steering DODGE AVENGER 2008 Owner's Guide

CAUTION!The A/C Air Filter is labeled with an arrow to
indicate airflow direction through the filter. Failure
to install the filter properly will result in the need to
replace it more often.
7. Reinstall the glove box door dampener and glove box.
POWER STEERING
Checking the power steering fluid level at a defined
service interval is not required. The fluid should only be
checked if a leak is suspected, abnormal noises are
apparent, and/or the system is not functioning as antici-
pated. Coordinate inspection efforts through a certified
DaimlerChrysler dealership. WARNING!Fluid level should be checked on a level surface and
with the engine off to prevent injury from moving
parts and to ensure accurate fluid level reading. Do
not overfill. Use only manufacturers recommended
power steering fluid.
If necessary, add fluid to restore to the proper indicated
level. With a clean cloth, wipe any spilled fluid from all
surfaces. Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
Partsº in this section for the correct fluid type.
FRONT SUSPENSION
There are two front suspension lower ball joints that are
permanently lubricated. Inspect these ball joints when
other maintenance is performed. A damaged seal and the
corresponding potentially damaged ball joint must be
replaced. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
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STEERING LINKAGE
The tie rod end ball joints should be inspected for
external leakage and damage when other maintenance is
performed.
BODY LUBRICATION
Locks and all body pivot points, including seat tracks,
door hinges, trunk hinges, and hood hinges, should be
lubricated periodically to assure quiet, easy operation
and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to the appli-
cation of any lubricant, the parts concerned should be
wiped clean to remove dust and grit. After lubricating,
excess oil and grease should be removed. Particular
attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to ensure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism,
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the fall and spring. Apply a small amount of a high quality lubricant such as Mopar t Lock
Cylinder Lubricant or equivalent directly into the lock
cylinder.
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild non-abrasive cleaner or use the washer solvent. This
will remove accumulations of salt, waxes, or road film
and help reduce streaking and smearing.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Make sure that they are not frozen to the
glass before turning them on to avoid damaging the
blade.386 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
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Cavity Car-
tridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
14 Ð 10 Amp
Red Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Ð Cabin Com-
partment Node
(CCN)/ Interior
Lighting
15 40 Amp
Green Ð Battery Feed Ð Ra-
diator Fan Relay
16 Ð 15 Amp
Lt. Blue IGN Run/ACC Ð
Cigar Lighter/PWR
Sunroof Mod
17 Ð 10 Amp
Red Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Ð Wireless
Control Module
(WCM)/Clock/
Steering Control
Module (SCM) Cavity Car-
tridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
18 40 Amp
Green Ð Battery Feed Ð Auto
Shutdown (ASD) Re-
lay
19 Ð 20 Amp
Yellow Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Ð Power Amp
Feed2-if equipped
20 Ð 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Ð Radio
21 Ð 10 Amp
Red Ð
22 Ð 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run Ð Cli-
mate Controls/Hot
Cupholder - if
equipped
23 Ð 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay Feed 3408 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fog Lights
1. Access to the lights through the lower fascia cutout is
limited.
2. We recommend you access the lights by turning the
steering wheel to allow access and remove the inner
fender shield. 3. Rotate bulb and connector 1
¤ 4
turn counterclockwise.
4. Pull bulb off of connector and replace with a new one.
CAUTION!Do not touch the new bulb with your fingers. Oil
contamination will severely shorten bulb life. If the
bulb comes in contact with an oily surface, clean the
bulb with rubbing alcohol.
Fog Light and Connector MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 415
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Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Automatic Transaxle Mopar t ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder Mopar t DOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not avail-
able, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir Mopar t ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
² Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
² Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 mi (10 000 km) or six months, whichever
comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under ªOil Change
Requiredº under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º in Section 4 or under ªOdometer/Trip Odom-
eterº under ªInstrument Cluster Descriptionsº in Section
4. At Each Stop for Fuel
² Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the SAFE or MIN mark.
² Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
² Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
² Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
² Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and automatic trans-
axle, and add fluid as needed. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 427
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Perform Maintenance Every (Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Replace the spark plugs on 2.4L engines (except
PZEV* engine). 30,000 50 000 30
Inspect and adjust the power steering pump belt ten-
sion on 2.4L engines. 30,000 50 000 30
Inspect the generator belt on 2.4L engines, and replace
if necessary. 30,000 50 000 30
Change the automatic transaxle fluid & filter if using
your vehicle for any of the following: police, taxi,
fleet, or frequent trailer towing. 60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace PCV valve if necessary. ² 90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 100,000 160 000 60
Replace the spark plugs on 2.4L PZEV*, 2.7L and
3.5L engines. 102,000 170 000 102
Replace the power steering pump belt on 2.4L engines. 102,000 170 000 102
Replace the generator belt on 2.4L engines. 102,000 170 000 102 430 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Engine Oil ........................... 326
Fuel Requirements .................. 324,326
Maintenance ....................... 324,327
Replacement Parts ..................... 327
Starting ............................. 327
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 263
Floor Console .......................... 156
Fluid Capacities ......................... 420
Fluid Leaks ............................. 80
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle ................. 397,398
Brake ............................ 396,424
Cooling System ....................... 389
Engine Oil ........................... 374
Power Steering ..................... 385,424
Fluids ................................ 422
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 422
Fog Lights ....................... 132,176,415
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 126,127 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 361
Front Wheel Bearings ..................... 400
Fuel ................................. 319
Adding ............................. 328
Additives ............................ 322
Clean Air ............................ 320
Ethanol ............................. 321
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 170,328
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 170
Gasoline ............................ 319
Gauge .............................. 170
Hoses .............................. 394
Light ............................... 171
Materials Added ....................... 322
Methanol ............................ 321
Octane Rating ...................... 319,422
Requirements ...................... 319,420
Tank Capacity ........................ 420
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles450 INDEX

Paint Care ............................. 400
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 276
Passing Light ........................... 131
Personal Settings ........................ 188
Pets .................................. 77
Phone, Cellular .................... 89,223,224
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnectŸ) ........ 89,223,224
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 295
Port
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ............. 220,223
USB ............................. 220,223
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses) ............... 406
Door Locks ........................... 32
Mirrors .............................. 86
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 153
Seats ............................... 123
Steering ............................. 287 Steering, Checking ..................... 385
Sunroof ............................. 150
Windows ............................. 35
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 385
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 50
Preparation for Jacking .................... 352
Pretensioners
Seat Belts ............................. 48
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 188
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 26
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 302
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 391
Radio Broadcast Signals ................... 191
Radio, Navigation ....................... 223
Radio Operation ................... 221,224,241
Radio Remote Controls .................... 236
Radio, Satellite .............. 220,221,223,224,231456 INDEX