2010 DODGE AVENGER lock

•Air Conditioner ControlPress this button to turn on the air
conditioning during manual operation
only. When the air conditioning is
turned on, cool dehumidified air will
flow through the outlets selected with
the Mode control dial. Press this but-
ton a second time to turn OFF the air
conditioning. An LED in the button illuminates when
manual compressor operation is selected.
•Recirculation Control
The system will automatically control recircu-
lation. However, pressing the Recirculation
Control button will temporarily put the system
in recirculation mode (ten minutes). This can be used
when outside conditions such as smoke, odors, dust, or
high humidity are present. Activating recirculation will
cause the LED in the control button to illuminate. After
ten minutes, the system will return to normal AUTO
mode function and the LED will turn off. NOTE:
•When the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK
position, the recirculation feature will be cancelled.
•In cold weather, use of the Recirculation mode may lead
to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation mode
is not allowed in the floor, defrost, or Mix mode in order
to improve window clearing. Recirculation will be
disabled automatically if these modes are selected.
•Extended use of recirculation may cause the windows
to fog. If the interior of the windows begins to fog,
press the Recirculation button to return to outside air.
Some temp/humidity conditions will cause captured
interior air to condense on windows and hamper
visibility. For this reason, the system will not allow
Recirculation to be selected while in floor, defrost, or
Mix mode. Attempting to use the recirculation while in
these modes will cause the LED in the control button
to blink and then turn off.
234 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 243
▫ Automatic Transmission ............... 243
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 243
▫ Extreme Cold Weather
(Below 20°F Or 29°C)............... 244
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 244
▫ After Starting ....................... 245
 Engine Block Heater — If Equipped ........ 246
Automatic Transmission ................. 246
▫ Key Ignition Park Interlock ............. 248
▫ Brake/Transmission Interlock System ...... 248
▫ Automatic Transmission Ignition Interlock
System ............................ 249
▫ Four–Speed/Six–Speed Automatic
Transmission — If Equipped ............ 249
▫ Gear Ranges ........................ 249
 AutoStick — If Equipped ............... 253
▫ Operation ......................... 253
5

▫General Information .................. 254
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 255
▫ Acceleration ........................ 255
▫ Traction ........................... 255
 Driving Through Water ................. 256
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 256
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 256
 Power Steering ....................... 258
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 259
 Parking Brake ........................ 259
 Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ............ 262
 Electronic Brake Control System ........... 264
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 264▫
Traction Control System (TCS) ........... 265
▫ Brake Assist System (BAS) .............. 265
▫ Hill Start Assist (HSA) – If Equipped ...... 266
▫ Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ......... 269
 Tire Safety Information ................. 272
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 272
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 276
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 277
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 278
 Tires — General Information ............. 282
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 282
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 283
▫ Radial-Ply Tires ..................... 285
240 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat
belts.
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. Do not leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
Automatic Transmission
The shift lever must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.NOTE:
The ignition switch must be in the ON position,
and you must press the brake pedal before shifting out of
PARK.
Normal Starting
NOTE: Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or pressing the
accelerator pedal.
For vehicles not equipped with Tip Start (Four-Speed
Transmission), turn the ignition switch to the START
position and release it when the engine starts. If the
engine fails to start within 10 seconds, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
For vehicles equipped with Tip Start (Six-Speed Trans-
mission), turn the ignition switch to the START position
and release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 243

motor will continue to run, and it will disengage auto-
matically when the engine is running. If the engine fails
to start, the starter will disengage automatically in 10 sec-
onds. If this occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (Below20°F or29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your dealer) is recommended.
If Engine Fails To Start
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Vehicles equipped with an automatic
transmission cannot be started this way. Unburned
fuel could enter the catalytic converter and once
the engine has started, ignite and damage the
converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has a dis-
charged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery
in another vehicle. This type of start can be dan-
gerous if done improperly. Refer to “Jump Start-
ing” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for further
information.
Without Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. Push the accelerator pedal all
244 STARTING AND OPERATING

the way to the floor and hold it there while cranking the
engine. This should clear any excess fuel in case the
engine is flooded.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the key is
released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15 sec-
onds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the
floor.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15-
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, repeat the “Normal Starting” or “Ex-
treme Cold Weather” procedures.
With Tip Start
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
“Normal Starting” or “Extreme Cold Weather” proce-
dures, it may be flooded. To clear any excess fuel, push
the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Then, turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release it as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor
will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. Once this
occurs, release the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition
switch to the LOCK position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then
repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, wait 10 to 15 sec-
onds before trying again.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 245

ENGINE BLOCK HEATER — IF EQUIPPED
The engine block heater warms the engine, and permits
quicker starts in cold weather. Connect the cord to a
standard 110-115 Volt AC electrical outlet with a
grounded, three-wire extension cord.
The engine block heater cord is bundled under the hood
between the headlight assembly and the Totally Inte-
grated Power Module (Fuse Box) on the driver ’s side of
the vehicle.
WARNING!
Remember to disconnect the cord before driving.
Damage to the 110-115 Volt electrical cord could cause
electrocution.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the follow-
ing precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to
a complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the
vehicle has come to a complete stop and the engine
is at idle speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL
into any forward gear when the engine is above
idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot
is firmly on the brake pedal.
246 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should
always shift the vehicle into PARK, remove the
key from the ignition, and apply the parking
brake. Once the key is removed from the ignition,
the shift lever is locked in the PARK position,
securing the vehicle against unwanted movement.
Furthermore, you should never leave children un-
attended inside a vehicle.
Key Ignition Park Interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a Key Ignition Park Inter-
lock which requires the shift lever to be placed in PARK
prior to rotating the key to the LOCK position. The keycan only be removed from the ignition when the ignition
is in the LOCK position and once removed the shift lever
is locked in PARK.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This vehicle is equipped with a Brake Transmission Shift
Interlock System (BTSI) that holds the shift lever in the
PARK position when the ignition switch is in the LOCK
position. To move the shift lever out of the PARK
position, the ignition switch must be turned to any other
switch position (ACC, ON, or START) (engine running or
not) and the brake pedal must be pressed.
NOTE:
If a malfunction occurs, the transmission will
not shift out of park. Battery power is required to release
the brake/transmission interlock system. However, there
is an override system that allows you to shift out of PARK
in case of loss of power. To activate the override system:
•Firmly apply the parking brake
248 STARTING AND OPERATING