2008 DODGE AVENGER brake fluid

Fluid Level Check Ð Vehicles with 2.4L and 2.7L
Engines
Use the following procedure to check the automatic
transaxle fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at curb idle speed for a minimum of 60
seconds.
3. Apply the parking brake fully.
4. Place the gear selector momentarily in each gear
position ending with the lever in PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to eliminate
the possibility of dirt entering the transaxle.
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 mi (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held
comfortably between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a
temperature below 80 F (27 C).
7. Wipe the dipstick clean and reinsert until seated. Then,
remove dipstick and note the reading.
a. If the fluid is hot, the reading should be in the
crosshatched area marked ªHOTº (between the upper
two holes in the dipstick).
b. If the fluid is cold, the fluid level should be between
the lower two holes in the area marked ªCOLD.º
If the fluid level is low, add sufficient fluid through the
filler (dipstick) tube to bring it to the proper level. Do not
overfill.398 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
Component Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts
Automatic Transaxle Mopar t ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.
Brake Master Cylinder Mopar t DOT 3 and SAE J1703 should be used. If DOT 3 brake fluid is not avail-
able, then DOT 4 is acceptable. Use only recommended brake fluids.
Power Steering Reservoir Mopar t ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid.424 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

oil if it has been six months since your last oil change
even if the oil change indicator message is NOT
illuminated.
² Change your engine oil more often if you drive your
vehicle off-road for an extended period of time.
² Under no circumstances should oil change intervals
exceed 6,000 mi (10 000 km) or six months, whichever
comes first.
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 other
than your authorized dealer, the message can be reset by
referring to the steps described under ªOil Change
Requiredº under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º in Section 4 or under ªOdometer/Trip Odom-
eterº under ªInstrument Cluster Descriptionsº in Section
4. At Each Stop for Fuel
² Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the SAFE or MIN mark.
² Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
² Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
² Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
² Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and automatic trans-
axle, and add fluid as needed. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 427
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NOTE: Six-speed AutoStick t Transaxle, if equipped, is
sealed therefore, checking the fluid level can only be
done by a certified dealership service center.
² Check all lights and other electrical items for correct
operation. At Each Oil Change
² Change the engine oil filter.
² Inspect the brake hoses and lines.
CAUTION!Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.428 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) .............. 279
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 390
Adding Fuel ........................... 328
Adding Washer Fluid .................. 138,387
Additives, Fuel ......................... 322
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . . . 379
Air Conditioner Maintenance ............... 382
Air Conditioning ........................ 242
Air Conditioning Controls ................. 242
Air Conditioning Filter ................. 254,383
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ............ 255
Air Conditioning Refrigerant ............. 382,383
Air Conditioning System ............. 242,246,382
Air Pressure, Tires ....................... 300
Airbag .............................. 51,60
Airbag Deployment ....................... 62
Airbag Light ................... 52,59,65,79,171
Airbag Maintenance ....................... 64
Airbag, Side ........................ 54,59,60 Airbag, Window (Side Curtain) ........... 55,59,60
Alarm System (Security Alarm) ............ 18,171
Alignment and Balance ................... 308
All Wheel Drive (AWD) ................... 275
Alterations/Modifications, Vehicle ............. 7
Antenna, Satellite Radio ................... 233
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........... 389,390,420
Disposal ............................ 392
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) .............. 279
Anti-Lock Warning Light .................. 279
Anti-Theft Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ........ 18
Appearance Care ........................ 400
Ashtray ............................... 155
Assistance Towing ....................... 102
Audio Systems (Radio) ................. 220,223
Auto Down Power Windows ................ 36
Auto Unlock, Doors ....................... 32
Auto Up Power Windows ................ 37,151
Automatic Dimming Mirror ................. 86444 INDEX

Automatic Door Locks ..................... 32
Automatic Oil Change Indicator ........ 173,184,426
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ......... 246
Automatic Transaxle .............. 12,261,267,397
Adding Fluid ................... 397,398,424
Filter ............................... 399
Fluid and Filter Changes ................. 399
Fluid Level Check ................... 397,398
Interlock System ....................... 269
Reset Mode .......................... 273
Selection Of Lubricant ................... 424
Shifting ............................. 270
Special Additives ...................... 399
Autostick ............................. 274
Ball Joints ............................. 385
Battery ............................... 381
Gas Caution .......................... 381
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 26 Location ............................ 381
Bearings .............................. 400
Belts, Drive ............................ 378
Beverage Cooler ........................ 161
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 386
B-Pillar Location ........................ 295
Brake Assist System ...................... 282
Brake, Parking .......................... 276
Brake System ........................ 278,394
Anti-Lock (ABS) ....................... 279
Fluid Check ....................... 396,424
Hoses .............................. 395
Master Cylinder ....................... 396
Parking ............................. 276
Warning Light ........................ 179
Brakes ............................. 278,394
Brake/Transmission Interlock ............... 269
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle ........ 78
Bulb Replacement ..................... 41 1,412 INDEX 445
10

Engine Oil ........................... 326
Fuel Requirements .................. 324,326
Maintenance ....................... 324,327
Replacement Parts ..................... 327
Starting ............................. 327
Flooded Engine Starting ................... 263
Floor Console .......................... 156
Fluid Capacities ......................... 420
Fluid Leaks ............................. 80
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle ................. 397,398
Brake ............................ 396,424
Cooling System ....................... 389
Engine Oil ........................... 374
Power Steering ..................... 385,424
Fluids ................................ 422
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts .......... 422
Fog Lights ....................... 132,176,415
Folding Rear Seat ..................... 126,127 Freeing A Stuck Vehicle ................... 361
Front Wheel Bearings ..................... 400
Fuel ................................. 319
Adding ............................. 328
Additives ............................ 322
Clean Air ............................ 320
Ethanol ............................. 321
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) ................. 170,328
Filler Door (Gas Cap) ................... 170
Gasoline ............................ 319
Gauge .............................. 170
Hoses .............................. 394
Light ............................... 171
Materials Added ....................... 322
Methanol ............................ 321
Octane Rating ...................... 319,422
Requirements ...................... 319,420
Tank Capacity ........................ 420
Fuel, Flexible ............. See Flexible Fuel Vehicles450 INDEX

Paint Care ............................. 400
Panic Alarm ............................ 25
Parking Brake .......................... 276
Passing Light ........................... 131
Personal Settings ........................ 188
Pets .................................. 77
Phone, Cellular .................... 89,223,224
Phone, Hands-Free (UConnectŸ) ........ 89,223,224
Placard, Tire and Loading Information ......... 295
Port
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ............. 220,223
USB ............................. 220,223
Power
Distribution Center (Fuses) ............... 406
Door Locks ........................... 32
Mirrors .............................. 86
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 153
Seats ............................... 123
Steering ............................. 287 Steering, Checking ..................... 385
Sunroof ............................. 150
Windows ............................. 35
Power Steering Fluid ..................... 385
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 50
Preparation for Jacking .................... 352
Pretensioners
Seat Belts ............................. 48
Programmable Electronic Features ............ 188
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 26
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 302
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 391
Radio Broadcast Signals ................... 191
Radio, Navigation ....................... 223
Radio Operation ................... 221,224,241
Radio Remote Controls .................... 236
Radio, Satellite .............. 220,221,223,224,231456 INDEX