2008 DODGE AVENGER brake

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

² If your vehicle is damaged due to an accident or
similar cause which destroys the paint and protective
coating, have your vehicle repaired as soon as pos-
sible. The cost of such repairs is considered the respon-
sibility of the owner.
² If you carry special cargo such as chemicals, fertilizers,
de-icer salt, etc., be sure that such materials are well
packaged and sealed.
² If a lot of driving is done on gravel roads, consider
mud or stone shields behind each wheel.
² Use Mopar t touch up paint on scratches as soon as
possible. Your authorized dealer has touch up paint to
match the color of your vehicle.
Wheel and Wheel Trim Care
All wheels and wheel trim, especially aluminum and
chrome plated wheels, should be cleaned regularly with
a mild soap and water to prevent corrosion. To remove heavy soil and/or excessive brake dust, use Mopar t
Wheel Cleaner (05066247AB) or equivalent or select a
nonabrasive, non-acidic cleaner. Do not use scouring
pads, steel wool, a bristle brush, or metal polishes. Only
Mopar t or equivalent is recommended. Do not use oven
cleaner. Avoid automatic car washes that use acidic
solutions or harsh brushes that may damage the wheels'
protective finish.
Cleaning Headlights
Your vehicle has plastic headlights that are lighter and
less susceptible to stone breakage than glass headlights.
Plastic is not as scratch resistant as glass and therefore
different lens cleaning procedures must be followed.
To minimize the possibility of scratching the lenses and
reducing light output, avoid wiping with a dry cloth. To
remove road dirt, wash with a mild soap solution fol-
lowed by rinsing.402 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Cavity Car-
tridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
2Ð 20 Amp
Yellow Ð
3Ð 10 Amp
Red Battery Feed Ð Cen-
ter High Mounted
Stop Light (CHMSL)/
Brake Switch
4Ð 10 Amp
Red Battery Feed Ð Igni-
tion Switch
5Ð 20 Amp
Yellow Trailer Tow Ð If
Equipped
6Ð 10 Amp
Red Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Ð Power Mir-
ror Switch/Climate
Controls
7Ð 30 Amp
Green Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Sense 1 Cavity Car-
tridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
8Ð 30 Amp
Green Ignition Off Draw
(IOD) Sense 2
9 40 Amp
Green Battery Feed Ð
Power Seats - if
equipped/PZEV Air
Pump - if equipped
10 Ð 20 Amp
Yellow Battery Feed Ð Cabin
Compartment Node
(CCN)
11 Ð 15 Amp
Lt Blue Selectable Power Out-
let
12 Ð 20 Amp
Yellow Ð
13 Ð 20 Amp
Yellow Ð MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 407
7

Cavity Car-
tridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
33 Ð 10 Amp
Red Battery Feed Ð
Switch Bank/
Diagnostic Link
Connector/
Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)
34 30 Amp
Pink Ð Battery Feed Ð Anti-
Lock Brakes (ABS)
Module - if
equipped/Electronic
Stability Program
(ESP) Module - If
Equipped Cavity Car-
tridge
Fuse Mini
Fuse Description
35 40 Amp
Green Ð Battery Feed Ð Anti-
Lock Brakes (ABS)
Module - If
Equipped/Electronic
Stability Program
(ESP) Module - If
Equipped
36 30 Amp
Pink Ð Battery Feed Ð Pas-
senger Door Module
(PDM)/Driver Door
Module (DDM)
37 Ð 25 Amp
Clear Ð410 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Taillights, Rear Turn Signals And Backup Lights
Ð Replacement
The turn signal, brake and taillights and backup lights
are located in the rear corner body panel housing. Changing the Rear Corner Taillight Bulbs
1. Open the trunk and gently pull back the trunk liner
behind the taillight.
Rear Tail Light Pull Back Trunk Liner416 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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