trailer DODGE AVENGER 2014 2.G Owner's Manual

The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle,
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
1 — Female Pins4 — Park
2 — Male Pin 5 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Ground 6 — Right Stop/Turn
1 — Battery5 — Ground
2 — Backup Lamps 6 — Left Stop/Turn
3 — Right Stop/Turn 7 — Running Lamps
4 — Electric Brakes
390 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing up the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Automatic Transmission
The DRIVE range can be selected when towing. How-
ever, if frequent shifting occurs while in DRIVE, select the
3range (with four-speed transmission) or select a lower
gear using the AutoStick® shift control (with six-speed
transmission).
NOTE: Using a lower gear while operating the vehicle
under heavy loading conditions, will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build-up. This action will also
provide better engine braking. If you
REGULARLY TOW a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the auto-
matic transmission fluid and filter as specified for “po-
lice, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.” Refer to the
“Maintenance Schedule” for the proper maintenance
intervals.
NOTE: Check the transmission fluid level (four-speed
transmission only) before towing. The six-speed trans-
mission does not require a fluid level check before
towing. If, however, you notice fluid leakage or transmis-
sion malfunction, see your authorized dealer immedi-
ately for assistance.
AutoStick®
• When using the AutoStick® shift control, select the
highest gear that allows for adequate performance and
avoids frequent downshifts. For example, choose “4” if
the desired speed can be maintained. Choose “3” or
“2” if needed to maintain the desired speed.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 391

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing ConditionWheels OFF the Ground All Models
Flat Tow NONENOT ALLOWED
Dolly Tow FrontOK
Rear NOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALLOK
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STARTING AND OPERATING 393

Recreational Towing — All Models
Recreational towing is allowedONLYif the front wheels
are OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a
tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow
this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place the transmis- sion in PARK.
4. Properly secure the front wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Release the parking brake.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the
drivetrain will result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not covered un-
der the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
394 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition:
• If your air conditioner (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•
You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control to
high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the engine
cooling system.
WARNING!
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 or coolant bottle is hot.
Engine Oil Overheating (2.4L Engine Only) — If
Equipped
During sustained high-speed driving or trailer tow up
long grades on a hot day, the engine oil temperature may
become too hot. If this happens, the “HOTOIL” message
flashes in the odometer and the vehicle speed will be
reduced to 53 mph (85 km/h) until the engine oil
temperature is reduced.
NOTE: The vehicle speed is reduced to a maximum of
53 mph (85 km/h). You may of course, reduce your
vehicle speed further if needed.
WHEEL AND TIRE TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Proper lug nut/bolt torque is very important to ensure
that the wheel is properly mounted to the vehicle. Any
time a wheel has been removed and reinstalled on the
vehicle the lug nuts/bolts should be torqued using a
properly calibrated torque wrench.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 397

CavityCar-
tridge Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
2 — 20 Amp YellowBrake Vacuum
Pump
3 — 10 Amp RedCenter High
Mounted Stop
Light (CHMSL)/
Brake Switch
4 — 10 Amp RedIgnition Switch
5 — 20 Amp YellowTrailer Tow – If
Equipped
6 — 10 Amp RedPower Mirror
Switch/Climate
ControlsCavity Car-
tridge Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
7 — 30 Amp GreenIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) Sense 1
8 — 30 Amp GreenIgnition Off Draw
(IOD) Sense 2
9 40 Amp Green Battery Feed –
Power Seats – If
Equipped
10 — 20 Amp YellowInstrument Panel/
Power Locks/
Interior Lights
11 — 15 Amp Lt BlueSelectable Power
Outlet (Inside Cen-
ter Arm Rest)
464 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

Mileage or time passed
(whichever comes first)
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
110,000
120,000
130,000
140,000
150,000
Or Years: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Or Kilometers:
32,000
48,000
64,000
80,000
96,000
112,000
128,000
144,000
160,000
176,000
192,000
208,000
224,000
240,000
Flush and replace the engine
coolant at 10 years or 150,000
miles (240,000 km) whichever
comes first. XX
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter if using your ve-
hicle for any of the following: po-
lice, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer
towing. X
Change automatic transmission
fluid and filter. X
Inspect and replace PCV valve if
necessary. X
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S482 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES

Bulb Replacement...................... .470
Cleaning ............................ .459
High Beam ........................... .168
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch .........168
On With Wipers ....................... .167
Passing ............................. .168
Switch .............................. .165
Head Restraints ......................... .157
Heated Mirrors ...........................112
Heated Seats ............................ .152
Heater ................................ .276
Heater, Engine Block ...................... .299
Hitches Trailer Towing ........................ .383
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) ............181
Hood Release ........................... .163
Ignition .................................13
Key..................................12 Ignition Key Removal
.......................13
Illuminated Entry ..........................21
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ....................16
Infant Restraint ...........................74
Information Center, Vehicle ..................226
Inside Rearview Mirror .....................108
Instrument Cluster ........................211
Instrument Panel and Controls ................208
Instrument Panel Cover .....................460
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ...............461
Integrated Power Module (Fuses) ..............463
Interior Appearance Care ....................460
Interior Lights .......................... .170
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) .............173
Introduction ..............................4
iPod®/USB/MP3 Control Bluetooth® Streaming Audio ...............147
Jacking Instructions ....................... .402
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INDEX 503

Inflation Pressures...................... .347
Jacking .............................. .399
Life of Tires .......................... .355
Load Capacity ........................ .341
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............359
Pressure Warning Light ...................221
Quality Grading ....................... .493
Radial .............................. .349
Replacement .......................... .356
Rotation ............................. .358
Safety .............................. .335
Sizes ............................... .337
Snow Tires ........................... .350
Spare Tire ............................ .400
Spinning ............................ .354
Trailer Towing ........................ .387
Tread Wear Indicators ....................354
Tire Safety Information .....................335
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................384Towing
............................... .380
24-Hour Towing Assistance ................127
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .418
Guide .............................. .384
Recreational .......................... .393
Weight .............................. .384
Towing Assistance ........................ .127
Traction ............................... .319
Trailer Towing .......................... .380
Cooling System Tips .....................392
Hitches ............................. .383
Minimum Requirements ..................386
Tips................................ .391
Trailer and Tongue Weight .................384
Wiring .............................. .389
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .384
T
railer Weight ........................... .384
Transaxle Automatic .............................13
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INDEX 511