engine DODGE AVENGER 2013 2.G Owners Manual

JUMP-STARTING
If your vehicle has a discharged battery it can be jump-
started using a set of jumper cables and a battery in
another vehicle or by using a portable battery booster
pack. Jump-starting can be dangerous if done improperly
so please follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:When using a portable battery booster pack
follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and
precautions.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or any
other booster source with a system voltage greater
than 12 Volts or damage to the battery, starter motor,
alternator or electrical system may occur.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump-starting if the battery is frozen.
It could rupture or explode and cause personal injury.
Preparations For Jump-Start
The battery in your vehicle is located between the left
front headlight assembly and the left front wheel splash
shield. To allow jump-starting there are remote battery
posts located on the left side of the engine compartment.
412 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Failure to follow these procedures could result in
damage to the charging system of the booster vehicle
or the discharged vehicle.
1. Connect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable to the
remote positive (+)post of the discharged vehicle.
2. Connect the opposite end of the positive (+)jumper
cable to the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
3. Connect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable to the
negative (-)post of the booster battery.
4. Connect the opposite end of the negative (-)jumper
cable to the remote negative (-)post of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.
WARNING!
Do not connect the cable to the negative post (-) of the
discharged battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode and could result in
personal injury.
5.
Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery, let the engine idle a few minutes, and then start
the engine in the vehicle with the discharged battery.
Once the engine is started, remove the jumper cables in
the reverse sequence:
6. Disconnect the negative (-)jumper cable from the
remote negative (-)post of the vehicle with the dis-
charged battery.
7. Disconnect the negative end (-)of the jumper cable
from the negative (-)post of the booster battery.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 415

8. Disconnect the opposite end of the positive(+)jumper
cable from the positive (+)post of the booster battery.
9. Disconnect the positive (+)end of the jumper cable
from the remote positive (+)post of the discharged
vehicle.
10. Reinstall the protective cover over the remote posi- tive (+)battery post of the discharged vehicle.
If frequent jump-starting is required to start your vehicle,
you should have the battery and charging system in-
spected at your authorized dealer.
CAUTION!
Accessories plugged into the vehicle power outlets
draw power from the vehicle’s battery, even when not
in use (i.e., cellular phones, etc.). Eventually, if
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
plugged in long enough without engine operation,
the vehicle’s battery will discharge sufficiently to
degrade battery life and/or prevent the engine from
starting.
FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand, or snow, it
can often be moved using a rocking motion. Turn the
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between DRIVE
and REVERSE, while gently pressing the accelerator. Use
the least amount of accelerator pedal pressure that will
maintain the rocking motion, without spinning the
wheels, or racing the engine.
416 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels may lead to
transmission overheating and failure. Allow the en-
gine to idle with the transmission in NEUTRAL for at
least one minute after every five rocking-motion
cycles. This will minimize overheating and reduce
the risk of transmission failure during prolonged
efforts to free a stuck vehicle.
NOTE: Press the ESC Off switch, to place the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) system in Partial Offmode,
before rocking the vehicle. Refer to “Electronic Brake
Control” in “Starting And Operating” for further infor-
mation. Once the vehicle has been freed, press the ESC
Off switch again to restore ESC Onmode.
CAUTION!
•When “rocking” a stuck vehicle by shifting between
DRIVE and REVERSE, do not spin the wheels faster
than 15 mph (24 km/h), or drivetrain damage may
result.
• Revving the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission overheating and failure.
It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels
above 30 mph (48 km/h) while in gear (no trans-
mission shifting occurring).
WARNING!
Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause damage, or
even failure, of the axle and tires. A tire could
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 417

WARNING!(Continued)
explode and injure someone. Do not spin your vehi-
cle’s wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or for
longer than 30 seconds continuously without stop-
ping when you are stuck and do not let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed.
SHIFT LEVER OVERRIDE
If a malfunction occurs and the shift lever cannot be
moved out of the PARK position, you can use the
following procedure to temporarily move the shift lever:
1. Turn the engine OFF.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake. 3. Remove the rubber cupholder liner. Squeeze one side
of the liner’s center to expose its edge and facilitate
removal.
4. Turn the ignition to the ACC or ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
6. Insert a screwdriver or similar tool into the access hole (at the front of the cupholder) and push and hold the
override release lever forward.
7. Move the shift lever to the NEUTRAL position.
8. The vehicle may then be started in NEUTRAL.
9. Reinstall the cupholder liner.
418 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK/OFF position. Flatbed
towing is the preferred towing method. However, if a
flatbed towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing
equipment may be used. Rear towing (with the front
wheels on the ground) is not allowed, as transmission
damage will occur. If rear towing is the only alternative,
the front wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the
vehicle.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 421

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........425
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........426

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . . .427
â–« Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............427

EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .428
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................429
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .430
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........430
â–« Engine Oil ......................... .431â–«
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .434
â–« Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................434
â–« Maintenance-Free Battery ...............435
â–« Air Conditioner Maintenance .............437
â–« A/C Air Filter – If Equipped .............438
â–« Body Lubrication .....................440
â–« Windshield Wiper Blades ...............440
â–« Adding Washer Fluid ..................441
â–« Exhaust System ..................... .442
â–« Cooling System ..................... .4447

â–«Brake System ....................... .450
â–« Automatic Transmission ................452
â–« Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion .......................... .456
â–« Cleaning Center Console Cupholders ........462
 FUSES ............................. .462
â–« Integrated Power Module ...............462
 VEHICLE STORAGE ....................468
 REPLACEMENT BULBS .................468 
BULB REPLACEMENT ..................469
â–« Headlamp ......................... .470
â–« Fog Lamps ......................... .472
â–« Backup Lamps ...................... .472
â–« License Plate Lamp ....................473
 FLUID CAPACITIES ....................474
 FLUIDS, LUBRICANTS AND GENUINE
PARTS ............................. .475
â–« Engine ............................ .475
â–« Chassis ........................... .476
424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir6 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 8 — Coolant Pressure Cap
4 — Power Distribution Center (Fuses) 9 — Engine Oil Dipstick
5 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 10 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 425

ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L
1 — Engine Coolant Reservoir5 — Air Cleaner Filter
2 — Power Steering Fluid Reservoir 6 — Engine Oil Dipstick
3 — Brake Fluid Reservoir 7 — Engine Oil Fill
4 — Integrated Power Module (Fuses) 8 — Washer Fluid Reservoir
426 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE