adding oil DODGE AVENGER 2014 2.G Owners Manual

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 ..................... .429
 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 .....................439
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ...............440
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ..................440
▫ Exhaust System ..................... .441
▫ Cooling System ..................... .444
7

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 in-
tervals 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

attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to ensure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism
and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the Fall and Spring. Apply a small
amount of a high quality lubricant, such as MOPAR®
Lock Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
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.
440 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

About Your Brakes....................... .324
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) ................326
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) ............446
Adding Fuel ............................ .376
Adding Washer Fluid ..................... .440
Additives, Fuel .......................... .370
Airbag ..................................60
Airbag Deployment ........................70
Airbag Light .............................67
Airbag Maintenance ........................72
Airbag, Side ..............................63
Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ................64
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . .434
Air Conditioner Maintenance .................437
Air Conditioning ......................... .276
Air Conditioning Controls ...................276
Air Conditioning Filter .....................289
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ..............290
Air Conditioning Refrigerant .................437Air Conditioning System
....................276
Air Pressure, Tires ........................ .347
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ...............219
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ...............7
Antenna, Satellite Radio .....................263
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..................445
Disposal ............................. .448
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ................326
Anti-Lock Warning Light ....................326
Appearance Care ........................ .456
Ashtray ............................... .197
Assistance Towing ........................ .127
Auto Down Power Windows ..................37
Automatic Dimming Mirror ..................109
Automatic Door Locks ......................33
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ...............217
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ..........281
Automatic Transaxle ........................13
Automatic Transmission ....................299
496 INDEX

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
10
INDEX 497

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
10
INDEX 501

Variance, Compass....................... .233
Vehicle Certification Label ...................379
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) .............6
Vehicle Loading ......................... .342
Vehicle Modifications/Alterations ...............7
Vehicle Storage .......................... .288
Viscosity, Engine Oil ...................... .433
Voice Command Commands ........................... .144
System Operation ...................... .143
Voice Training ........................ .148
Voice Recognition System (VR) ................143
Warning Lights (Instrument Cluster Description) . . .211
Warnings and Cautions .......................6
Warranty Information ..................... .490
Washer Adding Fluid ......................... .440
Washers, Windshield ...................... .172Washing Vehicle
......................... .457
Water Driving Through ....................... .320
Wheel and Wheel Trim .....................458
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care .................458
Wind Buffeting ............................39
Window Fogging ........................ .288
Windows ................................36
Power ................................36
Windshield Defroster .......................99
Windshield Washers ...................... .172
Fluid ............................... .440
Windshield Wiper Blades ....................440
Windshield Wipers ....................... .172
Wiper Blade Replacement ...................440
Wipers, Intermittent ...................... .173
10
INDEX 513