Vehicle Segment:
Mid-size Station Wagon / Sportwagon
Target Audience:
Families, individuals seeking a practical and performance-oriented American wagon.
Key Competitors:
Subaru Outback, Audi A4/A6 Avant, Volvo V70, BMW 3 Series Touring (though often with a more premium price point).
Design Philosophy:
American muscle car styling applied to a versatile wagon body, offering a unique blend of performance and utility.
Powertrain Options:
Offered with powerful V6 and V8 engines, distinguishing it from many European competitors.
Interior Practicality:
Spacious cargo area, comfortable seating for five, rear-wheel-drive biased platform providing engaging driving dynamics.
Primary Coverage:
Vehicle features, controls, maintenance schedules, basic DIY service, towing, and safety.
Estimated Page Count:
Approximately 350-450 pages (typical for this model year and type of manual)
Manual Type:
Owner's Manual
Engine Systems:
Engine operation, fluid levels (oil, coolant, washer fluid), basic maintenance checks.
Transmission Systems:
Transmission fluid checks (if applicable to owner checks), gear selection, operation.
Brakes And Suspension:
Brake fluid checks, parking brake operation, general suspension system information.
Electrical Systems:
Fuse box locations and functions, indicator lights, basic electrical component operation (lights, wipers).
Interior And Exterior:
Seat adjustments, climate control, audio system, door locks, lighting controls, windshield wipers, mirrors.
Safety Systems:
Airbag system operation, seatbelt usage, child restraint systems, ABS operation explanation.
Maintenance Procedures:
Oil and filter change guidance (basic), tire pressure checks, fluid level checks, battery terminal cleaning.
Troubleshooting Procedures:
Explanation of dashboard warning lights and their meanings, basic troubleshooting for common issues.
Towing Procedures:
Towing capacity limits, trailer wiring information, recommended towing practices, towing vehicle setup.
Safety Procedures:
Emergency procedures, safe driving practices, winter driving tips, accident reporting.
Diagnostic Depth:
Owner-level diagnostics; not intended for in-depth mechanical repair or advanced diagnostics.
Repair Depth:
Limited DIY repair guidance, focusing on very basic maintenance and user-replaceable components.
Maintenance Depth:
Comprehensive owner-level maintenance schedules and explanations of required services.
Engine Code Base:
EGA (3.5L V6)
Engine Displacement Base:
3.5 Liters (215 cu in)
Engine Type Base:
SOHC V6
Horsepower Base:
250 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque Base:
250 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm
Engine Code Optional 1:
N/A for 2008 (base 3.5L and 5.7L HEMI available)
Engine Displacement Optional 1:
5.7 Liters (345 cu in)
Engine Type Optional 1:
SOHC V8 HEMI with MDS (Multi-Displacement System)
Horsepower Optional 1:
340 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque Optional 1:
390 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI)
Fuel Type:
Unleaded Gasoline (87 octane recommended for 3.5L, 89 octane recommended for 5.7L HEMI)
Passenger Volume:
Approximately 103.4 cubic feet
Cargo Volume Behind Rear Seats:
Approximately 29.7 cubic feet
Cargo Volume With Rear Seats Folded:
Approximately 67.6 cubic feet
Curb Weight Base Model:
Approximately 3,700 lbs (3.5L V6)
Curb Weight Srt8 Model:
Approximately 4,150 lbs (for reference, though not the focus of this manual)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Gvwr:
Approximately 4,700 - 4,900 lbs depending on configuration
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
5 Stars (for model years around 2007-2008)
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
5 Stars (for model years around 2007-2008)
NHTSA Side Impact Front Seat:
5 Stars (for model years around 2007-2008)
NHTSA Side Impact Rear Seat:
4 Stars (for model years around 2007-2008)
IIHS Front Offset Crash Rating:
Good (for model years around 2007-2008)
IIHS Side Impact Crash Rating:
Good (for model years around 2007-2008)
Antilock Brakes ABS:
Standard
Electronic Stability Control Esc:
Optional (often part of a package)
Traction Control System TCS:
Standard
Airbags Front:
Advanced front airbags
Airbags Side:
Front side-impact airbags
Airbags Curtain:
Optional front and rear side-curtain airbags
Seatbelts:
3-point seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters
Child Safety:
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system
Audio System Options:
Standard AM/FM/CD player, optional Boston Acoustics premium audio system, optional SiriusXM satellite radio.
Navigation System:
Optional factory navigation system (typically a touch-screen unit).
Parking Assist:
Optional rear parking assist sensors.
Auxiliary Input:
Optional auxiliary audio input jack.
Oil Change Interval:
Every 3,000-10,000 miles or 3-12 months, depending on oil type and driving conditions (refer to manual for specific recommendation).
Tire Rotation Interval:
Every 7,500 miles or as recommended by tire wear.
Engine Air Filter Replacement:
Every 15,000-30,000 miles or as needed based on inspection.
Cabin Air Filter Replacement:
Every 12,000-20,000 miles or annually.
Engine Oil Specification 3.5L:
SAE 5W-20 Synthetic Blend (API Certified)
Engine Oil Capacity 3.5L:
Approximately 6.0 quarts (5.7 Liters)
Engine Oil Specification 5.7L Hemi:
SAE 5W-20 Synthetic (API Certified)
Engine Oil Capacity 5.7L Hemi:
Approximately 7.0 quarts (6.6 Liters)
Coolant Specification:
Chrysler Type MS-9769 (OAT) / HOAT (Orange)
Transmission Fluid Specification:
ATF+4 (Automatic Transmission Fluid Type 9602)
Brake Fluid Specification:
DOT 3
Common Issue 1:
Water pump leaks, especially on V8 models.
Common Issue 2:
Early versions of the automatic transmission (W5A580) could be prone to occasional harsh shifts or transmission control module issues.
Common Issue 3:
Chrysler's multi-displacement system (MDS) on the HEMI can sometimes have issues with lifters or oil pressure if not maintained properly.
Common Issue 4:
Power steering pump leaks or noise.
Common Issue 5:
Interior rattles and trim pieces can become loose over time.
Brand Focus:
Dodge, a division of Chrysler, has a long history of producing performance-oriented American vehicles, often with bold styling.
Model Introduction:
The Dodge Magnum was reintroduced for the 2005 model year, based on the Chrysler LX platform (shared with the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger).
Second Generation Details:
The 2008 model represents the final year of the second generation. It received minor updates and package adjustments over its production run.
Production Period:
2005-2008
Manufacturing Location:
Brampton Assembly Plant, Ontario, Canada