2009 DODGE AVENGER Owners Manual

VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS/ALTERATIONS
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle could
seriously affect its roadworthiness and safety and
may lead to an accident resulting in serious injury or
death.
INTRODUCTION 7
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
A Word About Your Keys................. 12
▫Ignition Key Removal.................. 13
▫Key-In-Ignition Reminder................ 15
▫Locking Doors With The Key............. 15
Sentry Key........................... 15
▫Replacement Keys..................... 17
▫Sentry KeyProgramming............... 17
▫General Information.................... 18Vehicle Security Alarm System — If Equipped . . 19
▫Rearming The System.................. 19
▫To Arm The System.................... 19
▫To Disarm The System.................. 20
Illuminated Entry System — If Equipped...... 21
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) — If Equipped.... 21
▫To Unlock The Doors................... 22
▫To Lock The Doors.................... 24
▫To Unlatch The Trunk.................. 25
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▫Using The Express Down Windows Feature
— If Equipped........................ 26
▫Using The Panic Alarm................. 26
▫Programming Additional RKE Transmitters . . . 26
▫Battery Replacement................... 26
▫General Information.................... 27
Remote Start System — If Equipped......... 28
▫How To Use Remote Start............... 29
Door Locks........................... 31
▫Manual Door Locks.................... 31
▫Power Door Locks..................... 32
▫Child Protection Door Lock System (Rear
Doors)............................. 34Power Windows........................ 35
▫Power Window Switches................ 35
▫Auto Window Down — If Equipped........ 36
▫Auto Window Up — If Equipped.......... 37
▫Reset Auto Up....................... 37
▫Window Lockout Switch................ 38
▫Wind Buffeting....................... 38
Trunk Release......................... 39
Trunk Safety Warning.................... 39
▫Trunk Internal Emergency Release.......... 40
Occupant Restraints..................... 41
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.................... 43
▫Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage . . . 48
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

▫Rear Seat Belts....................... 49
▫Seat Belt Pretensioners.................. 49
▫Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert).......................... 49
▫BeltAlertProgramming................. 50
▫Automatic Locking Mode................ 51
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women........... 51
▫Seat Belt Extender..................... 51
▫Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) -
Airbag............................. 52
▫Airbag System Components.............. 53▫Front Seat Airbag Features............... 54
▫Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls.... 60
▫Event Data Recorder (EDR).............. 66
▫Child Restraints....................... 68
Engine Break-In Recommendations.......... 79
Safety Tips............................ 80
▫Exhaust Gas......................... 80
▫Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle............................. 80
▫Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle.................... 81
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 11
2

A WORD ABOUT YOUR KEYS
The authorized dealer that sold you your new vehicle has
the key code numbers for your vehicle locks. These
numbers can be used to order duplicate keys from your
authorized dealer. Ask your authorized dealer for these
numbers and keep them in a safe place.
Vehicle Key
12 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Ignition Key Removal
Automatic Transaxle
Place the shift lever in PARK. Turn the ignition switch to
the ACC position, push the key and cylinder inward,
rotate the key to the LOCK position, and remove the key.
Ignition Switch Positions
1 — LOCK 3 — ON
2 — ACC (ACCESSORY) 4 — STARTTHINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
2

NOTE:
•If you try to remove the key before you place the shift
lever in PARK, the key may become trapped tempo-
rarily 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.
•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 45 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position.
Opening either door will cancel this feature.
•For vehicles equipped with the Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC), the power windowswitches, 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 “Key-Off Power Delay,” under “Personal Settings
(Customer-Programmable Features)” under “Elec-
tronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)” 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
14 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE