spare tire DODGE AVENGER 2008 Owners Manual

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

20. Turn Signal Indicators
The arrows will flash in unison with the exterior
turn signal, when using the turn signal lever.
21. Front Fog Light Indicator Ð If Equipped
This light shows when the front fog lights are ON.
22. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator Light
The yellow ESP/BAS malfunction indicator
light will turn on when the ignition switch is
turned to the ªONº position. The light should
go out with the engine running. If the light
remains on after several ignition cycles, and you have
driven the vehicle several miles at speeds greater than 30
mph (48 km/h), and the ESP is synchronized (refer to
Synchronizing ESP), see your authorized dealer as soon
as possible to have the problem diagnosed and corrected. 23. All Wheel Drive (AWD)
This indicator lights when AWD is selected.
24. Tire Pressure Monitor Light
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.176 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

m All Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped ............275
m Parking Brake .........................276
m Brake System ..........................278
N Anit-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............279
m Electronic Brake Control Systems ±
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP .....................281
N Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............281
N Traction Control System (TCS) ............282
N Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............282
N Electronic Stability Program (ESP) .........283
m Power Steering ........................287
m Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............288
N Acceleration .........................288 N Traction ............................288
m Driving Through Water ..................289
N Flowing/Rising Water ..................289
m Tire Safety Information ...................291
N Tire Markings ........................291
N Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........295
m Tires Ð General Information ...............299
N Tire Pressure .........................299
N Tire Inflation Pressures .................300
N Radial-Ply Tires ......................302
N Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped .........303
N Limited Use Spare Ð If Equipped .........304
N Tire Spinning ........................305258 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
² P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H. ² European-Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter 9 P 9 is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
² LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
² Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
² High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards, and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. STARTING AND OPERATING 291
5

Tire Sizing Chart
Tire Sizing Chart
P Passenger Car tire size based on U.S. design standards
( ....blank.... ( Passenger Car tire based on European design standards
LT Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T Temporary spare tire
31 Overall diameter in inches (in)
215 Section width in millimeters (mm)
65 Aspect Ratio of section height to section width of tire, written in percent (%)
10.5 Section width in inches (in)
R 9 R 9 means radial construction
9 D 9 means diagonal or bias construction
15 Rim diameter in inches (in)292 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on either the face of the driver's door or the driver's side
B-Pillar. Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) total weight your vehicle can carry
3) tire size designed for your vehicle
4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.Tire Placard Location Tire and Loading Information Placard STARTING AND OPERATING 295
5

Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency use with
radial tires. It is engineered to be used on your style
vehicle only. Since this tire has limited tread life, the
original tire should be repaired (or replaced) and rein-
stalled at the first opportunity.
WARNING!Temporary use spare tires are for emergency use only.
With these tires, do not drive more than 50 mph (80
km/h). Temporary-use spare tires have limited tread
life. When the tread is worn to the tread wear
indicators, the temporary use spare tire needs to be
replaced. Be sure to follow the warnings, which
apply to your spare. Failure to do so could result in
spare tire failure and loss of vehicle control. CAUTION!Prolonged use of limited use spare, or an incorrect
tire size on either front wheel, may damage transaxle
differential and result in loss of vehicle mobility.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount a
conventional tire on the compact spare wheel, since the
wheel is designed specifically for the compact spare.
Do not install more than one compact spare tire/wheel
on the vehicle at any given time. STARTING AND OPERATING 303
5

CAUTION!Because of the reduced ground clearance, do not take
your vehicle through an automatic car wash with the
compact spare installed. Damage to the vehicle may
result.
Limited Use Spare Ð If Equipped
The limited use spare tire is for temporary emergency use
on your vehicle. This tire is identified by a limited use
spare tire warning label located on the limited use spare
tire and wheel assembly. This tire may look like the
original equipped tire on the front or rear axle of your
vehicle, but it is not. Installation of this limited use spare
tire affects vehicle handling. Since it is not the same tire,
replace (or repair) the original tire and reinstall on the
vehicle at the first opportunity. WARNING!The limited use spare tires are for emergency use
only. Installation of this limited use spare tire affects
vehicle handling. With this tire, do not drive more
than 50 mph (80 km/h). Keep inflated to the cold tire
inflation pressure listed on either your tire placard or
limited use spare tire and wheel assembly. Replace
(or repair) the original tire at the first opportunity
and reinstall it on your vehicle. Failure to do so could
result in loss of vehicle control.304 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!Prolonged use of limited use spare, or incorrect tire
size of front wheel, may damage the transaxle differ-
ential and result in loss of vehicle mobility and could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Tire Spinning
When stuck in mud, sand, snow, or ice conditions, do not
spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30 mph (48 km/h)
or for longer than 30 seconds continuously without
stopping when you are stuck.
Refer to ªFreeing A Stuck Vehicleº in Section 6 of this
manual for additional information. WARNING!Fast spinning tires can be dangerous. Forces gener-
ated by excessive wheel speeds may cause tire dam-
age or failure. A tire could explode and injure some-
one. Do not spin your vehicle's wheels faster than 30
mph (48 km/h) or for more than 30 seconds continu-
ously when you are stuck, and don't let anyone near
a spinning wheel, no matter what the speed. STARTING AND OPERATING 305
5

Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves. They will appear as bands when the tread depth becomes approximately 1/16 in (2 mm). When the tread
is worn to the tread wear indicators, the tire should be
replaced.
Life of Tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon varying
factors including but not limited to:
² Driving style
² Tire pressure
² Distance driven
WARNING!Tires and spare tire should be replaced after six years,
regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow
this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You
could lose control and have an accident resulting in
serious injury or death.306 STARTING AND OPERATING