2008 DODGE AVENGER stop start

will turn off after the engine is started. If the bulb does
not come on during starting, have the system checked by
an authorized dealer.
If the light comes on and remains on while driving, stop
the vehicle and shut off the engine. DO NOT OPERATE
THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE CAUSE IS CORRECTED.
The light does not show the quantity of oil in the engine.
This can be determined using the procedure shown in
Section 7.
11. Engine Temperature Warning Light
This light warns of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If the engine is critically hot, a warning chime
will sound 10 times. After the chime turns off, the
engine will still be critically hot until the light goes out.
12. Speedometer
Indicates vehicle speed in kilometers per hour Ð Km/h. 13. Tachometer
The white area of the scale shows the permissible engine
revolutions-per-minute (rpm x 1000) for each gear range.
Before reaching the red area, ease up on the accelerator to
prevent engine damage.
14. Transmission Range Indicator
This display indicator shows the automatic transaxle gear
selection.
15. Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven. U.S. federal regulations require that upon
transfer of vehicle ownership, the seller certify to the
purchaser the correct mileage that the vehicle has been
driven. Therefore, if the odometer reading is changed
during repair or replacement, be sure to keep a record of
the reading before and after the service so that the correct
mileage can be determined.172 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle's handling and stopping ability.
NOTE: Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsi-
bility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-
inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the sys-
tem may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or
alternate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more
tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replace-
ment or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 177
4

Pressing and releasing the FF button will go forward five
seconds of the current track.
SEEK Buttons
Use the SEEK buttons to move to the previous or the next
track.
If the left (down) button is pressed during the first two
seconds of the current track, it will go back to the
previous track in the list; if you press this button at any
other time in the current track it will go back to the
beginning of the track.
If the right (up) button is pressed during Play mode, it
will go to the next track in the list.
INFO Button
Press the INFO button while a track is playing to see the
information (Track Title, Artist, Album, etc.) for that
track. Each press of the INFO button will take you to the
next screen of data for that track. Once you have seen all of the screens, the last press of the INFO button will take
you back to the Play mode screen on the radio.
REPEAT Button
Press the REPEAT button to repeat the current playing
track.
SCAN Button
Pressing the SCAN button will play the first five seconds
of each track in the current list and then forward to the
next song. To stop the SCAN mode and start playing the
desired track, press the SCAN button again.
During the SCAN mode, you can also press the SEEK
button to the left or right to go to the previous or next
tracks.
RND (Random) Button (RES/REL Radios Only)
Pressing the RND button will switch between the shuffle
on and shuffle off modes of the iPod t . If the RND icon is
showing on the radio display then the Shuffle mode is on. UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 229
4

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

feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped, but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
4 Speed / 6 Speed Automatic Transaxle /
AutoStick T Ð If Equipped
The electronically controlled transaxle provides a precise
shift schedule. The transaxle electronics are self-
calibrating; therefore, the first few shifts on a new vehicle
may be somewhat abrupt. This is a normal condition, and
precision shifts will develop within a few hundred miles.
Gear Ranges
PARK
Supplement to the parking brake by locking the trans-
axle. The engine can be started in this range. Never
attempt to use PARK while vehicle is in motion. Apply
parking brake when leaving vehicle in this range. When parking on a flat surface, place the gear selector
lever in the PARK position first, and then apply the
parking brake.
When parking on a hill, it is important to set the parking
brake before placing the gear selector lever in PARK,
otherwise the load on the transaxle locking mechanism
may make it difficult to move the selector out of PARK.
As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
WARNING!Never use PARK position on an Automatic Transaxle
as a substitute for the parking brake. Always apply
parking brake fully when parked to guard against
vehicle movement and possible injury or damage.270 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK
or NEUTRAL positions into another gear range as
this can damage the drivetrain.
REVERSE
Use this range for moving the vehicle rearward. Shift into
this range only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL
Engine may be started in this range. WARNING!Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe
practices that limit your response to changing traffic
or road conditions. You might lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident.
DRIVE Ð 6 Speed Transaxle
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving, it provides the smoothest upshifts, downshifts,
and best fuel economy. However, use the AutoStick t
mode and select the ª5º range when frequent transaxle
shifting occurs while using the DRIVE range, such as
when operating the vehicle under heavy loading condi-
tions, (i.e. in hilly terrain, traveling into strong head
winds or while towing heavy trailers). Under these STARTING AND OPERATING 271
5

CAUTION!If the transaxle operating temperature exceeds ac-
ceptable limits, the vehicle computer will override
OVERDRIVE and ª3º DRIVE range by changing
shift points. This is done to prevent transaxle damage
due to overheating.
Reset Mode - Electronic Transaxle
The transaxle is monitored electronically for abnormal
conditions. If a condition is detected that could cause
damage, the transaxle automatically shifts into second
gear. The transaxle remains in second gear (3rd gear with
a six speed automatic) despite the forward gear selected.
Park (P), Reverse (R), and Neutral (N) will continue to
operate. This Reset feature allows the vehicle to be driven
to a dealer for service without damaging the transaxle. In the event that the problem has been momentary, the
transaxle can be reset to regain all forward gears.
1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Shift into PARK.
3. Turn the ignition OFF, and then restart the engine.
4. Shift into the desired gear range and resume driving.
NOTE: Even if the transaxle can be reset, it is recom-
mended that you visit a dealer at your earliest possible
convenience. Your dealer has diagnostic equipment to
determine if the problem could recur.
If the transaxle cannot be reset, dealer service is required. STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

AUTOSTICK T Ð IF EQUIPPED
AutoStick t is a driver-interactive transaxle that offers six
manual ratio changes to provide you with more control.
AutoStick t allows you to maximize engine braking,
eliminate undesirable upshifts and downshifts, and im-
prove overall vehicle performance. This system can also
provide you with more control during passing, city
driving, cold slippery conditions, mountain driving,
trailer towing, and many other situations.
AutoStick T Operation
By placing the gear selector lever one shift-level below
the DRIVE position, it can be moved from side to side.
This allows the driver to select a higher or lower range of
gears. Moving the selector lever to the Left (-) triggers a
downshift and to the Right (+) an upshift. The gear
position will display in the instrument cluster on the
transaxle range indicator. NOTE: In Autostick t mode, the transaxle will only shift
up or down when the driver moves the selector lever to
the Right (+) or Left (-).
AutoStick t is deactivated when the gear selector lever is
shifted from the AutoStick (+/-) position into the DRIVE
position.
AutoStick T General Information
² You can start out in first or second gear. The system
will ignore attempts to upshift at too low of a vehicle
speed.
² The transmission will automatically downshift to first
gear when coming to a stop.
² Starting out in second gear is helpful in snowy or icy
conditions.
² Avoid using speed control when Autostick t is en-
gaged.274 STARTING AND OPERATING