2009 DODGE AVENGER radiator cap

To minimize the possibility of catalyst damage:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transaxle is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any ignition coil connec-
tors disconnected for prolonged periods.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fan, dis-
connect the fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. The fan is tempera-
ture controlled and can start at anytime the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the condenser.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 385
7

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

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