ignition DODGE AVENGER 2011 2.G Owners Manual

CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Damage to the fascia will occur.
•When securing the vehicle to a flatbed truck, do
not attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
•Do not push or tow this vehicle with another
vehicle as damage to the bumper fascia and trans-
mission may result.
•If the vehicle being towed requires steering, the
ignition switch must be in the ON position, not
the LOCK or ACC positions.
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed. If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, the vehicle may be flat towed (with all
four wheels on the ground) under the following condi-
tions:
•The shift lever must be in NEUTRAL.
•The distance to be traveled must not exceed 15 mi
(24 km).
•The towing speed must not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must
be towed faster than 25 mph (40 km/h) or farther than 15
mi (24 km), it must be towed with the front wheels OFF
the ground (using a flatbed truck, towing dolly, or
wheel lift equipment with the front wheels raised).
392 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

CAUTION!
Towing faster than 25 mph (40 km/h) or farther than
15 mi (24 km) with front wheels on the ground can
cause severe damage to the transmission. Such dam-
age is not covered by the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Without The Ignition Key
Special care must be taken when the vehicle is towed
with the ignition in the LOCK position. Flatbed towing is
the preferred towing method. However, if a flatbed
towing vehicle is not available, wheel lift towing equip-
ment may be used. Rear towing (with the front wheels onthe ground) is not allowed, as transmission damage will
occur. If rear towing is the only alternative, the front
wheels must be placed on a towing dolly. Proper towing
equipment is necessary to prevent damage to the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Failure to follow these towing methods could result
in damage to the transmission. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 393

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 “Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).” Resolv-
ing 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 your 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
notbe ready if your 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, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not
crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start
this test over.
3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part of
a normal bulb check.
400 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

4. 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 or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system is not readyand 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 or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
is ready and you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD II system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD II system is
ready or not, if the MIL is illuminated during normal
vehicle operation you should have your vehicle serviced
before going to the I/M station. The I/M station can fail
your vehicle because the MIL is on with the engine
running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine MOPAR
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 parts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 401

Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
In unusual situations involving grossly malfunctioning
engine operation, a scorching odor may suggest severe
and abnormal catalyst overheating. If this occurs, stop
the vehicle, turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Service, including a tune-up to manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, should be obtained immediately. To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition,
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idle or malfunctioning operating conditions.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 415

Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at anytime the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
•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 is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty orrusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
Cooling System – Drain, Flush, And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
416 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
1 40 Amp
Green —Power Top Module –
If Equipped
2— 20 Amp
Yellow AWD Module
3— 10 Amp
Red Center High
Mounted Stop Light
(CHMSL)/Brake
Switch
4— 10 Amp
Red Ignition Switch
5— 20 Amp
Yellow Trailer Tow – If
Equipped
6— 10 Amp
Red Power Mirror
Switch/Climate Con-
trols
7— 30 Amp
Green Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Sense 1
Totally Integrated Power Module
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 433

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
8— 30 Amp
Green Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Sense 2
9 40 Amp
Green Battery Feed – Power
Seats – If Equipped/
PZEV Air Pump – If
Equipped
10 — 20 Amp
Yellow Instrument Panel/
Power Locks/Interior
Lights
11 — 15 Amp
Lt Blue Selectable Power Out-
let (Inside Center
Arm Rest)
12 — 20 Amp
Yellow —
13 — 20 Amp
Yellow IgnitionCavityCartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
14 — 10 Amp
Red Instrument Panel
15 40 Amp
Green — Radiator Fan Relay
16 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Cigar Lighter/
Sunroof – If
Equipped
17 — 10 Amp
Red Wireless Control
Module (WCM)/
Clock/Steering Con-
trol Module (SCM)
18 40 Amp
Green —Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay
19 — 20 Amp
Yellow Audio Amplifier – If
Equipped
20 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Radio
434 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CavityCartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
21 — 10 Amp
Red Siren – If Equipped
22 — 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run – Cli-
mate Controls/Hot
Cupholder – If
Equipped
23 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay 3
24 — 25 Amp
Natural Sunroof – If
Equipped
25 — 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run —
Heated Mirrors - If
Equipped
26 — 15 Amp
Lt. Blue Auto Shutdown
(ASD) Relay 2Cavity
Cartridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
27 — 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run – Occu-
pant Classification
Module (OCM)/
Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC)
28 — 10 Amp
Red Ignition Run — Occu-
pant Classification
Module (OCM)/
Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC)
29 — — Hot Car (No Fuse
Required)
30 — 20 Amp
Yellow Ignition Run –
Heated Seats – If
Equipped
31 — 10 Amp
Red Headlamp Washer –
If Equipped
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 435

CAUTION!
•When installing the Totally Integrated Power
Module cover, it is important to ensure the cover is
properly positioned and fully latched. Failure to
do so may allow water to get into the Totally
Integrated Power Module, and possibly result in
an electrical system failure.
•When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to
use only a fuse having the correct amperage rating.
The use of a fuse with a rating other than indicated
may result in a dangerous electrical system over-
load. If a properly rated fuse continues to blow, it
indicates a problem in the circuit that must be
corrected.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you will not be using your vehicle for more than
21 days, you may want to take steps to preserve your
battery.
•Disengage the mini-fuse in the Power Distribution
Center labeled IOD (Ignition Off-Draw).
•Or disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
•Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of
service (i.e., vacation) for two weeks or more, run the
air conditioning system at idle for about five minutes
in the fresh air and high blower setting. This will
ensure adequate system lubrication to minimize the
possibility of compressor damage when the system is
started again.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 437