brake DODGE AVENGER 2008 Owner's Guide

² Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (450 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes with adequate
braking capacity. Failure to do this could lead to
accelerated brake lining wear, higher brake pedal
effort, and longer stopping distances. WARNING!Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing, you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights and Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
Use a factory approved trailer harness and connector.342 STARTING AND OPERATING

Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transaxle) or REVERSE
(manual transaxle). Turn OFF the ignition.
WARNING!Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
² Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher. ² Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
² Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions
Jack Warning Label352 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
² Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
² Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
² Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in park; a manual transmission in
reverse.
² Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack. 1. Remove the scissors jack and lug wrench from the
spare wheel as an assembly. Turn the jack screw to the left
to loosen the lug wrench, and remove the wrench from
the jack assembly. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 353
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1. Wear eye protection and remove any metal jewelry
such as watchbands or bracelets that might make an
inadvertent electrical contact.
2. When boosting from a battery in another vehicle, park
that vehicle within booster cable reach, but without
allowing the vehicles to touch. Set parking brake, place
automatic transaxle in PARK and turn ignition to LOCK
for both vehicles.
WARNING!Do not permit vehicles to touch each other as this
could establish a ground connection and personal
injury could result.
3. Turn off the heater, radio, and all unnecessary electri-
cal loads. 4. Remove the protective cover over the remote jump-
start positive battery post (+) in the engine compartment.
Connect one end of the jumper cable to the positive
battery post. Connect the other end of the same cable to
the positive terminal of the booster battery. Refer to the
following illustration for jump-starting connections.
Jump-Starting Location WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 359
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TOWING WITHOUT POWER Ð OVERRIDE
TRANSAXLE INTERLOCK SYSTEM
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. A dolly should be
used under the front wheels if the rear wheels are raised.
Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent dam-
age to the vehicle.
Battery power is required to release the brake/transaxle
interlock system. There is an override system that allows
you to shift out of PARK in case of loss of power. To
activate the override system: ² Firmly apply the parking brake.
² Insert the ignition key and rotate it to the ON position.
² Remove the cupholder liner.
² Insert a key, screwdriver, or similar object into the
front hole then push and hold the manual override
release lever forward.
² While holding the release lever forward, move the
shift lever from PARK to NEUTRAL.
² Release the override.364 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

N A/C Air Filter Ð If Equipped ............383
N Power Steering .......................385
N Front Suspension .....................385
N Steering Linkage ......................386
N Body Lubrication .....................386
N Windshield Wiper Blades ................386
N Windshield Washers ...................387
N Exhaust System ......................387
N Cooling System .......................388
N Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses .......394
N Fuel System .........................394
N Brake System ........................394
N Automatic Transaxle ...................397 N Front And Rear Wheel Bearings ...........400
N Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion ...........................400
N Cleaning Center Console Cupholders .......405
m Fuses Ð Totally Integrated Power Module
(TIPM) ..............................406
m Vehicle Storage ........................411
m Replacement Bulbs ......................411
m Bulb Replacement ......................412
N Headlight Bulb Replacement .............412
N Fog Lights ..........................415
N Taillights, Rear Turn Signals And Backup Lights Ð
Replacement .........................416
N License Plate Light Ð Rear ..............418366 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

HOSES AND VACUUM/VAPOR HARNESSES
Inspect surfaces of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence
of heat and mechanical damage. Hard or soft spots,
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling indicate deterioration of the rubber
Pay particular attention to the hoses nearest to high heat
sources such as the exhaust manifold. Inspect hose rout-
ing to be sure hoses do not touch any heat source or
moving component that may cause heat damage or
mechanical wear.
Ensure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed
Inspect all hose connections such as clamps and cou-
plings to make sure they are secure and no leaks are
present.
Components should be replaced immediately if there is
any evidence of degradation that could cause failure. FUEL SYSTEM
Electronic Fuel Injection high-pressure fuel systems are
designed with tubes and special connects, connections,
and clamps which have unique material characteristics to
provide adequate sealing and resist attack by deterio-
rated gasoline.
You are urged to use only the manufactures-specified
tubes, connections and clamps, or their equivalent in
material and specification, in any fuel system servicing.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Suggested service intervals can be found in the ªMainte-
nance Scheduleº in this manual.394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You wouldn't have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake And Power Steering Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect the surface of the hoses and nylon tubing for
evidence of heat and mechanical damage. Hard and
brittle rubber, cracking, tears, cuts, abrasions, and exces-
sive swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particu-
lar attention should be made to examining those hose
surfaces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold. Ensure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
NOTE:
² Often, fluids such as oil, power steering fluid, and
brake fluid are used during assembly plant operations
to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings. Therefore,
oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not necessarily
an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of hot fluid
when systems are under pressure (during vehicle
operation) should be noted before a hose is replaced
based on leakage.
² Inspect the brake hoses whenever the brake system is
serviced and at every engine oil change. Inspect hy-
draulic brake hoses for surface cracking, scuffing, or
worn spots. If there is any evidence of cracking,
scuffing, or worn spots, the hose should be replaced MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 395
7

immediately! Eventual deterioration of the hose can
take place resulting in a possibility of a burst failure.
WARNING!Worn brake hoses can burst and cause brake failure.
You could have an accident. If you see any signs of
cracking, scuffing, or worn spots, have the brake
hoses replaced immediately.
Master Cylinder - Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services. Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the requirements described on the brake fluid reser-
voir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
Fluid level can be expected to fall as the brake pads wear.
Brake fluid level should be checked when pads are
replaced. However, low fluid level may be caused by a
leak and a checkup may be needed.
Use only manufacturers recommended brake fluid. Refer
to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Partsº for the correct
fluid type.396 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!² Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
² Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPAR t DOT 3
product or a brake fluid that is unidentified as to
FMVSS specification may result in sudden brake
failure during hard prolonged braking. You could
have an accident.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture. CAUTION!Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid, all brake seal components could be
damaged causing partial or complete brake failure.
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
The automatic transaxle and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transaxle should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transaxle and the fluid.
Fluid Level Check Ð Vehicles with 3.5L Engine
The automatic transaxle has no dipstick and is dealer
serviced only. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 397
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