tow DODGE AVENGER 2008 User Guide

Then lift the secondary latch located under the front edge
of the hood, near the center and raise the hood.
Use the hood prop rod to secure the hood in the open
position. Place the upper end of the prop rod in the hole
on the left underside of the hood. Before closing the hood, make sure to stow the prop rod
in its proper location. To prevent possible damage, do not
slam the hood to close it. Use a firm downward push at
the center of the hood to ensure that both latches engage.Hood Safety Catch Hood Prop Rod Hole Location128 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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

If either light remains on and does not flash, or there is a
very fast flash rate, check for a defective outside light
bulb. If an indicator fails to light when the lever is
moved, it would suggest that the fuse or indicator bulb is
defective.
HIGHBEAM/LOWBEAM SELECT SWITCH
Push the Multi-Function Control Lever away from you to
switch the headlights to HIGH beam. Pull the Lever
toward you, to switch the headlights back to Low beam.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The wipers and washers are operated by a switch
on the control lever. The lever is located on the
right side of the steering column. Highbeam Functions134 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

WARNING!Leaving the Electronic Speed Control system on
when not in use is dangerous. You could accidentally
set the system or cause it to go faster than you want.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
leave the system OFF when you are not using it.
To Set Desired Speed:
When the vehicle has reached the desired speed, push
down on the lever and release SET DECEL. The vehicle
will operate at the selected speed.
NOTE:
² The vehicle must be traveling at least 25 mph (40
km/h) for the speed control to set. ² The vehicle should be traveling at a steady speed and
on level ground before pushing down the SET DECEL
lever.
To Deactivate:
A soft tap on the brake pedal, pulling the speed control
lever toward you CANCEL, or normal brake pressure
while slowing the vehicle will deactivate speed control
without erasing the set speed memory. Pushing in the
ON/OFF button (in the end of the lever) or turning off
the ignition switch erases the set speed memory.
To Resume Speed:
To resume a previously set speed, push upward on the
RESUME ACCEL lever and release. Resume can be used
at any speed above 20 mph (32 km/h). UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the
fuel tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is
located on the left side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tem-
perature. Any reading below the red area of the
gauge shows that the engine cooling system is
operating properly. The gauge pointer may show a
higher than normal temperature when driving in hot
weather, up mountain grades, in heavy stop and go
traffic, or when towing a trailer. If the pointer rises to the H (red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on the H (red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning 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.
4. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed in miles per hour Ð MPH.170 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Dual Trip Odometer Ð If Equipped
Press and release this button to change the display from
odometer to ªTrip A.º Press and release it a second time
to change the display to ªTrip B.º Press and release it a
third time to change the display back to the odometer.
To reset the trip odometer, first display the trip mileage
that you want to reset, ªTrip Aº or ªTrip B.º Then push
and hold the button (approximately 2 seconds) until the
display resets to 0. The odometer must be in Trip Mode to
reset the trip odometer.
18. Electronic Throttle Control Indicator Light
This red illuminated light informs you of a
problem with the Electronic Throttle Control
system. If a problem is detected, the light will
come on while the engine is running. If the
light remains lit with the engine running your vehicle
will usually be drivable and not need towing, however
see your dealer for service as soon as possible. If the light is flashing when the engine is running you
may experience power loss, an elevated/rough idle, and
increased brake pedal effort, and your vehicle may
require towing. Immediate service is required.
The light will come on when the ignition switch is first
turned on and remain on briefly as a bulb check. This is
normal. If the light does not come on during starting,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
19. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator
Light/Traction Control System (TCS) Indicator Light Ð
If Equipped
If this indicator light flashes during accelera-
tion, apply as little throttle as possible. While
driving, ease up on the accelerator. Adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road con-
ditions, and do not switch off the ESP, or TCS Ð if
equipped. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 175
4

CAUTION!The TPMS has been optimized for the original
equipment tires and wheels. TPMS pressures and
warning have been established for the tire size
equipped on your vehicle. Undesirable system opera-
tion or sensor damage may result when using re-
placement equipment that is not of the same size,
type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with a
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
(Refer to ªTire Inflation Pressuresº under ªTires Ð Gen-
eral Informationº and to ªTire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS)º in Section 5 of this manual for more informa-
tion). 25. Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic system
called OBD that monitors emissions, engine, and
automatic transaxle control systems. The light
will illuminate when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the bulb does not come on when
turning the key from LOCK/OFF to ON/RUN, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
stays on through several of your typical driving cycles. In
most situations the vehicle will drive normally and will
not require towing.
If the Malfunction Indicator Light flashes when the
engine is running, serious conditions may exist that178 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

² Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to
direct airflow.
NOTE: The center instrument panel outlets can be
aimed so that they are directed toward the rear seat
passengers for maximum airflow to the rear.
² Bi-Level
Air is directed through the panel and floor out-
lets.
NOTE: For all settings except full cold or full hot, there
is a difference in temperature between the upper and
lower outlets. The warmer air flows to the floor outlets.
This feature gives improved comfort during sunny but
cool conditions. ² Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount flowing through the defrost and
side window demist outlets.
² Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and
side window demist outlets. This setting works
best in cold or snowy conditions that require
extra heat to the windshield. This setting is good for
maintaining comfort while reducing moisture on the
windshield.
² Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield and side
window demist outlets. Use this mode with
maximum blower and temperature settings for best
windshield and side window defrosting.244 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

The operator can override the AUTO mode setting to
change airflow distribution by rotating the Mode Control
knob (on the right) to one of the following positions.
² Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instru-
ment panel. These outlets can be adjusted to
direct airflow.
NOTE: The center instrument panel outlets can be
aimed so that they are directed toward the rear seat
passengers for maximum airflow to the rear.
² Bi-Level
Air is directed through the panel and floor out-
lets. NOTE: For all settings except full cold or full hot, there
is a difference in temperature between the upper and
lower outlets. The warmer air flows to the floor outlets.
This feature gives improved comfort during sunny but
cool conditions.
² Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
small amount flowing through the defrost and
side window demist outlets.
² Mix
Air is directed through the floor, defrost, and
side window demist outlets. This setting works
best in cold or snowy conditions that require
extra heat to the windshield. This setting is good for
maintaining comfort while reducing moisture on the
windshield.250 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL