes (ABS, EBD), wheels, tires.

Electrical:

Battery, charging system, lighting, wipers, horn, power accessories, instrument cluster.

Body:

Doors, windows, locks, seats, interior trim, exterior features.

Climate Control:

HVAC system operation, manual and automatic climate control.

Infotainment:

Radio, CD player, navigation (if equipped), audio system controls.

Safety Systems:

Airbags, seat belts, child restraint systems (LATCH), tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Basic Operation:

Starting and stopping the engine, gear selection, parking, use of controls.

Instrument Panel:

Understanding gauges, warning lights, and indicators.

Maintenance Checks:

Checking and topping off fluids (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, light bulb replacement.

Tire Changing:

Procedure for changing a flat tire, using the spare and jack.

Jump Starting:

Safe procedures for jump-starting a dead battery.

Towing Guidelines:

Recommendations for towing trailers, including weight limits and hitch setup.

Roadside Emergencies:

Basic troubleshooting for common issues, emergency procedures.

Depth:

Focuses on owner-level understanding and basic maintenance. Does not cover in-depth diagnostics or repair procedures requiring specialized tools.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

PDF

Searchability:

Text-searchable PDF (allows for keyword searching).

Quality:

High-resolution, suitable for printing.

Type:

N/A (Digital)

Type:

N/A (Digital)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Option 1:

3.5L (3497cc) SOHC V6 (DOHC for later years, but 2008 predominantly SOHC EGJ)

Displacement V6:

3.5 Liters

Horsepower V6:

250 hp @ 6400 rpm

Torque V6:

250 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm

Engine Option 2:

5.7L (5654cc) HEMI® OHV V8 (EZD)

Displacement V8:

5.7 Liters

Horsepower V8:

350 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque V8:

380 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Engine Option 3:

6.1L (6059cc) HEMI® SRT V8 (ESF)

Displacement Srt V8:

6.1 Liters

Horsepower Srt V8:

425 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque Srt V8:

420 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

Fuel Economy V6 Est:

Approx. 17 MPG City / 25 MPG Highway

Fuel Economy V8 Est:

Approx. 15 MPG City / 22 MPG Highway

System:

Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (MPI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded Regular (87 octane recommended, 89+ for HEMI for optimal performance)

🔧 Transmission

Standard Transmission:

4-Speed Automatic (42RLE)

Optional Transmission:

5-Speed Automatic (W5A580) - Often paired with HEMI engines and AWD

AWD Availability:

All-Wheel Drive available on select V6 and R/T HEMI models.

Sequential Shift:

Autostick manual shifting capability on some automatic transmissions.

📐 Dimensions

Length:

Approx. 196.2 inches

Width:

Approx. 74.4 inches

Height:

Approx. 58.4 inches

Wheelbase:

Approx. 116.0 inches

Passenger Volume:

Approx. 100.7 cu ft

Trunk Volume:

Approx. 16.0 cu ft

Curb Weight V6:

Approx. 3,700 - 4,000 lbs

Curb Weight V8:

Approx. 3,900 - 4,200 lbs

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:

Approx. 4,750 - 5,200 lbs (varies by engine/drivetrain)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Front Impact Driver:

5-Star (for 2008 model year)

NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:

5-Star (for 2008 model year)

NHTSA Side Impact Front Seat:

5-Star (for 2008 model year)

NHTSA Side Impact Rear Seat:

5-Star (for 2008 model year)

IIHS Front Offset Crash Test:

Good (for 2008 model year)

IIHS Side Impact Crash Test:

Good (for 2008 model year)

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Traction Control:

Standard Traction Control System (TCS)

Electronic Stability Control:

Available Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - often referred to as ESP or Stability Program.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System:

Standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Airbags:

Standard front airbags, available front side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags.

Seat Belts:

Three-point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Child Restraint:

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Standard AM/FM/CD player. Optional premium Boston Acoustics sound system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and Uconnect infotainment system with voice recognition and Bluetooth for hands-free calling (on higher trims/options).

Navigation:

Optional factory navigation system available.

Parking Sensors:

Optional rear park assist sensors.

Cruise Control:

Standard cruise control.

Auxiliary Input:

Standard auxiliary audio input jack (on most models).

Usb Port:

Rarely standard on this model year; typically found in later updates or aftermarket.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Every 5,000 - 7,500 miles or 6 months, depending on driving conditions and oil type used. Refer to manual for specific recommendations.

Tire Rotation:

Every 6,000 - 8,000 miles.

Coolant Flush:

Initial flush at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles thereafter (or as specified in manual).

Transmission Fluid Change:

Check at 30,000 miles, change if necessary. For severe service, check more frequently. Refer to manual for fluid type (e.g., ATF+4 for 42RLE).

Engine Oil:

SAE 5W-20 (API Certified, often synthetic blend or full synthetic recommended, especially for HEMI).

Engine Coolant:

Mopar OAT (Organic Additive Technology) Antifreeze/Coolant, HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology) compatible, typically purple or orange/red depending on formulation. Do NOT mix types.

Brake Fluid:

DOT 3 or DOT 4.

Power Steering Fluid:

Mopar Power Steering Fluid or equivalent (often a universal type).

Common Issues V6:

Eccentric shaft sensor failures (leading to rough idle/stalling), occasional oil leaks from valve covers. Some early models experienced issues with the 42RLE transmission.

Common Issues Hemi:

MDS (Multi-Displacement System) lifter issues (tapping or clicking noise), spark plug fouling on early HEMIs. Some report caliper piston seal leaks.

Common Issues General:

Water pump leaks (especially on V8s), sometimes alternator failures, minor electrical gremlins, rust in wheel wells and rocker panels on older vehicles.

📚 Vehicle History

Brand History:

Dodge, a division of Chrysler, has a long history of producing performance-oriented vehicles and muscle cars, making the Charger nameplate highly significant.

Generation Details:

The 2008 Charger is part of the second generation of the LX platform Charger (introduced for 2006). This generation revived the Charger as a four-door sedan, moving away from its coupe predecessors, but retaining rear-wheel drive and powerful engine options.

Manufacturing Plant:

Brampton Assembly Plant, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Production Years:

2006-2010 (for this generation).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Awards General:

The 2008 Dodge Charger received generally positive reviews for its performance, styling, and comfort. It was often praised for its value proposition in the full-size sedan segment.

Consumer Reports Rating:

Varies by specific model year and engine, generally mid-pack for reliability in this era.

Federal Certification:

Compliant with all applicable US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for 2008.