2008 DODGE AVENGER engine

INTRODUCTION
This Owner's Manual has been prepared with the assis-
tance of service and engineering specialists to acquaint
you with the operation and maintenance of your vehicle.
It is supplemented by a Warranty Information Booklet
and various customer-oriented documents. You are
urged to read these publications carefully. Following the
instructions and recommendations in this manual will
help assure safe and enjoyable operation of your vehicle.
NOTE: After you read the manual, it should be stored
in the vehicle for convenient reference and remain with
the vehicle when sold, so that the new owner will be
aware of all safety warnings.
When it comes to service, remember that your authorized
dealer knows your vehicle best, has the factory-trained
technicians and genuine Mopar t parts, and is interested
in your satisfaction. HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL
Consult the table of contents to determine which section
contains the information you desire.
The detailed index, at the rear of this manual, contains a
complete listing of all subjects.
Consult the following table for a description of the
symbols that may be used on your vehicle or throughout
this owner manual:4 INTRODUCTION

N Seat Belt Pretensioners ...................48
N Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert t ) ..........................48
N BeltAlert t Programming .................49
N Automatic Locking Mode ................50
N Seat Belts And Pregnant Women ............50
N Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag . .51
N Airbag System Components ...............52
N Front Seat Airbag Features ................53
N Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls .....59 N Event Data Recorder (EDR) ...............65
N Child Restraint ........................67
m Engine Break-In Recommendations ...........78
m Safety Tips ............................78
N Exhaust Gas ..........................78
N Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle ..............................79
N Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle ....................80THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
2

NOTE:
² If you try to remove the key before you place the
selector lever in PARK, the key may become trapped
temporarily in the ignition switch lock cylinder. If this
occurs, rotate the key to the right slightly, then remove
the key as described. If a malfunction occurs, the
system will trap the key in the ignition switch lock
cylinder to warn you that this safety feature is inop-
erable. The engine can be started and stopped, but the
key cannot be removed until you obtain service.
² For vehicles not equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window
switches, radio, hands±free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for approximately 45
seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position. Opening either door will cancel this feature.
² For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power window switches, radio, hands±free system (if equipped), and
power outlets will remain active for up to 10 minutes
after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK posi-
tion. Opening either door will cancel this feature. The
time for this feature is programmable. For details, refer
to ªKey-Off Power Delay,º under ªPersonal Settings
(Customer Programmable Features)º under ªElec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4
of this manual.
WARNING!NEVER leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Don't leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2

CAUTION!An unlocked car is an invitation to thieves. Always
remove key from the ignition and lock all doors
when leaving the vehicle unattended.
KEY-IN-IGNITION REMINDER
Opening the driver's door when the key is in the ignition,
sounds a signal to remind you to remove the key.
NOTE:
² The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds when the
ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC position.
² With either front door open, and the key in the
ignition, both the power door locks and Remote Key-
less Entry (RKE) will not function. LOCKING DOORS WITH THE KEY
There is only one external door lock cylinder which is
located in the driver's door only.
You can insert the key with either side up. To lock the
door, turn the key rearward, to unlock the door, turn the
key forward. See Section 7 of this manual for door lock
lubrication.
SENTRY KEY T
The Sentry Key t Immobilizer System prevents unautho-
rized vehicle operation by disabling the engine. The
system does not need to be armed or activated. Operation
is automatic, regardless of whether the vehicle is locked
or unlocked.
The system uses ignition keys that have an embedded
electronic chip (transponder) to prevent unauthorized
vehicle operation. Therefore, only keys that are pro-
grammed to the vehicle can be used to start and operate14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to try to start the
engine.
NOTE: A key that has not been programmed is also
considered an invalid key, even if it is cut to fit the
ignition switch lock cylinder for that vehicle.
During normal operation, after turning on the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the light remains on after the
bulb check, it indicates that there is a problem with the
electronics. In addition, if the light begins to flash after
the bulb check, it indicates that someone used an invalid
key to try to start the engine. Either of these conditions
will result in the engine being shut off after two seconds.
If the Vehicle Security Light turns on during normal
vehicle operation (vehicle running for longer than 10 seconds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electron-
ics. Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon
as possible.
NOTE:
² The Sentry Key t Immobilizer System is not compat-
ible with some aftermarket remote starting systems.
Use of these systems may result in vehicle starting
problems and loss of security protection.
² Exxon/Mobil SpeedpassŸ, additional Sentry Keys t ,
or any other transponder-equipped components on
the same key chain will not cause a key-related
(transponder) fault unless the additional part is physi-
cally held against the ignition key being used when
starting the vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other RF
electronics will not cause interference with this system.
All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
2

REMOTE START SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
Remote start conveniently starts the engine from outside
the vehicle by using the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) key
fob while maintaining security. The system has a targeted
range of up to 328 ft (100 m). The vehicle must be locked,
the deck lid and hood closed and the transmission gear
selector lever in PARK in order to start the engine using
the Remote Start button on the key fob.
NOTE: Remote start requires automatic transaxle
equipped vehicles. Remote Start28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

HOW TO USE REMOTE START
All of the following conditions must be met before the
engine will remote start:
² Shift the gear selector lever into PARK.
² Doors closed.
² Hood closed.
² Trunk closed.
² Hazard switch off.
² Brake switch inactive (brake pedal not pressed).
² Ignition key removed from ignition switch.
² Battery at an acceptable charge level.
² RKE PANIC button not pressed. To Enter Remote Start Mode
Press and release the Remote Start button on
the RKE transmitter twice. The engine will start
and the vehicle will remain in the Remote Start
mode for a 15±minute cycle.
NOTE:
² For security, power window operation is disabled
when the vehicle is in the Remote Start mode.
² The engine can be started two consecutive times (two
15±minute cycles) with the RKE transmitter. However,
the ignition switch must be cycled to the ON position
before you can repeat the start sequence for a third
cycle.
To Exit Remote Start Mode Without Driving The
Vehicle
Allow the engine to run for the entire 15-minute cycle. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29
2

To Exit Remote Start Mode And Drive The Vehicle
Before the end of the 15-minute cycle, press and release
the UNLOCK button on the RKE transmitter to unlock
the doors and disarm the Vehicle Security Alarm (if
equipped). Then, within 15 minutes, insert the key into
the ignition switch and turn the switch to the ON
position.
NOTE: The ignition switch must be in the ON position
in order to drive the vehicle.
To Turn Off The Engine While In Remote Start
Mode
Press and release the Remote Start button one time.
NOTE: To avoid inadvertent shut downs, the system
will disable the one-time press of the Remote Start button
for two seconds after receiving a valid remote start
request. DOOR LOCKS
MANUAL DOOR LOCKS
Use the manual door lock plunger to lock the doors from
inside the vehicle. If the plunger is down when the door
is closed, the door will lock. Therefore, make sure the
keys are not inside the vehicle before closing the door.
Manual Lock Plunger30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE