adding oil DODGE AVENGER 2013 2.G Owners Manual

▫Fuel System Cautions ...................373
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings .............374
 FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) —
IF EQUIPPED ........................ .375
▫ E-85 General Information ...............375
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ....................376
▫ Fuel Requirements ....................376
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel
Vehicles (E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles .......377
▫ Starting ........................... .378
▫ Cruising Range ...................... .378
▫ Replacement Parts ....................378
▫ Maintenance ....................... .378
ADDING FUEL ....................... .379
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ...............379
▫ Loose Filler Cap Message ...............381
 VEHICLE LOADING ....................381
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ...............381
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) .......381
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) .........382
▫ Overloading ........................ .382
▫ Loading ........................... .382
 TRAILER TOWING .....................383
▫ Common Towing Definitions .............383
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ...............385
296 STARTING AND OPERATING

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 2.4L ..........425
 ENGINE COMPARTMENT — 3.6L ..........426

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM — OBD II . . .427
▫ Loose Fuel Filler Cap Message ............427

EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS ......................... .428
REPLACEMENT PARTS ..................429
 DEALER SERVICE ..................... .430
 MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ...........430
▫ Engine Oil ......................... .431▫
Engine Oil Filter ..................... .434
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ................434
▫ Maintenance-Free Battery ...............435
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance .............437
▫ A/C Air Filter – If Equipped .............438
▫ Body Lubrication .....................440
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............440
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................441
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .442
▫ Cooling System ..................... .4447

CAUTION!(Continued)
•Your vehicle has been built with improved fluids
that protect the performance and durability of your
vehicle and also allow extended maintenance inter-
vals. Do not use chemical flushes in these compo-
nents as the chemicals can damage your engine,
transmission, power steering or air conditioning.
Such damage is not covered by the New Vehicle
Limited Warranty. If a flush is needed because of
component malfunction, use only the specified
fluid for the flushing procedure.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop. The best time to check the engine oil level is about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Do not check oil level
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking engine oil level when the engine is cold will
give you an incorrect reading.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground and
only when the engine is hot, will improve the accuracy of
the oil level readings. Maintain the oil level between the
range markings on the dipstick. Either the range mark-
ings consist of a crosshatch zone marked SAFE or a
crosshatch zone marked with MIN at the low end of the
range and MAX at the high end of the range. Adding one
quart of oil when the reading is at the low end of the
range marking will raise the oil level to the high end of
the range marking.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 431

CAUTION!
Do not overfill the engine. Overfilling the engine
will cause oil aeration, which can lead to loss of oil
pressure and an increase in oil temperature. This
could damage your engine. Also, be sure the oil fill
cap is replaced and tightened after adding oil.
Change Engine Oil
The oil change indicator system will remind you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for further informa-
tion.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever occurs first.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends engine oils that are API Certified and meet
the requirements of Chrysler Material Standard MS-6395.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API). The
manufacturer only recommends
API Certified engine oils.
432 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.
Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
NOTE:
Life expectancy of wiper blades varies depending
on geographical area and frequency of use. Poor perfor-
mance of blades may be present with chattering, marks,
water lines or wet spots. If any of these conditions are
present, clean the wiper blades or replace as necessary.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer and the rear window washer
share the same fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir is
located in the engine compartment. Be sure to check the
fluid level in the reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with windshield washer solvent (not radiator
antifreeze) and operate the system for a few seconds to
flush out the residual water.
When refilling the washer fluid reservoir, apply some
washer fluid to a cloth or towel and wipe the wiper
blades clean. This will help blade performance.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 441

4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt from 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 is
driven at least 15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature of approximately 80° F (27° C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert it until seated. Then, remove the dipstick and note the fluid level on
both sides. The fluid level reading is only valid if there
is a solid coating of oil on both sides of the dipstick. Note that the holes in the dipstick will be full of fluid
if the actual level is at or above the hole.
• If the fluid is hot, the fluid level should be in the
crosshatched area marked “HOT” (between the up-
per two holes in the dipstick).
• 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 fluid through the dipstick
tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not overfill. After
adding any quantity of oil through the dipstick tube, wait
at least two minutes for the oil to fully drain into the
transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
8. Check for leaks. Release the parking brake.
To prevent dirt and water from entering the transmission
after checking or replenishing fluid, make sure that the
dipstick cap is properly reseated.
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

About Your Brakes....................... .328
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................330
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............446
Adding Fuel ............................ .379
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .441
Additives, Fuel .......................... .373
Airbag ..................................61
Airbag Deployment ........................71
Airbag Light .............................68
Airbag Maintenance ........................73
Airbag, Side ..............................64
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ................65
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .434
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................437
Air Conditioning ......................... .278
Air Conditioning Controls ...................278
Air Conditioning Filter .....................290
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............291
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................437Air Conditioning System
....................278
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .350
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ................19
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ...............7
Antenna, Satellite Radio .....................265
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................445
Disposal ............................. .448
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................330
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................330
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..........19
Appearance Care ........................ .456
Ashtray ............................... .198
Assistance Towing ........................ .126
Auto Down Power Windows ..................38
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................108
Automatic Door Locks ......................34
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ...............219
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........282
Automatic Transaxle ........................13
498 INDEX

Automatic Transmission....................303
Adding Fluid ......................... .453
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................456
Fluid Level Check ...................... .453
Fluid Type ........................... .452
Gear Ranges .......................... .306
Special Additives ...................... .453
Autostick .............................. .321
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................34
Auto Up Power Windows ....................38
Battery ................................ .435
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........27
Location ............................. .435
Belts, Seat ...............................98
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................440
B-Pillar Location ......................... .345
Brake Assist System ...................... .334
Brake, Parking .......................... .328Brake System
........................... .450
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... .330
Fluid Check .......................... .450
Master Cylinder ....................... .450
Parking ............................. .328
Warning Light ........................ .216
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................305
Bulb Replacement ........................ .468
Bulbs, Light ............................ .101
Calibration, Compass ..................... .235
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........22
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .474
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .379
Oil (Engine) .......................... .425
Power Steering ........................ .327
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................447
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................97
10
INDEX 499

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
10
INDEX 503

Vehicle Storage.......................... .289
Vehicle Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ............19
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... .433
Voice Recognition System (VR) ................142
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .213
Warnings and Cautions .......................6
Warranty Information ..................... .491
Washer Adding Fluid ......................... .441
Washers, Windshield ...................... .172
Washing Vehicle ......................... .457
Water Driving Through ....................... .324
Wheel and Wheel Trim .....................458
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care .................458
Wind Buffeting ............................40 Window Fogging
........................ .289
Windows ................................37
Power ................................37
Windshield Defroster .......................99
Windshield Washers ...................... .172
Fluid ............................... .441
Windshield Wiper Blades ....................440
Windshield Wipers ....................... .172
Wiper Blade Replacement ...................440
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... .174
10
INDEX 515