key DODGE AVENGER 2008 Repair Manual

CAUTION!Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transaxle overheating and failure. It can
also damage the tires. Do not spin the wheels above
30 mph (48 km/h). Do not spin the wheels continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
TOWING WITH THE IGNITION KEY
Front Wheel Drive
Your vehicle may be towed (with all 4 wheels flat on the
ground), under the following conditions: The gear selector
must be in NEUTRAL, the distance to be traveled must not
exceed 15 mi (25 km), and the towing speed must not exceed
25 mph (40 km/h). Exceeding these towing limits may cause
a transaxle failure. If the transaxle is not operative, or if the vehicle is to be towed more than 15 mi (25 km), the vehicle
must be transported either with a flat bed truck or with the
front wheels off the ground.
All Wheel Drive
Your All Wheel Drive vehicle must be transported on a
flat bed truck.
CAUTION!² If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not in
the LOCK or ACC position.
² Do not attempt to tow this vehicle from the front
with sling type towing equipment. Damage to the
front fascia will result.
² Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
axle may result.362 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the key must be in the ON position,
not the ACC position. Make certain the transaxle remains
in NEUTRAL.
TOWING WITHOUT THE IGNITION KEY
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flat bed towing
is the preferred towing method. However, if a flat bed
towing vehicle is not available, a wheel lift towing
vehicle may be used. Furthermore, rear towing is not
recommended with the front wheels on the ground, as
transaxle damage can result. If rear towing is the only
alternative, a front end dolly must be used. Proper
towing equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the
vehicle. TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE
Flat towing with all four wheels on the ground of
vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, is
only permitted within the limitations described in this
section.
TOWING THIS VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER
VEHICLE WITH A TOW DOLLY
Rear towing is not recommended with the front wheels
on the ground, as transaxle damage can result. If rear
towing is the only alternative, a front end dolly must be
used. Proper towing equipment is necessary to prevent
damage to the vehicle. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 363
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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

RESET button to turn off the message. If the problem
persists, the message will appear the next time the
vehicle is started. This might indicate a damaged cap. If
the problem is detected twice in a row, the system will
turn on the MIL. Resolving the problem will turn the MIL
light off.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of this vehicle's emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration.
For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) is functioning and is not on
when the engine is running, and that the OBD II system
is ready for testing. Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system may not be ready if the vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery, or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, the vehicle may fail the test.
This vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if this vehicle's OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Insert the ignition key into the ignition switch.
2. Turn the ignition to the ON position, but do not crank
or start the engine.
3. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
4. As soon as you turn the ignition key to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will
happen:
a. The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition key or start the engine. This means that the
vehicle's OBD II system is not ready and you should
not proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that the vehicle's OBD II
system is ready, and you can proceed to the I/M
station.
If the OBD II system is not ready, you should see an
authorized dealer or repair facility. If this vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive the vehicle as you normally would in order for the OBD II system to
update. A recheck with the above test routine may then
indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether the vehicle's OBD II system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL is illuminated during
normal vehicle operation, you should have the vehicle
serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M station
can fail the vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Mopar t parts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to en-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Mopar t parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer's
warranty. MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 373
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Automatic Door Locks ..................... 32
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ........ 173,184,426
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 246
Automatic Transaxle .............. 12,261,267,397
Adding Fluid ................... 397,398,424
Filter ............................... 399
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 399
Fluid Level Check ................... 397,398
Interlock System ....................... 269
Reset Mode .......................... 273
Selection Of Lubricant ................... 424
Shifting ............................. 270
Special Additives ...................... 399
Autostick ............................. 274
Ball Joints ............................. 385
Battery ............................... 381
Gas Caution .......................... 381
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 26 Location ............................ 381
Bearings .............................. 400
Belts, Drive ............................ 378
Beverage Cooler ........................ 161
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 386
B-Pillar Location ........................ 295
Brake Assist System ...................... 282
Brake, Parking .......................... 276
Brake System ........................ 278,394
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 279
Fluid Check ....................... 396,424
Hoses .............................. 395
Master Cylinder ....................... 396
Parking ............................. 276
Warning Light ........................ 179
Brakes ............................. 278,394
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 269
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 78
Bulb Replacement ..................... 41 1,412 INDEX 445
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Heated Seats ........................... 123
Heater ............................... 242
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 266
Hitches
Trailer Towing ........................ 336
HomeLink t (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 143
Hood Prop ............................ 128
Hood Release .......................... 127
Hoses ................................ 394
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ................................. 12
Ignition Key Removal ..................... 12
Illuminated Entry ........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ................... 14
Infant Restraint ...................... 67,68,69
Information Center, Vehicle ................. 181
Inside Rearview Mirror .................... 85
Instrument Cluster .................... 168,170 Instrument Panel and Controls .............. 167
Instrument Panel Cover ................... 403
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ............. 405
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ............ 406
Interior Appearance Care .................. 403
Interior Lights .......................... 129
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ........... 136
Introduction ............................. 4
Jack Location ........................... 351
Jack Operation ....................... 350,352
Jacking Instructions ...................... 352
Jump Starting .......................... 358
Key, Programming ........................ 16
Key, Replacement ........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer) ................... 14
Key-In Reminder ......................... 14
Keyless Entry System ...................... 21452 INDEX

Keyless Entry System (Sedan) ................ 21
Keys ................................. 12
Knee Bolster .......................... 51,53
Lane Change and Turn Signals ........... 176,416
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 42
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) .. 73
Latches
Hood ............................... 127
Lead Free Gasoline ...................... 319
Life of Tires ............................ 306
Light Bulbs ............................ 411
Lights .............................. 80,129
Airbag ........................ 52,65,79,171
Back-Up ............................. 416
Brake Warning ........................ 179
Bulb Replacement ...................... 412
Center Mounted Stop ................... 418
Daytime Running ...................... 132 Dimmer Switch, Headlight ............... 130
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 284
Engine Temperature Warning .............. 172
Fog .......................... 132,176,415
Headlight Switch ...................... 130
Headlights ........................... 130
Headlights On With Wipers ............... 137
High Beam Indicator .................... 179
Illuminated Entry ....................... 20
Instrument Cluster ..................... 130
Interior ............................. 129
License ............................. 418
Lights On Reminder .................... 132
Low Fuel ............................ 171
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........ 178
Map Reading ......................... 129
Oil Pressure .......................... 171
Passing ............................. 131
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 171 INDEX 453
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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

Radio (Sound Systems) ................. 220,223
Rear Cup Holder ........................ 159
Rear Seat, Folding .................... 126,127
Rear Wheel Bearings ..................... 400
Rear Window Defroster ................... 256
Rear Window Features .................... 256
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 85
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 65
Recreational Towing ................... 345,363
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 320
Refrigerant ............................ 383
Reminder, Seat Belt ..................... 48,49
Remote Control
Door Locks ........................... 21
Security Alarm ......................... 18
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 21
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan) ............... 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 236
Remote Starting System .................... 28 Remote Trunk Release ..................... 39
Replacement Bulbs ....................... 411
Replacement Keys ........................ 16
Replacement Parts ....................... 373
Replacement Tires ....................... 307
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 439
Resetting Oil Change Indicator ........... 173,184
Restraint, Head ......................... 125
Restraints, Child ......................... 67
Restraints, Infant ......................... 68
Rotation, Tires .......................... 309
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 79
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 80
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 439
Safety Information, Tire ................... 291
Safety Tips ............................. 78
Satellite Radio ............... 220,221,223,224,231
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 233 INDEX 457
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