2008 DODGE AVENGER Owners Manual

Jack Location
The jack and jack-handle are stowed under the load floor
in the trunk.
Spare Tire Stowage
The compact spare tire is stowed under the load floor in
the trunk.
Spare Tire Removal
Lift up the load floor cover and remove the hold down.
Spare Tire and Jack Stowage WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 351
6

Preparations For Jacking
Park the vehicle on a firm level surface, avoid ice or
slippery areas, set the parking brake and place the gear
selector in PARK (automatic transaxle) or REVERSE
(manual transaxle). Turn OFF the ignition.
WARNING!Do not attempt to change a tire on the side of the
vehicle close to moving traffic. Pull far enough off
the road to avoid the danger of being hit when
operating the jack or changing the wheel.
² Turn on the Hazard Warning Flasher. ² Block both the front and rear
of the wheel diagonally oppo-
site the jacking position. For
example, if changing the right
front tire, block the left rear
wheel.
² Passengers should not remain in the vehicle while the
vehicle is being jacked.
Jacking Instructions
Jack Warning Label352 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!Carefully follow these tire changing warnings to
help prevent personal injury or damage to your
vehicle:
² Always park on a firm, level surface as far from
the edge of the roadway as possible before raising
the vehicle.
² Block the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel to
be raised.
² Set the parking brake firmly and set an automatic
transmission in park; a manual transmission in
reverse.
² Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it is on a
jack. 1. Remove the scissors jack and lug wrench from the
spare wheel as an assembly. Turn the jack screw to the left
to loosen the lug wrench, and remove the wrench from
the jack assembly. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 353
6

NOTE: The Jack Handle attaches to the side of the jack
with two attachment points. When the jack is partially
expanded, the tension between the two attachment
points holds the jack handle in place. 2. Loosen, but do not remove, the wheel nuts by turning
them to the left one turn while the wheel is still on the
ground.
Removing Jack Handle From Jack354 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Jacking Locations WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 355
6

3. There are two front jacking locations and two rear
jacking locations on each side of the body as shown.
CAUTION!Do not attempt to raise the vehicle by jacking on
locations other than those indicated in step 3.
4. Turn the jack screw to the left until the jack can be
placed under the jacking location. Once the jack is
positioned, turn the jack screw to the right until the jack
head is properly engaged with the lift area closest to the
wheel to be changed. Do not raise the vehicle until you
are sure the jack is securely engaged. WARNING!Raising the vehicle higher than necessary can make
the vehicle less stable. It could slip off the jack and
hurt someone near it. Raise the vehicle only enough
to remove the tire.
5. Raise the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the right,
using the swivel wrench. Raise the vehicle only until the
tire just clears the surface and enough clearance is
obtained to install the spare tire. Minimum tire lift
provides maximum stability.
6. Remove the wheel nuts, and pull the wheel and wheel
covers (where applicable) off the hub. Install the spare
wheel and wheel nuts with the cone shaped end of the
nuts toward the wheel. Lightly tighten the nuts. To avoid
the risk of forcing the vehicle off the jack, do not tighten
the nuts fully until the vehicle has been lowered.356 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

WARNING!To avoid possible personal injury, handle the wheel
covers with care to avoid contact with any sharp
edges.
7. Lower the vehicle by turning the jack screw to the left.
8. Finish tightening the nuts. Push down on the wrench
while tightening the wheel nuts. Alternate nuts, until
each nut has been tightened twice. Correct wheel nut
torque is 100 ft. lbs (135 N´m). If you doubt that you have
tightened the nuts correctly, have them checked with a
torque wrench by your dealer or at a service station.
9. Remove the wheel blocks and lower the jack until it is
free. Reassemble the lug wrench to the jack assembly and
stow it in the spare tire area. Secure the assembly using
the means provided. WARNING!A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a collision or
hard stop could endanger the occupants of the ve-
hicle. Always stow the jack parts and the spare tire in
the places provided.
10. Place the deflated (flat) tire in the cargo area and have
the tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
WARNING!A loose tire thrown forward in a collision or hard
stop could injure the occupants in the vehicle. Have
the deflated (flat) tire repaired or replaced
immediately. WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 357
6

11. Check the tire pressure as soon as possible. Correct
pressure as required.
JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES DUE TO A LOW
BATTERY
Jump-starting remote battery terminals are located under
the hood.
The battery is stored between the left front headlight
assembly and the left front wheel splash shield. Access is
through the splash shield. WARNING! ² Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan whenever the
hood is raised. It can start anytime the ignition switch is
on. You can be hurt by the fan.
² Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transaxle
cannot be started this way. Unburned fuel could enter
the catalytic converter and once the engine has started,
ignite and damage the converter and vehicle. If the
vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may be
used to obtain a start from another vehicle. This type of
start can be dangerous if done improperly, so follow this
procedure carefully.
² Do not use a booster battery or any other booster source
with an output that exceeds 12 volts.
² During cold weather when temperatures are below
freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged battery may
freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting because the battery
could rupture or explode. The battery temperature must
be brought up above freezing point before attempting
jump-start.358 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES