coolant level DODGE AVENGER 2009 2.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is
located on the left side of the vehicle.
3. Temperature Gauge
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant tempera-
ture. Any reading below the red area of the gauge shows
that the engine cooling system is operating properly. The
gauge pointer may show a higher than normal tempera-
ture when driving in hot weather, up mountain grades, in
heavy stop and go traffic, or when towing a trailer.If the pointer rises to theH(red) mark, the instrument
cluster will sound a chime. Pull over and stop the vehicle.
Idle the vehicle with the air conditioner turned off until
the pointer drops back into the normal range. If the
pointer remains on theH(red) mark, turn the engine off
immediately and call for service.
There are steps that you can take to slow down an
impending overheat condition. If your air conditioning is
on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the engine cooling system and turning off the A/C
removes this heat. You can also turn the Temperature
control to maximum heat, the Mode control to Floor and
the Fan control to High. This allows the heater core to act
as a supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
4. Speedometer
Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour (MPH) and
kilometers per hour (km/h).
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
4

CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
Propylene Glycol based engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Use of Propylene Glycol based engine
coolant (antifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to 5 Years or 102,000 miles (170 000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) engine coolant
(antifreeze).When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below34 F
(37 C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 387
7

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a
child, contact a physician immediately. Clean up any
ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
4 Cylinder Engines —the coolant bottle provides a quick
visual method for determining that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) level is adequate. With the engine idling and
warm to normal operating temperature, the level of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be be-
tween the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown on the bottle.
6 Cylinder Engines —the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the pressurized coolant bottle should be
between the “COLD” and “FULL” range on the bottle
when the engine is cold.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing cool-
ant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as the
engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month. When addi-
tional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to maintain
the proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle.
Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
7

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

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
2.4L and 2.7L Engine — (Except 2.4L PZEV) 16.9 Gallons 64 Liters
2.4L PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) 18.5 Gallons 70 Liters
3.5L Engine 17.2 Gallons 65 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts 4.4 Liters
2.7L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 5.5 Quarts 5.2 Liters
3.5L Engine (SAE 10W-30, API Certified) 5.5 Quarts 5.2 Liters
Cooling System*
2.4L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula) or equivalent.7.7 Quarts 7.3 Liters
2.7L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula) or equivalent.9.8 Quarts 9.3 Liters
3.5L Engine (MOPARAntifreeze/Coolant 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula) or equivalent.11.6 Quarts 11 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 417
7

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
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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

Contract, Service........................ 443
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 388
Cooler, Beverage........................ 168
Cooling System......................... 385
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 387
Coolant Capacity...................... 417
Coolant Level......................385,389
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 388
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 386
Inspection........................... 389
Points to Remember.................... 389
Pressure Cap......................... 388
Radiator Cap......................... 388
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......386,417,418
Corrosion Protection..................... 395
Crankcase Ventilation Module............... 21
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 144
Cruise Light........................... 182
Cupholders......................132,160,400Customer Assistance..................... 441
Customer Programmable Features............ 196
Data Recorder, Event...................... 66
Dealer Service.......................... 373
Defroster, Rear Window................... 167
Defroster, Windshield................81,252,258
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 141
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 370
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 139
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................393,394
Oil (Engine).......................... 373
Power Steering........................ 282
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 362
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 388
Engine Oil........................... 376
Door Locks............................. 31
INDEX 453
10

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