check engine DODGE AVENGER 2014 2.G Owner's Manual

•Make sure that the coolant expansion 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 engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly a collision. 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 failure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the requirements described on the brake fluid reser-
voir.
450 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:No chemical flushes should be used in any
transmission; only the approved lubricant should be
used.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or torque converter
shudder, and will require more frequent fluid and
filter changes. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in this section for fluid specifica-
tions.
Special Additives
The manufacturer strongly recommends against using
any special additives in the transmission. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is an engineered
product and its performance may be impaired by supple-
mental additives. Therefore, do not add any fluid addi-
tives to the transmission. The only exception to this
policy is the use of special dyes for diagnosing fluid
leaks. Avoid using transmission sealers as they may
adversely affect seals.
CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check — Four-Speed Transmission
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 453

2. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
3. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brake pedal.
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.
454 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic oil change
indicator system. The oil change indicator system will
remind you that it is time to take your vehicle in for
scheduled maintenance.
Based on engine operation conditions, the oil change
indicator message will illuminate. This means that ser-
vice is required for your vehicle. Operating conditions
such as frequent short-trips, trailer tow, extremely hot or
cold ambient temperatures, and E85 fuel usage will
influence when the “Oil Change Required” message is
displayed. Severe Operating Conditions can cause the
change oil message to illuminate as early as 3,500 miles
(5,600 km) since last reset. Have your vehicle serviced as
soon as possible, within the next 500 miles (805 km).
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 otherthan 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” for further in-
formation.
NOTE:
Under no circumstances should oil change inter-
vals exceed 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or twelve months,
whichever comes first.
Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
• Check engine oil level.
• Check windshield washer fluid level.
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S478 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
• Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission
(four-speed only) and fill 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.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•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.
• 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

Adding Fluid......................... .453
Fluid and Filter Changes ..................456
Fluid Level Check ...................... .453
Fluid Type ........................... .452
Gear Ranges .......................... .303
Special Additives ...................... .453
Autostick .............................. .318
Auto Unlock, Doors ........................33
Auto Up Power Windows ....................38
Battery ................................ .435
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........26
Location ............................. .435
Belts, Seat ...............................99
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................439
B-Pillar Location ......................... .341
Brake Assist System ...................... .330
Brake, Parking .......................... .324
Brake System ........................... .450Anti-Lock (ABS)
....................... .326
Fluid Check .......................... .450
Master Cylinder ....................... .450
Parking ............................. .324
Warning Light ........................ .214
Brake/Transmission Interlock .................302
Bulb Replacement ........................ .469
Bulbs, Light ............................ .101
Calibration, Compass ..................... .233
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...........21
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .474
Caps, Filler Fuel ................................ .376
Oil (Engine) .......................... .425
Power Steering ........................ .323
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ................447
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................98
Car Washes ............................ .457
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INDEX 497

Cellular Phone...........................113
Certification Label ........................ .379
Chains, Tire ............................ .357
Changing A Flat Tire ...................... .399
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .337
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .428
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............97
Checks, Safety ............................97
Child Restraint ............................74
Child Safety Locks .........................34
Cigar Lighter ........................... .197
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... .368
Cleaning Wheels .............................. .458
Climate Control ......................... .276
Clock ................................. .241
Cold Weather Operation ....................297
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ..............275
Compact Spare Tire ....................... .352Compass
.............................. .225
Compass Calibration ...................... .233
Compass Variance ........................ .233
Computer, Trip/Travel ......................21
Connector UCI................................ .266
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ..........266
Console ............................... .162
Console, Floor .......................... .162
Contract, Service ......................... .489
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........447
Cooling System .......................... .444
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............446
Coolant Capacity ...................... .474
Coolant Level ......................... .444
Disposal of Used Coolant .................448
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................444
Inspection ........................... .448
Points to Remember .....................449
498 INDEX

Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)......226
Emergency, In Case of Jacking .............................. .399
Jump Starting ..........................411
Towing ............................. .418
Emergency Trunk Release ....................41
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........428
Engine ................................ .425
Air Cleaner .......................... .434
Block Heater ......................... .299
Break-In Recommendations .................96
Checking Oil Level ..................... .431
Compartment ......................... .426
Compartment Identification ................426
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................444
Cooling ............................. .444
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................98
Fails to Start .......................... .297
Flooded, Starting ...................... .297Fuel Requirements
..................... .368
Jump Starting ..........................411
Oil................................. .431
Oil Change Interval ..................... .217
Oil Filler Cap ......................... .425
Oil Selection .......................... .432
Oil Synthetic ......................... .434
Overheating .......................... .396
Starting ............................. .295
Temperature Gauge ......................211
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .433
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart ...................433
Enhanced Accident Response Feature ............70
Entry System, Illuminated ....................21
Ethanol ............................... .369
Event Data Recorder ........................73
Exhaust Gas Caution ........................98
Exhaust System ...........................98
500 INDEX

Exterior Lights.......................... .101
Fabric Care ............................. .460
Filler Location Fuel ........................211
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .434
Air Conditioning ...................... .289
Engine Oil ........................... .434
Engine Oil Disposal .....................434
Flashers ............................... .396
Hazard Warning ....................... .396
Turn Signal .......................... .101
Flash-To-Pass ........................... .168
Flexible Fuel Vehicles Cruising Range ........................ .375
Engine Oil ........................... .375
Fuel Requirements ..................... .372
Maintenance .......................... .376
Replacement Parts ...................... .376Starting
............................. .375
Flooded Engine Starting ....................297
Fluid Capacities ......................... .474
Fluid Leaks ............................ .101
Fluid Level Checks Automatic Transmission ..................453
Brake ............................... .450
Cooling System ........................ .444
Engine Oil ........................... .431
Power Steering ........................ .323
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........475
Fog Lights ............................. .169
Folding Rear Seat ........................ .161
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................416
Fuel .................................. .368
Adding ............................. .376
Additives ............................ .370
Clean Air ............................ .368
Ethanol ............................. .369
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INDEX 501

Illuminated Entry........................21
Instrument Cluster ..................... .165
Interior ............................. .170
License ............................. .474
Lights On Reminder .....................167
Low Fuel ............................ .212
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) .........222
Map Reading ......................... .170
Oil Pressure .......................... .213
Passing ............................. .168
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .212
Security Alarm ..........................19
Service .............................. .470
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............221
Traction Control ....................... .334
Turn Signal .......................... .101
Voltage ............................. .212
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) ......211
Loading Vehicle ......................... .379Capacities
........................... .380
Tires ............................... .341
Locks ..................................31
Automatic Door .........................33
Auto Unlock ...........................33
Child Protection .........................34
Door .................................31
Power Door ............................32
Low Tire Pressure System ...................359
Lubrication, Body ........................ .439
Lug Nuts .............................. .397
Lumbar Support ......................... .156
Maintenance Free Battery ....................435
Maintenance Procedures ....................430
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .478
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......222
Manual, Service ......................... .492
Map/Reading Lights ...................... .170
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INDEX 505