DODGE AVENGER 2008 Owners Manual

could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
26. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS)
This light monitors the ABS. This light will
come on when the ignition key is turned to the
ON position and may stay on for as long as
four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes. The ABS warning light should be checked frequently to
assure that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key
to the on position, but do not start the vehicle. The light
should come on. If the light does not come on, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
27. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the turn signal lever away from the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
28. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may
indicate that the parking brake is applied, that
the brake fluid level is low, or that there is a problem with
the anti-lock brake system (if equipped). UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 179
4

The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE: The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary. WARNING!Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS), are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).
In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light
will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair
to the ABS system is required.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the LOCK position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless180 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE: This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
29. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
DisplayÐPremium Cluster Only
This display shows the EVIC messages when the appro-
priate conditions exist. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)º in this section for more informa-
tion. ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) ± IF EQUIPPED
EVIC Display Location UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4

The Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) fea-
tures a driver-interactive display. It is located in the lower
left part of the cluster below the fuel and engine tem-
perature gauges. The EVIC consists of the following:
² System status
² Vehicle information warning message displays
² Personal settings (customer programmable features)
² Compass heading display (N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE,
SW)
² Outside temperature display (ÉF or ÉC)
² Trip computer functions
² Audio mode displays ± 12 preset Radio Stations or CD
Title and Track number when playing
² Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) displays (if
equipped) The system allows the driver to select information by
pressing the following buttons on the instrument panel
switch bank:
Press and release the MENU button to advance
the display to Trip Functions or Personal set-
tings or to return to the default System status
display.
Press and release the STEP button to advance
the display through the various Trip Functions
or Personal settings.
Press and release the COMPASS button to
display the compass heading and the outside
temperature.MENU
Button
STEP
Button
COM-
PASS
Button182 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Press and release the RESET button to accept a
selection. The RESET button also resets various
Trip Functions.
EVIC DISPLAYS
When the appropriate conditions exist, the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays the following
messages.
² Turn Signal On (with a continuous warning chime)
² Left Front Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
² Left Rear Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime)
² Right Front Turn Signal Light Out (with a single
chime)
² Right Rear Turn Signal Light Out (with a single chime) ² RKE (Remote Keyless Entry) Battery Low (with a
single chime)
² Personal Settings Not Available ± Vehicle Not In
PARK.
² Left/Right Door Ajar (one or more, with a single
chime if speed is above 1 mp h/1kmh)
² Door(s) Ajar (with a single chime if vehicle is in
motion)
² Trunk Ajar (with a single chime)
² Headlights On
² Key In Ignition
² Speed Too High (with a single chime)
² Oil Change Required (with a single chime)RESET
Button UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 183
4

OIL CHANGE REQUIRED
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil change
indicator system. The Oil Change Required message will
flash in the EVIC display for approximately 10 seconds
after a single chime has sounded to indicate the next
scheduled oil change interval. The engine oil change
indicator system is duty cycle based, which means the
engine oil change interval may fluctuate dependent upon
your personal driving style.
Unless reset, this message will continue to display each
time you turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position. To turn off the message temporarily, press and
release the MENU button. To reset the oil change indica-
tor system (after performing the scheduled maintenance)
perform the following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position (Do not
start the engine). 2. Fully depress the accelerator pedal slowly three times
within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
NOTE: If the indicator message illuminates when you
start the vehicle, the oil change indicator system did not
reset. If necessary repeat this procedure.
TRIP FUNCTIONS
Press and release the MENU button until one of the
following Trip Functions displays in the EVIC:
² Average Fuel Economy
² Distance To Empty
² Elapsed Time
² Display Units of Measure in
Press and release the STEP button to advance the display
through the Trip Functions.184 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

To Reset The Display
Reset will only occur if a resettable function is currently
displayed. Press and hold the RESET button once to clear
the function currently displayed.
To reset all resettable functions, press and release the
RESET button a second time within three seconds of
resetting the currently displayed function (Reset ALL will
display during this three second window).
The Trip Functions mode displays the following informa-
tion:
² Average Fuel Economy
Shows the average fuel economy since the last reset.
When the fuel economy is reset, the display will read,
RESET or show dashes for two seconds. Then, the history
information will be erased, and the averaging will con-
tinue from the last fuel average reading before the reset. ² Distance To Empty (DTE)
Shows the estimated distance that can be traveled with
the fuel remaining in the tank. This estimated distance is
determined by a weighted average of the instantaneous
and average fuel economy, according to the current fuel
tank level. DTE cannot be reset through the RESET
button.
NOTE: Significant changes in driving style or vehicle
loading will greatly affect the actual drivable distance of
the vehicle, regardless of the DTE display value.
² When the DTE value is less than 30 mi (48 km)
estimated driving distance, the DTE display will
change to a text display of 9 LOW FUEL. This display
will continue until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Adding
a significant amount of fuel to the vehicle will turn off
the LOW FUEL text and a new DTE value will display. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 185
4

² Elapsed Time
Shows the total elapsed time of travel since the last reset.
Elapsed time will increment when the ignition switch is
in the ON or START position.
² Display Units In:
To make your selection, press and release the RESET
button until U.S. or METRIC appears.
COMPASS DISPLAY
The compass heading indicates the direction
the vehicle is facing. Press and release the
compass button to display one of eight com-
pass heading and the outside temperature.
Automatic Compass Calibration
This compass is self-calibrating, which eliminates the
need to calibrate the compass manually. When the ve-
hicle is new, the compass may appear erratic and the EVIC will flash the ªCALº indicator until the compass is
calibrated. You may calibrate the compass by completing
one or more 360 degree turns (in an area free from large
metal or metallic objects) until the CAL indicator in the
EVIC turns off. The compass will now function normally.
Manual Compass Calibration
If the compass appears erratic, inaccurate, or abnormal,
you may wish to calibrate the compass manually. How-
ever, prior to calibrating the compass, make sure the
proper Compass Variance value is selected (Refer to
ªCompass Varianceº for additional information). Then
continue to calibrate the compass as follows:
1. Start the engine. Leave the selector lever in PARK in
order to enter the EVIC Programming Menus.
2. Press and release the MENU button until ªPersonal
Settingsº displays in the EVIC.
3. Press and release the STEP button until ªCalibrate
Compass Yesº displays in the EVIC.COM-
PASS
Button 186 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

4. Press and release the RESET button and the ªCALº
indicator will quit flashing.
5. Drive the vehicle slowly, completing one or more
circles (in an area free from large metal or metallic
objects) until the ªCALº indicator turns off. The compass
will now function normally.
Compass Variance
Compass Variance is the difference between magnetic
North and Geographic North. In some areas of the
country, the difference between magnetic and geographic
North is great enough to cause the compass to give false
readings. If this occurs, the compass variance must be set
using the following procedure:
NOTE: Magnetic materials and cell phones should be
kept away from the top of the Instrument Panel. This is
where the compass sensor is located. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 187
4

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Leave the
selector lever in PARK.
2. Press and release the MENU button until ªPersonal
Settingsº displays in the EVIC.
3. Press and release the STEP button until ªCompass
Varianceº and the current Variance Value displays in the
EVIC.
4. Press and release the RESET button to increment the
Variance Value by one, (one button press per update),
until the proper variance zone is selected according to the
map.
NOTE: The Variance Values will wrap around from 15
back to 1. The Default Variance is Zone 8.
5. Press and release the STEP button to exit. Press the
STEP button if you wish to calibrate the compass manu-
ally (Refer to ªManual Compass Calibrationº later in this
section). EVIC PERSONAL SETTINGS (CUSTOMER
PROGRAMMABLE FEATURES)
Personal settings allows the driver to set and recall
features when the automatic transaxle is in PARK.
Press and release the MENU button until ªPersonal
Settingsº displays in the EVIC.
Press and release the STEP button to display the follow-
ing programmable features:
Language
When in this display you may select different languages
for all display nomenclature, including the trip functions.
Pressing the RESET button while in this display selects
English, Espanol, or Francais depending on availability.
As you continue, the displayed information will be
shown in the selected language.188 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL