2008 DODGE AVENGER Owners Manual

POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE: Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system. WARNING!Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur. STARTING AND OPERATING 287
5

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

DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!Do not drive on, or cross, a road or a path where
water is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off).
Flowing water can wear away the road or path's
surface and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper
water. Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can
carry your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you. Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Caution
and Warning before doing so.
CAUTION!² Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
² Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water, and if there are any obstacles
in the way, before driving through the standing
water.
² Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects. STARTING AND OPERATING 289
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CAUTION!² Driving through standing water may cause dam-
age to your vehicle's drivetrain components. Al-
ways inspect your vehicle's fluids (i.e., engine oil,
transmission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination
(i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance)
after driving through standing water. Do not con-
tinue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears
contaminated, as this may result in further dam-
age. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
² Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and cause serious
internal damage to the engine. Such damage is not
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. WARNING!² Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
² Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
² Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lock up and stall out, and leave you
stranded.
² Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.290 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
5

Tire Sizing Chart
Tire Sizing Chart
P Passenger Car tire size based on U.S. design standards
( ....blank.... ( Passenger Car tire based on European design standards
LT Light Truck tire based on U.S. design standards
T Temporary spare tire
31 Overall diameter in inches (in)
215 Section width in millimeters (mm)
65 Aspect Ratio of section height to section width of tire, written in percent (%)
10.5 Section width in inches (in)
R 9 R 9 means radial construction
9 D 9 means diagonal or bias construction
15 Rim diameter in inches (in)292 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Sizing Chart
95 Load Index (a numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry)
H A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding to its load
index under certain operating conditions
The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be achieved under specified
operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits)
( ....blank.... (
² Absence of any text on the sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
² Extra Load (XL) = Extra load (or reinforced) tire
² Light Load = Light load tire
² C, D, E = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum
Load Maximum load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry
Maximum
Pressure Maximum pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire STARTING AND OPERATING 293
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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