air conditioning DODGE AVENGER 2008 User Guide

² Highway Driving
Reduce speed.
² Air Conditioning
Turn off temporarily.
² Refer to Cooling System Operating information in the
Maintenance section of this manual for more informa-
tion.
If you have any questions or concerns after reviewing
this section, please consult your authorized dealer to for
full details on the towing capabilities of the vehicle. RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
towing with all four wheels on the ground)
CAUTION!DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the driv-
etrain will result.
NOTE: If the vehicle requires towing make sure all four
wheels are off the ground. STARTING AND OPERATING 345
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is located on the instrument
panel, below the radio. Depress the switch and
both cluster indicators and all front and rear direc-
tional signals will flash. Depress the switch again to turn
Hazard Warning Flashers off.
Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and it is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed and the vehicle locked.
NOTE: With extended use, the flasher may wear down
your battery. IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
² On the highways Ð Slow down.
² In city traffic Ð While stopped, put transaxle in
NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle
with the engine at idle, when safe. Turn off the air
conditioning and wait until the pointer drops back into
the normal range. If the pointer remains on the H (red)
mark for more than a minute, turn the engine off imme-
diately and call for service.348 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NOTE: There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and
the fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system. CAUTION!Driving with a hot cooling system could damage
your vehicle. If temperature gauge reads ªHº, pull
over and stop the vehicle with the engine at idle,
when safe. Turn the air conditioner off and wait until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. After
appropriate action has been taken, if the pointer
remains on the ªHº, turn the engine off immediately,
and call for service. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 349
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WARNING!² Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
² The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced technician. Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealers or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE: Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, and Refrigerants.
A/C AIR FILTER Ð IF EQUIPPED
Refer to the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in Section 8 of this
manual for A/C Air Filter service intervals.
WARNING!Do not remove the A/C Air Filter while the blower is
operating or personal injury may result. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 383
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humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
² Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
² Check coolant freeze point in the radiator and in the
coolant recovery bottle. If antifreeze needs to be
added, contents of coolant recovery bottle must also be
protected against freezing.
² If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks. ² Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine, which contains
aluminum components.
² Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
² Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
² Do not change the thermostat for summer or winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory coolant performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393
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Required Maintenance Intervals
Perform Maintenance Every (Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Change the engine oil and engine oil filter. 6,000 10 000 6
Rotate the tires. 6,000 10 000 6
If using your vehicle in dusty or off-road conditions,
inspect the engine air cleaner filter, and replace if nec-
essary. 12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the brake linings, and replace if necessary. 12,000 20 000 12
Replace the air conditioning filter (if equipped). 12,000 20 000 12
Inspect the Constant Velocity (CV) joints. Perform the
first inspection at 12,000 mi (20 000 km) or 12 months. 24,000 40 000 24
Inspect the exhaust system. Perform the first inspec-
tion at 12,000 mi (20 000 km) or 12 months. 24,000 40 000 24
Inspect the front suspension, tie rod ends and boot
seals, and replace if necessary. 24,000 40 000 24
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,000 50 000 30 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 429
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 279
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 390
Adding Fuel ........................... 328
Adding Washer Fluid .................. 138,387
Additives, Fuel ......................... 322
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 379
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 382
Air Conditioning ........................ 242
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 242
Air Conditioning Filter ................. 254,383
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 255
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............. 382,383
Air Conditioning System ............. 242,246,382
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 300
Airbag .............................. 51,60
Airbag Deployment ....................... 62
Airbag Light ................... 52,59,65,79,171
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 64
Airbag, Side ........................ 54,59,60 Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ........... 55,59,60
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............ 18,171
Alignment and Balance ................... 308
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 275
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 233
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........... 389,390,420
Disposal ............................ 392
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 279
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 279
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Appearance Care ........................ 400
Ashtray ............................... 155
Assistance Towing ....................... 102
Audio Systems (Radio) ................. 220,223
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 36
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 32
Auto Up Power Windows ................ 37,151
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 86444 INDEX

Cooling ............................. 388
Exhaust Gas Caution .................... 323
Fuel Requirements .................. 319,420
Jump Starting ......................... 358
Oil ........................... 374,420,422
Oil Change Interval ............ 173,184,376,426
Oil Filler Cap ................. 368,369,370,377
Oil Filter ............................ 378
Oil Filter Disposal ...................... 378
Oil Selection ....................... 376,420
Oil Synthetic ......................... 377
Operation ............................ 78
Overheating .......................... 348
Temperature Gauge ..................... 170
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... 377
Enhanced Accident Response Feature .......... 62
Entry System, Illuminated .................. 20
Ethanol ............................... 321
Event Data Recorder ...................... 65 Exhaust Gas Caution ................ 78,323,388
Exhaust System ......................... 387
Extender, Seat Belt ........................ 51
Fabric Care ......................... 403,404
Filler Location Fuel .................... 170,328
Filters
Air Cleaner .......................... 379
Air Conditioning .................... 254,383
Automatic Transaxle .................... 399
Engine Oil ........................ 378,422
Engine Oil Disposal .................... 378
Flashers .............................. 348
Hazard Warning ....................... 348
Turn Signal .......................... 416
Flash-To-Pass ........................... 131
Flat Tire Stowage ........................ 357
Flexible Fuel Vehicles ..................... 324
Cruising Range ........................ 327 INDEX 449
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