check engine DODGE AVENGER 2012 2.G Owner's Manual

WARNING! (Continued)
•To avoid contamination from foreign matter or
moisture, use only new brake fluid or fluid that
has been in a tightly closed container. Keep the
master cylinder reservoir cap secured at all times.
Brake fluid in a open container absorbs moisture
from the air resulting in a lower boiling point.
This may cause it to boil unexpectedly during hard
or prolonged braking, resulting in sudden brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
•Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts, causing
the brake fluid to catch fire. Brake fluid can also
damage painted and vinyl surfaces, care should be
taken to avoid its contact with these surfaces.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow petroleum based fluid to contami-
nate the brake fluid. Brake seal components could
be damaged, causing partial or complete brake
failure. This could result in a collision.
Automatic Transmission
The automatic transmission and differential assembly are
contained within a single housing.
The fluid level in the automatic transmission should be
checked whenever the vehicle is serviced. Operation with
an improper fluid level will greatly reduce the life of the
transmission and the fluid.
Selection Of Lubricant
It is important that the proper lubricant is used in the
transmission to assure optimum transmission perfor-
mance. Use only the manufacturer’s recommended trans-
mission fluid. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 443

Fluid Level Check – Four-Speed Automatic
Transmission
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transmission 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 transmission.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445

•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 8,000 miles (13 000 km) or six months, which-
ever comes first.
Your authorized dealer will reset the oil change indicator
message after completing the scheduled oil change. If a
scheduled oil change is performed by someone other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)/Oil Change Required” in
“Understanding Your Instrument Panel” or under “In-
strument Cluster Description/Odometer/Trip Odom-
eter” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel” for
further information. 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.
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.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 469

Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)......... 283
Automatic Transaxle .................... 13,298
Adding Fluid ....................... 465
Selection Of Lubricant ................. 465
Automatic Transmission ................302,443
Adding Fluid .................... 445,446
Fluid and Filter Changes ............... 446
Fluid Level Check ................. 445,446
Fluid Type ......................... 443
Gear Ranges ..................... 304,312
Special Additives ..................... 444
Autostick ............................. 319
B-Pillar Location ........................ 341
Battery ............................... 427
Jump Starting ........................ 30
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ..... 26
Location ........................... 427
Belts, Seat .............................. 87 Body Mechanism Lubrication
............... 431
Brake Assist System ...................... 331
Brake System ........................... 441
Anti-Lock (ABS) ..................... 328
Fluid Check ..................... 441,465
Master Cylinder ..................... 441
Parking ........................... 326
Warning Light ....................... 199
Brake, Parking .......................... 326
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 303
Brakes ............................... 441
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 84
Bulb Replacement ..................... 458,459
Bulbs, Light .......................... 89,458
Calibration, Compass ..................... 217
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ......... 21
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 463
10
INDEX 493

Caps, FillerFuel .............................. 373
Oil (Engine) ..................... 417,425
Power Steering ...................... 325
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 438
Car Washes ............................ 447
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............86,369
Cellular Phone ........................ 99,278
Chains, Tire ............................ 354
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 394
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 337
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 420
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 85
Checks, Safety ........................... 85
Child Restraint .................... 72,74,79,82
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............77,79
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Cigar Lighter ........................... 180 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 365
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 449
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 432
Climate Control ......................... 279
Clock ........................... 226,245,254
Coin Holder ........................... 182
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 278
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 349
Compass ........................... 210,216
Compass Calibration ..................... 217
Compass Variance ....................... 218
Computer, Trip/Travel .................. 21,215
Connector UCI .............................. 269
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 269
Console .............................. 147
Console, Floor ....................... 147,182
Contract, Service ........................ 485
494 INDEX

DrivingOn Slippery Surfaces .................. 321
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water ............................. 322
E-85 Fuel ............................. 369
Electric Rear Window Defrost ............... 186
Electric Remote Mirrors .................... 97
Electrical Power Outlets ................... 176
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ...... 161
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ............. 332
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) .... 211
Emergency Trunk Release .................39,40
Emergency, In Case of Jacking ............................ 394
Jump Starting ....................... 405
Towing ............................ 412
Emission Control System Maintenance ......... 420
Engine ............................... 417 Air Cleaner
......................... 427
Block Heater ........................ 301
Break-In Recommendations .............. 84
Checking Oil Level ................... 423
Compartment ....................... 418
Compartment Identification ............. 418
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................ 436,464
Cooling ........................... 436
Exhaust Gas Caution ................86,369
Fails to Start ........................ 299
Flooded, Starting ..................... 299
Fuel Requirements ................. 365,463
Jump Starting ....................... 405
Oil ......................... 423,463,464
Oil Change Interval .............202,215,424
Oil Filler Cap .................... 417,425
Oil Filter ........................... 426
Oil Filter Disposal .................... 426
Oil Selection ..................... 424,463
496 INDEX

Fluid Level ChecksAutomatic Transmission .............445,446
Brake .......................... 441,465
Cooling System ...................... 436
Engine Oil ......................... 423
Power Steering ................... 325,465
Fluids ................................ 464
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 464
Fog Lights ....................... 153,205,461
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 146,147
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 409
Fuel ................................. 365
Adding ........................... 373
Additives .......................... 367
Clean Air .......................... 365
Ethanol ........................... 366
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............196,373
Filler Door (Gas Cap) .................. 196
Gasoline ........................... 365 Gauge
............................ 196
Light ............................. 197
Materials Added ..................... 367
Methanol .......................... 366
Octane Rating .................... 365,464
Requirements .................... 365,463
Tank Capacity ....................... 463
Fuel System Caution ..................... 374
Fuel, Flexible ........................... 369
Fueling ............................... 373
Fuses ................................ 453
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®) ........... 164
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ............373,375,419
Gasoline, Clean Air ...................... 365
Gasoline, Reformulated ................... 365
Gauges Coolant Temperature .................. 196
Fuel .............................. 196
498 INDEX

Lights.............................. 89,150
Airbag .................... 65,66,71,87,197
Back-Up ........................... 461
Brake Assist Warning .................. 335
Brake Warning ...................... 199
Bulb Replacement .................... 459
Daytime Running .................... 154
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . 335
Engine Temperature Warning ............ 198
Exterior ............................ 89
Fog ......................... 153,205,461
Headlight Switch ..................... 150
Headlights ......................... 150
Headlights On With Wipers ............. 159
High Beam Indicator .................. 209
Illuminated Entry ..................... 21
Instrument Cluster ................... 150
Interior ............................ 155
License ............................ 462 Lights On Reminder
.................. 154
Low Fuel .......................... 197
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ...... 207
Map Reading ....................... 155
Oil Pressure ........................ 198
Passing ............................ 153
Seat Belt Reminder ................... 197
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ............. 19
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............ 204
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) .......205,356
Traction Control ..................... 335
Turn Signal ................. 89,152,204,461
Voltage ............................ 197
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . . 196
Loading Vehicle ...................... 376,377
Capacities .......................... 377
Tires .............................. 341
Locks Auto Unlock ......................... 32
10
INDEX 501

Automatic Door...................... 32
Child Protection ...................... 34
Power Door ......................... 32
Low Tire Pressure System .................. 356
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 79
Lubrication, Body ....................... 431
Lumbar Support ........................ 141
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 427
Maintenance Procedures ................... 422
Maintenance Schedule .................... 468
Maintenance, General ..................... 422
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 207,420
Manual, Service ......................... 487
Map/Reading Lights ..................... 155
Master Cylinder (Brakes) .................. 441
Methanol ............................. 366
Mini-Trip Computer ................... 210,215Mirrors
................................ 95
Automatic Dimming ................... 95
Electric Powered ...................... 97
Outside ............................ 98
Rearview ........................... 95
Vanity ............................. 99
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle ............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ............... 356
Mopar Parts ......................... 421,486
MTBE/ETBE ........................... 366
New Vehicle Break-In Period ................ 84
Occupant Restraints ..................... 64,68
Occupant Restraints (Sedan) .........40,61,62,64,67
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) .............. 365
Odometer ............................. 200
Trip ........................... 200,203
Oil Change Indicator .................. 202,215
502 INDEX

Oil Change Indicator, Reset..............202,215
Oil Filter, Change ........................ 426
Oil Filter, Selection ....................... 426
Oil Pressure Light ....................... 198
Oil, Engine ......................... 423,464
Capacity ........................... 463
Change Interval ................ 202,215,424
Checking .......................... 423
Dipstick ........................... 423
Disposal ........................... 426
Filter .......................... 426,464
Filter Disposal ....................... 426
Identification Logo ................... 424
Materials Added to ................... 426
Recommendation .................. 424,463
Synthetic .......................... 426
Viscosity ........................ 425,463
Onboard Diagnostic System ..............419,420
Opener, Garage Door (HomeLink®) ........... 164Operator Manual (Owner’s Manual)
............ 4
Overheating, Engine ...................... 392
Owner’s Manual (Operator Manual) .........4,487
Paint Care ............................. 446
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 326
Passing Light ........................... 153
Personal Settings ........................ 221
Pets .................................. 84
Phone, Cellular .......................... 99
Phone, Hands-Free (Uconnect™) .............. 99
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 341
Power Door Locks ......................... 32
Mirrors ............................ 97
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) ........ 176
Seats ............................. 135
Steering ........................ 324,325
10
INDEX 503