cooling DODGE AVENGER 2013 2.G User Guide

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 or
rusty 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 visible
sediment, have an authorized dealer clean and flush with
OAT coolant (antifreeze) (conforming to MS-12106).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
(Continued)
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 445

CAUTION!(Continued)
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze) or any “globally compat-
ible” coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, the cooling system will
need to be drained, flushed, and refilled with fresh
OAT coolant (conforming to MS-12106), by an
authorized dealer as soon as possible.
• Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (anti-
freeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (OAT coolant conforming to MS-12106) that
allows extended maintenance intervals. This engine
coolant (antifreeze) can be used up to ten years or
150,000 miles (240,000 km) before replacement. To pre-
vent reducing this extended maintenance period, it is
important that you use the same engine coolant (OAT
coolant conforming to MS-12106) throughout the life of
your vehicle.
446 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Please review these recommendations for using Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant (antifreeze)
that meets the requirements of Chrysler Material Stan-
dard MS-12106. When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•We recommend using MOPAR® Antifreeze/Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology) that meets the requirements of Chrysler
Material Standard MS-12106.
• Mix a minimum solution of 50% OAT engine coolant
that meets the requirements of Chrysler Material Stan-
dard MS-12106 and distilled water. Use higher concen-
trations (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below
34° 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 is not
recommended and can result in cooling system damage.
If HOAT and OAT coolant are mixed in an emergency,
have a authorized dealer drain, flush, and refill with OAT
coolant (conforming to MS-12106) as soon as possible.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery tank.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 447

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
Never add engine coolant (antifreeze) when the
engine is overheated. Do not loosen or remove the
cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pres-
sure 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 disposal rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant 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.
448 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 expansion bottle.
• Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
a minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS-12106) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 449

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate)
All Engines — (Except 2.4L PZEV) 16.9 Gallons64 Liters
2.4L PZEV (Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) 18.5 Gallons70 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
2.4L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 4.5 Quarts4.26 Liters
3.6L Engine (SAE 5W-20, API Certified) 6 Quarts5.6 Liters
Cooling System*
2.4L Engine (MOPAR® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 7.7 Quarts
7.3 Liters
3.6L Engine (MOPAR® Antifreeze/Engine Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent) 11.6 Quarts
11 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
474 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission as
needed
• Check function of all interior and exterior lights
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the maintenance schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
• Rotate the tires. Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
• Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
• Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
• Inspect engine cooling system protection and
hoses.
• Inspect exhaust system.
• Inspect engine air cleaner if using in dusty or
off-road conditions.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 479

Car Washes............................ .457
Cellular Phone ...........................112
Certification Label ........................ .381
Chains, Tire ............................ .360
Changing A Flat Tire ...................... .400
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .340
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .428
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............97
Checks, Safety ............................97
Child Restraint ............................76
Child Safety Locks .........................35
Cigar Lighter ........................... .198
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .371
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .458
Climate Control ......................... .278
Clock ................................. .244
Cold Weather Operation ....................300
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............277Compact Spare Tire
....................... .354
Compass .............................. .227
Compass Calibration ...................... .235
Compass Variance ........................ .235
Computer, Trip/Travel ......................22
Connector UCI................................ .268
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ..........268
Console ............................... .162
Console, Floor .......................... .162
Contract, Service ......................... .490
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........447
Cooling System .......................... .444
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............446
Coolant Capacity ...................... .474
Coolant Level ......................... .445
Disposal of Used Coolant .................448
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................445
Inspection ........................... .448
500 INDEX

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..............335
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......229
Emergency, In Case of Jacking .............................. .400
Jump Starting ......................... .412
Towing ............................. .419
Emergency Trunk Release ....................42
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........428
Engine ................................ .425
Air Cleaner .......................... .434
Block Heater ......................... .302
Break-In Recommendations .................96
Checking Oil Level ..................... .431
Compartment ......................... .426
Compartment Identification ................426
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................445
Cooling ............................. .444
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................97
Fails to Start .......................... .300Flooded, Starting
...................... .300
Fuel Requirements ..................... .370
Jump Starting ......................... .412
Oil................................. .431
Oil Change Interval ..................... .219
Oil Filler Cap ......................... .425
Oil Selection .......................... .432
Oil Synthetic ......................... .433
Overheating .......................... .398
Starting ............................. .298
Temperature Gauge ..................... .213
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .433
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................433
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............71
Entry System, Illuminated ....................22
Ethanol ............................... .371
Event Data Recorder ........................74
Exhaust Gas Caution ........................97
502 INDEX

Exhaust System...........................97
Exterior Lights .......................... .101
Fabric Care ............................. .460
Filler Location Fuel ....................... .213
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .434
Air Conditioning ...................... .290
Engine Oil ........................... .434
Engine Oil Disposal .....................434
Flashers ............................... .398
Hazard Warning ....................... .398
Turn Signal .......................... .101
Flash-To-Pass ........................... .169
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ........................ .378
Engine Oil ........................... .377
Fuel Requirements ..................... .375
Maintenance .......................... .378Replacement Parts
...................... .378
Starting ............................. .378
Flooded Engine Starting ....................300
Fluid Capacities ......................... .474
Fluid Leaks ............................ .101
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................453
Brake ............................... .450
Cooling System ........................ .445
Engine Oil ........................... .431
Power Steering ........................ .327
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........475
Fog Lights ............................. .169
Folding Rear Seat ........................ .161
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................416
Fuel .................................. .370
Adding ............................. .379
Additives ............................ .373
Clean Air ............................ .371
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INDEX 503