2008 DODGE AVENGER tires

² the clicking sound of solenoid valves,
² brake pedal pulsations,
² and a slight drop or fall away of the brake pedal at the
end of the stop.
These are all normal characteristics of ABS.
WARNING!The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated
electronic equipment that may be susceptible to
interference caused by improperly installed or high
output radio transmitting equipment. This interfer-
ence can cause possible loss of anti-lock braking
capability. Installation of such equipment should be
performed by qualified professionals. All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type and tires must be properly inflated to produce
accurate signals for the computer.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS ±
ABS/TCS/BAS/ESP
Your vehicle may be equipped with an optional ad-
vanced electronic brake control system that includes
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Traction Control System
(TCS), Brake Assist System (BAS), and Electronic Stability
Program (ESP). All systems work together to enhance
vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions
and are commonly referred to as ESP.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
This system aids the driver in maintaining vehicle control
under adverse braking conditions. The system controls
hydraulic brake pressure to prevent wheel lock-up and STARTING AND OPERATING 281
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WARNING!² BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the
traction afforded.
² The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver
can prevent accidents.
² The capabilities of a BAS-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user 's safety
or the safety of others. ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)
This system enhances directional control and stability of
the vehicle under various driving conditions. ESP cor-
rects for over/under steering of the vehicle by applying
the brake of the appropriate wheel to assist in counter-
acting the over/under steer condition. Engine power
may also be reduced to help the vehicle maintain the
desired path. ESP uses sensors in the vehicle to determine
the vehicle path intended by the driver and compares it
to the actual path of the vehicle. When the actual path
does not match the intended path, ESP applies the brake
of the appropriate wheel to assist in counteracting the
oversteer or understeer condition
² Oversteer - when the vehicle is turning more than
appropriate for the steering wheel position.
² Understeer - when the vehicle is turning less than
appropriate for the steering wheel position. STARTING AND OPERATING 283
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ESP/TCS Indicator Light
The ªESP/TCS Indicator Light, located in the instrument
cluster, starts to flash as soon as the tires lose traction and
the ESP system becomes active. The ESP/TCS Indicator
Light also flashes when TCS is active. If the ESP/TCS
Indicator Light begins to flash during acceleration, ease
up on the accelerator and apply as little throttle as
possible. Be sure to adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road conditions. WARNING!² Electronic Stability Program (ESP) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase the traction afforded by
prevailing road conditions.
² ESP cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, driving on
very slippery surfaces, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents.
² The capabilities of an ESP-equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner, which could jeopardize the user's safety
or the safety of others.284 STARTING AND OPERATING

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
ACCELERATION
Rapid acceleration on snow covered, wet, or other slip-
pery surfaces may cause the front wheels to pull errati-
cally to the right or left. This phenomenon occurs when
there is a difference in the surface traction under the front
(driving) wheels.
WARNING!Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
Unequal traction can cause sudden pulling of the
front wheels. You could lose control of the vehicle
and possibly have an accident. Accelerate slowly and
carefully whenever there is likely to be poor traction
(ice, snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.). TRACTION
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if the road has standing water or puddles.
3. Replace the tires when tread wear indicators first
become visible.
4. Keep the tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front of you to avoid a collision in a sudden
stop.288 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
² P (Passenger) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: P215/65R15 95H. ² European-Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter 9 P 9 is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
² LT (Light Truck) - Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
² Temporary spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
² High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards, and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT. STARTING AND OPERATING 291
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Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire,
however, the date code may only be on one side. Tires with
white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date code, located on the white sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN
on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted on the
vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side, then you
will find it on the inboard side of the tire.Tire Identification Number
EXAMPLE: DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
DOT Department of Transportation Ð This symbol certifies that the tire is in compli-
ance with the U.S. Department of Transportation tire safety standards, and is
approved for highway use
MA Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)
L Code representing the tire size (two digits)
ABCD Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)
03 Two digit number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured
(03 means the 3rd week)
01 Two digit number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured
(01 means the year 2001) 1
1
Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to represent the year in which the tire
was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd week of 1981 or 1991 294 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Loading and Tire Pressure
Tire Placard Location
NOTE: The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed
on either the face of the driver's door or the driver's side
B-Pillar. Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the:
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) total weight your vehicle can carry
3) tire size designed for your vehicle
4) cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and
spare tires.Tire Placard Location Tire and Loading Information Placard STARTING AND OPERATING 295
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WARNING!Overloading of your tires is dangerous. Overloading
can cause tire failure, affect vehicle handling, and
increase your stopping distance. Use tires of the
recommended load capacity for your vehicle. Never
overload them.
TIRES Ð GENERAL INFORMATION
Tire Pressure
Proper tire inflation pressure is essential to the safe and
satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Three primary
areas are affected by improper tire pressure: 1. SafetyÐ
WARNING!² Improperly inflated tires are dangerous and can cause
accidents.
² Under inflation increases tire flexing and can result in
tire failure.
² Over inflation reduces a tire's ability to cushion shock.
Objects on the road and chuckholes can cause damage
that result in tire failure.
² Unequal tire pressures can cause steering problems.
You could lose control of your vehicle.
² Over inflated or under inflated tires can affect vehicle
handling and can fail suddenly, resulting in loss of
vehicle control.
² Unequal tire pressures from one side of the vehicle to
the other can cause the vehicle to drift to the right or left.
² Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure. STARTING AND OPERATING 299
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