2009 DODGE AVENGER radiator

Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
Cooling System — Drain, Flush, and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended coolant. Re-
fer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type.
CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze), may
result in engine damage and may decrease corro-
sion protection. If a non-HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling system
in an emergency, it should be replaced with the
specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as
possible.
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use addi-
tional rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they
may not be compatible with the engine coolant
(antifreeze) and may plug the radiator.
(Continued)
386 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to ensure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
388 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a
child, contact a physician immediately. Clean up any
ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
4 Cylinder Engines —the coolant bottle provides a quick
visual method for determining that the engine coolant
(antifreeze) level is adequate. With the engine idling and
warm to normal operating temperature, the level of the
engine coolant (antifreeze) in the bottle should be be-
tween the “ADD” and “FULL” lines, shown on the bottle.
6 Cylinder Engines —the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the pressurized coolant bottle should be
between the “COLD” and “FULL” range on the bottle
when the engine is cold.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing cool-
ant. Advise your service attendant of this. As long as the
engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the coolant
bottle need only be checked once a month. When addi-
tional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to maintain
the proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle.
Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 389
7

If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
radiator and in the coolant recovery bottle. If engine
coolant (antifreeze) needs to be added, contents of
coolant recovery bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
390 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CavityCartridge
FuseMini Fuse Description
13 —20 Amp Yel-
low—
14 — 10 Amp RedIgnition Off
Draw (IOD)
— Cabin
Compart-
ment Node
(CCN)/ In-
terior Light-
ing
1540 Amp
Green—Battery Feed
— Radiator
Fan RelayCavityCartridge
FuseMini Fuse Description
16 —15 Amp Lt.
BlueIGN Run/
ACC — Ci-
gar Lighter/
PWR
Sunroof
Mod
17 — 10 Amp RedIgnition Off
Draw (IOD)
— Wireless
Control
Module
(WCM)/
Clock/
Steering
Control
Module
(SCM)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 403
7

Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 331
Oil (Engine)..................367,368,369,375
Power Steering........................ 282
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 388
Car Washes............................ 395
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 327
Cargo Area Features...................... 162
Cargo Compartment...................... 162
Cargo Load Floor........................ 162
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)................... 162
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 80
Cellular Phone........................91,249
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 415
Chains, Tire............................ 312
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 350
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 296
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 371Child Restraint....................68,70,74,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............72,74
Child Safety Locks........................ 34
Cigar Lighter........................... 159
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 324
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 397
Windshield Wiper Blades................. 382
Climate Control......................... 250
Clock........................200,214,218,228
Coin Holder........................... 164
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 249
Compact Spare Tire...................... 306
Compass.............................. 193
Compass Calibration..................... 194
Compass Variance....................... 194
Computer, Trip/Travel..................21,192
Console............................132,164
Console, Floor.......................132,164
452 INDEX

Contract, Service........................ 443
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 388
Cooler, Beverage........................ 168
Cooling System......................... 385
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 387
Coolant Capacity...................... 417
Coolant Level......................385,389
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 388
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 386
Inspection........................... 389
Points to Remember.................... 389
Pressure Cap......................... 388
Radiator Cap......................... 388
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......386,417,418
Corrosion Protection..................... 395
Crankcase Ventilation Module............... 21
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 144
Cruise Light........................... 182
Cupholders......................132,160,400Customer Assistance..................... 441
Customer Programmable Features............ 196
Data Recorder, Event...................... 66
Dealer Service.......................... 373
Defroster, Rear Window................... 167
Defroster, Windshield................81,252,258
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 141
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 370
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 139
Dipsticks
Automatic Transaxle.................393,394
Oil (Engine).......................... 373
Power Steering........................ 282
Disabled Vehicle Towing................... 362
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 388
Engine Oil........................... 376
Door Locks............................. 31
INDEX 453
10

Preparation for Jacking.................... 351
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 49
Programmable Electronic Features............ 196
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 26
Radial Ply Tires......................... 306
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 388
Radio Operation........................ 249
Radio Remote Controls.................... 246
Radio, Satellite.......................... 238
Rear Cupholder......................... 161
Rear Seat, Folding....................131,132
Rear Window Defroster................... 167
Rear Window Features.................... 167
Rearview Mirrors........................ 87
Recorder, Event Data...................... 66
Recreational Towing...................... 346Reformulated Gasoline.................... 324
Refrigerant............................ 380
Reminder, Seat Belt.....................49,50
Remote Control
Door Locks........................... 21
Security Alarm......................... 19
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan)............... 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 246
Remote Starting System.................... 28
Remote Trunk Release..................... 39
Replacement Bulbs....................... 409
Replacement Keys........................ 17
Replacement Parts....................... 372
Replacement Tires....................... 311
Reporting Safety Defects................... 444
Resetting Oil Change Indicator...........181,191
Restraint, Head......................... 130
Restraints, Child......................... 68
462 INDEX