2008 DODGE AVENGER brake

the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE: This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
29. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
DisplayÐPremium Cluster Only
This display shows the EVIC messages when the appro-
priate conditions exist. Refer to ªElectronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)º in this section for more informa-
tion. ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER
(EVIC) ± IF EQUIPPED
EVIC Display Location UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 181
4

STARTING AND OPERATINGCONTENTS m Starting Procedures .....................261
N Automatic Transaxle ...................261
N Normal Starting ......................262
N Tip Start Ð Automatic Transaxle Only ......262
N Extremely Cold Weather
(Below 2 20ÉF Or 2 29ÉC) ................263
N If Engine Fails To Start .................263
N After Starting ........................264
N Remote Starting System Ð If Equippe d......264
N How To Use Remote Start ...............264 m Engine Block Heater Ð If Equipped .........266
m Automatic Transaxle .....................267
N Brake/Transaxle Interlock System ..........269
N Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock
System .............................269
N 4 Speed / 6 Speed Automatic Transaxle /
AutoStick t Ð If Equipped ...............270
m AutoStick t Ð If Equipped ................274
N AutoStick t Operation ..................274
N AutoStick t General Information ...........2745

m All Wheel Drive Ð If Equipped ............275
m Parking Brake .........................276
m Brake System ..........................278
N Anit-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............279
m Electronic Brake Control Systems ±
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP .....................281
N Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............281
N Traction Control System (TCS) ............282
N Brake Assist System (BAS) ...............282
N Electronic Stability Program (ESP) .........283
m Power Steering ........................287
m Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............288
N Acceleration .........................288 N Traction ............................288
m Driving Through Water ..................289
N Flowing/Rising Water ..................289
m Tire Safety Information ...................291
N Tire Markings ........................291
N Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........295
m Tires Ð General Information ...............299
N Tire Pressure .........................299
N Tire Inflation Pressures .................300
N Radial-Ply Tires ......................302
N Compact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped .........303
N Limited Use Spare Ð If Equipped .........304
N Tire Spinning ........................305258 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
Make sure all occupants have securely fastened their seat
belts.
WARNING!Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle. WARNING!Be sure to turn off the engine and remove the key
from the ignition switch if you want to rest or sleep
in your car. Accidents can be caused by inadvertently
moving the gear selection lever or by pressing the
accelerator pedal. This may cause excessive heat in
the exhaust system, resulting in overheating and
vehicle fire which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE: You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park. STARTING AND OPERATING 261
5

The following conditions must be met before the engine
will remote start:
² Automatic Transaxle in PARK
² All doors are closed
² Hood is closed
² Hazard Switch is off
² Brake Switch is inactive
² Key is not in the ignition
² Battery is at an acceptable charge level
² PANIC button on key fob is not depressed ENGINE BLOCK HEATER Ð IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms engine coolant and
permits quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord
to a standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.266 STARTING AND OPERATING

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
CAUTION!Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
² Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
² Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
² Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
² Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal. NOTE: You MUST press and hold the brake pedal down
while shifting out of PARK. Gear Selector Lever STARTING AND OPERATING 267
5

WARNING!It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out of
PARK or NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control of the
vehicle and hit someone or something. Only shift
into gear when the engine is idling normally and
when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. WARNING!Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the key from the
ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the key
is removed from the ignition, the gear selector lever
is locked in the PARK position, securing the vehicle
against unwanted movement. Furthermore, you
should never leave children unattended inside a
vehicle.268 STARTING AND OPERATING

Brake/Transaxle Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear selector
lever out of PARK and into any gear unless the brake
pedal is pressed. This system is active only while the
ignition switch is in the ON position. Always press the
brake pedal first, before moving the gear selector out of
PARK.
NOTE: If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transaxle interlock system. However, there is an
override system that allows you to shift out of Park in
case of loss of power. To activate the override system:
² Firmly apply the parking brake
² Insert the ignition key and rotate it to the ON position
² Remove the cup holder liner ² Insert a key, screwdriver, or finger into the front hole
then push and hold the manual override release lever
forward.
² While holding the release lever forward, move the
gear selector lever from PARK to NEUTRAL. Release
the override
NOTE: If this occurs, even if the override is successful,
it is recommended that you visit a dealer at your earliest
possible convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equip-
ment to determine if the problem could recur.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ON position and the brake
pedal is applied.
NOTE: If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety STARTING AND OPERATING 269
5