2008 DODGE AVENGER turn signal

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

² This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm (VSA) system monitors the
doors and trunk for unauthorized entry and ignition
switch for unauthorized operation.
If something triggers the alarm, the system will signal for
about 18 minutes. For the first 3 minutes, the horn will
sound intermittently and the headlights, park lights,
taillights and the Vehicle Security Light in the cluster will
flash. Then the exterior lights will flash for another 15
minutes. REARMING THE SYSTEM:
If something triggers the alarm, and no action is taken to
disarm it, the system will turn off the horn after 3
minutes, turn off all of the visual signals after 15 minutes,
and then the system will rearm itself.
TO ARM THE SYSTEM:
1. Remove the keys from the ignition switch and get out
of the vehicle.
2. Lock the door using either the power door lock switch
or the Keyless Entry Transmitter, and close all doors.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash rapidly for approximately 16 seconds. This
shows that the system is arming. During this period, if a
door is opened, the ignition switch is turned ON, or the
power door locks are unlocked in any manner, the system18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the alarm system is armed and the battery becomes
disconnected the system will remain armed when the
battery is reconnected. The exterior lights will flash, the
horn will sound, and the ignition will not start the
vehicle. If this occurs, disarm the system.
Tamper Alert
If the alarm was triggered, but the warning signals have
timed out, the park and taillights flash three times
(instead of the normal twice) when unlocking the vehicle
with a valid Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter to
alert the driver.
ILLUMINATED ENTRY SYSTEM Ð IF EQUIPPED
The courtesy/reading lights will turn on when you use
the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or open
either door. This feature also turns on the approach lighting (if so
equipped). For details, refer to ªIllumination Approach,º
under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Programmable Fea-
tures),º under ªElectronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual.
The lights will fade to off after about 30 seconds or they
will immediately fade to off once the ignition switch is
turned on.
NOTE:
² The front courtesy overhead console and door cour-
tesy lights do not turn on if the dimmer control is in
the interior lights ON position (extreme top position).
² The illuminated entry system will not operate if the
dimmer control is in the ªdefeatº position (extreme
downward position).20 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

TO UNLOCK THE DOORS
Press and release the UNLOCK button on the transmitter
once to unlock the driver's door, or twice to unlock all
doors. The turn signal lights will flash to acknowledge
the unlock signal. The illuminated entry system (if
equipped) will also turn on.
Remote Key Unlock, Driver Door/All Doors First
This feature lets you program the system to unlock either
the driver's door or all doors on the first press of the
UNLOCK button on the transmitter. To change the cur-
rent setting, proceed as follows:
² For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªRemote Key
Unlock,º under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features)º under ªElectronic Vehicle Infor-
mation Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual for
details. ² For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure:
1. Press and hold the LOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for at least four seconds, but not longer than
ten seconds. Then, press and hold the UNLOCK button
while still holding the LOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter
with the ignition in the LOCK position, and the key
removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter
while you are inside the vehicle will activate the Security22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm.
Flash Lights With Lock
The feature will cause the turn signal lights to flash when
the doors are locked or unlocked with the transmitter.
This feature can be turned on or turned off. To change the
current setting, proceed as follows:
² For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), refer to ªFlash Lights with
Lock,º under 9 Personal Settings (Customer Program-
mable Features)º under ªElectronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual for
details.
² For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following procedure: 1. Press and hold the UNLOCK button on a programmed
transmitter for at least four seconds, but not longer than
ten seconds. Then, press and hold the LOCK button
while still holding the UNLOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the transmitter
with the ignition in the LOCK position, and the key
removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.
NOTE: Pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter
while you are in the vehicle will activate the Security
Alarm. Opening a door with the Security Alarm activated
will cause the alarm to sound. Press the UNLOCK button
to deactivate the Security Alarm. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2

Illuminated Approach Ð If Equipped
This feature activates the headlights for up to 90 seconds
when the doors are unlocked with the transmitter. The
time for this feature is programmable on vehicles
equipped with EVIC. For details, refer to ªIlluminated
Approach,º under ªPersonal Settings (Customer Pro-
grammable Features), under ªElectronic Vehicle Informa-
tion Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual.
TO LOCK THE DOORS
Press and release the LOCK button on the transmitter to
lock all doors. The turn signal lights will flash and the
horn will chirp once to acknowledge the lock signal.
Sound Horn with Lock
This feature will cause the horn to chirp when the doors
are locked with the transmitter. This feature can be
turned on or off. To change the current setting, proceed as
follows: ² For vehicles equipped with EVIC, refer to ªSound
Horn with Lock,º under ªPersonal Settings (Customer
Programmable Features)º under ªElectronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)º in Section 4 of this manual
for details.
² For vehicles not equipped with the EVIC, perform the
following steps:
1. Press the LOCK button on a programmed transmitter
for at least four seconds, but not longer than ten seconds.
Then, press the PANIC button while still holding the
LOCK button.
2. Release both buttons at the same time.
3. Test the feature while outside of the vehicle, by
pressing the LOCK button on the transmitter with the
ignition in the LOCK position, and the key removed.
4. Repeat these steps if you want to return this feature to
its previous setting.24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SENSORS AND
CONTROLS
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The Occupant Restraint Controller System (ORC) is
part of a Federally regulated safety system required for
this vehicle.
The ORC determines if a frontal collision is severe
enough to require the airbags to inflate. Based on the
sensor signals, a central electronic Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) deploys the front airbags, side inflat-
able airbag curtains (if equipped), seat-mounted side
(Thorax) airbags (if equipped), and front seat belt preten-
sioners as required for each type of impact.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the system whenever the ignition switch is in the START
or RUN positions. These include all of the items listed
above except the steering wheel and column, instrument
panel, and passenger knee bolsters. If the key is in the OFF position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition,
the airbags are not on and will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
will deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.
Also, the ORC turns on the Airbag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds
for a self-check when the ignition is first turned
on. After the self-check, the Airbag Warning
Light will turn off. If the ORC detects a malfunction in
any part of the system, it turns on the Airbag Warning
Light either momentarily or continuously. A single chime
will sound if the light comes on again after initial start
up.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Airbag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted. The diagnostics also record the nature of the
malfunction. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
2

Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
NOTE: If the defrost feature is not functioning, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately by an
authorized service center. The windshield could fog up
while driving and obscure your visibility.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure. Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. In addition, if
gasoline fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid,
transmission fluid, or brake fluid leaks are suspected, the
cause should be located and corrected immediately.80 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE