coolant temperature DODGE AVENGER 2010 2.G Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTIONS
1. 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 the H(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.
2. Fuel Door Reminder
This is a reminder that the Fuel Filler Door is
located on the left side of the vehicle.
3. Fuel Gauge
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the
pointer will show the level of fuel remaining in the fuel
tank.
4. Speedometer
Indicates the vehicle speed in miles per hour (MPH) and
kilometers per hour (km/h).
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
•If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower 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.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only) —
If Equipped
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.
NOTE: The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of
53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.
328 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

replacement. To prevent reducing this extended mainte-
nance 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) or
equivalent.
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (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.
NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 369

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposalrules 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
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
Four-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 between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown
on the bottle.
Six-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.
370 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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. 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, the contents of
the 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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 371

•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 “Maintenance Schedule” for further information.
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 would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
372 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

About Your Brakes....................... 259
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 262
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 368
Adding Fuel ........................... 309
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... 364
Additives, Fuel ......................... 303
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 358
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 360
Air Conditioning ........................ 225
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 225
Air Conditioning Filter .................236,361
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 237
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .............360,361
Air Conditioning System .............225,229,360
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 283
Airbag .............................. 53,63
Airbag Deployment ....................... 64
Airbag Light ..................... 62,67,82,151
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 66 Airbag, Side
........................ 56,60,63
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ...........57,60,63
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............17,158
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 216
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..............368,396
Disposal ............................ 370
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 262
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 262
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 17
Appearance Care ........................ 377
Ashtray ............................... 132
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 34
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 31
Auto Up Power Windows ................35,129
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 90
Automatic Door Locks ................... 30,31
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ........156,166,400
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 229
428 INDEX

GaugesCoolant Temperature ................... 150
Fuel ............................... 150
Odometer ........................... 154
Tachometer .......................... 154
Gearshift .............................. 249
General Information .................... 17,299
General Maintenance ..................... 353
Glass Cleaning .......................... 381
Glove Compartment ...................... 140
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............312,315
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............312,314
GVWR ............................... 312
Hands-Free Phone (Uconnect™) .............. 93
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising,
or Shallow Standing Water ............... 256
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 327 Head Restraints
.......................... 97
Headlights ............................ 389
Bulb Replacement ...................... 389
Cleaning ............................ 379
High Beam ........................ 109,163
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ........ 109
On With Wipers ....................... 116
Passing ............................. 109
Switch .............................. 107
Heated Seats ........................... 101
Heater ............................... 225
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 246
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ 316
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 121
Hood Release .......................... 105
Ignition ............................... 12
Key ................................ 12
10
INDEX 435

Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 222
Storage ............................ 134,388
Storage, Vehicle ......................... 235
Stuck, Freeing .......................... 339
Sun Roof .............................. 127
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag ........ 53
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 357
Tachometer ............................ 154
Taillights .............................. 392
Telescoping Steering Column ............... 117
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 229
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......150,327
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 73
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 17
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 17
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 117
Time Delay, Headlight .................... 108 Tire and Loading Information Placard
......... 278
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 276
Tire Markings .......................... 272
Tire Safety Information .................... 272
Tires ............................ 84,282,425
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 288
Air Pressure .......................... 282
Chains .............................. 289
Changing ............................ 329
Compact Spare ........................ 285
General Information .................... 282
High Speed .......................... 284
Inflation Pressures ..................... 283
Jacking ............................. 329
Life of Tires .......................... 288
Load Capacity ..................... 278,279
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ........... 291
Pressure Warning Light .................. 159
Quality Grading ....................... 425
10
INDEX 443