check engine DODGE AVENGER 2009 2.G Owner's Manual

If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
•Use of a brake fluid that has a lower initial boiling
point than the recommended MOPARDOT 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.
392 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid Level Check — Vehicles with 2.4L and 2.7L
Engines
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transaxle fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at curb idle speed for a minimum of
60 seconds.
3. Apply the parking brake fully.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate
the possibility of dirt entering the transaxle.
6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. Hot fluid is approximately 180°F (82° C), which
is the normal operating temperature after the vehicle isdriven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature below 80°F (27° C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Then,
remove dipstick and note the reading.
a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked “COLD.”
If the fluid level is low, add sufficient fluid through the
filler (dipstick) tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not
overfill.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 393
7

CAUTION!
•Using a transmission fluid other than the manu-
facturer’s recommended fluid may cause deterio-
ration in transmission shift quality and/or torque
converter shudder. Using a transmission fluid
other than that recommended by the manufacturer
will result in more frequent fluid and filter
changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” for the correct fluid type.
•Dirt and water in the transaxle can cause serious
damage. To prevent dirt and water from entering
the transaxle after checking or replenishing fluid,
make certain that the dipstick cap is re-seated
properly.
Fluid Level Check — Vehicles with 3.5L Engine
The automatic transaxle has no dipstick and is dealer
serviced only.
Transmission Fluid and Filter Changes
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
In addition, change the fluid and filter if the transaxle is
disassembled for any reason.
Special Additives
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transaxle. The only exception to this policy is
the use of special dyes to aid in detecting fluid leaks. In
addition, avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
394 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:
•The oil change indicator message will not monitor the
time since the last oil change. Change your vehicles oil
if it has been 6 months since your last oil change even
if the oil change indicator message is NOT illumi-
nated.
•Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
•Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your dealer will reset the oil change indicator message
after completing the scheduled oil change. If this sched-
uled oil change is performed by someone other than your
dealer the message can be reset by referring to the steps
described under “Oil Change Required” in “Use FactorySettings” of the EVIC section in this manual or under
“Odometer/Trip Odometer” in the “Instrument Cluster
Descriptions section of this manual.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•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 ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 423
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, and transmission and add as needed.
•Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
424 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 254
Automatic Transaxle.................13,270,392
Adding Fluid...................393,394,419
Filter............................... 394
Fluid and Filter Changes................. 394
Fluid Level Check...................393,394
Interlock System....................... 272
Reset Mode.......................... 275
Selection Of Lubricant................... 419
Shifting............................. 273
Special Additives...................... 394
Autostick............................. 276
Battery............................... 378
Gas Caution.......................... 378
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE)....... 26
Location............................ 378
Beverage Cooler........................ 168
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 381B-Pillar Location........................ 299
Brake Assist System...................... 290
Brake, Parking.......................... 282
Brake System........................284,390
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 286
Fluid Check.......................391,419
Master Cylinder....................... 391
Parking............................. 282
Warning Light........................ 187
Brakes.............................284,390
Brake/Transmission Interlock............... 271
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 79
Bulb Replacement.....................409,410
Bulbs, Light............................ 409
Calibration, Compass..................... 194
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)......... 21
Capacities, Fluid........................ 417
INDEX 451
10

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 331
Oil (Engine)..................367,368,369,375
Power Steering........................ 282
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 388
Car Washes............................ 395
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 327
Cargo Area Features...................... 162
Cargo Compartment...................... 162
Cargo Load Floor........................ 162
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 162
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 80
Cellular Phone........................91,249
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 415
Chains, Tire............................ 312
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 350
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 296
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 371Child Restraint....................68,70,74,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............72,74
Child Safety Locks........................ 34
Cigar Lighter........................... 159
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 324
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 397
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 382
Climate Control......................... 250
Clock........................200,214,218,228
Coin Holder........................... 164
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 249
Compact Spare Tire...................... 306
Compass.............................. 193
Compass Calibration..................... 194
Compass Variance....................... 194
Computer, Trip/Travel..................21,192
Console............................132,164
Console, Floor.......................132,164
452 INDEX

Door Locks, Automatic.................... 32
Door Opener, Garage..................... 147
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 278
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water......................... 279
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™).... 244
E-85 Fuel............................. 328
Electric Rear Window Defrost............... 167
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 89
Electrical Power Outlets................... 156
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)...... 144
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)............ 291
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC).... 189
Emergency, In Case of
Jacking............................. 350
Jump Starting......................... 358
Towing............................. 362Emergency Trunk Release.................39,40
Emission Control System Maintenance......371,422
Engine..........................367,368,369
Air Cleaner.......................... 377
Block Heater......................... 269
Break-In Recommendations................ 79
Checking Oil Level..................... 373
Coolant (Antifreeze).................385,418
Cooling............................. 385
Exhaust Gas Caution.................... 327
Fuel Requirements..................323,417
Jump Starting......................... 358
Oil ...........................373,417,418
Oil Change Interval............181,191,374,422
Oil Filler Cap.................367,368,369,375
Oil Filter............................ 377
Oil Filter Disposal...................... 376
Oil Selection.......................375,417
Oil Synthetic......................... 376
454 INDEX

Overheating.......................... 348
Temperature Gauge..................... 177
Engine Oil Viscosity...................... 375
Enhanced Accident Response Feature.......... 63
Entry System, Illuminated.................. 21
Ethanol............................... 324
Event Data Recorder...................... 66
Exhaust Gas Caution................80,327,383
Exhaust System......................... 383
Extender, Seat Belt........................ 51
Fabric Care.........................397,398
Filler Location Fuel....................177,331
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 377
Air Conditioning....................261,380
Automatic Transaxle.................... 394
Engine Oil........................377,418
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 376Flashers.............................. 348
Hazard Warning....................... 348
Turn Signal.......................... 413
Flash-To-Pass........................... 137
Flat Tire Stowage........................ 357
Flexible Fuel Vehicles..................... 328
Cruising Range........................ 331
Engine Oil........................... 330
Fuel Requirements..................328,329
Maintenance.......................328,331
Replacement Parts..................... 331
Starting............................. 330
Flooded Engine Starting................... 268
Floor Console.......................... 164
Fluid Capacities......................... 417
Fluid Leaks............................. 81
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle.................393,394
Brake............................391,419
INDEX 455
10