DODGE AVENGER 2008 User Guide

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE CONTENTS m A Word About Your Keys ..................12
N Ignition Key Removal ...................12
N Key-In-Ignition Reminder ................14
N Locking Doors With The Key ..............14
m Sentry Key t ...........................14
N Replacement Keys ......................16
N Customer Key Programming ..............16
N General Information ....................17
m Security Alarm System Ð If Equipped .........18 N Rearming The System ...................18
N To Arm The System .....................18
N To Disarm The System ...................19
m Illuminated Entry System Ð If Equipped .......20
m Remote Keyless Entry Ð If Equipped .........21
N To Unlock The Doors ...................22
N To Lock The Doors .....................24
N To Unlatch The Trunk ...................252

N Using The Express Down Windows Feature Ð
If Equipped ..........................25
N Using The Panic Alarm ..................25
N Programming Additional Transmitters ........26
N Battery Replacement ....................26
N General Information ....................27
m Remote Start System Ð If Equipped ..........28
N How To Use Remote Start ................29
m Door Locks ............................30
N Manual Door Locks .....................30
N Power Door Locks .....................32
N ªChild-Protectionº Door Lock System
(Rear Doors) ..........................34
m Power Windows ........................35 N Power Window Switches .................35
N Auto Window Down Ð If Equipped .........36
N Auto Window Up Ð If Equipped ...........37
N Reset Auto Up ........................37
N Window Lockout Switch .................38
N Wind Buffeting ........................38
m Trunk Release ..........................39
m Trunk Safety Warnin g.....................39
N Trunk Internal Emergency Release ..........40
m Occupant Restraints ......................40
N Lap/Shoulder Belts .....................42
N Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage ....47
N Rear Seat Belts ........................4810 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

N Seat Belt Pretensioners ...................48
N Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert t ) ..........................48
N BeltAlert t Programming .................49
N Automatic Locking Mode ................50
N Seat Belts And Pregnant Women ............50
N Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag . .51
N Airbag System Components ...............52
N Front Seat Airbag Features ................53
N Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls .....59 N Event Data Recorder (EDR) ...............65
N Child Restraint ........................67
m Engine Break-In Recommendations ...........78
m Safety Tips ............................78
N Exhaust Gas ..........................78
N Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ..............................79
N Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ....................80THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
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A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The dealer that sold you your new vehicle has the key
code numbers for your vehicle locks. These numbers can
be used to order duplicate keys from your dealer. Ask
your dealer for these numbers and keep them in a safe
place. IGNITION KEY REMOVAL
Automatic Transaxle
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position, push the key and cylinder inward,
rotate the key to the LOCK position, and remove the key.
Vehicle Key Ignition Key Positions12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
² If you try to remove the key before you place the
selector lever in PARK, the key may become trapped
temporarily in the ignition switch lock cylinder. If this
occurs, rotate the key to the right slightly, then remove
the key as described. If a malfunction occurs, the
system will trap the key in the ignition switch lock
cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inop-
erable. The engine can be started and stopped, but the
key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
² For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands±free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for approximately 45
seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position. Opening either door will cancel this feature.
² For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window switches, radio, hands±free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either door will cancel this feature. The
time for this feature is programmable. For details, refer
to ªKey-Off Power Delay,º under ªPersonal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)º under ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4
of this manual.
WARNING!NEVER leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2

CAUTION!An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
KEY-IN-IGNITION REMINDER
Opening the driver's door when the key is in the ignition,
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:
² The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds when the
ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC position.
² With either front door open, and the key in the
ignition, both the power door locks and Remote Key-
less Entry (RKE) will not function. LOCKING DOORS WITH THE KEY
There is only one external door lock cylinder which is
located in the driver's door only.
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7 of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
SENTRY KEY T
The Sentry Key t Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys that have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.
NOTE: A key that has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the light begins to flash after
the bulb check, it indicates that someone used an invalid
key to try to start the engine. Either of these conditions
will result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electron-
ics. Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible.
NOTE:
² The Sentry Key t Immobilizer System is not compat-
ible with some aftermarket remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
² Exxon/Mobil SpeedpassŸ, additional Sentry Keys t ,
or any other transponder-equipped components on
the same key chain will not cause a key-related
(transponder) fault unless the additional part is physi-
cally held against the ignition key being used when
starting the vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other RF
electronics will not cause interference with this system.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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Replacement Keys
NOTE: Only keys that are programmed to the vehicle
electronics can be used to start and operate the vehicle.
Once a Sentry Key t is programmed to a vehicle, it cannot
be programmed to any other vehicle.
CAUTION!Always remove the Sentry Keys t from the vehicle
and lock all doors when leaving the vehicle
unattended.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Keep the PIN in a secure location. This number is
required for authorized dealer replacement of keys. Du-
plication of keys may be performed at an authorized
dealer or by following the customer key programming procedure. This procedure consists of programming a
blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank key is one
that has never been programmed.
NOTE: When having the Sentry Key t Immobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.
Customer Key Programming
If you have two valid Sentry Keys t , you can program
new Sentry Keys t to the system by performing the
following procedure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry Key t Transponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON position for at least three
seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the first
key.16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within 15
seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In addi-
tion, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash. Turn
the ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the
second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Key t into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within 60
seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing. To
indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle Secu-
rity Light will turn on again for three seconds and then
turn off.
The new Sentry Key t is programmed. The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure. Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key t , contact your
authorized dealer for details.
NOTE: If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tem's memory. This will prevent the lost key from
starting your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be
reprogrammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an
authorized dealer at the time of service to be repro-
grammed.
General Information
The Sentry Key t system complies with FCC rules Part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
² This device may not cause harmful interference. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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² This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) system monitors the
doors and trunk for unauthorized entry and ignition
switch for unauthorized operation.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
about 18 minutes. For the first 3 minutes, the horn will
sound intermittently and the headlights, park lights,
taillights and the Vehicle Security Light in the cluster will
flash. Then the exterior lights will flash for another 15
minutes. REARMING THE SYSTEM:
If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the system will turn off the horn after 3
minutes, turn off all of the visual signals after 15 minutes,
and then the system will rearm itself.
TO ARM THE SYSTEM:
1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.
2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch
or the Keyless Entry Transmitter, and close all doors.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds. This
shows that the system is arming. During this period, if a
door is opened, the ignition switch is turned ON, or the
power door locks are unlocked in any manner, the system18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE