2009 DODGE AVENGER ignition

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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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
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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

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:
•The Key-In-Ignition reminder only sounds when the
ignition key is placed in the LOCK or ACC position.
•With either front door open, and the key in the
ignition, both the power door locks and Remote Key-
less Entry (RKE) transmitter 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. For door lock lubrication, refer to “Body
Lubrication” under “Maintenance Procedures” in Sec-
tion 7 of this manual.
SENTRY KEY
The Sentry KeyImmobilizer 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, which 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 operate
the vehicle. The system will shut the engine off in two
seconds if someone uses an invalid key to start the
engine.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 15
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NOTE:A key, which 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 the ignition
switch, the Vehicle Security Light will turn on for three
seconds for a bulb check. If the Vehicle Security Light
remains on after the bulb check, it indicates that there is
a problem with the electronics. In addition, if the Vehicle
Security Light begins to flash after the bulb check, it
indicates that someone used an invalid key 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 sec-
onds), it indicates that there is a fault in the electronics.
Should this occur, have the vehicle serviced as soon as
possible.CAUTION!
Always remove the Sentry Keyfrom the vehicle and
lock all doors when leaving the vehicle unattended.
NOTE:
•The Sentry KeyImmobilizer 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.
•Exxon/Mobil SpeedPass™, additional Sentry Keys,
or any other transponder equipped components on the
same keychain willnotcause a key-related (transpon-
der) fault unless the additional part isphysically held
against the ignition keybeing used when starting the
vehicle. Cell phones, pagers, or other Radio Frequency
(RF) electronics will not cause interference with this
system.
16 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

All of the keys provided with your new vehicle have
been programmed to the vehicle electronics.
Replacement Keys
NOTE:Only keys that have been programmed to the
vehicle electronics can be used to start the vehicle. Once
a Sentry Keyhas been programmed to a vehicle, it
cannot be programmed to any other vehicle.
At the time of purchase, the original owner is provided
with a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
This PIN is required for authorized dealer replacement of
keys. Duplication of keys may be performed at an
authorized dealer or by using the Customer Key Pro-
gramming procedure. This procedure consists of pro-
gramming a blank key to the vehicle electronics. A blank
key is one which has never been programmed.NOTE: When having the Sentry KeyImmobilizer
System serviced, bring all vehicle keys with you to an
authorized dealer.Sentry KeyProgramming
You can program new keys to the system if you have two
valid Sentry Keysby performing the following proce-
dure:
1. Cut the additional Sentry KeyTransponder blank(s)
to match the ignition switch lock cylinder key code.
2. Insert the first valid key into the ignition switch. Turn
the ignition switch to the ON position for at least three
seconds, but no longer than 15 seconds. Then, turn the
ignition switch to the LOCK position and remove the first
key.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 17
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3. Insert the second valid key into the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within
15 seconds. After 10 seconds, a chime will sound. In
addition, the Vehicle Security Light will begin to flash.
Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
remove the second key.
4. Insert a blank Sentry Keyinto the ignition switch.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position within
60 seconds. After 10 seconds, a single chime will sound.
In addition, the Vehicle Security Light will stop flashing.
To indicate that programming is complete, the Vehicle
Security Light will turn on again for three seconds and
then turn off.
The new Sentry Keyis programmed.The Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter will also be pro-
grammed during this procedure.Repeat this procedure to program up to eight keys. If you
do not have a programmed Sentry Key, contact your
authorized dealer for details.
NOTE:If a programmed key is lost, see your authorized
dealer to have all remaining keys erased from the sys-
tems memory. This will prevent the lost key from starting
your vehicle. The remaining keys must then be repro-
grammed. All vehicle keys must be taken to an autho-
rized dealer at the time of service to be reprogrammed.
General Information
The Sentry Keysystem complies with FCC rules part 15
and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following conditions:
•This device may not cause harmful interference.
•This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
18 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM — IF
EQUIPPED
The Vehicle Security Alarm 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 three minutes, the horn
will sound intermittently and the headlights, park lights,
taillights and the indicator 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 three
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
(one door must be open) or the LOCK button on the
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter (doors can be
open or closed), and close all doors.
NOTE:The system will not arm if you lock the doors
with the manual door lock plungers.
3. The Vehicle Security Light in the instrument cluster
will flash rapidly for 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 system will automati-
cally disarm. After 16 seconds, the indicator light will
flash slowly. This shows that the system is fully armed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 19
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