engine DODGE AVENGER 2008 User Guide

Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:
² Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for
electronically-controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system
² Airbag disable light status (if equipped)
² 9 Time 9 of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition
cycles and vehicle mileage)
² Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
² Impact acceleration and angle
² Seatbelt status
² Brake status (service and parking brakes)
² Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
² Engine control status (including engine speed) ² Transmission gear selection
² Cruise control status
² Traction/Stability Control status
² Tire Pressure Monitoring System status ± If Equipped
CHILD RESTRAINT
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years and under should ride properly buck-
led up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats, rather than in the front. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55 mph (80
or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to ªMaintenance Proceduresº in Section 7. NON-
DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST
NEVER BE USED.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!If you are required to drive with the deck lid open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode. Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 79
2

Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
NOTE: If the defrost feature is not functioning, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately by an
authorized service center. The windshield could fog up
while driving and obscure your visibility.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure. Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. In addition, if
gasoline fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid,
transmission fluid, or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately.80 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

m Electrical Power Outlets ..................153
N Electrical Outlet Use With Engine Off .......154
m Cigar Lighter And Ash Receiver Ð If Equipped . . 155
N Cupholder Ash Receiver Ð If Equipped .....155
m Console Features .......................156
N Dual Storage Bins .....................156
N Video Console Ð If Equipped ............157 m Cup Holders ..........................158
N Heated Or Cooled Cup Holder Ð
If Equipped .........................158
N Rear Bottle Holders ....................159
m Storage ..............................160
N CargoArea..........................160
m Beverage Cooler Storage Bin Ð If Equipped ....16184 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Things You Should Know About Your UConnect T
System
UConnect t Tutorial
To hear a brief tutorial of the system features, press the
PHONE button and say ªUConnect t Tutorial.º
Voice Training
For users experiencing difficulty with the system recog-
nizing their voice commands or numbers, the UConnect t
system Voice Training feature may be used. To enter this
training mode, follow one of the two following proce-
dures:
From outside the UConnect t mode (e.g., from radio
mode):
² Press and hold the ªVoice Recognitionº button for five
seconds until the session begins, or,
² Press the ªVoice Recognitionº button and say the
9 Setup, Voice Training 9 command. Repeat the words and phrases when prompted by the
UConnect t system. For best results, the Voice Training
session should be completed when the vehicle is parked
with the engine running, all windows closed, and the
blower fan switched OFF.
This procedure may be repeated with a new user. The
system will adapt to the last trained voice only.
To restore the Voice Recognition system to factory default
settings, enter the Voice Training session via the above
procedure and follow the prompts.
Voice Recognition (VR)
² For best performance, adjust the rearview mirror to
provide at least 1
¤ 2
in (1 cm) gap between the overhead
console (if equipped) and the mirror.
² Always wait for the beep before speaking. UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 107
3

þ CONTINUE (to continue recording)
þ DELETE (to delete the recording)
² PLAY MEMOS (to play previously recorded memos)
Ð During the playback you may press the VR hard-
key to stop playing memos. You continue by saying
one of the following commands:
þ REPEAT (to repeat a memo)
þ NEXT (to play the next memo)
þ PREVIOUS (to play the previous memo)
þ DELETE (to delete a memo)
² DELETE ALL (to delete all memos)
NOTE: Keep in mind that you have to press the VR
hard-key first and wait for the beep, before speaking the
ªbarge inº commands. Voice Training
For users experiencing difficulty with the system recog-
nizing their voice commands or numbers, the UConnect t
system Voice Training feature may be used.
1. Press the VR hard-key, speak ªSystem Setupº and once
you are in that menu then speak ªVoice Training.º This
will train your own voice to the system and will improve
recognition.
2. Repeat the words and phrases when prompted by the
UConnect t System. For best results, the Voice Training
session should be completed when the vehicle is parked,
engine running, all windows closed, and the blower fan
switched OFF. This procedure may be repeated with a
new user. The system will adapt to the last trained voice
only. UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 119
3

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SYSTEM Ð IF
EQUIPPED
Turning the end of the multi-function control lever to the
third detent, ªAº (Auto), will activate the automatic
headlight system. With the engine running and the multi-function control
lever in the ªAº (Auto) position, the headlights will turn
on and turn off based on the surrounding light levels.
HEADLIGHT TIME DELAY
There is also a feature that delays turning off the vehicle
lights for 30, 60, or 90 seconds after the ignition switch is
turned OFF. To activate the headlight delay, the multi-
function control lever must be rotated to the ªOffº
position after the ignition switch is turned OFF. Only the
headlights will illuminate during this time. Refer to
ªEVIC- Customer Programmable Featuresº in Section 4
to turn this feature ªOn/Offº or set the time interval.
PASSING LIGHT / FLASH-TO-PASS
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the Multi-Function Control Lever toward
you. This will cause the headlights to turn on at high
beam and remain on until the lever is released.Dimmer Control UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 131
3

NOTE: If the Multi-Function Control Lever is held in
the flash to pass position for more than 15 seconds, the
high beams will shut off. If this occurs, wait 30 seconds
for the next flash to pass operation.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) Ð IF
EQUIPPED
The high beam lights will come on as Daytime Running
Lights (DRL) at DRL intensity (lower), whenever the
ignition is on, the engine is running, the headlight switch
is off, the parking brake is off, the turn signal is off, and
the gearshift lever is in any position except park.
NOTE: On this vehicle, the daytime running light will
automatically turn off when the turn signal is in opera-
tion and automatically turn back on when the turn signal
is not operating. LIGHTS ON REMINDER
If the headlights or parking lights are on after the ignition
is turned OFF, a chime will sound to alert the driver
when the driver's door is opened.
FOG LIGHTS Ð IF EQUIPPED
The front fog light switch is on the Multi-Function
Control Lever. To activate the front fog lights, turn
on the parking lights or the low beam headlights
and pull out the end of the control lever.132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WINDSHIELD WASHERS
To use the washer, pull the Windshield Wiper/Washer
Control lever toward you and hold it for as long as
washer spray is desired.
If you activate the washer while the wiper control is in
the delay range, the wipers will operate in low speed for
two wipe cycles after releasing the lever and then resume
the intermittent interval previously selected.
If you activate the washer while the wiper control is in
the OFF position, the wipers will operate for two wipe
cycles and then turn OFF. ADDING WASHER FLUID
The fluid reservoir for the windshield washers is located
in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the fluid
level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir
with windshield washer solvent (not radiator antifreeze)
and operate the system for a few seconds to flush out the
residual water. Refer to the appropriate engine diagram
in Section 7 ªMaintaining Your Vehicleº for the location
of the reservoir.
WARNING!Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE